Better than Christmas in Cambodia

It's been a really awesome trip so far! Today was a very sucessful day. We started out in our teams with the hair school, pastor's conference, water tank construction, teacher training, and bible club. I must say, I love my job on this trip as photographer. I get to walk around and take pictures of all of the different activites going on. I get to see the progress of each team working.

The students in the hair school are amazing with how much they are learning. Today they got to practice hair cuts on some of the kids and even a few of us! Luckily Urban Asia is such a good hair cutting school that everyone looked wonderful. I thought it was quite funny when nearly all of the boys getting their hair cut wanted the haircut that Jason Culverhouse has. I guess he's a pretty cool guy.

In the pastor's conference all of the pastor's seem to be very attentive; taking notes and following along very closely.

The water tank construction is going along as planned. They have covered the tank in concrete, inside and out. Nice work boys!

From what I hear, the teacher training is going well. All of the teachers look eager to learn everytime I go in the room.

The bible club had some fun today like always! We colored coloring pages, told a story, sang songs, and painted faces! The kids loved getting their faces painted.

This afternoon was one of my personal favorites for sure! We handed out the presents that each of the orphans', moms', and teachers' sponsor families created for the orphans. We took all them into the cafeteria and past out their envelopes with their goodies inside. Then we told them to all open their presents at once. It was basically like Christmas morning... but better! Yes, better than Christmas morning! These kids were so excited to see what they had gotten. The little boy in the picture below, Makra, took out the first thing he saw (this toy car) and held it up with the biggest smile on his face squealing with excitement (Thanks Mike and Chantel!). Thankfully I had my camera ready! Obviously these gifts were a big deal to each one of these kids, and it was awesome to watch them open each one of them. I know that they all appreciate what the sponsor's are doing and would love to tell each one of them thank you. Also thanks for the many prayers that are being sent their way. Being here this week, I have gotten to see an obvious difference in the kids' spirits and attitudes because of our church. They are such happy-go-lucky kids, and I can't wait to see them again tomorrow!

Thanks for all your prayers!

-Micaela Erskine