Sunday, December 29, 2013


Dec 5, 2013

We bid goodbye to the wonderful people of Battambang and head back to Phnom Penh. We left the hotel by 6:00 AM and stopped at 8 for breakfast.


 Those of us in the back of the bus had a very rough ride.  I think the bus we were in was part of Pol Pot's torture system.  By the time we got to Phnom Penh I didn't think any of my insides were in the right place.

After lunch we got into some tuk tuks and headed out for our last chance at shopping.


 Most of the group rode to the village where Sarah was in the orphanage.  The orphanage was no longer there but they at least got to see the area.  They also actually met Sarah's foster Mom before she was adopted.



4 of us headed back to the hotel to get a little R&R before we went to Dr. L0's house for our final dinner in Cambodia. 






Tomorrow 8 of us load up and head to the airport for our very long ride back to the states.  I will be very happy to climb into my own bed and start the recovery from jet lag.

Hope you all have enjoyed the blog,.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013


Dec 4, 2013

Today was a  lot like yesterday.  The latrine team finished one and were well on the way on another one.


                                      
Their supervisor was even up and not taking his usual nap

                                                         

 We went to Greg Holtz's day care center for the street kids.  They fixed lunch for us.



It was past Jesse's nap time.  I decided he is my Cambodian Son.  I believe in adoption when they are old enough to fend for themselves.



Kay found her a new form of transportation.            


                                       



 Charlene and Kay were busy teaching Mom some sewing


 Kay and Norie did some inventory in the storage cabinets



 Sarah had a good time with the kids


 Holly was a little on the thirsty side after a hard days work


 So was Norie


 We had our last meal in Battambang at The River Restaurant by the river

Jessie informed us that we need to leave by 6:oo AM so I better get to bed.


Tuesday, December 3, 2013


Dec 3, 2013


Today was project day in Battambang.  We started off a little later than the previous days, but Kay & I were up at 5:30 anyway.

The construction gang worked on latrines - again.  We can definitely tell was is needed here.


As you can see, DR Lo was a big help




Norie and Harriet worked in the computer lab getting an English  program loaded onto several computers.


Pr Phil & Pr Jeremy worked with Pr Kosol on Church Administration.  Jessee was the interpreter.

Monday, December 2, 2013


Dec 2, 2013


Pastor Hun Kosal was ordained into the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cambodia (ELCC)  and installed as Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Battambang, Cambodia.  President Vanerith of the ELCC officiated the ordination and installation. I preached the sermon and Pastor Kosal's brother - in - law Rev. Peter Sok translated the sermon in Kahmer.  Also, participating in the laying on of hands (above) were Dr. Fungchautu Lo, Pastor Phan Narith (Jesse) and Rev. Jeremy Jacoby of Summit of Peace Lutheran Church, Thornton, Colorado.

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 Pastor Kosal is pictured here with his mother and our translator, Pastor Phan Narith (Jesse) of Phnom Penh.
 This was the first ordination or installation where the Pastor's dogs were invited into the service!!!  The small dog sat under Pastor Kosal's chair during most of the service but 2 or 3 dogs wandering through the sanctuary is a common occurrence.  (I wonder if Risen Savior Lutheran Church should change its policy about dog's in the church.  Hmmmm????)

 The reception that followed the ordination/installation service was funded by the generous donations of those who supported the mission trip.  The mission team enjoyed the church's celebration.
 Harriett and Nan are interviewing scholarship students.
 In the afternoon we visited the projects that we will work on tomorrow.  This house will be replaced by a brand new home.  Look for pictures in the next few days.
 Pastor Phan Narith (Jesse) is demonstrating the latrine that will be enclosed in the next day or two.
 Here is another site where a latrine has been installed and will be enclosed.  The family had been going out into the jungle to go to the bathroom.


Thanks Pastor Phil for the comments
 
Pastor Phil Cameron - Risen Savior Lutheran Church, Broomfield, CO

Sunday, December 1, 2013


Dec 1, 2013

This morning we arrived at Trinity for worship at 8:00 AM. which included participation by the kids. 

 Pastor Jacoby preached the sermon and Jesse translated
 This little one's name is Martha and she was abandoned by her Mother and Father.  One of the ladies of the church took her in but is having a hard time feeding her since milk is very expensive over here.  They wanted us to take her home.  Of course, adoption from Cambodia is very hard.  We will see what we can do to find some sponsors for her at least until she is off the bottle.

Some of the group took a hike up the mountain called Phnom Son Pov.  There are several Buddhist and Hindu temples on the top and the view was spectacular.  You could see the whole Battambang area, 

It was discovered in 1992 that this was another area where Pol Pot killed people.  There was a hole in the mouth of a cave that they would throw bodies into.

Nick had bought some Pineapple and one of the monkey stole it from him.  It came up and grabbed it right out of his hand.


About 6 of us took the day off to rest and catch up on some down time.  We then walked up the street and met up with the rest of the group for dinner.





















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