Wow! Things have been busy and I have been tired, but God is soo good.  I actually took a day off today! :) Well, kind of, going to meet a friend later today but it’s all pleasure and not business! That said, my life is all pleasure and fun! :) The life of a missionary is fantastic I tell you.  Yes, there are the bugs in the food, the inconvenient weather and travel, being separated from your friends and family, BUT the rewards are amazing!! Cambodia has some of the best fruit, I can have fresh coconut water every day if I want and it’s sweet and cold!, you are so much more appreciative of air conditioning and every blessing you get, you make new friendship and are adopted into so many wonderful family’s, everyone you meet and hang out with just inspire you to be better and God is so real and present in every moment of everyday! I love my life!

I haven’t written for a bit because I have been too tired and too busy, though when I write it out J it doesn’t sound like it.

So Christmas Eve the plan was to go to the province.  So we all went to bed early, but for some reason I couldn’t sleep until 3ish in the morning.  I think all the caffeine for the day kept me awake.  Woke up at 6 to get ready and I was surprised how well I did most of the day at the province. The ride back I fell asleep but thorough enjoyed my time there.  We got there and all these khmer kids were there so I said hello in Khmer and then tried to talk to them and was handed a present (some sort of popsicle thing that was melted in the plastic container).  Always warms your heart when kids like you cause you know you are doing something right.  Heheh! They totally see through the facades.  J

The day was fun. We had a Christmas program where the khmer kids sang and then we worshipped in English followed by a sermon and then socializing. I liked meeting the whole MTW (Mission to the World) team that the Rhea’s work with. It’s interesting because they are all Korean heheh! It think it’s funny how God connects me to the Koreans in every country I live in.  Got to share some stories with them ( got to encourage a girl who was visiting about God and His goodness) and then it was time for the white elephant exchange, but with a twist. If you wanted to steal someone’s gift you had to win a challenge.  I loved how even the 60 year olds were up to the challenge J  What a great group!

I got to talk to and meet the girl I talked to over the phone who had morning sickness and thanks to my great $5 unlimited plan on the my phone I was able to look up a list of things for her to do to help her.  The ginger is already working :) She was so happy and I was happy to put a face to the voice on the phone.

Got home and wanted to rest so we all decided to watch tv.  I have heard a lot about the show monk and so we watched that.  I fell asleep through an entire episode :) and decided to sleep in the comfort of my bed.

Christmas morning woke up early.  I had been invited to a Christmas night thing, but the whole ride thing was an issue.  Praise god, an early morning message put my mind to ease! So YAY, I was going.  The present exchange was fun.  And the rhea’s bought me an extra gift – a wonderfully pretty diary and I know just what to do with it :) Francine was the one who got me and she bought me a purse that although I wondered what I would do with when I got it, it makes a perfect medicine/doctor bag and I already have used it as such.  And she got me ankle bracelets which I was able to put on that night and go to the party.  I had to take off my gold ones due to danger and but these are ones no one will steal :)

Kimmy picked me up for the party.  We went to Diamond Island. We went across the bridge where the horrific stampede happened last year.  Met Kimland and her boyfriend and the friend they wanted to introduce me to.  My new friend Dilanga – an emt from California.  The Sri Lankans are awesome.  I met up with him the next day and his story was so cool.  He grew up in Sri Lanka and his uncle got killed and his family was on the list so they moved to America.  He went to EMT school to get into medical school and fell so in love with it that he kept doing it and became a teacher (even at medical school) and then one day felt like there had to be more.  So he quit his job the next day and then moved to india to volunteer for 2 weeks with mother Theresa (he’s Buddhist).  From there he ended up else where and has been to Somalia and gotten shot at and done such cool things. His heart is to help and serve.  Amazing amazing guy.  Pray for him. He feels God is calling him to Him and working with Christians and seeing the love they have has really helped the hurt in his heart.  He doesn’t go to church or do organized religion but feels he’s grown more now than when he was going to church and temple.  What I love about the Christians and people I meet here in Cambodia that they just want to follow God. It’s not about organized religion and traditions, it’s truly about God.  Maybe that is why 5 churches from totally different denominations could hold church together!

So the ride back was interesting.  There were three of us on a motorcycle with me in the back! Chotto kowai/a little scary and on top of that we took “short cuts” through this small dingy alley ways in the dark.  I loved it! I was afraid everyone would be asleep cause we were super late, but they had just finished eating and I was starving so I got to eat the tasty food and fall asleep watching a movie with them. 

