Cambodia 2009 in pictures...

This is the first of potentially many blogs dedicated to stories and pictures from my last trip to Cambodia. These pictures were all taken during my 2 week internship in Kratie.

Here I am with some of the guys at my farewell party in Kratie. Theara on the far left is the computer teacher at the World Hope school which partners with the Wesleyan Church; he has beautiful eyes! Next to him in stripes is my good friend Sokha, then Dona, next to me is Richard then Li Mang, and then a boy I don't know!

Here I am with my 2 besties at Tess' house (where I lived for 2 weeks). Richard was my 1st friend in Kratie last year, and he was one of my best this year! He is also my most diligent English student, and my personal Khmer teacher! Nary is also a very good friend and the 3 of us had alot of fun together. I know that I blogged alot about them so here is our picture! Nary and Richard spent the last night with me then woke up at 5am for school. We spent an entire afternoon on the floor laughing, and shared many meals together.

Bona and I were playmates last year. Every time I arrived at the school, he would run up to me and we would play the same games. This year, he was very shy for the 1st week. Then when I showed him his picture from last year, he remembered that we were best friends last year. I will be sure to take this picture with me next year!

Piney is a quiet girl, but very strong and very caring. One evening she came over and it started to rain very hard, so she was unable to walk home until the storm ceased. She told me the next day that her mother beat her because she attended prayer meeting and was out too late. Piney continues to come and continues to shine. I have a deep respect for her.

Sokha and Li Mang playing a traditional filippino game called the Newspaper Dance. Everyone got in pairs and put a newspaper on the floor between them. As the music played, we danced around the newspaper, then when the music quits, both partners have to stand on the newspaper. If you can do this, you continue to the next round - when the newspaper is folded in half. Eventually the newspaper is very small and only 1 person is able to fit -Sokha and Ming were very creative and manipulated their bodies in such a way that both fit on a very small square of paper!

During the 1st hour of my farewell party, we played many different games with the children fromt the school. Here you see the boys vs. the girls play Samson and Delilah. We also played with balloons, had prizes, and candy.. the kids loved it!

Here I am with a few of the girls at my farwell party. The taller woman in white stripes is Rolitess Galam, the filippino missionary that I lived with for 2 weeks.
This is my good friend Ratana, she and her brother Chanta are also my English students, and their older sisters, Zanda and So Phol, are two of my friends at the Bible College in Phnom Penh. So I am very familiar with their family. Ratana's name means precious stone or gem, which means we have same name!

Song and I were not close friends last year, but we did become good friends this year. I have learned alot about him and his family, and I have a deep respect for him also. Song is not in school and recently quit his job, so he spent a few afternoons and nights with Tess and I and I really enjoyed hearing him play the guitar.

Sitting Sad in Seoul, South Korea

I left Cambodia last night. Sad. So sad! Yes, it will be good to see a few people back home. I really miss my church, and worshipping there. But, I didn't want to leave. My visa is good through July 3rd, and I really would have stayed if I knew how to change my ticket easily and cheap! My bests took me to the airport Friday night at 9:30. I checked in and then went back outside to talk and take pictures, and say my final goodbyes. Of course nothing is final.. and my plans are to return next summer. In the scheme of a lifetime, 1 year isn't so long. Right? It feels so good to say that I know, I KNOW, Cambodia is where I am supposed to be.
My plane left at 11:55 Friday night, and right now I sadly sit in Seoul, for a 13-hour, lonely layover. I found 2 whiteys and took a short nap close to them. Then I caught up on journaling, read a chapter, and stood to find breakfast. Then I found a free internet cafe.. and I'm still sitting here! My roommate was online.. so I asked her to text my sister, and both my sisters were online soon! We caught up a little.. but it will be good to see them soon!
This is it for now. Of course I'll have lots to say very soon! I'm going to visit Starbucks for round #2 and then find something for lunch so I can take my malaria pill!
Hope all is well in America.. see you soon!

3 of my besties:: Ashton, Cham nol, and Loren (& Ki on the far L)

2 more days in Kratie..

These are a few pictures taken before my team left..


Playing Boggle with friends at Tess' house in Kratie. The three younger guys are my English students, Limang, Sokha, and Chanta. The man beside me is Pastor Greg, our missionary; he looks like a baby bird.


A jumping picture with my team at Angkor Wat, in Siem Reap.


Our team with Pastor Paroath (younger man in far back and his students in Kampong Cham. Love this place! Kampong Cham was the first province our team visited in Cambodia. We fell in love with the kids on the 1st day.

