Elephants and Garbage Dumps

[Blogger's note: Pastor Bob is very appreciative of your prayers and comments on the blog. Being as computer savvy as he is :), he thanked me for posting his updates here. His words were: "I need the 'I.T.' support in more ways than one!" Pretty clever, eh? I guess it is better to be an 'I.T.' than a P.I.T. Get it? Lame, I know. Today we are privileged to have pictures on Pastor Bob's post, courtesy of Kaillie Dravenstott (I guess PB took some of the pictures too, but Kaillie e-mailed them to me), a member of our church who is interning in Cambodia right now. You will see her in some of the pictures. To follow Kaillie's incredible journey, go to http://kailliedravenstott.blogspot.com/ . Thanks, Kaillie!]

Hi, again, everyone –

Greetings from my version of a “favorite watering hole”- the local Internet Café!

Here’s a riddle for you … Question: What do an elephant and a garbage dump both have in common? Answer: We saw both within the streets of Phnom Penh within the last 24 hours!

Last night, on the way to dinner at a local pizza place, we passed ON THE STREET a man leading an elephant (definitely under the “didn’t know you could do that” category!!). Unfortunately, I couldn’t grab my camera fast enough as we sped past at 15 km per hour, so you’ll just have to trust me on this one. I guess that was just a reminder that Amish buggies aren’t the only things

that move slow on the streets!

This morning we experienced perhaps the most moving moment of our trip so far.

We visited the PP garbage dump where thousands of people "live" and search for food or items to sell every day. As you can imagine, the stench in this tropical location was horrible.

But even more horrifying is the fact that adults, young people and children actually live in that disease-infested place. Some parents force their children to visit the dump every day just to find something of value to sell or use.

Following the garbage dump experience, we visited an NGO (non-government organization) called “PSE" (which stands "For the Smiling Children" in French). They are educating hundreds of students who would otherwise be living at the garbage dump. They’re doing a fine work, but I was reminded that it's possible to be well-educated and still be far from God. That's another reason why I thank God for the work of Asia's Hope. This ministry not only clothes, feeds and educates orphans, but most of all, the workers of AH are deeply committed Christians who offer children the eternal life only found in a relationship with Christ. This is the foundation for a life of meaning and significance.

Furthermore today we met with a Cambodian pastor who is starting a church here in PP and doing a great work of reaching young adults for Christ.

Right now we are stuck in the Internet cafe - because there is a DELUGE outside!! This doesn't slow down all the moto drivers one bit, however!

Please continue to pray for our health, safety, and impact throughout this trip. Tomorrow we head to Battambang where we'll meet the Kanes and participate Saturday in the dedication of "Grace Place," our orphanage here.

The rain is letting up...

In Him,

Pastor Bob

Toul Sleng

[Blogger's note: I have posted 12 pictures of "Toul Sleng," mentioned by Pastor Bob on this post. I have been to that place and still remember vividly how it affected me. I warn you, though, SOME OF THE IMAGES WILL BE DISTURBING, so don't scroll down if you don't desire to see them. These pictures were taken by Hillary Smith, a member of our church, who was in Cambodia recently.]

Hey, Everyone!

Thanks so much for your comments and, most of all, your prayers. It's encouraging to read that people are praying and interested! I'll try to keep you updated as often as possible about our activities!

No trip to Cambodia would be complete without an education concerning the regime of the Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot. Today we visited Toul Sleng, the holocaust museum commemorating the Cambodian genocide. What a powerful reminder of the depravity of man! This former high school was turned into a prison under Pol Pot where torture forced confessions that led to the murder of thousands. Photographs on the wall and barbed wire above the fences and in front of the buildings reminded all of us of the atrocities committed there only about 30 years ago. Many sobering moments throughout this visit.......... but especially when I saw paintings depicting the horrible acts performed.

Tomorrow we may visit a "state-run orphanage" just to get a comparison as to how others are doing this work. I believe the ministry of Asia's Hope far exceeds what others are trying to do because we have an eternal motivation to love, give, pray, clothe, feed and share Christ with these beautiful children.

On Friday we travel to Battambang, where we'll connect with Kevin and Jill Kane (and they've promised... are you ready? .... ICE CREAM!). I will enjoy several meetings with them in the days following our arrival. Please especially pray for the dedication, celebration and party planned for "Grace Place," our orphanage in Battambang on Saturday, where I'll be speaking.

