Giving beans

Jason and Julia thought that they were coming to Cambodia to quietly work away, putting a garden into the Healing Home. We first linked up with these friends in Toowoomba four years ago when Julia and I were coming on board as school chaplains - same time; different schools. Julia was with us here last year and this year Jason, her most excellent man, was also able to come out.

We just had time to orientate Jason to motorbike survival essentials and the local coffee shops before we had to head home for Sue's mum's funeral. So, we smiled and said 'welcome to off the deep end - you are here to run the Healing Home too'.

It has been fun to return and admire all that Jason and Julia have achieved in their 3+ weeks here. Our staff love them to bits and hugged them good-bye with great love and tears this afternoon. 26 kids rocketed through our yard today in the twice-weekly kids club that they have been running. And, we have beans.

Remember the wasteland where the missing rat trap was found? Now behold! That's Julia and Jason in front of the bean frame - and the emerging beans in the foreground.

We also have lettuce, chilli, tomato, bok choi, passion fruit, chick pea, ginger, garlic, chives, cabbage and more veges than I can remember, in various tiny form emerging from our soil. Loads of rubbish fill has been removed and an amazing labour of love and planning is beginning to grow. Oh, and we now have a compost too.

Julia is a garden enthusiast extraordinaire and a perma-culturalist by training, and she really did her homework in tropical gardens before she arrived! She came with a folder filled with research and seeds ready to go.

Jason sorting the wire netting frame for my third love - passionfruit! Nicole gives helpful advice as puss Feisty offers moral support.

Kids club this afternoon. Many of these little ones come from very poor homes. We are looking to getting a big pile of kids clothing in the near future to bless their sweet little hearts.