HAPPY 2011!
We trust that you all enjoyed the holidays and are settling into a routine again by now. It has definitely been different so far this year so we’d like to share what’s been happening with us:
After a 36-hour series of flights from Kona, we landed in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia on December 23rd. Our group from the University of the Nations consisted of 24 adults and 13 children from USA, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Korea, Germany and China. We celebrated Christmas dinner at a Pizza restaurant in a nearby mall. On Dec 26th, our group separated into three teams – going to three different areas in Cambodia: Siem Reap, Kom pong Thom, and Phnom Penh City.
As overall leaders, we have been rotating locations, working with each team for about a week at a time. We have become very familiar with the bus system here!!! Actually we enjoy seeing the countryside between cities and like visiting with locals and tourists on the buses. We have found this nation of Cambodia amazing in so many ways and feel very privileged to have this experience. Below are just a few highlights of our time so far. I’ll attach a few pics as well.
PEOPLE
Wow!! By far the Khmer people of Cambodia are the greatest treasure we have found. They are beautiful in appearance and in spirit - full of smiles and friendly greetings wherever we go (Enjoy the pics – I can’t quit taking photos!) They are very smart and resourceful with a hunger to learn English in order to gain a better job here. Children are everywhere - the population is very young – 70% under 30 years old. They are a resilient and forgiving people in spite of the tragic holocaust during the 1970’s rule of the Communist Khmer Rouge who brutally killed almost one-third of the population (two million).
One sad situation we see here is the sexual exploitation of the girls and young women. Sex trafficking is a reality and grieves our spirits to know these girls are so vulnerable and at risk.
MINISTRY
Our teams’ schedules are packed with outreach opportunities in each community. Our main involvements include:
- Teaching English – all ages and many locations – providing school supplies
- Kid’s clubs – teaching Bible, songs, games, arts and crafts, sharing food
- Youth gatherings – Bible lessons, discussion groups, singing, games, sharing food
- Relationship building and friendship with community members, guesthouse and restaurant staff, neighbors and children
- Orphanage help
- Leadership Training for Youth
- Marriage Seminar
- World Vision staff Discipleship Training
- Rehab/Prison teaching, discussion groups, testimonies, music and sports activities
- Women’s home - devotions / business, sewing and design help
- Youth classes and private lessons – guitar, keyboard, computer
- Village visitation to homes – prayer, assess needs
- Prayer walks
- Pastors training and support
- Sunday services – worship, teaching, testimonies, children’s classes
- Agriculture, hydroponics teaching
- Adopting a shanty-town neighborhood – making friendships, sharing food,
- Personal Hygiene teaching – providing toothbrushes, paste and soap
- Family photography – gifting families with a family portrait
- Leading afternoon school program and buying uniforms for children and a new dress for the Mothers
- Showing the Jesus Film
ASIAN LIFE
What an adventure just living life in an Asian culture!
Climate – This is the dry “winter” season with temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees F; Humidity about 50%; Fairly clean air.
Landscape – It’s fairly flat with a few hills, very green and lots of palm trees and fruit trees.
Food – There is an abundance of fruits and vegetables available for cheap prices in the open markets (see photos). We don’t recognize many of them and we like the adventure of tasting new and really odd looking fruits! Meals consist of chicken, fish, seafood, or beef cooked with lots of veggies served with - OF COURSE – RICE. . . . LOTS OF RICE!. . . .AND GREEN TEA always. We drink bottled water which costs about 10 cents a bottle. Meals in restaurants cost us about $3-4 USD.
Money – Cambodia uses US Dollars which makes trade easy. Instead of coins, they use Khmer dollars called “Riel”. 4,000 riel = 1 US dollar
Religion – Most of the population practice Theravada Buddhism. Many businesses and homes display a “spirit house” alter with offerings of food, money, and incense. Large, ornate temples can be seen in most cities. It is common to see monks in yellow-orange robes walking the streets offering to pray for people in exchange for food or money. Few Cambodians can explain their religion except that they feel a loyalty to their ancestors in keeping the tradition of Buddism. The younger generation is more open to hearing about Jesus and His teachings.
Transportation – good news – it’s easy and cheap to get around Cambodia. Nice cross-country buses cost about $1 per hour ride. We travel 6 hours for $5 ticket! Getting around the cities is also easy and cheap in a Tuk-Tuk. This is a small carriage which holds 4 people, pulled by a motorcycle. It costs $1 to $3 depending how far you need to go. Bad news – literally thousands of bicycles, tuk-tuks and motorcycles swarm the city streets resembling schools of fish. They go every which way, over sidewalks, against traffic, criss-crossing each other, yielding only to vehicles larger than their own. I cannot explain how this organized chaos works, but we somehow reach our destination. Whole families – up to six people- are commonly seen on one motorcycle – usually carrying groceries and other items! Tuk-tuks and motorcycles are often seen loaded with a pick-up truck load of cargo. I never cease to be amazed at these sights!
Shopping – Open markets and shops of all kinds are plentiful and bargaining for a fair price is a way of life. Many products are imported from Thailand and China. Pharmacies abound and sell any and all prescription meds over the counter. Best Bargain – One hour foot massage for $5.00!
Safety- We feel quite safe here. While pick-pockets are something to be aware of, violent crime is rarely seen. People are quick to help with directions and translating if they are able. The only time we feel weird is when we go to a jungle village where children have never seen white people. They just stare at us and when we talk to them, they are frightened and run away.
As far as our health, we had a slight cold one week, but other than that, we’ve stayed well. I think eating so many fresh fruits and veggies has helped.
PRAY
- Energy and wisdom to finish strong these last few weeks
- Comfort when it comes time to leave our new friends and work here
Thanks to you who have been in touch with encouragement and news.
We’d love for the rest of you to drop us an email to let us know what is happening in your life and how we can pray for you.
lowder@frontier.net or dwlowder@frontier.net
ALL OUR LOVE,
DARREL AND JAN LOWDER
