Final Thoughts (Dan)

Well, we've been back for 4 days now and finally starting to get over the jet lag. I've had some time to process the trip and I'd like to share some of my thoughts with you.

Overall, I can't begin to express my love for the Cambodian people. Everyone we met was so kind and generous, even though they had little. Throughout the week, as we introduced to a new village, we told them how wonderful it was to see their smiles, and it is so true! They just smile more than Americans do. There's a song that the orphans sing (you might know it) which goes, "I've got a joy joy joy joy down in my heart..." and it applies to all of the new believers we met. I felt it too; while there I experienced a joy unlike any I had ever had before. Doing God's work is satisfying to the soul.

The unbelievers did not smile in the same way. You could tell how much pain they were dealing with. The scars from the genocide are still deeply embedded in the culture. The Buddhism and ancestral worship that they practice brings no hope for a better future, and consequently no joy. They're just hoping that their sacrifices to their ancestors will bring them good luck. It's quite sad. Cambodia desperately needs Jesus.

As far as the Christians in Cambodia, they are really living out the book of Acts. They are living like the earliest Christians did. They pray together, they share their possessions, they share their struggles (they were always prepared to tell their personal story about how Jesus has changed their life), they face opposition from peers and their own families, they even love their enemies in a way unimaginable here in the states. A group of thugs from a neighboring village came and stole a motorbike at gunpoint, but the victims decided to go share the Gospel with them! Wow! That really moved me (and the rest of the team too). I hadn't thought that the stories in Acts are still happening today until I met these people. I can't wait to be a part of it again!

Let me say something about Henry and Neri too. Henry and Neri lead the orphanage. They have the most amazing faith that I have ever seen. In order to start the orphanage, Henry cashed out his entire 401k from his job as a mechanic for American Airlines and put all the money into Cambodia. They trusted in God to do big things and He has delivered! But they are still trusting in Him to do more! While we were there, they were constructing another building at Home of Grace to serve as a covered meeting place for big events. Neri told us she expected it to cost $50,000. She does not have enough money to finish the building, but started it anyway, trusting God to provide the funds by the time she needs them. This is how the entire complex was built. Neri has big dreams for the orphanage as well. The children need a dining room. Right now they eat all of their meals on the floor of the kitchen. Neri also wants to build another dormitory to increase capacity to 200 children. I have no doubt that all of these dreams will come true in the not-too-distant future.

Finally, I can't make a final post without talking about the kids! I've already told you how amazing they are and how they've touched my heart (see here). Now let me tell you a little bit about their future. The orphans are not up for adoption. Any child who gets taken in to Home of Grace will remain there until they are 18. They will receive a top-notch education, good housing, meals, medical care, and many more benefits in a loving, Christian setting. Once they become adults, they will be encouraged to become leaders and go back into their community to make a real difference in Cambodia. The hope is that some may become politicians, making an impact on the whole country; that some may become ministers or preachers, making a spiritual impact in the local community; and that the rest may make an impact in other ways. If you would like to be a part of this amazing mission, you can sponsor one or more children (there are currently about 17 unsponsored children). Please contact one of us if you would like more details.

Once again, thank you to everyone for all of your support. Without family and friends like you supporting us and praying for us, we never would have been able to take this trip and make such a profound impact. We love you with all of our hearts.

God Bless,
Dan

Back in the USA (Dan)

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that we made it home safely late last night (2 am). Thank you so much for all of your prayers! They certainly helped a lot! I'll post my final thoughts on the trip shortly.

God Bless,
Dan

Last Hours in Cambodia - by Kristin

Well, we have checked out of our final hotel, our bags are packed, and (required?) the basketball game is almost over. We made it back to Phnom Penh last night. We had dinner at our favorite restaurant (El Mundo) and got to see Kim and her son. This morning we went back for coffee and then headed to the Irish restaurant for some basketball and breakfast. Peter is still over there so we are hoping that the game finishes before we have to leave at 10! The way home will take 22 hours (split up) and we'll land in Houston around 11:30pm Monday.

Talk to you soon!
Kristin

last day in Ankor Wat

So a quick update! today is our last day in ankor wat!! It has been so much fun going to see the different temples that have lasted as long as they have! One of the emples was on tomb raiders, the other temple had huge trees, huge! As tall as a houston sky scraper! today we are going to visit another temple in and hopefully ride elephants!!
we will be heading back to the capital city tonight! :)

Sophia

A Day in Siem Reap - by Kristin

We just finished our "before dinner" exploring of Angkor Wat. We went through 3 temples fully and saw many more along the way. You'll have to see the pictures, because words can't do it justice. We also went on a boat ride along the river where the Vietnamese people escaped to during persecution in the 70's and have never left. That's right, they LIVE, eat, bath, and go to school on the river in boats. While it was very interesting, as we reflected on the last few minutes of the ride, we felt very sad for this secluded community.

We are about to head out to get some pizza for dinner and then go to the market. Getting good deals is always fun. Before we know it, we'll be home!

Kristin

Made it to Siem Reap (Dan)

Hi everyone,

I write this to you from our hotel in Siem Reap (The closest city to Angkor Wat). I just wanted to let everyone know that we survived our 6 hour car ride. I also wanted to clear up a couple things:
1)We will be returning to Houston around 11:30 pm on Monday, not Sunday.
2)The group that we passed the baton to is from First Baptist Broken Arrow, a suburb of Tulsa. They are going to be doing medical treatments in the villages and for the orphans. Please pray for them.

God Bless,
Dan

Heading home (or to Angkor Wat)

Hello everyone!

This is Jamison from a computer at the Phnom Penh airport with about an hour before takeoff on Friday, June 10th, 2011. It is about to become Friday for those of you in Houston pretty soon, but we have already had a large breakfast and gathering at the Titanic restaurant & lounge. We all had a sinking feeling while there (actually that was just a bad joke that Lonnie made, LOL). Yet, I doubt there are too many restaurants with that same name in America (especially not with the whole boat theme!). We got to visit with the team from First Baptist Tulsa (as Kristin said) and had a heartfelt goodbye with Neri, Henry, Elizabeth, and Hannah.

Lonnie, Connie, and I are now waiting at the airport for our plane and to our surprise (and delight) there is a real Dairy Queen here! So we are looking forward to a Blizzard or two. Then we will be making it home around midnight Friday night in Houston even though we are flying against the sun (don't think about that too hard or your brain might explode! LOL). We all have a great "mission accomplished" feeling as we head back but we are all ready to be back in our own beds with our families and friends. I don't like mentioning numbers, but let's just say that there have been MANY decisions made for Christ in Cambodia in the last week! Pray that the Holy Spirit continues to grow their faith and that next year will see many new villages worshiping Jesus in their own communities of believers just as we saw when we followed up with villages from past years.

Sophia, Peter, Dan, and Kristin are heading up to Angkor Wat for a day and a half so they will be getting home around midnight on Sunday night (I think). Continue to pray for safety and team unity as they continue to enjoy each other's company to experience the wonder of that ancient wonder of the world.

Godspeed,
Jamison