When the rain falls, the smell rises ...

...and it is raining and stinking as I write ...

Nurse Sue

Sue with Chang - unfailingly cheerful despite over two months now without earning and no loi to fix his bike

Patrick has got Susie back into a touch of nursing. The dad of one of the children in the 'Transform Cambodia' schools is a moto driver who was in an accident - and as is so often the case here, could not afford medical treatment. Patrick found out about the situation and got him thoroughly checked out by a real doctor.

There is still a lot of foot swelling in Chang's leg, so Susie got some compression bandages and some cream and we've been around a few times to work on the leg. There are four children plus mum and dad in the 'home' which measures approx 3x5 metres. Oh, and the motorbike lives inside too.

Lovely family; lovely kids. Moto in the background.

Concrete streets

Our days of mud and muck outside the front door may soon be a fond memory. Progress has made it to our street corner. Now we wait to see if the men and women on the wheelbarrows turn up Rue 460 - or leave us as an oasis of mud in concrete surrounds ....

Street 123 - runs north-south and intersects with our Street 460. This will make the run to Psar Tou Tom Pong (the Russian Market) a breeze!

Looking up our street 460 from the corner. The friendly local store is on the right - where we buy our 10 litre containers of purified water twice a week.

The workers and their street-making concrete mixer

Why concrete? I understand that the amount of rain here is tough on the tar-sealed roads, getting underneath and eroding the base. Concrete is less susceptible to erosion and collapse - I'm told.

Samdy

Samdy (pronounced Sam-a-dee) is one of the pastors on staff here at New Life Fellowship. He's a young guy with a most excellent spirit, a working brain and a sincere love for God.

The first Sunday we were in Phnom Penh, this young man really stood out to me. I had no idea who he was - just that he was a 'good 'un' (as Chris Lee would say). So, much was my delight when Samdy turns out to be in the morning small group that Mark and Jo (the Aussies from CCC Whitehorse, Melbourne) asked me to be involved in.

Samdy has spoken the last two Sundays, on the subject of fasting. He is a little fella on a good day. I could not help but notice that there was less of him on week two than on week one of these well researched and thought through messages.

I received such clarity on something last week - that the future belongs to those of a different spirit. It has been a Word that marks me. The future of Cambodia belongs to those of a different spirit. Those of the 'same same' (common expression here) spirit have no progressive future - they are in a holding pattern until they die.

Samdy is one of the new generation - a man of a different spirit. Please remember him.

Gutted - and protected

Since the burglary two doors down from us ( a week or two ago) I've taken to double-locking our 'garage' door that opens onto the street. The second lock certainly was helpful two nights back.

Bringing the moto into the main sitting room is a pain every night - mud and dirt gets into the house. So for two nights I had left it in the garage, locked and 'secure'. Two nights - long enough for the local jao (robbers) to get a sniff. I went to open up the other morning - and was a lock short. The trusty, top quality guts were to be found all over the ground - but no lock. Lock number two was higher and I guess harder to gut. Thank-you Lord!

I got 'No-worries' son of landlord around to look at how we can secure the little door flap (that gives you hand access to unlock the door) at night. Next thing the neighbourhood were at my door - and with good advice. 'No, your Solex mighty-strong locks are the shiny Chinese ones - you want the Solex Thai one - like this'. Thai locks were duly purchased!

The innards of the Chinese lock; the second lock that saved the moto and the new super-beaut 70mm Thai one 'as recommended by the locals'

Last night, after the Proverbs Bible study, a young guy said something really interesting. A few weeks back in another study group, Jesse the pastor here said how Cambodians are 'see-ers' - they are not left-brain analytical but right-brain perceivers. This lovely young guy said how much he was enjoying the studies - and that he always liked to see me because he saw a lot of protection around me. How's that for a blessing - same day as the attempted Spider-moto snatch.

Protection always has to do with prayer. We are just so grateful to all you who keep that wall of protection around us. Thank you so much!

As if ...