So one of the old Indian men we met at the store has been calling me daily since! He’s a nice old man so I said we could have lunch on Monday.  Wow! What a tasty meal! Best Indian food I have had out of india! It tasted like a real Indian restaurant!  And for $4 I had more food than I could eat.  Two people could eat for that much!  I mentioned we hadn’t found a place yet that we had settled on but that I liked my PPThmey place and he quickly made a phone call and found a place for $200.  I wanted to say, there is no need to look at it, but I didn’t have the heart and I was worried that I would be super late for our next appt (Dilanga had asked that I come and see a sick kid at the mother Theresa orphanage).  But I just couldn’t break his heart and it’s funny how when you do something in love, how God works it all out.  So the place we were going was near the place the orphanage was and the man who showed us the house has his own NGO, has been around for a long time and knows the ropes and has offered to help me file for my NGO! Am I blessed or what.  I love how God works!

So from there went to the Missionaries of Charity orphanage.  I have wanted to volunteer at this place since I first saw Mother Theresa’s biography movie a while back.  Just love the way she loved and followed God.  I didn’t see my friend so made it upstairs with different nuns coming in and out to keep up entertained. Two were from India, one from Kenya and another from the Philippines.  I was kind of surprised by them.  They were so alive and full of life. We were joking around and having fun and it wasn’t at all what I expected.  I loved them and it was obvious they were doing what they really felt called to do.  We didn’t know it but they were waiting for us to finish the coke they gave us. Heheh! So finally we finished it (I am not a pop drinker, but was touched by their hospitality) and went downstairs to see the kids. Wow! Such cute kids! I have never seen such cute khmer kids, so healthy and plump and happy.  I started with one kid but ended up seeing 4-5 others and loved each one of them.  Luckily none of them peed on me, but heheh! They would have been worth it.  Was able to change some meds around and I’m going to go back and teach them some basic things cause the advice they got from the pharmacy was a little scary to me.  One kid had a candida infection and so we went to the pharmacy and Dilanga bought them medication.  I had brought some meds with me, not knowing what I would need and was able to give two tubes away to them to replace their rather scary meds.  They obviously weren’t doing anything wrong, but I see more clearly why everyone is wanting me to practice medicine here. 

From there the plan was to go to dinner with dilanga and he would drop me off and Michael would be free after he taught his English class, but he really wanted to come to dinner. Hehe! So Dilanga had to go to English class and we made him teach! Of course I helped him out.  We started off with hangman which they apparently know, went into asking questions and then answering them and then ended with a quiz game! It was awesome! I love these spur of the moment games and of course I threw in who is your favorite English teacher to the class and won hands down hehe!   Actually they love Michael too!

We went out for south Indian and it was really good too! Again, so authentic.  Got to hear about his life and realize how wonderful God is and be inspired on how to follow Him better.

Will write more later, gotto talk to a very bored girl right now :)

