Saturday, January 3, 2009

The Days Feel Like Weeks...In a Good Way

I talked to Randy early this morning, and he asked me if I would post this for him. Enjoy! - Ashley

We have had a great day today. We started our day with a great breakfast at the hotel. The hotel is really very nice...Greg says it is better than the accomodations in years past. Good showers, cold air conditioners and very very very firm beds! Phenom Penh may be more humid than Lake Jackson! But, really the weather has been beautiful.

We went to Digital Data Divide, a company in Cambodia that was started by a Harvard alum with the vision of improving life for underpriveleged people in the developing world. They hire the very poor and the handicapped, give them IT training, affordable housing, and an education in a field of their choosing. The hope is that their could be a connection in the future with the orphanage in Levesar. The foundation was certainly laid...pray that God uses new relationships to connect our orphans with an even more positive future. DDD could help them become the leaders of tomorrow! Imagine God changing Cambodia through the children he has allowed us to love and support...that is a vision that I can get pretty excited about!!

We went to Toul Sleng, a torture prison that was used during the late 1970's in a period where Cambodia faced civil and external war because of Communism. Greg is an expert on Cambodian history...and great to have as a guide. Toul Sleng was a high school that they turned into the torture prison, now it is a museum. It has less words than any museum I have every been in, but says more than one person can take in. It is very sobering. It makes you think about genocide and torture in a whole new way. We know it is evil, but seeing it is very different. It gives me an even stronger passion for justice and a desire to take action when we hear of these atrocities around the world. That is why you have to go to places like this when you come to places like Cambodia!

After that we ate a very good lunch at a Cambodian buffet...better than any Ronnie and I have had in LJ!
Then we went to the market. We really helped out the Cambodian economy...if you know what I mean. We got some great things to help us remember this trip and tell our loved ones that didn't get to come how much we love them and wish that they were here.
After the market we went to the Royal Palace. Cambodia is a kingdom with a King and Queen. The palace is where they actually reside. It was very neat. I have been to Buckingham...you only see it from a far, honestly not that impressive. Here we got to tour the grounds, go into buildings, and had a great time. Michael, Jennifer, and I played drums and xylophone with some guys at a Buddhist temple on the palace grounds at their invitation...it was a blast! I prayed to Jesus the whole time, and rocked out with some new Buddhist friends. Can you tell that learning a new culture is a huge thrill for me?

We came back to the hotel, cleaned up a little, and then walked down the road to Lucky Burger for dinner. Lucky Burger was good, but not as good as the lunch buffet.
Tomorrow we go to Levesar for church. I have seen the program for the service...it is exciting. About three hours. Their will be dancing, preaching from Greg, Rotany will share her story, and the children will preform a drama. I am looking forward to this more than anything. There is nothing like worshipping with fellow Christ followers in another culture with a different language and style all the way around the world...it makes three hours seem like 30 minutes.
After church we will head to International Justice Mission's Cambodia offices. This another very exciting thing! I can't wait to report this to you soon.

You can see why the days seem like weeks, but they are priceless days that are a dream come true. I can't wait to go love on and play with the children!

More to come...Randy

2 comments:

  1. It sounds like you are having a wonderful experience thus far. We are praying for you and the whole team. I can't wait to hear more and especially about the kids. Talk to you soon...mom

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  2. We are reading this with amazement at how God is working in all your lives.Be safe and know our prayer's are with you continualy.Micah and Tanner are doing good and enjoyed being spoiled by all the Grandparent's here in Tyler. We love all of you and pray for your safe return.What do the kid's think of Haleigh's red hair? G-Ma

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