First Quarter Happenings

Hard to believe we are already approaching the end of the first quarter of the school year. I guess it’s true what they say, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” Or at least when you’re busy doing the things each day. The following is a look into our days - the people and places that are certainly making the time fly by.

We took the traditional first day of school pictures on our front porch. This return to the classroom marks Kirsten’s 14th year of teaching and Michael’s 32nd year, with this being his first full year as a principal. Also pictured, two of the guards who greet us each morning, a primary class, and Kirsten’s photography class.

It’s rainy season so that means it rains - A LOT. These two pictures are from our neighborhood in one of the bigger storms. In about two hours time, more than 6 inches of rain came down. Only a few hours later things were dried up and back to normal.

Also during rainy season, the Tonle Sap River changes direction of flow. As it does, the water level also rises and floods villages along the banks. We took a drive out to one of the villages that we have previously worked in and were totally shocked to see the extent of the flooding - we knew it happened each year but didn’t have a real understanding of the scope or the impact on the community. We will return to this village next week and hope to share more in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned.

Aside from a boat, this is the only way to get around the community.

This picture is taken during dry season in roughly the same location as the picture above it.

One of the highlights of the last couple of months was a dinner invitation we got from our friend Sarorn’s family. We ate in the traditional way, all seated together on the floor - all ten of us. The food was AMAZING and only just a little bit of it is pictured here - they totally spoiled us with a variety of traditional dishes, including desserts.

For fun, we bought a banana tree ($10 including the pot - cheap entertainment). So I guess we’re banana farmers now. They tell us that we’ll have a harvest of red bananas in about a year. We’ve never had red bananas, but we are told they are the best.

Shelby is super impressed with it.

Last weekend we had the opportunity to retreat with the Logos staff at the annual getaway. We did some activities at school on Friday afternoon and then all went across the river for one night at a local hotel. The time to connect outside of the regular school day was much need and so much fun. Here we are with one of the preschool teachers and one of the PE teachers.

The view from the top of the hotel wasn’t bad either! That’s the Mekong river to the left and the Tonle Sap to the right.

Shelby is maintaining her reputation for being a “grouchy beagle” but making friends with the neighborhood kids nonetheless. They are curious about this dog that gets walked on a leash (VERY uncommon) and whose human’s pick up after her (even MORE uncommon). She’s a great ice-breaker, though, and as long as we can say, “She doesn’t bite,” we are off on a good interaction.