A few others you will enjoy. =)
A cute baby girl taking a bath. =)

Pastor Arun, Vandy, and Chamnol at Angkor Wat. (Love these guys!)

A buddhist temple at Angkor Wat

Pastor Greg and a local villager preparing jack fruit. Jack fruit has a very distinct smell, especially when left to bake in the van's trunk. For $3 we bought this jackfruit that was 2x the size of an average American watermelon. Each of us had 3 small pieces and wanted no more.

ANYWAYS
Having a wonderful time here. =) Yesterday during lunch it rained aweful, so the students were not able to travel back to school (Schools go from 6-11, then 1-5), so my friends Pagna and Nary came over to Tess' house, and we laid on the floor, shared 1 pillow, and laughed for almost 2 hours. I am teaching them English, and they are teaching me Khmer. They really are true friends, and I will miss them alot when I leave on Friday.
I also started to learn a few khmer songs this morning. They are actually written by Hillsong, and translated in Khmer, so the music is familiar. Tess and I are fasting today, along with the students and staff at the Bible College, and a few others. Everyone was texting each other to share prayer requests, and Tess and I prayed together for 2 hours, praying for the Church in Cambodia, the students at the school here and at the WBI, for the Wesleyan pastors, for unsaved family members, for the work of World Hope, and many more. It was a really awesome time. The hardest part about my team leaving is not having devotions and highs/lows and times of sharing with them, but Tess and I have been able to share a few times, and this afternoon was great. I'm looking forward to doing it again tomorrow during lunch.
Sunday evening we returned to Kratie (from the wedding in Kampong Cham) and 10 of us worshipped together. I wish everyday was Sunday. Ok, that isn't true - because I teach Monday-Friday and I love teaching and being with the students. I digress.. I love seeing the students worship, but my heart is missing the worship at home, the English worship.
On Wednesday nights we have prayer meetings at Tess' house. Last week it was only her and I and 3 others, but we are expecting more tonight because I am leaving on Friday. I have a short devotional prepared, as well as sharing my testimony. Then a few of the students (my besties Pagna and Nary) will stay the night.
On Friday morning Tess and I will travel by bus to Phnom Penh. It should take about 8 hours. I will supposed to stay in Kratie through Monday, but we are leaving early to meet our friends who will be visiting from the Philippines. We plan to spend Friday evening with them, and then Saturday morning Vandy, Tess, Chamnol and I will spend a few hours just the 4 of us. The plan is pizza, basketball at the arcade, and taking lots of pictures.. but we'll see if that actually happens.
God has been teaching me alot and challenging me. In 3 days I read Shane Claiborn's "Irresistable Revolution" and it changed my life.. really. It's about Shane's realizations that what Jesus said is true, and He means it. Yeah, it's easy to say. But do you really believe that when Jesus says to sell everything you have and give it to the poor, He means it? My heart is really feeling pulled towards doing something big.. I'm afraid to talk about it specifically, and I'm not to sure why, but I don't. =) hehe. God laid it on my heart yesterday evening, and it just so happens that we're fasting this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon. So I'm praying about it alot, and hoping that my ears will be open to hear God speaking to me and telling me what He wants me to do in this situation.

Please pray:
That I will hear God speaking to me about this specific "idea"
That I will be passionate and zealous during my last 10 days here in Cambodia
As I share during our prayer meeting tonight; a few students that may come tonight have only seen me teaching English, and haven't heard the message of my heart.
For the Pastors Paroath, Poleak, Arun, Malachi, Sopeak, Mano, Kimsua and Vandy..
Pray for my students who will be taking national graduation exams on June 15 and July 7:: Richard, Nary, Limang, Ratana, Chanta, Sry Mum, and others that I cannot pronounce or spell.
Pray also for the names Tess, Chamnol, Theara, Greg & Resie Fernandez, Rotha & Elizabeth, and Adam Nash.


I return to America on June 13, so everyone should be expecting alot of pictures June 14 or 15.

continuing where i left off...