As if the roads are not dangerous enough already, our Kiwi friends Graeme and Sue Taylor have just been quite injured as a result of a snatch thief. They were likely targeted as they came out of church - and a few blocks later two guys on a moto pulled alongside and snatched Sue's bible case also containing wallet, $200 and other stuff as well. She was pulled off the motorbike and has concussion and lots of bruising. Graeme has a broken collar bone and grazes. For both of them tho', it means an evac to Bangkok.

We visited them at the emergency clinic today - prayed for and hugged them. Sue was very sore and still somewhat in shock. Good buddy Sue Hanna is pretty vulnerable too. She was following on her moto and did not even see the snatch - just the crash. Stuff like this can happen in any country - but it certainly reminds us of the level of 'wild west' lawlessness prevalent here.

Cambodian pizza

We spotted an unwelcome visitor to our place a couple of evenings ago. So, how to catch a mouse or three?? Meet the Cambodian mouse-catching machine; a tray of sticky stuff that really does work.

Cheese is pretty expensive here, but at least little mousie got a nibble before his/her demise!

The Return of the Sue

We've had lots of questions regarding how Sue's hand is doing. Since the amputation she has been .... nah, just joking. The thumb and index finger are better bit by bit - but she is returning to NZ none-the-less to make sure she's in good shape for the long haul.

The blue, blue lakes of home

We were really happy to get a great ticket - Phnom Penh - Auck in; Brisbane - PP return leg with just a trans-Tasman to sort out. Booked - paid for ... and an hour later my phone rings. There was a woops with the quoted price. Smile and be happy - don't even think about insisting on 'my rights under the consumer guarantee act'....

So, now it's a straight PP-Auck return. Susie is booked to arrive Oct 24 and has a specialist appointment in Hamilton Oct 26 (Loretta, you are a treasure!!) Return flight is Nov 19 - so she is looking to still do a quick zip across the ditch to hug Melody and kiss good friends.

Pre-school opportunity beckons

New Life Fellowship, the church that we are a part of here, operates an English language pre-school. That's where Susie is filling in this month. They have really good facilities - a good quarter-acre with grass (that is rare and precious) and some little buildings for classes. What they are looking for is two good-quality preschool teachers. It's a voluntary position (with possibly some pocket-money but no promises!) for a minimum of one year.

Now that we are established, we are happy to offer free accommodation at our place - if you are a nice person and have pavalova and/or carrot cake skills. I can also offer free driving lessons for Cambodian conditions. October 15 start would be perfect - no pressure but sooner is better than later! Contact us - bonnevies at gmail dot com - if this is the next step in what you are born to be.

Adam Hutchinson - a Kiwi with New Plymouth connections and working here with Prison Fellowship - adopting Cambodian ways as he picks up Sophie, Toby and Sam from pre-school

Old Knives Tale

Tonight I am trying my hand at the real McCoy Cambodian curry. The Cambodian curry is superb - much much milder than a good Thai green or red, but very tasty. Lina made a great one - and I'm afraid that my first try at copying may end up ... just a little deficient.

I like a good knife. With 25kg precious luggage, I dedicated 1kg to my trusty cook's knife. Unhappily, this superior piece of steel had a tumble from the kitchen bench - and the blade shattered into two. End of knife?? This is Cambodia! Lina trotted off to the local welding boys and behold - a nice little welding bead, a bit of a grind-back - and the knife lives on!!

Me and my trusty two-made-one-piece and the beginnings of a curry creation

Postes Resantes el pronto

We received our first 'real mail' yesterday, as in the stamped envelope variety. Kara sent her mum a birthday card to the Phnom Penh post office - posted 20 August; arrived 24 August. Faster than an Aussie camel - just took me a whole lot longer to make the journey to the PO.

Uplifting the mail is hard case. A very disinterested lady behind the counter handed me a box of mail - and promptly wandered off. I was free to help myself to any mail I wanted - a great way to bolster a stamp collection or collect post cards! So, the system does work - but maybe not recommended for transporting $100 notes.

