Stopping to eat on the way to Siem Reap

This is the restaurant where we stopped to eat Saturday on the way to Siem Reap. All our road trips have an unexpected adventure along the way!

Methodist School of Siem Reap

Today was, by far, my most enjoyable day in Cambodia. Our group went the Methodist School of Siem Reap to do crafts and to play with the young pre-school and 1st and 2nd graders. Every child there was so elated to be spending time with us; but I can promise that they were not as happy as we all were. Instead of being in the states enjoying fireworks and coleslaw, we were in Cambodia delighting in time with God's beautiful young ones. However, the Americans at the lunch table did sing the national anthem. The craft that we did with the children was a very comlicated concept for 4, 5, and 6 year olds to master, but they caught on really well. First, we divided the children up into groups of about 5, lined each group up and took their individual picture, then they each decorated 4 tongue depressor looking popsicle stick to eventually assemble them into a picture frame. I was in charge of printing the pictures, easy in theory but not when you have the most hands-on little girl wanting to touch the picture with still wet ink on it. But, I learned how to say "don't touch" in khmer and it came in handy the whole day. After everybody finished their frames and attached them to the photo, we made necklaces with beads and plastic string. Very messy, and very fun. Afterwards, we played parachute games until our team was about ready to collapse. I would say, overall, it was a very succesful and delightful day!

The Khmar Thmey Methodist Church near Siem Reap

Sunday morning church musicians at church near Siem Reap

Site of the future Blessing Center for older adults and others

The structure in these photos was built with a gift from Glenn Memorial UMC. Let's finish this building!!

Sunday afternoon tractor ride in the mud!

This was our tractor ride to the site of the future Blessing Center.

Marilyn's and Joseph's Dream

After lunch, Joseph and Marilyn took us to a piece of land about a half hour outside of Siem Reap. The journey itself was quite an adventure. Since it is the rainy season, the rough, bumpy unpaved roads are quite a challenge with huge mud holes all over. We were jostled around quite a bit! At one point, the van could go no further, so we moved from the van to a pick-up truck with some of the staff riding in the open bed of the truck. Joseph said to me, "next we will need a tractor." Certain that he was kidding me, I replied that I would prefer using one of the ox carts we pass along the road. But, Joseph was not joking. He stopped at a point where a tractor pulling a cart awaited us! We transferred to the tractor cart and continued our journey through the mud and through water standing quite deep. I was amazed!! (yes, I will post photos later). We arrived at an open field with the beginnings of one small building, started with a $750 donation from Glenn Memorial UMC. Here, the plan is to build a senior center, which will be called a Blessing Center. The Cambodian government provides very little for senior citizens. The Center will be a gathering place for meals, activities and other services for senior citizens. The plan calls for some existing ponds to be enlarged and stocked with fish for fishing, and for fruit trees and vegeetables to be planted. In fact, Joseph brought some mango trees to be planted on this trip. Most of the land for this Center was family land belonging to Marilyn and Joseph, and they have given the land for this purpose. Marilyn and Joseph have also built a chicken house on the property to start generating some income for their retirement because Joseph is not covered by any type of retirement program. From the site of the Center, a prison is clearly visible. Joseph and Marilyn plan for a portion of the Center to be used by families from remote areas who are visiting family members in prison and need a place to rest or stay. In addition, Joseph and Marilyn hope that one day a student residence can be built so that poor students from the countryside will have a place to stay if they come to study at a new university being started close by. This Center will truly be a blessing to many. The dream is great, the vision is clear, the need is vast, and the land is ready. Joseph and Marilyn pray that the funds will come. We joined hands with them and prayed together that the dream will become a reality.