Teamwork

Today was a great day with the kids and for our construction projects! The exterior of the girls and boys dorms were painted, and the classroom building paint will be completed tomorrow. Concrete was mixed and several slabs poured, and several of the men had fun demoing the security fence so that a new one can be installed. Good thing everyone is current on their tetanus shot!

As always the kids were right by our sides to help with the projects (painting drew an especially large crowd). The older boys are fantastic at the construction work and they will quickly let you know if you are not meeting their standards. Chhaiya, Veasna, Sros, Borey, Vibol, Hen, Banha, and Pisey are always in the thick of it and work so hard. 

Our teamwork becomes fellowship when we are working side by side with the kids, and these are bonds and memories that we will cherish always.

Pictures

You asked for it...  Here is the link to pictures of our trip.  We will continue to upload pictures as we can throughout the trip.

Cambodia Construction 2012

Enjoy!

Water Ballon Fight - 2012

What says "I have missed you so much.  I am happy to see you.  I love you." better than a water ballon fight!?!  

No cultural boundaries seemed to exist.  Perhaps it comes natural to have the innate desire to see a ballon filled with water explode upon your dear friend.  

Enjoy the show!

Look closely and you can see the ballon as it explodes upon Ya (thrown from Ching)

A good Cajun soaking.

"Who do you think we should get this one?"

Filling Station

Ya - Hard at work!

Kea joins in on the fight!

It wasn't me!

Armed and ready!

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:3 NIV)

A Cross Marks the Spot

                                                    Vince with Broeuch, Yon, Srely, & Viyana

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

As a disciple of God, He is our ultimate treasure. When the Battambang & Banteay Meanchey teams met at the airport last Thursday, we were beginning the long journey on our treasure maps to arrive at the coordinates marked with a cross. Those who had been before knew what awaited us, and our first timers could only imagine.

Sunday morning we stepped foot at our destination, New Life Church, and joyously celebrated the gifts that God lavished upon us. Hugs, tears, and laughter flowed as we stepped off our bus and into the open arms of 38 absolute treasures. Months of preparing and praying were answered in a single moment, and it was glorious!

Now our journey continues as we begin the start of our first workday at the orphanage. I can't wait to discover what God has in store for us and His purpose for our time here. To experience His love in this way is truly a reward above any other.

Thank you to our treasures at home praying and keeping up with us! Please pray for safety and good health for our team. You are all in our prayers also!

Subyatour

Subyatour means "happy day" in Khmer. Today was the first day in a year that those words came out of my mouth. That phrase is brought to life by so many different times throughout the week at New Life. It was the perfect Sunday afternoon, we got to just spend quality time with the kids with only one thing on the agenda, fun! It didn't take long for the games to break out - beachballs, paddle rackets, Twister and yes, water balloons (I'm sure pictures soon to come...). Sao, Sa and Ya jumped right into Twister and so many smiles and laughter lit up across the room. I love that sound. The kids laughing brings only the greatest joy one can experience. Subyatour!!

Almost There...

After 2.5 days of travel... we are almost there!

Team Picture - outside of New Life Church in Kampongchhnang; about 4 hours south of Battambang

We stopped in Kampongchhang to have lunch on our way to Battambang.  We had an amazing meal and enjoyed fellowship with our sister team that is headed to Banteay Meanchey. You can follow them here: Banteay Meanchey Construction Team

We arrived in Battambang last night, and quickly settled into our rooms.  I'm sure everyone appreciated the opportunity to "get vertical" and sleep in a bed.  It was difficult not to make the left turn on the dirt road that leads to the orphanage.

This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it.  

Today we will praise our Lord and Savior with our fellow Disciples in Cambodia. We will lift our voices and give glory to Yahweh!  Today we will see the kids that were lovingly made by our Creator!!!

Cambodia or Bust!!!

After 24 hours of travel we have made it to Cambodia!  Everyone is doing great, and we are all excited for what God has in store for us, the kids that we will get to visit with, and the individuals that we get to meet along the way!  


Thank you all for your prayers of covering for the team.  We serve an amazing God, and He has prepared the way. All glory to Christ, and we thank Him for our safe travel!


Tomorrow we will spend some time honoring the Cambodians that were killed by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge.  We visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum.  This was the site that was used as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21).  Toul Sleng means "Hill of the Poisonous Trees".  Life in prison was excruciating, demeaning and full of torture. This will surely be a humbling experience.  


We will visit the Phnom Penh orphanage before departing to Battambang.


Grace be with you all!


Psalm 18:2 (NLT) 
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.