Looks Iike I skipped a day! Yesterday I was sooo tired that I went to sleep by 8:30.  Although I woke up at 6,I was still very tired.  So I just did what I could do - pray.  I had a 10am appt so had to leave the house by 9:30.  I had a phone call to make and so sleeping in was not an option.  But God is sooo good.  I got to my appt late cause my ride was late, but it was perfect. I was so tired going, but once I met Kimmy who took me to the first party, everything changed. She had made me coffee and just being on the back of her motorcycle sipping the coffee she had made with love changed everything.  The party was actually held by a cambodian lady who reaches out into the beer gardens etc to help these women out of their life.  The pastor that I met from New Life last year had mentioned he would connect her, but never did.  Found out today there must have been an email mistake cause she tried contacting me 2 times and never got a response from me.  I loved the whole event. She invited all the girls and had a "girls morning" where there was a fashion show and prizes and games and lunch.  During lunch I sat with some girls and we talked, hugged and took pictures. I had seen one of them during the program part and she kept looking at me, so I just introduced myself before lunch and she took me by the hand and led to me her table.  After lunch some other girls kept looking at me, so we took pics and hugged and smiled at each other. When I first got there, I met 2 guys who are here volunteering and working from abroad - new connections to follow up! I love how God works!  While I was at the event a new idea for what we can teach the girls came up - a whole wonderful business idea!  I am so excited about it!
After that Kimmy and I went to lunch.  She found a super cheap vegetarian restaurant that was actually really good.  I was so tired of fried and unhealthy food and I actually got pho like soup! praise God! And I wanted coconut water :)  Unknown to me, Kimmy decided she really wanted to get me coconut water and so when I thought we were stopping for her, she bought me one. :) YAY!  From there to the market.  So here is my plan.  Instead of getting a moto, for now I am going to get a bicycle.  Yesterday I finally got to sign up for my Khmer classes and although I had hoped I could go with Mr. Rhea as he took his, the timings are different, so I need transportation.  So what better way than to bicycle (exercise and safe cheap transportation)  So Kimmy and I went to the bike market and she said she'll get me one and bring it over (she has friends who can bargain and know bikes).  Then we went to get wrapping paper (Michael and I have been trying for days to get it and we never have time, but YAY! today I got some really nice wrapping paper).  We went to olympic market.  Reminds me a little of palika bazaar. I was trying to get a little idea of what things are supposed to cost.  Since I will be moving out soon, i need to know I won't be getting ripped off :)
I digressed while shopping and started looking at material that would make a beautiful sari or langa and the owner ended up being indian and we started talking.  So yesterday I went to see Dr. T - the Sri Lankan doctor - who has the heart for the same sort of outreaches as me.  Well, we were talking about setting up a clinic in PP that could be used as a money generator for the village outreaches.  I had met the Filipino doctor in the morning who got me a hook up for a cheaper visa :)  Both talked about changing locations and suggested the Russian Market.  I went home just tired and not really at peace. Michael and I discussed things but nothing was feeling right, so I just asked God to let me know.  Interestingly the two indians said there are a 1000 indians in PP and they would all come to me.  That I should change locations.  I had been discussing all this with Kimmy at lunch.  So it was settled, I will stay with my current location.  If I move locations and focus on a business, everything I came here to do will be put on hold :)  God is just sooo good! He's so clear in speaking to His children.  All we need to do is ask :)  So, if you are needing direction or help, just ask and I guarantee, in His time and His way, which is always clear and never too late, you will know that you know what to do :)
The nice men gave forced cans of coke on us (Indians are so wonderfully nice) and then we went on our way and another business idea is brewing in my head.  In Seattle I was always suggesting money making propositions to my cousin's kid's wife. But now hehe! they are for me.  All good and this might work too!  Two ideas in one day! :)
I have to say, I am so thankful for our upbringing.  My parents took us to india every summer and we have used the bathroom on the side of the road, in the dirtiest places, etc without complaining. I have to say I can't do the side of the road anymore, but filty dirty bathroom - hehe! no problem.  Can't sit on the seat, no problem.  I know how to get around all the issues and today I really needed too :)  You apparently have to pay to use the restrooms here. Why is beyond me. In india it is supposedly for the upkeep but these guys were not so clean hehe! :) But it was sooo worth it. When you have to go (and drinking a large coconut and 3-4 glasses of cold jasmine tea certainly makes you have to go) you have to go :)  I love the local restaurants here, you always get served cold jasmin tea!  The people are so nice too. The restaurant we went to today saw that all my soup got cold while waiting for kimmy to return from ther coconut finding run that as soon as she came back, they just put warm broth in my soup.  I love the people here! there are no tips! It was just the goodness of their heart.  So I was eating fake meat, watching a chinese movie dubbed in khmer and talking to Kimmy and having a great time in a restaurant full of adorable and loving Cambodians!  I love Cambodia!
From there we were off to a mall.  Wow it felt good to get into some air conditioning. I have been blessed by really "cool" weather but I was so happy for the mall.  Ended up attending a party for the "precious women" - the group whose event we attended in the am.  Met more people and had a great time till Michael came.  We went to his class and gathered everyone and went off to the party he was hosting.  (It was definitely party day today)
We went to the river side.  I had been hoping to pass the palace again and we actually stopped infront of it to gather more people!  The party was interesting. No one seemed to be able to understand a word I said.  :(  But the girl who blossomed after her first time in class with me brought me a little present ( i am not sure if the present is the wrapped box or there is something inside, but I am afraid to open it and ruin it).  But just her doing that made the whole outing fun.  We went to a pizza place.  They have an all you can eat salad, but you have to take everything at one go, so there are such creative ways to really stack the tiny bowl you get.  The pizza reminded me of the older days in India.  Everyone was putting ketchup all over their pizza and the sauce was ketchup and not real pizza sauce :) We all took pics and had fun without words, but I felt bad cause Michael had wanted to maybe use this as an opporutnit.  I got on the motorcycle and told Michael " THEY DONT UNDERSTAND ANYTHING I SAY"  I was ready to go home.  Friday nights is movie night and there hadn't been anything for me to eat at the party so I was tired.  Michael wanted to know if it was ok to stop by the school to meet a friend of his.  Of course I wanted to go home, but I couldn't say that, so I started thinking about what I could do while he chatted with his friend.  I was a little sad that I would be missing movie night and the popcorn, but I know that God's ways are better than my ways.  So we went and the party was still going.  So we watched the eating the fruit from a string competition and then dancing starting. Naraleak asked me to dance with her.  I am not a dancer.  Indians are totally into dancing - parties, weddings etc.  People try to drag me to the dance floor but i don't like to go and if I go, i last 30 seconds to a minute and disappear. But I wanted to learn Khmer dancing and I knew it would make everyone happy.  So pride aside (the key to being an effective missionary and really just effective in life - to really live life to the fullest is to put pride aside) and went into the center and learned and danced. I didn't last long, but soon was out there again and soon dragging everyone from my classes with me.  Of course they couldn't use the "I don't know how to do this" hehe! cause I certainly didn't.  We all had a great time.  The boss had to keep holding my bag for me, but he was more than happy to do it.  Although at the dinner party no one could understand me, at the school party Naraleak was talkign to me and telling me how she is so excited that I will be the teacher when Michael goes on her vacation. It's been her dream to be taught English by a foreigner.  I love how God answers prayers.  Also interesting how she could suddenly understand me as we talked.  Hugged all the kids goodbye and some teachers too and then we headed home.  Michael was super happy. This is the 2nd time he's danced in PP. Came home and there was no move night downstairs and upstairs they were watching Once Upon a Time.  I never saw the last episodes before I left Seattle so Monichea and I watched together :) YAY! I love how God answers all the desires of my heart. I can't watch hulu here but God still lets me watch my shows :)
I just have to say! God is the best! The BEST!!! I am soooo blessed to have Him in my life.  I love how He takes care of the little desires and huge ones too.  Nothing is too small or insignificant and nothing is too hard or impossible!  For those of you who have never given Him a chance, I would really encourage you to do it, cause it will be the best decision of your life!! I've been a christian for almost 22 years now and never, not even once, not even when I thought He did, has  He ever let me down.
All things, literally all things work together for the good of those who love Him!
Love God with all your heart (and you'll love Him because He is so good to you - you can't be unconditionally loved and not love that person back) and your whole life will change!
Ok, off to the province tomorrow so I better go to sleep! Have a great day and I hope you do take a moment to reflect on what this holiday season (despite it not really being the correct date for his birth) means, because if you do, His Love will transform your life and put everything in it into the proper perspective.
God Bless and hope you all have a Merry Merry Blessed Christmas!