Losing Lina

Lina and Sopheak have left us quite suddenly, to go and live with a 'relative' (this has a pretty flexible meaning in Cambodia) in the province. We are sad to see them go - especially for Sopheak who had such opportunity here to attend school and be close to his beloved sister Darra.

We are still wondering what went down. Was it our gentle insistance that Krrohom the red dog really did need to reside at Darra's as agreed and not here? Was it just too difficult for Lina to adjust to live with us? Or is it that she really is a country girl at heart and found the big city difficult? We're not sure.

Lina's daughter Darra still lives just down the road. Where she lives she is sometimes left alone, and she does not like to spend nights there alone - especially after robbers burgled our neighbours two doors from us last week. She has a standing invitation to come and stay the night here which she is happy about, so maybe one day we will learn what Lina's reasons are. As in many cultures, smiling nice replies are more the norm rather than a honest heart response.

Earlier days - Sopheak and Darra with Heather who introduced us to this lovely family.

'Teacher Sue'

I was informed by Sam, twin brother to little Sophie, that 'no' his teacher was not Mrs Bonbee - it was Teacher Sue!

Sue has been at the pre-school each day this week. She gets right into it (you know Sue, right!!) getting lessons prepared, photocopying stuff, singing ditty crocodile songs around the house ... it is all go and lots of fun.

"Bull-at-a-gate' Isaac, Caleb, Sophie and Sam mesmerised by Teacher Sue's creativity

The church preschool is entertaining to get to. It is pretty close - just an exciting road to get across, then a bottle-neck down what looks to be an alley-way but is the entrance to a whole other section of Phnom Penh that is very densley populated. The other morning police were standing and blowing whistles, trucks turning in, cars and motos at standstill and a street vendor nonchalently parked his mobile food barrow smack in the tiny street and wondered off with a fried egg on his spatchelor to give to his customer. Where in ANZAC earth can you have that kind of fun in a morning work commute??

Everlasting Father

Sokhun died Tuesday afternoon in her sleep. She was just 42 years old. We attended her memorial service today - a wonderful service that was held at Hagar with maybe 150 people attending.

Hagar ladies choir at the funeral - women who come out of abusive situations.

During the two-hour service, Millet, who heads up the Hagar women's shelter ministry, spoke of a conversation she once had with Sokhun, asking her 'what is your idea of fulness of life'. Sokhun answered with such things as 'to have a house in which the door closed and the window was secure; to have enough food for her and her children and for her children to be able to go to school. Now, imagine a NZ / Aussie response to that question - and see if you can measure the gap.

Sokhun's children are looking really well. They were understandably distraught on Tuesday but they are well loved and cared for in their new family. This was Sokhun's greatest mission - to know her children were secure in their futures.

'Marie' (never did get her Khmer name!) - youngest daughter

'Scooter' Raita - one different looking kid now

Vanna, oldest child and such a nice young guy and echoes of 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' - Sue, Sue and Sue.

First Quarter

Today marks three months since Sue and I arrived in Cambodia. During this first stage of what we trust will be a long and fruitful time in this nation, we have set ourselves three low-key objectives - to learn, to connect and to serve. We are very aware of the need to put in foundations, so we have chosen not to be in a hurry to have visible 'things' to point to and say 'this is what we are doing'.

A pic to break all the stuff that follows!!

Three months in - and here are just some thoughts and observations I have regarding this land of such beauty and tragedy:

1. The curse of corruption - it is easy to simplistically see corruption as costing you a few dollars here and there to get things done. Far more insidious is the way corruption prevents initiative, competency and improvement. Corruption is endemic here. For example, very many 'doctors' have bought their degree. They are not medical practioners, but money gatherers. Care, competency and compassion in these cases rate very, very low. The object is return on investment.

