Friendship month

Andrew and Jonathan were hardly out our door (on Saturday), when more good friends landed. On Sunday, Peter van der Westhuyen was back in Cambodia in his on-going commitment to the translation of resources to train children's workers. With him was longtime friend Phil Howan. Phil says that Deanne (his wife) could not come as she has her foot in a plaster cast - so he brought his next-best buddy, Antonie Eggink!

Peter's commitments here kept Phil and Antonie on the run until Tuesday lunch. Then we connected with the three of them, before Peter van headed for the airport. We have had the fun of Phil and Antonie's fellowship since then.

Phil and Antonie at Andong Village this afternoon. In the background is the school (grades 1-6) Abraham has established.

We've been on the go with them thru' this week. Today was a highlight, connecting with a remarkable pastor at Andong Village. Long story about Abraham - the short version has him quitting on nice, safe middle-class ministry and heading to the poor. In his case, he has moved into the midst of a relocated slum of 6,000 people 10km outside of the city.

Abraham is in the flower shirt; his wife is behind and to the left of Sue.

Abraham reminds me of a happy Fijian - a great sense of humour, tremendous faith and utterly fearless. When a government official threatened to have him killed because of his stand for the the land rights of the slum-dwellers, he just laughed and said 'you can't - only Jesus can take my life'. Some hired goons then ran him down on his motorbike, munching his legs. He was totally unfazed.

Our 'friendship month' is far from over. Phil and Antonie leave this Friday, 24 hours before Col and Grace Shaw arrive from Toowoomba. Then it is Marty and Robyn McKone arriving on the 29th - for 3+ months.