God is sooo good! :) Everyday it's just amazing how He works.  The first time I came to Cambodia I ended up getting a chance to go to the brothels.  A lady had just started her ministry to these women 1 month prior and she had wanted two doctors to go into the brothels to build relationships.  I was excited and that visit to the brothels is what birthed all of this :) So, I didn't set up a meeting to meet with the founder this time, but guess whose establishment we went to for lunch :)  It was great. I love the model they have adopted and that is what I want to use too.  The longer I am here the more certain I feel that it can work for us.  They don't have a place for the girls to stay, but provide life skills training, counselling, medical care, vocaltional skills and a job.  As I have talked to the Rheas about my ideas they have mentioned contacts they have and today as they actually got to be there and see and hear everything, I think they too believe this is the best model! :) So God keeps bringing hearts together and I love how everyone who wants to help is on the same page.  It was interesting cause I'm starting to know so many people now.  There were products from the missionary I visited yesterday's group at the store for the group today! :) 

I'm super excited about today's meeting because it sparked something in me again.  So the last day of two I have been thinking that all the medical stuff is taking off, but what about the center.  I seem to be at a loss as to how to start and what to do.  I kept telling myself that I've only been here a few days and things will work out, afterall, I don't even have a place.  But today as I was there I saw how we can start now.  I was afraid I wouldn't have anything for the first mission team coming in feb to do, but now I know exactly what each one can do! :) In fact I'm really excited about!   I sent the landlord the housing contract and if all goes well, we will have a place by jan 1st and Michael comes back from vacation the week after and we can start doing outreach!   As I ride home on the back of Michael's motorcyle each night I see the girls at the bars and clubs.  There may not be a "brothel" but the sex trafficking is certainly going on in this area - just down the street - so I dont have to wait for an organization to refer girls to me, we'll just find our own girls :)  Girls who want a better life.  Please pray for the outreaches and wisdom on how to proceed as well as hearts that just love unconditionally, for without His love, we can do nothing.