Again, you never know what's going to happen.. but I'll try to finish this blog less abruptly; no guarentees. ;)
I'm still here in Kratie, and loving it. I've gotten pretty lazy.. taking naps almost every afternoon. I haven't seen the rat in the kitchen, but I lie in bed every night listening to the mice chatting, and watching them run through the rafters. Eating khmer food 3 meals a day.
On Saturday I went to a wedding. I borrowed a khmer dress and shoes, and had my hair, nails, and makeup done professionally. I got alot of attention for being the only whitey at a wedding attended by almost 800. I also learned the traditional dance, and we had alot of fun doing that. I had just a few friends there. Chamnol, Tess, Vandy, Sreyroath, Chita, Ki, Srey Mum.. We haven't had water for a few days.. but luckily it has rained alot, so I can still bathe.
Hope to blog again soon... hope all is going well.

hello from kratie

Greetings again from Kratie, Cambodia. I have so many things to say, and so little time, and I also don't want to bore anyone by writing things that interest only me.. so let's see how quickly and effectively I can write this blog.
My team (6 of my new best friends) flew home on Friday night, so I'm the only whitey here now. I stayed the Bible college for a few days, but all the students went home Saturday morning because they were very ill. I was also very ill for 1 week. I spent 3 entire days in bed, and was finally taken to the hospital. For $43, I consulted a doctor, had my blood tested twice, had my urine and a stool sample tested, and was given a week supply of 3 prescription medicines. 1 week later, I am feeling much much better.
Yesterday evening I arrived in Kratie with Pastor Vandy and missionary Tess. I am staying at Tess' house, and taking showers with a bucket and rain water, and learning how to sneak under a mosquito net without letting the bugs in, and also how to hide my food from the rats. Aside from this, I love Kratie very very much. I have many friends here. I'm not too sure on my schedule, but I know that I will be tutoring a handful of graduating seniors, and preparing them for graduation exams and then for scholarships. I will also teach 2 English classes in the evening.
On Friday afternoon, Tess and I will go by taxi 2 hours to ...

Back in Kratie...

I am back in Kratie, Cambodia. Here is the province where I made many close friends last May. Everyone here remembers me, my name, and my story - even people that I do not recognize. It's great to see them again and be encouraged by them. After my team leaves on May 21, I will return to Kratie and spend 2 weeks with Rolitess (a filippino World Hope missionary). I am very excited! The youth are very active in the church, and most also attend the English school - so I will have alot of fun with them.
This morning we hiked up a mountain to see the city. We went up maybe 350 stairs and halfway up I was thrilled to find a restroom. It was a little shady - but I was a new woman after using it. Monday evening we rode elephants up a mountainside in Siem Reap and it was absolutely beautiful at the top. We coud see Angkor Wat on the horizon, and the sun was starting to set. I am really able to connect with God through nature and I was reminded again of His goodness. Every evening after team devotions we talk about our "highs and lows" of the day, and everyone's high was the top of the mountain.
Our van driver, Om, also went up with us - he doesn't join us for many things aside from meals, so we took advantage of the opportunity to take a picture with him, and I think it meant alot to him that we included him. Ihave seen him bow his head when we pray over meals, and it warms my little white heart. =)
Yesterday I taught 2 intermediate English courses. It was different, but I enjoyed it. Last night we went to Tess' house (she is a World Hope missionary in Kratie, teaching English) and we had prayer meeting. We sang praises, then shared a testimony, and shared prayer requests then prayed the Korean way - everyone outloud and holding hands. It was really neat.
We are all still sharing 1 room. We pushed 3 full beds together and 7 of us are sleeping comfortably. We have gotten very close and it's been alot of fun experiencing Cambodia together.
Finally, I'm thinking about getting married so Tess is going to teach me how to cook rice later this week... I'll let you sit and ponder that one. =)
Please continue praying for me and my ministry here. I want to grow closer to God and take others with me!

Experiences in Cambodia...