Also pray for the worship service on Sunday when I'll have the privilege of speaking in B-bang to about 175 orphan children, AH staff members, and our dear friends & missionary colleagues, the Kanes.

Thanks again for your prayers for our health, safety, and effectiveness! We need them and depend on them.

Pastor Bob


WARNING: SOME DISTURBING IMAGES FOLLOW!

Eternal Investment

Hi, Again!

Back to the Internet cafe, where it's 9 PM and cooled down to, oh, 89.

Great afternoon! We visited three orphanages with about 70 orphans combined. The children sang, danced, hugged, said, "How old are you?" and patted my stomach and said, "Babies?" I don't think so (!)

At the last orphanage about 6 young girls did a traditional Cambodian dance (think of a scene from "The King & I" musical). It was AMAZING! The costumes had been created by the housekeeper at the orphanage and they were beautiful!!

At every stop, the children sang at least one worship song in English. I cried several times as I heard them sing, "You came from heaven to earth to show the way, from the earth to the cross my debt to pay, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord I lift your name on high." I passed out candy and prayed with them before we left each orphanage.

The staff members are deeply dedicated to showing the love of God to these children who are starved for genuine love. As Dr. John Campbell said, "They are Asia's Hope." What a privilege to support and participate in this kind of ministry. Who knows the impact these children will have on this country and continent in years to come?

Most of all, we have the opportunity to invest in their lives and their ETERNITY! Please keep praying for all of us - especially for health, safety and effective ministry.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Pastor Bob

"Mugged by Love"

Hi, Everyone!

I'm back to the Internet cafe where it's probably a cool 91 or 92!

Well - it's Tuesday here! We've had an incredible 24 hours in Cambodia so far. Yesterday afternoon we visited the first AH orphanage in Phonm Penh. Have you ever been mugged by love??? That was my experience! All 25 orphan children hugged and hugged and HUGGED me yesterday during my visit. They're just starving to be touched, held, hugged and loved. They sang "Shout to the Lord" and did a traditional Cambodian dance for me. Then we enjoyed more hugging and some fruit snacks. I also took a brief tour of the orphanage.

This morning - we visited the AH Christian School with 120 students from Pre-K - 6th grade ... more hugging and loving and hugging and loving! I have never experienced such deep gratitude and love from children in my entire life. They sang '"Lord I Lift Your Name On High" and other favorites. Then more hugging. Of course, I passed out candy - so that didn't hurt the hugging routine either!

I also met with several of the orphanage directors for a while to learn about the ministry. I'm so grateful that the Lord has allowed our church to participate in the launching of Asia's Hope and the establishment of this ministry!

This afternoon - we''ll visit three more orphanages with about 25 kids in each. Kaillie Dravenstott (from our church) arrived safely a few hours ago and will be here for about 3 months. I can understand her deep love for this ministry.

Savorn, the AH country director, has asked me to speak in Battambang at the dedication of our orphanage on Saturday and preach on Sunday - so please pray for those opportunities! I'll do this again when I can get back to the Internet cafe! Thanks so much for praying!!! Please continue to pray for health, safety and an effective ministry!

Pastor Bob

Pastor Bob is in Phnom Pehn!!

Hi everyone:

I'm at an Internet cafe right now...We had very good flight (s) from CLE to LAX to Taipei to Phonm Penh (I lost track of hours after 24 - but I did sleep some through the long flight across the Pacific.

First impression - I met Savorn and Sony - the AH country director and his wife at the Phonm Penh airport. WHAT JEWELS!! I felt like I met Hebrews 11 people - "the world is not worthy of them." Talk about gracious people!!

Second impression - It's HOT! Phonm Penh reminds me a lot of Belem, Brazil, when I visited there years ago. Three of the orphanage directors in PP met us at the airport along with Savorn and Sony. What wonderful leaders God has given this ministry.

Dr. John Campbell is my gracious tour host - and is very considerate of any needs I have. Please pray that I'm able to encourage the AH staff and all the orphans, as well as be an effective testimony for the Lord!Thanks so much for praying!

Blogger's note: Time wise, remember that they are 12 hours ahead of us. As you pray for Pastor Bob, Please remember these requests:

1. To represent our church effectively during the dedication of our new “Grace Place” orphanage in Battambang, Cambodia.
2. To express the love of the “Family of Grace” for “our” orphans.
3. To provide encouragement to the Asia’s Hope staff in Cambodia and Thailand.
4. To observe and contribute to the ministry of our missionaries, Kevin and Jill Kane, in Battambang.