Last Day in Cambodia

Yes, I am still in Thailand...but I wanted to make sure to tell you about our last visit with the kids in Cambodia. It was a whirlwind day with last minute shopping, a visit to the school where all the kids attend, time at the orphanage, and dinner with the students. On top of that, we had to pack for the various plane rides...it was quite busy!

All of the kids went to one orphanage (the Vista one) so we could visit longer with them all. When we got there, they had traditional dances ready for us. It was incredible. The kids are taught dancing like we might teach kids to ride a bike...it's part of their childhood. They were beautiful in their costumes and moved expertly. (Even the neighbors were watching through the gate and over the wall!) I wish I had video to show you, but I do have a couple of pictures of them.

Once the dancing was done, we got to hang out with them for a while. Someone on the team brought glow sticks - which was a great idea! By then it was dark, and the kids were having an absolute blast with them. We played games and ate fruit and loved on the kids. (Here would be a good time to mention that even when it's dark, Cambodia is still hotter than anything we have ever felt. I think it's pretty close to what it feels like to melt! You can be standing still and pouring sweat. We thought it was hot here in Thailand, but comparatively speaking, this feels great!!!)

After a while, the other two orphanages went home and Cristen and I stayed behind to spend more time with our orphans. I wish you all could have been there for that time. I don't even have words to describe it. Some of the money given by Vista was used to buy a coloring book, crayons, and a toothbrush for each of the kids. Through an interpreter, we explained how our church loves them and has seen their pictures and prays for them all. We told them that the gifts we brought were from you all and that we were blessed to be able to be the ones to hand them out. 

(I will take a detour for a moment to tell you the saga of our trip to Cambodia from Thailand. Usually teams travel a certain airline between here and Phnom Penh...and are able to take 2 bags of 50lbs of stuff - plus carry-on. So, we all brought stuff from the states to give to the kids...medicine, toys, school supplies, etc. This time, however, they decided to save money and fly a discount airline. Unbeknownst to us though, the weight limit is ONE bag of 33 pounds. There we all were with almost 100 pounds each, wanted to charge us for every extra pound over 33 - plus a baggage handling fee for every bag. Well, we swallowed that here in Chiangmai after a lot of phone calls and talking. When we got to Bangkok for that leg of the trip, they wanted to charge us AGAIN - but this time MORE THAN DOUBLE what we paid before. This was no small amount of money. Our options were to pay it...or leave everything laying on the floor of the airport. Well, none of us could imagine not having anything to give to the orphans, so it was paid. To add insult to injury, when we got on the planes, they wanted to charge us for food or drinks. Not even a free cup of water. Needless to say, we hopefully won't be riding that airline again.)

Cristen and I both were close to tears by the time we were done. One of the little boys thanked us on behalf of the kids, and then they sang us more songs and danced more for us. We also colored together for a little while.

You will be happy to know that our kids are very loved by the directors, Savong and Pisey. I expected our kids to be slightly more reserved than the other ones who had been at the established orphanages. But they were incredibly happy and outgoing. They love being held just like the others, and they held on just as long. They know lots of songs and dances, and love to sing loudly. Their home is large, and it seems like just that...a home. They are obviously well cared for, safe, and protected. I am sure for the first time in most of their lives. When we tried to leave, they hung on us saying goodbye, I love you, I will pray for you, and God bless you. Cristen was sitting in the van, and I could not even move because their were so many kids hanging on me. Honestly, I wish I could have stayed.

Thank you, Vista, for your support. I can't overstate the difference you are making in their lives. I hope that many more of you will be able to come and be with these children. Enjoy the pictures!