More “front row seat” musings…

Right now, it is 10 AM on Sunday, July 13. I am sitting here in our eating area. It is HOT! Paul moved the fan from our room which is helping. One-half of the team left in the truck this morning to go to a Sunday service where they are giving testimonies, doing puppets and Bismark is preaching. After the service, the congregation is feeding them lunch. The other half of the team will be attending another church this afternoon and doing a presentation there. We will all be back together for our usual Sunday dinner: Kraft Mac and Cheese. We are all looking forward to hearing of each groups adventures.

The work project has been progressing. We are working on completing laying block for the three walls up to brick height and begin laying the brick. The back wall has a row of bricks already. The road project is progressing also. The truck delivering cement bags came again this week and was able to navigate the road. The work can be hard and monotonous, but the team works hard at keeping their focus and joy and managing to get a lot of laughs in despite the heat.

On Friday afternoon, the team went to the rice paddies to help the staff and students. The staff/students cut the blades (this type of rice requires two “cuts” before the blades produce the rice) and we helped with the second cut. The team put on their water shoes and went to work by helping carry the bushels to the truck.. They seemed to enjoy it. And when Knox stepped wrong and did a back drop in the water, we all had a good laugh.

On Saturday, we (team, staff, students and interns) loaded the two trucks and traveled about 1 1/2 hours to the mountains where there is a waterfall area that is frequented by the Cambodians. We had an uphill trek to reach the best area. Everyone enjoyed getting in the clean water and playing. We all enjoyed ham and cheese wraps, chips, Cambodian chicken and vegetables and fruit. It was fun and refreshing for everyone. Towards the end, the rain began which made the downhill climb a little harder for some. Everyone arrived safely to the parking lot and many enjoyed buying drinks and crickets from the local vendors.

Bible study continues to be a highlight of everyone’s day. I love the insight that the kids have! We are also enjoying the GG classes. I can’t speak for the boys, but the girls’ GG has been so good! Samara and Lauren are doing a great job of leading it! The other day, the cows decided to visit the girls during GG.

The animals (chickens, ducks, goats, dogs, cows) continue to keep us entertained. The “guard” dogs are friendly with everyone on the team and look forward to any scraps of food that may fall to the ground. Every once in awhile, a team member or leader will come to me with an egg that was “deposited” on their bed sometime during the day (not sure how the chickens are getting into the rooms…)

It is hard to believe that we only have 1 1/2 weeks here before we travel to Siem Reap. We are determined to “enjoy the moments” here and not focus on going home. There is still much work to do and fun to enjoy.

Only In Cambodia:

1. Ms. Beth, can I go to the store a buy some crickets. Sure…WHAT??? (They are really good. I am not an adventurous eater, but Sreymon (missionary) convinced me to try.) It is important to remove the legs so they don’t get stuck in your teeth…
2.Three separate motorcycles pulling large trailers:
1. One with a complete “department store” (clothes of all sizes)
2. One with a “grocery" store
3. And last, but not least, a “furniture store”
3. A mom, dad and child riding a motorcycle with an IV pole with a dripping IV
3. Knox laying in the hammock at the Falls and I noticed ear buds in his ear. “Knox, what are you listening to?”. Nothing and pulls out a pair of useless ear phones that the airline gave us
4. Sharing the road with herds of cows and goats
5. Fresh eggs on a bed
6. The sounds around me: barking, chickens, roosters (wish they would wait until later to serenade us…), cows mooing, goats baaing, and the never-ending laughter
7. Visits from a small herd of cows during GG class.

Here are some highlights:

I have been enjoying my time here in Cambodia. We have made a lot of progress on the building. Yesterday we went to a waterfall and today we will be going to two different churches to do presentations. - Sasha

Hi my people! This has been such a sweet summer so far. This team feels like my Cambodia “family” and I am so thankful for this time together. Every day there is beauty all around us and it physically feels like we are in the presence of God. Yesterday (Saturday the 12th), we went to a local waterfall to swim and eat lunch. Although the water was cold, it was so refreshing and a nice change of scenery. We ate fried crickets, duck and lots of dragon fruit. The Lord has blessed this team and I feel His nearness every day! I love you all so, so much and cannot wait to give the biggest hugs when I get back! - Amy

Hello from Cambodia! I have loved it here since we stepped off of the plane. The whole team works so hard and we put our all into the work project. It feels like something exciting happens every day that makes each day better than the last. Yesterday we had the opportunity to load up in a truck and see the beautiful Cambodian countryside as we drove to the locals’ favorite waterfall! It was a blast! I have loved the quiet times with Jesus and the quality time I get to spend with such a special team. Lots of love! - Ava

Hi guys! I LOVE Cambodia! My team is incredible! We have gotten a lot of work done, the students are so kind and the staff kids are so adorable! You can be praying for me to have strength and energy because the roosters love to wake me up at an ungodly hour. Cambodia is beautiful—I love seeing all the mountains and rice fields. Last night was my favorite—after evening devos, we played games with the students and staff kids—it was so much fun! Whenever we leave the property, we all squish into a truck meant for fewer people. It is always uncomfortable, but a fun and memorable adventure! I love and miss you all! See you soon! - Elianna

Hey Mom and Dad! I have had so much fun serving the Lord and helping mix concrete, lay blocks and help fix the road. I have shared my testimony and led the team in worship songs here at the churches. It is such an honor. I love and miss ya’ll! - Luke C.