The last 48 hours have been a blur of fun adventures, time with the university students, and lots of traveling. Yesterday (Sunday) we went to church in the morning and spent quite a bit of time at the house getting ready for the rest of the day and our trip to Battambang. In the afternoon we took a quick visitor's tour of the city of Phnom Penh - we went to the Russian Market to buy some souveniers and practice our bartering skills and then we went to a famous temple called Wat Phnom.
After some quick sightseeing we went to meet the university students at a restaurant for a dinner where they each brought a couple of friends and we spoke about why we came to Cambodia - to share with them about God's love and grace. We sang a couple of songs and many people have the gift of singing harmony; it's absolutely beautiful.
This morning we got up SUPER early and caught a bus for a 5 hour trip to Battambang - which is mostly northwest of the city of Phnom Penh. After a couple of stops we made it here around 1pm and then did a quick tour of the two orphanages and some new property Asia's Hope plans to build on in the next few months. The first orphanage has about 40 children. When they saw the van arriving they ran to the gate and crowded around the van so much so to greet us that we couldn't even get out of the van to hug them - they were so excited to see us.
They had all prepared dances and songs for us - a little "program". They did some traditional Cambodian dances as well as some movements to contemporary Christian songs. We thought we were up to the challenge of similar "entertainment" but we sang a song they knew and did a WAY better job. It was fun to be with them and see their happy faces :)
After playing for a bit we left to check out the new property and see the foundation of a new orphanage. It's a great piece of land that will hold two new buildings, three fish ponds, an orchard of fruit bearing trees, rice paddies, and other crops.
We then headed to the new orphanage that just began 1-3 weeks ago with new children. When we arrived they had lined up along the driveway and were clapping as we walked up. It was so overwhelming to see them clapping for us...they were very sweet children and a bit more shy. We played games, painted some nails and threw a frisbee around for a bit and then had to leave. It was really hard to leave these children - no matter where you are at the orphanage they seek you out to get into your arms and be with you. They reach out for hugs and love and these children have just arrived in this orphanage and need a bit more.
So - in leiu of more entries we created a top 10 list for our trip thus far. Here you go!
10) Need a Visa to enter the country but you dón't have a passport photo? No problem! A $1 bribe will do!
9) In one room we can use the toilet, brush our teeth, and take a shower at the same time. Watch out for where you aim the shower head...wet toilet paper is not fun!
8) Motobike, motobike, motobike, bicycle, tuktuk (taxi), ox cart, Lexus -- Look OUT!! Biggest car wins = Van trumps Moto.
7) Want to make a left hand turn? Stick the nose of the car out and honk and go!
6) Fill a 12 - passenger van with 12 people? NAH! How about 17!
5) 3 air conditioners + 3 hot water heaters + Jen in the shower = power outages (3 times!)
4) If you're traveling in Asia, avoid discount ticket airlines. AirAsia = Skybus, Intl. You think 50 pound bags are ok...but really 33 pounds is what they like and they will charge you for every pound after that 33rd pound. This happened TWICE! Would you like some water during the flight? That will be 40 baht (Thai Currency). YUCK!
3) Do you like chicken? Great! We have all parts - liver, gizzards, heads, hearts, neck and maybe some meat. Yum Yum...
2) Designer gifts for cheap cheap! Same, Same, but different. Rolex = Rollex, Rayban = Roybon, Prada = Prado
And now for the #1 Experience
1) Jen's lesson in Asian toilet etiquette : How do I flush? What's a "squatty potty"? Where do I stand? Which way do I face? Where does the toilet paper go? Jen has all the answers. And don't forget to BYOTP.
We're at an internet cafe and everyone is waiting - so we'll upload pictures when we get back to Phnom Penh tomorrow. Thanks for your prayers!
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4 comments:
The highlight of my day is reading your blog about what you are doing. Loved Jens history lesson on Cambodia. You both are doing a fantastic job keeping us at home informed. It must make you feel great when these children come to greet and hug you. Love Grandma
Love you two SO SO SO SO MUCH!! These posts are so great - I feel like part of the team! I can't wait to hear more about your time with the orphans - what they're like, what they need, who stole your heart... and the highlights in this post sound hilarious. You two are amazing!!
Thanks for loving on those people and children for us - you are showing them God's love in such a sincere way - I'm so thankful you followed the Lord's call!
So - how is your health? The Bob and I are praying... Jen - how's the shoulder? which one is hurt? Cristen - how are you feeling? And how's the rest of the team? Anyone else sick?
Love you two so much!! Make sure you let us know when your planes are getting in when you come home!
Praying - mk & bob
Ha ha! Love the top 10. HAPPY SUNNY DAY!!! I love the accordian too! ha! Did you hear me yell "Happy Monday!"? I did it today and last week. Tom thinks I'm nuts! Dress rehearsal went well tonight. We open on Wed. I missed calling you on my way home. Love you!
My favorite bathroom quote in the history of bathroom quotes, "WHICH WAY DO I FACE?!?!"
??? hahaha! Loved it! I think I'm going to go get a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese breakfast sandwich, but have fun with the chicken heads! :) hehe If I could I would send you it!
Thanks for the posts I loved it! Also, the history lesson from Jen was really amazing. Thanks for posting. XoXo, with love.
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