My New Office

I like organizing things. So when I was asked to semi-head up the the office cleaning day, I will admit I was kinda looking forward to it. It was definitely a big job, but we were able to do it quickly and things look great.

I was also excited when I went to get a desk and chair since I have been pretty much the office nomad, sitting wherever there is space for the last 4 months. I was not in the office when the desks were delivered and when I got back, this is where the boys had set me up...


I laughed so so so hard when I got back and saw this. The bathroom is HUGE and I guess it has been a long running joke that they could put someone's office in there. Don't worry, though, I am now nicely situated outside the bathroom. Now all I need is a plant for my desk!

More from my 365 Project

Here are some more pictures from my 365 Project...the picture-a-day thing that I am doing this year.

45/320...Matrimony

I piled in the van with many people from the church to join my friend, Phally, at his house for his sister’s wedding reception. Things are done so differently for weddings here, especially the clothes.

48/317...Fragrance of Worship

Taken during a worship time with the Harvesters. My prayer is that we would all keep our hearts focused on God and where He is leading us.

52/311...Dinner by Candlelight

I came home from work to met with darkness in the house. This is not an abnormal occurrence here in Cambodia, but this was the first time since I got back. I was not terribly excited that my milk might spoil in the fridge, but there was something familiar about this. As we sat down to eat, though, the power came back on!

57/308...a little too real

I like shrimp. But I have to admit that I prefer when it comes pre-peeled and de-headed.

63/302...Two favorites

Mango and my friend and co-leader, Seyha.

70/295...Cyclo

I love the idea of a cyclo, but I am pretty sure that if I ever got in one, especially this one, I would give the poor 80 year old man a heart attack as he tried to pedal. So this is about as close as I think I will ever come to having a cyclo experience.

78/287...Heaven by the cup full

I was introduced to a wonderful little place called “brown” by my friends, Eileen and Maija…and oh. my. gosh. I am in love. First off I felt like I was back in the states in this lovely coffee house. Second, I nearly jumped right there in the lobby because they had chai frappachinos. I ordered with great anticipation and to be honest, I was prepared to be a little disappointed with the quality but still pleased that it was a chai frappachino nonetheless. I had to concentrate to up myself upright when I took the first sip. HEAVENLY!! I drank it very slow so that I could make it last as long as possible. I even considered licking the cup when I finished, but have no fear, my social graces won out! I just need to work out a way to get back there very soon!

79/286...Mo-haa Kru-ah Sah

This was the giant family event for the New Life Fellowship churches throughout Cambodia. On Sunday they had all the churches present up on the stage and I have to say, it was hard to fight back tears to see the excitement that all of these people have for Jesus. Unfortunately all I had was my phone with me thus the quality (or lack thereof), but it is still project worthy.

83/282...Rambutan

This is one of my favorite fruits. I love the unique look on the outside with the spiky things all over it and then the "meat" in the middle. There is a huge seed so there is not too much "actual fruit," but what is there is so good! And it makes it all the more exciting because you can’t get this in the states so it is my asia treat!

87/278...Remembrance

This is the memorial holding all the skulls found in the Killing Fields at Chhoeng Ek. There are nearly 10,000 skulls there and that is estimated to be less than half of what is actually buried in the immediate area. My heart aches for this country to know what they walked through only 30 years ago. I am so grateful for the way God is pouring His grace, healing and hope into this land!

Four Months

Today is the four month mark of how long I have been here in Cambodia. It is hard to believe sometimes that it has been that long, or short depending on how I look at it!

Life is definitely getting busier in some aspects for me. I am beginning to do a few things in the administrative area here, which is probably not surprising to anyone that knows me. The only surprise is that it has taken this long!

Next week is Khmer New Year, which is the biggest holiday in Cambodia by far. If I had to compare it to something, it would be on about the same level as Christmas for us in America. Everyone travels to see family. Schools shut down. Stores shut down. From what I understand, Phnom Penh becomes a pretty deserted place. The actual holiday is only from the 14th to the 16th, but there is already a noticeable drop in student attendance for my English class. So much so that I don't think I am really going to be teaching any new material this next week because I would just have to teach it again later so that they are all on the same page. I am grateful, then, that the other teachers are wanting to play the traditional Khmer games this week with their classes and you can bet that I will be bringing my class along to join!

I am not by any means a professional English teacher and there are some days (especially grammar days) when I feel almost ill-qualified to teach. But the fact that it is my native language, that makes me "qualified." The school here is not just to equip the students with "marketable" skills such as English and computer, but it is also to share Jesus with them. On average, I have about 30 students in my class. Some are already believers and attend the church. Some are not. But they are loved all the same. And my struggles with grammar are worth it when I am able to watch one of my students accept Jesus!!

Punlock has been in my class for the last 2 months and like all of my students, I have been praying for him. Two weeks ago, there was a huge event for our church...a meeting of all the New Life Fellowship churches around the country. I saw a couple of my students there, all of which were already members of the church. But at the invitation at the end of the Sunday service, I saw Punlock out of the corner of my eye walking down to the front to accept Jesus!! In the last two week, I have been able to give him a Bible and he is now going to be a part of my cell group. I couldn't be more excited for Punlock and this new adventure he is on with God.