Wow, is all I can say... First of all, it was a very long flight.. they fed us on every flight..mostly rice and pork, or rice and seafood( which i did not partake in). eashy.. Our first layover was in Japan, then Taiwan, then Bangkok. The layovers were honestly pretty fun, just hanging out with everyone and being delirious. We landed in Cambodia, loaded up 30 people in 3 vans and headed off to the team house we are living in. its a huge house in a dirty alley in downtown phnom phen.. The bathrooms are crazy. haha.. The showertoilet and sink is in the same bathroom, so everything gets wet. it is so HOT,very crowded, and dusty.. I can't believe we actually made it! it is also so cheap...30 of us went and ate lunch, which by the way I will be eating rice for the next 3 months! for 30 people drinks and food was only $52.00.
anyway, yesterday we went to a genocide Museum and the Killing Fields http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Killing_Fields I have never seen such graphic and horrifying images in my life. I just don't understand it all.. This will be a place I will never forget. It made me feel so sick what this nation has been through.. the reality struck me hardcore. I had no idea the extent of what this country has been through.. Its just so sickening how someone could do this!
When we were there, there were fences surrounding the fields with the most beautiful children.. these children need love and touch so desperately. the poverty is so evident. There were 3 little sisters and a 10 year old boy. They were continually singing a song over and over.. In the song they were singing about what they needed money, food, school supplies, etc. I started to get so overwhelmed with the reality of what i was seeing and My friend Sarah and I walked away and started praying for the people of Cambodia. It was definitely an intense and eye opening day for me. After going to the Killing Fields we went to a Buddhist Temple. We could hear the monks outside of the Temple. We walked inside the Temple and there were Buddhas everywhere. Oh, and there are monkeys everywhere too!! It's crazy :)
It just boggles my mind to think of where God has put me.. I really do love it here. God is placing in me such a heart for these people and such a desire for the unjust. We walk down the alley by our home and seriously one night the children were flocking to us and a little girl came up to me and held my hand. they so long to be loved.. and wanted.Yesterday, which is the 5th day I have been here we split up in groups and went took Tuk Tuks (little cab carts) to different locations and just walked around and prayed for everything. it was such an eye opener on how i want to live my life.. I need to have that mindset of prayer and being aware of my surroundings
so anyway, Today is Christmas!! Can't believe it.. We all woke up and walked upstairs and there were stockings and presents for us from my leaders :) We all opened them up and chatted, listened to music and danced around. we even had a fake snow fight. haha.. from the fake snow dad sent me.. Now we are at the Internet cafe and us girls are about to go Christmas shopping for really cheap skirts!!
Tomorrow we are going to an orphanage called Good Shephard Orphanage and the ages range from infant to about 20. there is like 60 living there. so please pray for us while we go play and minister to these children.
I love and miss you all so much
8 comments:
Heathy!! I love hearing about all that you are doing. We miss you so much but know that you are experiencing so many life changing things.
Keep us updated. I love you, April
Heather,
I asked your folks to hook us up as I wished to follow your adventures. I totally understand the poverty and filth you are experiencing. Mind numbing isn't it?
We serve a Great God and you are there as His hands. love and learn. Laurie Foote
Hi Heather. Uncle Bruce and I, and Scott and Kim, send our love and prayers. What an amazing, life-changing experience you are having. I know that God will change many lives as He works through you. You have such gifts of compassion and mercy and service. We love you!
Heatha,
Tiffany, Mom and I (and of course your Molly)are missing you very much. It's not the same here without my #1 sport girl(although Tiff has done very good filling in for you)the Jazz traded for the ashton kutcher lookalike Kyle Korver you thought was cute, the Browns finished at 10-6 (not bad) and the cavs are getting better.
I wish I could be with you though on your experience of a lifetime. May God bless you as you give to others, especially the children in need.
Dad
Fresh spiders, a local delicacy, for sale on the streets of Phnom Penh - Heather, I was doing some research... have you tried the fresh spiders?
love,
Dad
Heather,
Wow, is definitely the right word. I will keep you in prayer. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, He will guide you and make you aware of spiritual opposition. Also, just out of curiosity but how was your first night in Cambodia? Were there a lot of noisy animals or more than usual? I remember our first night in Fortaleza, Brazil; and the animals around our housing complex were going insane because they could sense in a difference in the spiritual atmosphere. Anyway, have fun playing in the snow!!! HaHa
Heather - Just now getting around to visiting your blog. I remember when you were just a little girl running around barefoot and laughing, and just loving life. I see you haven't changed. Remember, God sends the rainbow to follow the rain. So be of good cheer. Stay in touch. We love you. p.s. I've done some traveling myself and know the cultural differences you are experiencing.
Wow! I found out your blog address on Facebook and decided to pass by here. What a blessed trip! Keep going on, Heatha! May God be with ya and bless ya abundantly! =)
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