Thumbs up

Sue has just had her hand checked over by a Hamilton specialist - and the news is good.

She arrived back in NZ Wednesday morning, where she was met at the airport by Clive Hanna, dad of Sue Hanna, our Hagar friend in Phnom Penh. Clive and Sally have been taking real good care of my girl these last two days! It is a great connection too as they are very involved in ministries into Asia.

Sue emailed this morning to say that the doc was very encouraging after examining her hand - that there will not need to be an operation; the nerve is re-growing and she should be back to normal in 6-12 months. She has a few exercises to do - otherwise it is just a matter of letting that little nerve re-grow.

So, she is on a bus to her home-town of new Plymouth as of this moment, and planning dates to catch up with Melody and Toowoomba friends within the next couple of weeks .

Earlier days - in the Phnom Penh clinic

Older and wiser??

The study on the Book of Proverbs finished up tonight. We ended up doing 11 weeks instead of 10 - and kicked off the final study with the all-essential gathering around everyone's favourite four-lettered word starting with 'f 'and ending in 'ood'.

It has been a great class - good natured and hungry (in every way!) young people who have been lots of fun to get to know.

First preaching

This last week-end was a big one for New Life Fellowship. Twice a year they run 'Encountering God' camps, where leaders take mainly new believers who have completed initial discipleship studies and who have been water baptised, away for a three day camp. These are powerful times that have a huge impact on those who go.

Sorry - pretty awful pic and New Life Fellowship is not nearly as 'white' as this - this was taken at a 10.30am service; the 7am service is almost wholly Khmer (now, why would that be?)

With all the pastors away, I was asked to cover for the two morning services. It was a real privilege to be asked to speak. Then, there was a great evening meeting where everyone who had been at camp returned for a time of praise and testimony.

The testimonies gave an insight into the depth of pain many of the young people are carrying - especially in relation to a real deficit of love and nurture in their upbringing. It is great how New Life Fellowship recognise and work to open up and see healing in these areas. What is evident though is that so many people in Cambodia carry huge issues of unresolved hurt. Sexual abuse is rife in this society among boys as well as girls, and nurturing love is so lacking.

Goodbye, Teacher Sue

Sue had a great little farewell party at pre-school on Friday, as she finished up her 6 weeks of voluntary teaching there. As always, Sue put her whole heart into teaching and did such an excellent job.

The pre-school is still looking for staff (gentle reminder!). There are some good folk stepping into the gap for three weeks in the mean-time.

Sue gets on the big metal bird tomorrow (Tuesday 23/10) to wing her way to Auckland, get her hand sorted and do a lot of catching up with everyone on both sides of the Tasman. Ree ai Kim wing (as for Kim ...), he has found a Thai-Khmer place around the corner that does a great Pad Thai wrapped in egg for $2 - certainly not worth firing up our kitchen in the coming month!!

Kara left us for Hong Kong last Friday also - and has landed back in NZ today. We loved our time with daughter no 1, and do believe that she too has found her new happy place in Kep.

World Vision child sponsorship visit

It's funny how 'little' things take root. When Kara was born, we made a thanksgiving response to God for the gift of her life, by sponsoring a World Vision child. 25 years on, and Kara now sponsors two World Vision children, both of whom 'happen' to live in Cambodia. Tuesday was earmarked as the day in which we visit little Yoth (pronounced 'Yut') Srey Lak and their families

Yuth and his mum (foreground); Srey Lak and her parents, with Kara

World Vision do an outstanding job in organising sponsor's visits. There is some NZ based homework first - allow three months as you need a police check and WVNZ communicate with the local national office. There is also a small cost ($50 in Kara's case) for transportation (ours and the sponsor families) and lunch for everyone.

We were taken by World Vision staff from Phnom Penh out to Samrong Tong, around a one hour drive west. At the WV centre there, we were given an introduction to the NZ-sponsored projects they are involved in, working with the poorest people in income generation, sanitation, nutrition, water storage and education. Then it was off to visit a local school; 6 classrooms built with WV funding.

The gift of education for some 300 village children; grades 1-6. Many villages have no schools, with the government claiming that their country is 'too poor' to bring education to children.

Following the delightful school visit, it was back to the WV local centre where we gained our first glimpse of little Yuth, near exploding with excitement, and shy young Srey Lak clinging to her mum and dad. It really is a moving experience, when two worlds meet because there are people who care about people.

