Third Time's the Charm!

Back at the internet cafe to see if I can upload a couple more pictures. I just switched computers because the first one wouldn't read CDs. So let's see if this will work.

I wanted to give you a couple shots from school. The Asia's Hope Christian School was just moved out to Prek Eng by all the orphanages. (Before it was in the city and all the kids had to be brought in...spending an hour in a van or tuk-tuk each day.) The building is better suited for them, though modest when compared to schools in the US.

This is where I will be spending at least 3 days a week. For the first month I will be doing a lot of assessment...of the kids and the curriculum. My goal is to help support the teachers through professional development as well as to help support the teaching of English and computers.

Below are a couple of shots from the first day of school this past Monday. We gathered together to dedicate the school and pray for the kids.




The school doesn't have much, but they are better off than the public schools. Often at the public schools, there are so many kids, they have to go to school in shifts. Our kids are so happy to be in school as many of them are attending for the first time in their lives. It costs to go to any school in Cambodia and families have to purchase uniforms as well. Being orphans, there was no possibility for them to get an education. But now, they are going to school every day. They are bright and eager to learn.

Below is a shot of the Asia's Hope orphanage directors and country staff. We went out to dinner with them one night last week. It is obvious any time that you are around the kids that these men and women truly love the kids and care well for them. The kids are happy and safe and exude a peace and joy that is not typical in other children that you might see.


Thought I would include the picture below. It's a shot from one of the boys' rooms in one of the orphanages in Battambang. Each child has a laundry basket and all their earthly possessions are contained in it. I thought I was doing well with my two 50 pound bags. I still feel like I own way too much stuff. Today, I went to a mall in Phnom Penh that I didn't know even existed. It's like any that you might see in a developed nation...seven floors of anything you would want to buy. What a dichotomy. Most of the country can't afford to even walk in the place.


We spent a very long time playing with the orphans today (Sunday afternoon). I got some great video of our Vista kids, though I found out that I cannot upload to my computer yet as I don't have the right program to interface with the camera. So, I will send the tape home with the next people headed back to the states. Suffice it to say that our kids are very cute. Yesterday, I said to someone that I feel like they get more beautiful each time I see them. And in one way that's true. They have gone from sad and hopeless to loved and valued. They have changed physically with 3 consistent meals a day, and their spirits have lifted with all the love and affection. Can't wait, Vista, until you can see it for yourselves!

And with that...I think I finally got all the pictures loaded. Keep praying for internet at the house.