Hello from Cambodia!

A week ago today we were on the never-ending flight from Los Angeles to Singapore. What a week—a week filled with hard, hard work, precious times of worship, getting to know one another better, spending time alone in prayer, reading His Word and so much laughter.

All, except one small section, of the floor has been poured. It was a lot of hard work, but that goal will be realized before breakfast this morning. We will then start laying the block around the outside of the building. With the heat and humidity, the work can be difficult, but we have a determined hard-working team. I love walking out to the worksite and seeing them give it 100% and hear the conversations and laughter. And they have become so creative in finding ways to keep their skin covered (thank the Lord for bandanas) in addition to the sunscreen.

The other night before dinner, the kids were all showered and cleaned up and the truck with the cement bags pulled in. Oh, no, he is pulling right through the "get stuck in the mud" area. And that he did. The team didn't hesitate. So, with their clean bodies and clean clothes, they ran to the rescue. They carted those 80 lb. bags of cement to the shelter and then helped the guy get his truck out of the mud. One of our work projects this week is to bring in rock and hard soil to build up that area.

Yesterday afternoon, we traveled about 1 1/2 hours away to a small church in a village, The team shared through music and testimonies and then took the children outside under a small covering (of course it was raining) where they did puppets and balloons. Everyone enjoyed it.

Things to add to my Memory Book:
1. The crazy rain showers, usually in the afternoon, and seeing the clothes on the clotheslines whipping and flying off in the wind. So much for doing laundry...
2. The beautiful sun rises
3. The constant laughter
4. The times of impromptu worship after dinner and before evening devotions
5. The never-ending morning chorus of the roosters
6. Glancing out the window and seeing the goats running for their lives—and then seeing Samara and Knox chasing them to their "home"
7. Watching the team and leaders literally rescue the cement and truck from the ditch
8. A rainbow
9. Sunsets
10. The cows coming to the kitchen in the mornings.
11. Evening devotions, led by each team member, ending with their "thorn" and "rose" for the day
12. Every evening ending with singing the Doxology.

Praise the Lord, everyone is healthy (KEEP PRAYING). Fighting dehydration is a constant battle, but we push electrolytes and they take breaks as needed.

And a word from some of the team members:

I have enjoyed getting to know everyone on our team better. It has been so bonding to work together on the dorm and pouring the concrete. I am very surprised we have done so much in very little time. I am so excited to see what we will accomplish in our time here. Luke M (i.e. "Lunchie")

So far Cambodia has been as I would have expected. It is most certainly hot and humid, but everything is doable. There is a large variety of plants and trees that I have never seen before: bananas, dragon fruit and others. The flies are worse than on any carcass or heap of dung. Besides that, the work is absolutely amazing. I am thoroughly loving the physical exertion in the form of moving and laying rocks and bricks. I have been learning in the Word in my devotions and in evening group devotions. Please be praying that I would grow in my ability to take what I learn in my devotions and share it with those around me. Also, please pray that I will become more inclined to God's voice. I love and miss you all. -Abishai

We landed safely in Cambodia and have been at the Teen Missions base for almost a week. Construction has been going on so far. We are almost done with the floors and will soon begin on the walls. (He had evening devotions last night—it was fun to hear of his journey to Christ). -Aiden

I am loving Cambodia and love the people. The Lord has shown me that I can do nothing without His strength. Our team is very well unified and we are getting a lot done. My favorite part is watching the sun go down in the evening. Everything is so green and there are a lot of animals. -Rivers

God bless you guys!