Awesome Update from Tami!

I do not have the words to express my first impressions!! After traveling
some 30 hours to get here, we were weary but so excited. Visna was waiting
for us at the airport and everything had gone so smoothly all the way to
Phnom Penh. Unfortunately our luggage was not so lucky and we were not sure
when it would arrive. The trip to the hotel was quick and uneventful since
it was after midnight. We slept through the night but were very warm due to
the air conditioner in the room not being turned on until we arrived.

On Monday morning we ate breakfast at the hotel, first time I have eaten
fried rice for breakfast. It was good as was the rest of my meal. The
staff have been most gracious and helpful. After breakfast we walked to the
Central Market. There were so many people on the street. Everywhere you
look there are bicycles,mopeds, motorcycles pulling carriages call "tuk
tuks", and cars. They are all heading in different directions all at the
same time. All along the sidewalks there are the same type vehicles parked.
Oddly enough I was not nervous walking within inches of these moving
vehicles. Once we arrived at the Central market I was so overwhelmed by the
variety of products. I am not very good at bartering but Kevin gave me a
few lessons and I was very satisfied with my first purchase. As my
salesclerk said, "It was a lucky good morning for you and for me". All the
sales clerk were drawn to Joe. All seemed to be measuring him for clothing
items. Being the Southern gentleman he is he stopped and spoke with each
before assuring them that he did not need anything. From the Central Market
we walked to the Mall. After an hour of shopping we ate lunch at the Pizza
Restaurant. It was very good and so much like Pizza Hut.... Jan and Kevin
had bought Soccer Balls to take to the orphanage earlier and before leaving
the Mall we bought hula hoops to take also. After an afternoon nap, Kevin,
Joe and I went to visit the Royal Palace. This is a must see sight when
visiting Phnom Penh. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. After
spending an hour and half in the sweltering 90ish degree heat we were ready
to cool off and rest again before dinner.

Dinner was the highlight of my day. I knew we were meeting Sa em for dinner
at 6 but I did not know that Sohkum and his family were also meeting us.
One of my assignments for this trip is to assist Rachna (Sohkum's daughter)
in her Brazosport College application to nursing school. I was anxious to
meet her but a little nervous about whether we would connect. She and her
family made me feel immediately at ease and we were never at a loss for
words. Rachna and I spent the entire dinner talking. Ii felt as if she
were one of own children. Ronny, Sohkom's wife brought Jan and I bags of
Dragonfruit and Mangostine fruit along with a knife to cut the fruit.

After Jan and I assured Ronny that we would be two of many mothers to Rachna
while she is in Lake Jackson we said goodnight.
Since out luggage was still MIA we made one more quick trip to the Mall to
buy a few toiletry items.

Tuesday -

We each have different agendas today. Rachna met me at the hotel lobby at 8
am this morning. Joe met Tida in the lobby at 9 am and Jan & Kevin were off
at 9 to purchase Khmer Bibles with money provided by Jan's mother's church
in Texas. While I was gone with Rachna our luggage was delivered - not sure
if I am glad or disappointed that we will not need to buy clothing for the
next few days.

My time with Rachna was most productive. I was amazed to think how
completely comfortable I was with leaving the hotel alone with Rachna and
going to a local internet cafe. I thank each of you who have prayed over
this request for me. Why am I surprised that God has answered them? In two
short hours we were able to complete her college application, complete most
of her TOEFL application and answer many questions she had. Before she left
me at the hotel she thanked me for offering to be a mom to her, I was
touched. I cannot imagine traveling half way around the world alone. I told
her I thought she was very brave and she told me "No, not brave." She hugged
me goodbye and we agreed to meet again tomorrow to finish her TOEFL
application.

As I write, Joe is still with Tida. Jan, Kevin and I had lunch and will
meet up with Joe this afternoon for a bit more shopping. Tomorrow we will
head to Laveasar to spend time with the children and try to get the four
laptops up and running for the children.

I can see now how God has been planning this trip and preparing me for so
long. I am thankful that he has allowed me to be part of his plan.

SO SO Glad to be here!

Tami Flack