Seasons
Our calendar says it’s the Christmas season but our eyes say it’s mid-summer - perpetually mid-summer! Not only is the climate opposite of what we experience in the states this time of year, but the daily happenings are quite different as well. In a nation that is over 95% Buddhist, there isn’t a whole lot of Christmas goin’ on. What a great opportunity we have to share the gospel in this season, as we celebrate the Savior! While these pictures aren’t full of the sights we are accustomed to in the States, it’s what has filled our days these past few weeks. Many blessings and so much love from Cambodia in this Christmas season and always!
In November we took a trip to Siem Reap as the whole country took some time off in celebration of Water Festival, marking the very welcome end of rainy season.
Elementary students on “dress-up-like-a-storybook-character” day and Kirsten’s high school students making some fine art out of the smaller details around campus. Recorder Ensemble on their last day of the after school program session.
Kirsten has hired a translator to accompany her as she connects with people from the old generation. She is working on a project, photographing and recording life stories and lessons of the oldest generation of Cambodian people, age 65 and older. Her translator, Matthew, has been a friend of ours for quite a few years. We are blessed to have his help in this work.
Kirsten with Srey Nher, one of the first women photographed for the project. When asked what her hope for the future is she said she didn’t have hope as she is “old and poor.” Kirsten asked if she knew Jesus and Srey Nher said, “Yes, I’ve heard but I don’t see how that (He) can help.” We are thankful for this open door for sharing the hope we have in Christ, and pray that the relationship with this woman and her husband (who is 98 (!!) and was also photographed for the project) will grow. Pray for this sweet couple. We feel blessed to have met them and feel they are among those that the Lord desires for us to serve in practical ways.
We were able to join in welcoming a new little Cambodian to the world a few weeks ago. The first child of our friend, Pattaya. You might remember her wedding pictures from last winter. We met Pattaya on our very first trip to Cambodia in 2011, when she was in high School down in Sihanoukville. She was raised in the Children’s Home that our friends Mark and Joan Bouman ran for many years. Pattaya’s son, Jeremiah, was only about 5 hours old in this picture.
One of the Cambodian teachers with one of the awesome volunteers. Are you interested in coming to volunteer? We’d be happy to have you anytime, but be prepared to be a little taller than everyone else. ;)
And just a short clip from our trip to Siem Reap. Such a precious scene - kids just being kids, seemingly oblivious to the incredible backdrop of the setting sun. Sra Srang Reservoir, Angkor Wat.