After a 26-hour trip on multiple buses we made it to Phnom Penh, Cambodia! From the second we crossed the border; it was very evident that we were not in Thailand anymore. Things are very different here. The people are younger, the traffic is wilder, and Phnom Penh is much busier than the Chiang Mai pace we had become accustomed to.
We stayed at a hotel with our entire squad for one night and had a quick orientation to the culture of Cambodia. The history of this nation is rich. There are many stories of grief and but also stories of a rebuilding people. One interesting fact we learned is that because of the saddening genocide that went on in Cambodia a few decades ago, about 80% of the population is less than 30 years old and only 3% is older than 65. This country has been through a lot of fighting and despair, but has thankfully started to experience trends towards unity in recent years.
Our team split off from the squad after half a day in Phnom Penh and went to our ministry site in Kampong Speu. We are now in a small village helping our ministry host teach English and lead bible studies for the locals as well as play with and care for the kids that run around in the streets all day long. After one day we can already tell that life in this village is going to stretch us but at the same time is going to be a breath of fresh air. Our living situation is very different than last month. We are finally living "world race style". Unfortunately I cannot add any pictures as I am writing this blog on a public computer at an internet cafe… But to paint a picture, just know we are living in tents on the ground of a guest house near our ministry contact's house and will be bathing with a bucket and well water!
Pray that I allow God to humble me during this month as we live this village lifestyle. And pray our English classes and bible studies leave a growing impact with these people. Its already been easy to fall in love with the precious children that live next door to us! Pray we love on them well during the short time we have here!
