Our missionary partners: do it right!

The reason I came was to encourage Kevin and Jill. Wooster Grace partners with people who not only verbalily ascent to our vision, but who also embody our vision.  Kevin and Jill are developing all people into fully devoted followers of Christ.

One such example is the relationships they build and the relationships they continue. While on a late night walk in Phnom Penh, Kevin discovered a tuk-tuk driver whom they had used when they were in language training years ago.  He left his usual spot in recent years because too many other drivers were crowding in his usual spot.

Here is a short video of Kevin with the man. I forgot his name. I'll ask Kevin to comment and give us his first name.

View the video on my Facebook page here. If you can't view it, then friend me so you can access video.

Grace Place Battambang Sun Aug 22

We arrived at the complex after the service had started. The children immediately stood up and swarmed our van. We could not get out.  We were greeted with the words of affection, "We love you daddy/mommy."

Each one wanted touched; hold hand, hug a shoulder, hug around the neck, eye contact with big smiles all around.  Each dark eyed child exuded amor (love).  Each face shone with love in smiles so large it would block out the sun.  Each person exemplified gratitude.

I was overwhelmed with emotion. I praise God for the rescue work we do in partnership with Asia's Hope.  We get to rescue children to save a country.

Sure, there are lots of obstacles to clear and challenges that on over the horizon. But we get to help them.

One of the older children recognized me from the photos we sent with Pastor Ivanildo at an earlier visit.  Immediately I was engulfed again by BB4 kids.  Then Yun Vannak found me. He welcomed me graciously and showed me the house.  I marvel at how well the older children help. I wonder how they take care of things. But I also know that the culture is a shared-life context. You help because you are part of the family.  That's what you do.

Overall, I am impressed with Yun Vannak and his wife. I thanked them for their sacrificial love and care for our kids.  I wept as I pondered the amazing potential of our children to change Cambodia. I look forward with prayer and godly expectation to the day as a strong Cambodian church emerges from the house of rescue to rescue other lost and orphaned ones all around Cambodia, Southeast Asia, and to the ends of the earth.

Orientation to the Culture Fri-Sat Aug 20-21

The Cambodian Team in Battambang conducted a short primer on Cambodia culture, then set out for us to experience as many aspects of the culture as we could. One to keep us awake and to get us adjusted to the time here in Cambodia; but also to get us informed about the people of the culture we get to serve at camp.

We ate a Cambodian breakfast, had a cold Nescafe cappuccino from a can, rode on the bamboo train, visited a buddhist temple where other killing field things occurred, ate lunch and dinner at restaurants in Battambang for foreigners, as well as met people in all those locations. We practiced our Khmer greetings. Many Cambodians greeted us with a sing-song "hellllllll-ooooo."  It was cute.

The experience of driving around in a van and seeing the multitudes of mosquito-like motos buzzing here and there on their way somewhere is something to see.  An even more up-close experience is riding on a moto around the streets of Battambang.

Still, the people are friendly. They smile big.  Yet it is like any cross-cultural experience--some get it and some don't.  I prayed that we would make movement towards getting it.  We wait to see how well we listen, observe, and learn.

Toul Sleng Thu Aug 19

Every person coming to Cambodia to serve the people here must tour this torture and extermination camp. The most chilling image for me is the small pile of actual skulls of deceased Cambodians on display. You can see on top of each one a hole the size of a 8 penny nail.  Pounding a nail in someone's head was a means of torture and eventual death.  Gruesome to say the least.

However, this place is memorialized.  I am told that Cambodians see this as something not to repeat. It is part of their past; but they hope it is not for their future.  The "Killing Fields" event in Cambodia is an atrocity where a people group killed their own people group.  To understand the vileness of this event, you must imagine Hitler killing only Germans rather than Jews.  Both are horrific.  But here in Cambodia the killing murdered thousands of their own people.  I meditated on this and will ask the Cambodia Ministry Partners how they lived through this as children.  I trust to gain a better understanding of Cambodian life and culture.

Yes, Toul Sleng is part of the recent past; but the historical past awaits me. Together with the team we will visit the Angor Wat temples in Northern Cambodia after the camp is over.

Sharing thoughts from tomorrow

It is Thu Aug 25 at 10am in Battambang, CAMBODIA.  I have not been able to get a decent internet connection. The TE.O Hotel has poor connectivity. Our team has also been busy with many projects and learning of Cambodian names.  Regardless, I will share several posts from my written journal from the time that I have been here; snippets really.

I will also try to upload a couple videos if I have time. Uploading videos is time-consuming.

Updates on Facebook

Because the internet is slow (256k modem slow)--yes, really--please follow me on my facebook page. I will not be able to update the blog with pics or video until I get access to better internet later.  Still, your prayers are making a difference.

Pray for Cambodian Ministry Partners who are traveling the next 6-8 hours to come to our First Aid and English Camp. Ask God for safe travels, no inadvertant delays, and a sense of purpose in coming to the camp.

Posted Sun Aug 22 at 6:30am

Stop over in Seoul

Just so you know I am in Seoul on my way to Cambodia

In Chicago to go on 14 hour flight to Seoul

I praise God for teammates. Our team is great. I get to go over with a team from Ashland GBC.

The team is so helpful.  Judy and Cindy are funny. Sunny and Joanna are good travelers.  Dave & Mary are easy-going partners.  I am so glad I get to experience this with them. 

This will be the longest trip via air in my life.  In a naive way, I look forward to it.  Others who have traveled this trek shared only negative thoughts--horrible flight; couldn't sleep; got dehydrated; or had a large individual on top of me.  Regardless, I go in the name of the Lord. 

Thanks for praying for me and the team.  It's been great so far.

I can't wait to see Kevin & Jill and Kent & Becky. 

Go into all the world

Wooster Grace values outreach. I get to go to Cambodia this time.  I praise God for a church that seeks to reach the world for Christ.

I also praise God for churches and individuals who partner together to serve our international staff.  I praise God for Pataskala GBC and the team from there who created, distributed, and compiled the English lessons for us. I thank God for Ashland GBC for mobilizing a team to teach first aid. I glorify God for Falene and Grace who get to go with us to teach English. I honor the Lord for Simon and Brandon who will join us from Orange County Grace (CA).  Together Everyone Achieves More--TEAM!

As I quickly jot a few things down, please pray for stamina in travels, safety where we go, strength to serve in the Lord, and unity despite the spiritual challenges (Eph 6:10-12).  Please also look out for my family as i am away.  In the words of Rodgers and Hammerstein, "so long, far well, auf wiedersehen, goodbye."  :)