After 24 hours of flying we arrived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia around midnight on Saturday August 24th. Our friends were waiting for us and we loaded up on tuk tuks and went to our hotel in the city. So much culture to absorb all at once as we rode through the busy streets (yes, still bustling with activity after midnight). The sounds, the smells, the sights, oh my. What an exciting adventure this is going to be!
Sunday 8-25-13
Breakfast was within walking distance (down and the 5 flights of narrow steps of the hotel and down the street....which in some respects to architecture vaguely reminded me of New Orleans) at a local pastry shop (iced coffee with sweet milk and french pastries, what?!?! YUM!!)
Then we went on a ferry across the river and walked down a long dirt road to a nearby village to attend a church service with new friends. What an incredible worship experience standing barefoot on the tile intricate floor of an open air church house in the wet heat of the day. Little electric fans blowing. Alongside men, women and children we crossed language barriers to praise God together. My spirit was completely overwhelmed as we sang familiar songs....some of us in English and the others in Khmai. My heart soared at the sound of the young girl in the back of the room singing at the very top of her lungs. The sermon was translated for us and it was a moving message about Zaccheaus and the meaning of life.
After the service we shared lunch at a traditional Cambodian restaurant, seated on pillows on the floor sampling family style delicacies.
And then it was time to travel on to Kep. The drive was about 4 hours by van along mostly paved roads. The villages and countryside were magnificent. The rice fields with workers gathering and seeding the rice. The sugar palm trees and blue mountains in the distance. Cows walking and grazing lazily along the side of the road.
The traffic was terrifying! I can't believe how fluid it all is. There are right and left sides of the road but it doesn't seem to matter as cars, trucks, motorbikes, and tuk tuks weave in and out of on coming traffic on both sides of the road effortlessly.....honking their horns constantly as they go!
In Kep we stopped at Mandi's home to unload boxes and supplies and greet the kids! Then we were dropped off at our bungalos.....which were actually in a hidden little paradise situated off the main road behind a non-descript rock wall and gated entrance. The place was so gorgeous our mouths gaped open when we walked in taking sight of the outdoor eating and gathering area and the salt water infinity pool surrounded by lush tropical landscaping! What?!?! Are we in the right place?!?! The bungalos were simple but clean with mosquito nets over the beds and the type of bathroom that is basically one large shower stall with a sink and toilet and drain in the floor. But they were like $17 per night! Wow!
Now that's the way to do mission work, huh. Not at all what any of us expected.
We had dinner together at the outdoor kitchen and celebrated with a fellowship meeting, and discussion of tomorrow's agenda.
I am so grateful the Lord has allowed me to come here to this place, on this particular journey, with this group of people.
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