Today has been so fun. The BB 4 orphanage was dedicated today and boy was there a celebration! All 150 orphans of the 5 orphanages located in Battambang gathered together today in a huge tent that they had all been decorating for the past 3 days. There was a long service filled with singing, dancing, Scripture reading, and gift giving. Finally, the red ribbon was cut and everyone had a big lunch! The food was really interesting- a whole fish, a whole chicken, chicken foot soup and some stir-fried beef with sticky rice. It was really good! We got to experience how to eat in a Cambodian setting- everyone just eats off of the main dishes. It was really fun and community was quickly built. Initially, Eric and I saw down at a table with some of the orphans, but we quickly learned that this was culturally unacceptable and were moved to eat with the adults where better food was served.
Eric and I got to meet the BB 3 kids today! This is the orphanage that our church just started sponsoring! They all knew who we were and were so excited to meet us! Saviy is the orphan director. His wife’s name is Sem, his 17-year-old daughter is Channa, his middle son is Simon, and his youngest son is… something I cannot spell J. Channa speaks really good English and was so fun! I can’t wait to go spend some time at their orphanage getting to know them better.
Today was the first time that we got to see the orphans and it was so incredible. I just am overwhelmed with love for this country and its culture. I forgot how much I loved it. I have missed it so much.
On the way back to the orphanage, Kevin Cane stopped and showed us one of their micro-enterprise projects. This particular family grew mushrooms, which is the most successful crop grown in Cambodia usually. Kevin explained how the micro-enterprise loans were made from an organization in the US, but that he and his wife, Jill, were the ones who actually did the “on the ground” work here in Cambodia, intervening between the organization and the individuals receiving the loans. Some of the criteria that the individuals had to meet were being faithful in their Christian walk and writing up a one-page proposal of how they will be faithful financially. Most of the individuals receiving loans have undergone some sort of training on how the micro-enterprise system works. Usually the loans are $100, but Kevin said that just recently they changed it to being $200 if the individuals have been faithful in their payments for a certain amount of time.
He also explained how other missionaries had done surveys in the area to determine how many people had certain illnesses, such as Malaria, using the “ten-stone system.” Basically, the missionaries would ask people in villages how many out people they knew out of ten with malaria and if they grabbed three stones that would equal 10%... or something along those lines.
After an afternoon of rest, we grabbed some dinner and went back to the orphanage for a huge party! They had a loud sound system and played rap and techno music and we, along with 150 orphans, had a massive dance party! I couldn’t believe it! It was so much fun and was an instant way to bond. I danced mostly with the BB3 kids and Channa and Sem. It was so, so much fun.
We ended the night with fireworks!!
Really, I’ve just been reminded what really matters. God. And sharing God. And worshipping God. It’s really quite simple. But so often we complicate matters. I of all people put a huge emphasis on education and knowledge and discussions and theology etc, etc… But it is incredible how even after being here for just a few days, and stepping out of the routine and business of American life, how quickly and easily you are reminded of how simple life really is. Love God and Love others. Obey what he says. Realize you are nothing and let him work through you.
I don’t want this to turn into a cliché “missions trip” blog entry- but this is truly the first lesson I have gained, other than re-realizing the power of prayer. As soon as I have been pulled away from my hobbies and passions and what consumes my time, I am left simply asking God what he wants me to do- I’m in a culture that I am not proficient in so I really don’t have a clue what to do on my own. And I realize that that is how it really is supposed to work.
P.S.- I would put pictures up, but the internet in Battambang isn't good enough to put them up yet!! Hopefully soon though!
God is so good! I could not be more thankful to Him for this opportunity for you! I love you!
Ah! Joce I am so excited for you!
I love this:
"I of all people put a huge emphasis on education and knowledge and discussions and theology etc, etc… But it is incredible how even after being here for just a few days, and stepping out of the routine and business of American life, how quickly and easily you are reminded of how simple life really is. Love God and Love others. Obey what he says. Realize you are nothing and let him work through you."
And I'm sure its so weird to see everything we've been learning about actually happening, like the micro enterprise and learning about what is culturally unacceptable. Ah!
I love you! I leave in two days! !!