Poi Pet, Cambodia

Sunday afternoon - 2:30pm

We are here, happy, healthy, and even rested.

Our trip went well.

After 7 hours of killing time in Seattle, we settled in for our 12 hour flight to Seoul, Korea. Most of us did not sleep - much excitment in the air - and a multitude of movies to watch. Food was great, excitement was high, and all was smooth sailing or should I say flying. We had about 2 hours in the Seoul airport and then boarded our next 5 hour plus flight to Bangkok. We were tried now - so many of us, with the help of some gravol, tried to get some shut eye.

We arrived in Bangkok on time, 12:02 am Saturday morning, March 15th.

All the luggage came through and away we went, looking for our name, or my name, or KCS, or something to indicate that we were being picked up and taken to the Avana Hotel. It was arranged that someone from YWAM would pick us up.

So out we walk, scout the crowd, and low and behold a sign saying YWCA Avana Hotel. That was it. We were happy to see him and he us. On we went, Hilary and I to get money from the ATM machines, and the kids with our luggage standing ready to go.

When we returned, one of the kids said, "The sign says YWCA and there is a group from Seattle that we met, and I think this man is for them."

OPPS! -So off we went to find the YWCA group and let then know we highjacked their ride.
Off we went again to walk the line, looking for the YWAM sign. None to be found. So sad!

We asked the Avana fellow if he could provide a ride to the hotel for us too. No problem and at an even cheaper price - so all was good.

We arrive and went up the the Avana Hotel counter to check in. NO reservation!. OK - a deep breathe and a look through the entire list. No names. So we called our contact in Phang Nga who had booked for us and she spoke to the hotel manager. Yes, there was a reservation for March 17th. Oh - and today is March 15th. OK - please give us some rooms and we will crash. Sorry - no room in the inn! Sound familiar? Another deep breathe, some more talking on the phone, and we were given two deluxe suites. Not bad!

So we went, girls in one suite, the guys and Hilary and I in the other suite, and off to sleep we went.

7:30 the alarm went, down for breakfast, met up with the four Thai girls, Kalaya, Yar, Sopa, and Phon. Sadudee, one of the girls who traveled with our team 2 years ago had brought them down from Chiang Rai to us. Hugs all around!

The vans arrived early and by 9:30 all 18 of us were on the road to Poi Pet. The vans were brand new and the trip was smooth.

We got to the Thailand side of the border, unloaded out bags into a pull cart, went through the Thai border, through the Cambodian border with our EVISAs (thanks so much Ken and Barb for doing all the work in getting them on line for us - it worked great and saved us money too!).

David, with MMF meet us and we all piled into the truck, and off the our hotel.

We all have a beautiful, clean room with warm water and a mini fridge. WOW! Deluxe!!!!

We unpacked. Then we met Lida and her husband Pang, who came from Phenom Pen. They are the ones who purchased all the backpacks and supplies for us. Now we were a team of 20.
The 20 of us and David - 21 - went over the one of the casinos for supper.

By 9 pm we were all in bed and slept soundly.

(A side story. Hilary was talking to the lady who is with the team and her son lives in Calgary, is marrying a gal from Victoria, in Kelowna this summer. She had never heard of Kelowna, and here we all were! small world)

This morning, up at 7:30 - went next door for noodle soup for breakfast, then off the CHO church at 9am.

We listened to praise and worship, a team from England who also arrive yesterday, but are staying for 4 months working with CHO, sang two songs for them, which was the only English we understood completely. The pastor preached on love, being translated by a fellow who was translating for the first time. I am sure much was lost in translation, but it was great to worship together.

Off we went at 11:30, back to the restaurant and had fried noodles with beef for lunch.

Then we loaded into David's truck and rented 2 motorcycle taxis (with a large metal cart attached to it) and off we went to MMF orphanage. We had a look around the orphanage.
They have 4 homes for the kids, a small girl home, a big girl home, a small boy home, and a big boy home. Then there is a staff home. There are 32 kids there - 28 orphanges, ages 4 - 14. The other 4 children are the children of the couples who are house parents.

We then went into the main building where Lida had brought all the backpacks and supplies. We began opening the boxes and bags, and began assembling all the backpacks. The team is still doing this at the moment. Over 500 backpacks is a lot to stuff and assemble.

Hilary and I were off to purchase the airline tickets for our flight for next week, but will have to do it tomorrow, when the girl who does this is working.

So while the guys are off for a bit, I took this opportunity to fill you in on what has happened to date.

Tonight, supper with Chomno, who has returned from his trip to the United States.

Tomorrow, we will meet with the CHO and MMF staff for devotions at 7:20, then breakfast and then we will do MAT school teaching in the morning for 60 kids. Then in the afternoon we will be spending time with 18 children that live in a CHO home. Their parents work in Thailand and do not care for their children while they are gone. Will tell you more after the day happens.

I do notice that the computer tries to change the spelling of some of my words, so please excuse me if I do not go back and edit what I write. I am sure that you will be able to figure out what I am saying. This will the same for all postings.

Please continue to pray for us and our ministry which begins tomorrow.

Please especially pray for David and Chomno as they host us.