Day Four

For those of you who have just started reading this blog because a friend or family member is currently on the mission trip here...I need to tell you that it's a commentary not just for these trips to visit the orphans, but has also been where I have shared about my experiences of living and serving in Cambodia for the last 10 months. Sometimes I write about deep and meaningful topics. Sometimes I keep it light with anecdotes from daily life. I state that disclaimer because of what I am about to relate to you.

I just had to borrow a toothbrush from my neighbor. I borrowed the toothbrush because I accidentally sprayed mine with bug spray. The bug spray got out of hand as I was trying to kill a flying cockroach in my bathroom. The cockroach started flying when I moved the curtain after my shower. So, yes, apparently the cockroach was with me in the shower, but thankfully I am blind without my glasses and I didn't know that. I absolutely hate cockroaches. And my generous neighbor across the hall has had none of them in her apartment. Just me. Lucky me.

Ok...now that I have gotten that out of my system, I will share about today.

The team started off this morning at Toul Sleng which is a former high school now turned genocide museum that displays documentation of the atrocities that took place under the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. During the time of the Khmer Rouge, the regime took over the high school and turned it into a place of torture. Men, women, and children were confined there. The regime was systematic in that they numbered each prisoner and took pictures of them before sending them to the killing fields to be executed. The high school stands as it did during that time. Rows upon rows of black and white photos of those who were killed are displayed.




If you are unfamiliar with the Killing Fields or the Khmer Rouge and the devastation that occurred in Cambodia during their rule, click the links on the left to read some earlier posts. This country was once considered the most beautiful in all of Southeast Asia. And then the Khmer Rouge tried to turn it back to an agrarian society, destroying the infrastructure, disrupting families, and killing an estimated 2 million people. Honestly, I am amazed that the country is able to recover at all after that. It helps to explain the desperate situation that most people are in right now.

This afternoon, the team headed off to the school to teach some Bible verses in English, sing songs, and read books to the kids at the school run by Asia's Hope. Our kids in grades Kindergarten through 6th grade go to the school and are taught Khmer classes half the day and English half the day. They actually have learned quite a few words in English and can answer some basic questions.

Adam reads a book to some older kids.

Heather and Jeannine teach a song.

Eric and Morgan are playing a vocabulary game with the kids.

Justin and Mark sing songs.

Joyce and Jess read with the littlest ones.

Renae and Kati read with some younger kids.

After that, we were off to Prek Eng 2 to play with the kids and deliver some gifts. Jess and Adam taught us a great game that was fun for kids and adults alike!

You'll notice on the clips that the adults were not just letting the kids win:)

And then shortly thereafter, the sky opened up in a typical afternoon Cambodian shower. (Note the wet look in the next few pics:) Luckily, the team had brought a suitcase full of games and toys for the kids, so they had fun playing inside instead.

This little guy is Metha. He's seven years old, but could seriously fit into my suitcase. So cute!

The kids had so much fun unpacking the suitcase of goodies!

Then, it was off to Vista's home where the team had another fun craft for the kids. This time...decorating t-shirts with puffy paint. Just as with the stickers, some took their time creating designs, while others were a little more free with the paint:)

Before the team came, I had mentioned to my friends back home that our kids absolutely love to do crafts so it would be great to come prepared with a couple. I think they will testify to the fact that I did not lie. It's amazing to watch them work so quietly and diligently. And it's all of them. There really aren't words to describe how well they work together, help one another, share, and defer to each other. We could all learn some lessons from them!

Tomorrow, we are off to paint at a center that helps women and girls who have left the sex trade. And, I'm sure that we will be spending more time with the kids. Thanks for the continued prayers!