Day Two

It's day number two with the team here in Phnom Penh...and what a day it's been so far! I heard from most people that they crashed early last night. Which was good, because we were up and out to the school this morning with all the kids from all four of the Asia's Hope orphanages.

The directors at each orphanage do a fabulous job of helping the kids to learn about their heritage and culture by teaching them the traditional Khmer dances. Each orphanage performed a dance for us dressed in their beautiful traditional outfits.

Prek Eng 3 performed the coconut dance.

Prek Eng 2 did the peacock dance.

Prek Eng 1...

and Prek Eng 4.

After their performances, we had a couple of hours of fun with the kids.

And then if that wasn't enough, the music got turned on and everyone started to dance. Dancing is a huge part of Khmer culture. Typically, a table is set in the middle of the crowd and everyone moves to the music in a circle around it. The kids absolutely love it. And they love even more when we try to move like them.

After lunch, we then went back to the hotel and sorted the suitcases full of goods for the kids. Each person on the team brings one suitcase for themselves and one suitcase full of stuff to give away. The team took time to sort it all out. What a huge blessing it is to the kids and staff to receive toys, school supplies, medical supplies, and hygiene items.

(Side note...the team went back out to the orphanage tonight to visit the kids. I, however, did not, and so I have no pictures of that tme. I spent the evening with several missionary friends. It was our last night together as we part ways to go back to our home countries...Australia, Finland, Switzerland, and the States. One I will hopefully see again. The others, I may not. It's one of those bittersweet moments in the life of a missionary.)

James 1:7 says this: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress...

In Cambodia, orphans are considered the least. Often other family members are unable to take care of orphan children. Or worse, neighbors or relatives will use even the youngest children to work selling goods in the streets or work the fields. There is not a lot of hope for them.

But our kids exude a joy and a peace that is unmistakably different than the world around them. In a country where they are considered the least, they are shown an incredible amount of love from the adults in their lives and especially from their Father above. He delights in them. And I believe it greatly pleasings Him when ones give of themselves to lavish His love on His children.

This team of people is loving well this week. They have made sacrifices of time and money. They have left family and friends. They have stepped way out of their comfort zones. But from what I hear and see, I'm willing to bet that every single one of them feels far more blessed by the kids than anything they could ever offer. It's a beautiful sight.

Thanks to so many of you who are praying. Thanks for those of you who gave and made it possible for this team to come. And thanks to the families who are also sacrificing as their loved ones are halfway around the world.

Keep praying! There is so much more in store for this week. Church tomorrow. Hopefully a trip to the Russian Market. And then or course more time with the kids!