We heard of a situation recently where a man was selling a property and land for US$200,000. He wanted to sell so as to buy into a high tier of government - I believe it was in the 'justice' department. Again, no carefulness to do right, nor a competency in the profession. The object is money.

We were talking to a young Pommie volunteer in the hospital recently. He is an physio-therapist. It was remarkable to see the change in his energy and expectations after just three weeks. He started with a heart to love and serve. Now, he speaks of how he feels maligned by the national physio's, as every patient he gives care to is one less person they can get money off for 'services rendered' (in the 'free' hospital ward). He spoke of the wall of silence; never a thank-you - and of how tragically incompetent the national 'health professionals' were in their work and care. Again, there was no desire to learn, to improve, to raise the level. In fact, the opposite was true - a dedication to protect their current placement. Hospital was what they had bought into in order to get money.

Teachers sell good grades. Police pay to get a uniform. There is no professional development and no commitment at all to justice. Tales abound of the 'who you know' network. If the crim knows the cop, the crim has got no worries.

2. A government on international social welfare - there is something of a development boom happening in the nation. Power generation, roading, government buildings ... Cambodia is way behind most neighbouring nations but stuff is happening. However, it is nearly all happening with foreign donour dollars from governments and agencies. That is why the US$ is the 'real' currency here. The mind-sets these hand-outs cultivates in a nation makes righteous forward momentum that much more difficult.

I think it is 'Tear Fund' who make a slogan regarding 'a hand up, not a hand out'. Many Christian (and, for that matter, non-Christian) NGO's are doing wonderful work here in a myriad of areas, working towards helping people into self-sustainability; into 'a hand up'. However, Cambodia's national leaders are commited to hand outs. No new project is initiated unless there is a foreign government 'sponsor' in place first.

Mind-sets are very powerful. Even through the national church, too often the expectation is to be carried by foreign donours. There can be teaching, discipling, new working models established - but through the power of mind-sets very often the default setting of 'hand outs' remains. Much real harm has been done by the association Cambodians now have with Christianity - church - donour money - opportunity. The message of repentance and the cross easily gets lost or mis-comprehended.

Tied to the hand-out mindset is the commitment to the victim mentality - that the Killing Fields wrecked the nation; that rich nations owe them. If we look at other nations that have been wrecked by war and strife - South Korea or Japan for example - 30 years later there has been a rebuilding of society. The victim-gimme cycle will never bring these needy people - this wonderful nation - into its God-designed destiny. Mis-guided kindness perpetuates weakness in an individual and weakness in a nation.

3. Redemptive destiny - one of my continuing queries of the Lord is - what is it that He has uniquely designed this people, this nation for? I have not begun to get clarity - but I am asking! My sense here is that there is another way of going forward. Discipling, teaching, character development and so forth are hugely needed - however I sense that prophetic vision will give a greater motivation unto change/transformation than majoring on corrective behaviour change.

4. The 'common people' The gospel of Mark records that 'the common people heard him gladly'. Hanging with the moto boys, the girls at their market stalls, the hard-case shoe-shine street kids, the shop girls - this is what keeps your heart soft. Everyone wants a better future - they just have all the wrong ideas of how to get there.

The local dairy farm ...

We are so glad to be here. We recognise more now the things that we have often heard about - how Cambodia wears down the saints of the Most High! Again, that is why we are glad to have this time for what we trust will be laying good foundations. We love the church we are in and the quality of the pastoral staff there.

In closing this epic blog session (for me, anyway) - a story and a few scriptures. I remember Bill Johnson talking about how when his kids were young and he was telling them about 'love the sinner, hate the sin'. One of his boys was trying to get this clear - 'so like we love the devil and hate his sin'?? Bill was hilarious as he told how his son embraced the truth 'no, we hate the devil'! To be effective in Cambodia means there can be no fuzzy thinking in this area!

Amos 5:15a - 'Hate evil, love good ...'

Is 58:12 - 'Those from among you shall build up the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations ..'

Isaiah 60:10a - 'The sons of foreigners shall build up your walls ..'