I am still here at Freedom Hotel in Siem Reap - the tourism hotspot of Cambodia. We have been a few different places. This morning and afternoon we walked through Angkor Wat (google it!) and in 2 hours we will be riding elephants through the mountains to watch the sun set. (Oh boy I'm excited about that!!)
Yesterday was our first Sunday here in Cambodia, so we visited 2 churches. The 1st church was where I spoke last year, and both pastors remembered me and my story. Tonight we will return to one church to teach English classes. Yesterday evening we visited the Cultural Village (a tourist attraction of cultural dances and shows) but it rained very much and we were not able to see any shows, but did walk through the rain - running from tree to tree.
Our missionary (Pastor Greg, aka "Baby Bird") left us in Siem Reap with 3 Khmer pastors - Vandy, Chamnol, and Arun. They have been teaching me alot of Khmer - and I can now introduce myself in Khmer when we visit churches. I hired a Buddhist driver named Om to drive us place to place (he looks like gorilla.) Please pray that I can be a light for him. His English is not good, but I know that he is listening to us and watching us.
Tuesday morning we will leave for Kratie (my very favorite province in Cambodia). Pastor Greg and Resie and their 2 young daughters will be joining us there. I have missed him and his humor. I am also very excited to reunite with my friends in Kratie, especially a filippino missionary named Tess. When my team leaves, I will be staying with her for 2 weeks. This week is a national holiday (the king's birthday) so many schools are closed, but we still expect to offer our evening English courses because when the American girls arrive.. so do the Cambodians.
I have had mymoments of feeling sick, but it hasn't been bad. I do not each much because I am full very easy. This morning for breakfast I ate only 1/2 a small pancake. Please continue to pray for my health and energy so that I can be effective in ministry and not be held back by my physical body. Thank you for remembering me in your prayers. God is teaching me new things everyday and I am feeling closer to Him. Pray that I will continue to be filled with the Spirit and that my mind will give attention to opportunities to minister. Thank you!

David & Michele - The young filippino missionary Tess will still be in Kratie during my internship, so I will be staying with her. =) Thank you for praying.
Keetha - You are right about the ice!
Joni - Tell Leah I miss her so much!! What a big girl!!!
Mom - My malaria prescription says that I should take it alone, but I will begin to take my other meds with it so that I do not forget. Please take a picture of our big tree so that I will always remember it!

More to come when I can...

in Cambodia...

I'm sorry that I haven't had alot of time to write. Internet isn't always available, and when it is it has been very slow. I am also very tired.
We arrived May 3rd, late Sunday night. It is so great to be back and see everyone! I missed so many people and it's great to see them again. It has been funny because I keep receiving phone calls from friends in Cambodia. When I am with Pastor Greg, Vandy and Leak and Pholla have called, and now I am with Titos and Vandy, and Pastor Greg has called me. Pastor Greg is our missionary and I intially had a difficult time connecting with him, but now we are tight and I really like him alot.
I also talked with Jessie on the phone one afternoon! She is in the Philippines with my friends that are missionaries there - and her missionaries called my missionaries and we were able to talk for a minute or two. I cried I was so happy!
I have eaten ALOT of sticky white rice! I am also enjoying Cambodian iced coffee. Intially, Pastor Greg refused to order for me because the ice is not good for me - but now I am drinking it everyday. =)
I had two nightmares before I left for Cambodia - one was that ther wouldn't be pillows anywhere, and that did come true 1 night for me because 7 of us were sharing 3 small beds. I did manage though.
Last night at the WBI I slept very little because it was late and there was 1 or 2 men that kept pacing past our window. I tried to convince myself that they were not there - but they were! The students told me this morning that it was probably just the working passing to use the restroom, but I know that they hung around for a little while.
I love my team so much! I know that God put the 7 of us together because we fit perfectly. I have been having so much fun with them and I feel like I can share absolutely anything with them. It's still 2 weeks away, but it will be very hard when they leave and I remain.
I ate 1 bite of a duck again and tomorrow I am CONSIDERING trying a tarantula. We stopped today at an outdoor market / rest area and there were children vendors and a couple girls had live tarantulas on their shirts. They tried teasing us with them - I almost cried and pee'd my pants!
God has taught me incredible things everyday. Seriously. My eyes have been opened to see people and situations that continue to grow and change me. We were eating late one evening and 1 woman begger really caught my eye, but I didn't give her attention. We gave her and egg and I said God bless you. Later I realized - she is representing the forgotten, the people of this world who we (unintentially) walk upon. I wonder what would have happened if I had decided to be radical in my faith and offered her my seat at the table, and bought her a meal. I don't know. I am being reminded everyday to be selfless and to be in an attitude of prayer and thankfulness.
Pastor Greg let me drive the van! I was so nervous on the roads with the traffic - but it was fun!

Mom - I love you! Happy Mother's Day and happy birthday!!
Jessie - did you meet a 44ish-yr-old man named Richard? He is going to be engaged to one of my best friends here (Channa).
Grandmom - I have decided to brush my teeth with the sink water - I know this is not healthy. Please pray for me. =) I love you!
Victor - everyone here thinks that you look like a Cambodian! Please tell your fam that I said hello!

I could write 1 million more things, but I also want to update the team blog. You can read that here: worldimpactiwu.blogspot.com We should have decent internet through Tuesday morning, so I will try to blog again tomorrow or the following day.

Please keep me in your prayers. Leave comments!!!