For the children's parents, there is obviously such gratitude. Yuth is an only child. Srey Lak has three brothers - one of whom died of meningitis just two months ago. Mum was still hurting greatly, and she cried when Kara expressed her condolences.

Kara brings Christmas - pencil case, coloured pencils and felt tips, books, postcards and a great hit - blow-up beach balls. The beach balls became volley and soccer balls - good fun had by all!

Srey Lak gets busy - Cambodian art for Kara!

After a good connecting time, WV staff took us all to Kompong Speu town for lunch. There were 13 of us around the table - an incredibly exciting event for the little ones!

Lunch time - Sil (World Vision staff member in Samrong Tong - foreground)

After lunch, it was 'goodbye' to Yuth, Srey Lak and their families - and further visits to WV projects. We met a family WV are working with in income generation - 700 catfish being raised in a pond one metre deep; maybe 2x7 metres dimensions. Another family we met now have a 4000 litre concrete tank for water supply and were given their seed for the first crop water grass. We also saw a well installed by WV. Their work is very focussed and strategic, and we were impressed with the calibre of their staff and the work that they are doing in these poor village areas.

Kara, Kiwis and Kep

Kara arrived in Phnom Penh on Monday October 8. Just as her plane was touching down, a phone-call came in from Dave Collins, Toowoomba, Australia. He asked me for the hand of daughter no. 2 - Melody. Dave is a great guy and because he said 'please' the engagement is all on.

OK - wonderful to see our first-born. First up was a return trip to our 'happy place' - Kep. We made the journey in a van with Kiwis 8 and Aussies 3 - all good people who need to take their needed break times away more seriously!

Kara in Kep - she promises to return

We had already learned that our 5 booked rooms had become 4. More surprises in store however - only two nights had been booked in which meant that there was no room at the inn on day 1. Atay panyaha (no worries) - seven of us took a boat out to Rabbit Island while Graham and Sue Taylor (of moto robbery fame), Sue Hanna and Frank (who I still need to introduce) slummed it at the Kep Beach House - aircon, swimming pool .... you get the picture.

Rabbit Island is a little more basic. Our swimming pool however was great - the ocean at our doorstep; clear warm water and coconut palms hovering over sandy beach. Accommodation is a room each in a village house, where a sleepy scorpion was tucked into Mark and Jo's folded sheets (true!) and the local family are in the room next door - or talking thru' the night under the house.

It was a wonderful way of spending thirty hours or so. Two of those hours that entertained us the most was the wait for dinner - cooked over an open flame. One hour into the wait, and the cook is running after a chook, knife in hand (also true!).

Kara, and our chariot to Rabbit Island in the background. The island lies very close to the border with Vietnam. It is perhaps 2km x 1km; with houses dotted along the coastel strip and impenetrable, hilly jungle in the interior.

Back to Kep, where we were based at Vanna Guest House; where the restaurant cooks with gas and from where there are lovely views out over the little town and out to the ocean, with Vietnam hills in the distance.

Good night, Vietnam

Vanna - home of the famous $1 pancake breakfast

Good-bye Michael and Erika

Michael and Erika have now returned to Holland, after their four month stint in Phnom Penh. They are an excellent young couple who are purposely preparing their lives for serving the Lord in the nations. Michael returns to Holland to finish his degree in self-sustainable development for developing nations.

It was a privilege and joy to share our place with them for the last two months.

Hello, Mike Connell

Dave Collins contacted us a few weeks ago to say Mike Connell (an outstanding pastor / leader and just the most encouraging man you will meet) was coming to Phnom Penh. So, we were happy Kiwis when Mike made contact the other day.

He was here for a couple of days to connect with one of Cambodia's excellent pastors, after ministry in Taiwan and Borneo. As ever, Mike carries such enthusiasm for the work of God and such a fulness of the Holy Spirit. We greatly enjoyed an hour or so re-connecting time.

Great to see you and be with you, Mike!

Only four more sleeps until daughter Kara arrives for her 12 days with us! After that it could get quieter with Sue heading back to NZ to have her hand checked out and our great young Dutch couple returning to Holland. However, we are expecting further guests of the beaten-by-the-All Blacks-in-the-semifinals nationality - for maybe four months. Watch this space ...