Cambodia Day 1-5

I wonder how many of us will just say we'll be full-time Cambodian missionaries to avoid having to travel back to Kona :)
Our travel day began at 4 a.m. in Kona, where we were escorted to the airport by an explosive lightning storm (which we heard is really rare). I could totally feel God's pleasure with each flash. We went to Honolulu - Japan -- Taiwan - Thailand - and finally about 36 hours later we got to home sweet home!
The guest house we stayed in was very spacious and clean. I dubbed it "Love Lane" because there would be sometimes up to four weddings at a time going on along our street.
On day two we went to see the "Killing Fields." This was one of the bigger mass graves site. In the midst of the darkness and despair, God showed me His hope and redemption through nature. As I was there I wrote in my journal: "The crickets are singing, the butterflies are dancing, the birds are chirping -- do they know what happened here? Yes, they are proclaiming God's goodness and faithfulness."
Then, we went to a school-turned torture center during the reign of the Khmer Rouge. Each time I walked into the classrooms that were converted to prison cells I felt the presence of evil on my body. It would be a pain across my shoulders and a heaviness over my eyes. I have come to recognize that sensation as my call to do some serious spiritual warfare through prayer. I have never experienced so much darkness as I had there.
Phnom Penh was a mass of chaotic frenzy. There are no traffic rules there, as mopeds drive anywhere, anytime, in any direction, even on the sidewalks. The boys loved riding in tuk-tuks -- an experience in itself! You can read about it, but nothing compares to seeing these things in real life. Hopefully we'll post some pictures and videos.
You can get a very delicious Cambodian meal here for as little as $2. This would include rice and some meat/vegetable dish.
On Christmas eve, we all went for a boat ride while our friend Hoonie lead us with Christmas carols and worship songs. It was the perfect way to celebrate Jesus' birthday!
Then on Christmas we ventured to the Russian Market, a place well-known for bargaining. I dusted off my skills and got some nice deals. Bought Cambodian pants for me and Cambodian-style shirts for the boys -- probably only tourist wear this stuff now :)
On Dec. 26 we sadly said goodbye to the team that is stationed in Phnom Penh and boarded a bus for our new home in Siem Reap. It took us about 6 hours of traveling time, but for $4.50 it was worth it. Amazing to see the country side -- it was so good for me to get out of the city!
The bus dropped off another team that is stationed in Kampong Thom along the way -- which made yet another difficult goodbye since the boys and I have come to really love these people over the past few months.
I was thrilled when we arrived at our new temporary home in Siem Reap and join up with our team, who has been here for about a week. We're on the outskirts of town, so it's not touristy. And, it's so much more peaceful than Phnom Penh. There's a little place in the front that the kids can actually run around in.
Today we visited a "slum" area that we are calling "The village." It is a possible ministry opportunity for us. We met many families with little children living in thatched huts. We would teach the children English and about God and teach the parents how to encourage their children. We're also looking into going into a drug rehab place in the prison. And on Sundays, we'll be working with a youth group.