It’s been a while since I’ve posted pictures since the internet is so slow here in Phnom Penh. But I wanted you to experience some of the sights and people I’ve grown to love here in Cambodia.
These cuties are our neighbors here in Cambodia! The streets are filled with families and children. Each day, especially in the evenings, I’m greeted with dozens of “HELLOOOO”s. And I practice my Khmer greetings. Shy kids have warmed up to me, and moms smile and call me beautiful. It feels almost like I’m a celebrity, as I walk down the street waving and hugging my friends, giving Hi-5’s, smiling from ear to ear with the sincere love shown by these people. How could you not love Cambodians, with the overflowing love of these beautiful people? 
I pray that the love of my Saviour overflows through me back to these people.
We are able to attend church services at New Life Fellowship several times a week. Also we are working with NLF throughout the week (see What I’ve been doing in Cambodia blog).
City tour — It’s the WR guys and Win. Here we are in front of the king’s palace. 
This week, Cambodia is celebrating the king’s coronation and the king’s father’s birthday, so everyone goes to parks or the palace to have a picnic with their family. Last night they even had fireworks (but I missed seeing them!). 
It reminds me of our Fourth of July, which makes me a bit longing for home since I missed the Fourth celebration this year. Ahh.. I remember the days of having a cookout in my home watching the Blaine, MN lakeside fireworks with my friends, or getting chicken with my family in Memphis, TN watching fireworks at my church while the orchestra played patriotic music. So it’s fun to see the same type of atmosphere here in Cambodia; the concept of family is very important here in Cambodia. We also went on a 15-minute “boat cruise”to celebrate the holiday.
Here are two pictures of the stadium where I do aerobics (on the top concrete track) and run (on the dirt track below). See Aerobics blog. The other day an older man who works for the government was introducing me to his friend after the morning aerobics. He couldn’t remember my name, but he remembered “Jesus”! See the temple in the background. Just outside the stadium is where we play soccer with new friends. The field in the middle is reserved for official games.
Yesterday, before plastering my church’s preschool, 
I was able to spend half of the day with Tamara and Elizabeth from team Lego, going with them to the girls’ orphange where they minister daily. Here are some cuties from the orphanage that I grew to love in seconds. They did my hair and gave me a new nickname — Astronaut! Let me explain. Sometimes my name is hard to pronounce for Asians in Cambodia and Thailand. I often get ”Astar” (since it sounds similar to Esther). Yesterday the girls were trying to pronounce my name and they said, “Astar, Astar, Astronaut” (ok, it looks like it doesn’t rhyme when it’s on paper, but when you’re in Cambodia, it rhymes, trust me). Anyway, so fittingly I had a helmet, so I could practice looking like my new Astronaut name.
The two cuties on the far right are from the slums. I’m going to minister there this afternoon.
Thanks for your continued prayers and walking through this journey with me!