So there is a missionary family here that just inspires me.  That shows me what truly walking and loving like Christ is all about.  So they have already adopted 9 kids and now they just found out that a girl they have known for over 7 years who has been in and out of 30 foster families and now has a baby of her own is suicidal.  I was there when the text message came.  They are thinking of adopted the mom and caring for the baby she can't care for.  They are the only one she trusts.  1-2 month old baby when you are in your 50-60's.  That takes real love and heart.  It's easy to love and keep everything convenient, but this couple is a constant reminder of how to love God's way.  They have also taken in a cambodian girl just so she can learn english and study.  She's been at their house for over a year.  They have been burned so many times, but they continue to love and trust again.  Please pray for them that God's will be done regarding this matter and His wisdom as to what to do in this situation.  I just had bible study with this family and it's great to see how all their kids are into God.  How can you not be when your parents are such great examples.  They are by no way perfect (as none of us are), but how they love God and love people is obvious when you look at their life from any angle. 

I got a great email today.  One of my friends from the reservation wrote.  He's been going through some difficulties and I have just felt God would come through and so have been encouraging him in that although neither of could see how or what God was going to do.  Well apparently God has been working on his behalf and the situation is really resolved and in a few days or weeks everything will be normal again.  I love how even when we can't do anything or see anything happening, when we follow God, we know that we are in the palm of His hands and He is in control of everything.

It is not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit says the Lord of Hosts! Zech 4:6
My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus Phil 4:19
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me Phil 4:13

He is awesome and we can trust Him completely :)

God is soooo awesome! I started the day not knowing what to do.  My phone had lost service since the night before and I didn't know what Michael was planning.  So I decided not to go shopping with the girls.  The day started great.  We stayed up pretty late the night before and so didn't actually get out of bed till 9, but it was quite the productive day! Got caught up in all the emails that I needed to send and was able to take care of a lot of administrative stuff.  Michael spent the day working on my housing contract.  Weirdly enough the landlord wants us to give him the contract! I just finished all my work when the girls came home around 3ish.

Taught Michael's english class.  The shy girl who had started openning up last time when I taught was a bold and happy girl in class. Had more students too.  Michael wants to go on vacation so I have offered to teach his classes for 3-5 days. I don't know how many :)

The highlight of the day was after class. A last minute appointment with the Dr from Sri Lanka.  He's in a very high position with a famous international NGO and I enjoyed the 3 hours we got to spend together thoroughly.  Basically all that I want to do medically is in his heart as well! He has the heart and know how and I have the time so heheh! together we can make it happen for cambodia! He's so cool! He's found a kid with a large VSD (hole in the heart) of  a kid and took the kid to India and got him operated on.  He did this despite opposition and the possiblity of if things didn't go well losing his job because the NGO didn't sanction it and he would possibly be banned from the country if the child died, but he knew God wanted him to do it and he took the risk and now the kid will have a healthy normal life.  God openned the doors so a hospital openned it's doors and heart and paid for the cost and is willing to do more! I love this guy! And if you hear his life story, he because even more awesome for loving God and people like he does despite everything he has been through.  He could be a bitter angry guy, but instead he's a humble, loving and caring guy. 

God is sooo good! hehe! and we made it home safely despite how late it was.  I took off my gold ankle bracelets just that morning so we had nothing anyone would want to steal on us coming home :)

You know the great commandments, love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strenght and love others as you love yourself.  If you really do that and don't think so much of yourself life is so wonderful.  There is never a regret and you live a life of perfect peace. :)  It is interesting how everything God tells us to do is for our own

it's been a full week since coming to cambodia and it's been great!
The girls changed schools this year and most of their friends go to another church (the church associated with their school) and so they have been talking about going there since we went to the Christmas Program.  So we all went.  Each of us had the choice to go anywhere, but we all wanted to go and it was great! The service had 5 churches together doing the christmas service (anglican, catholic, two others and the home church that was assembly of God).  I loved it.  It's so nice and refreshing to see churches of different denominations working together like this! It's the way the body of Christ is supposed to work and I loved just being there.  I think I really like this church and it might become my home church.  you could just feel God throughout the service.  Everyone liked it and so we all want to go and see what a real service is like and hear the real pastor share.  But I think this church will be a keeper :)
After that met some indians during the socializing time.  It was great!!! So I have been wondering about this whole wanting to set up a clinic desire of mine.  The Indians really really think I should do it! So as soon as I get my house I think I'll start having evening clinic :)  They said word of mouth alone about a good doctor will get the practice going and all the indians will want to come and then the cambodians as well.  Of course there will have to be a sliding scale for payment and maybe the csi people (the doctor group I just met) can help me with what they do.  :)  YAY! and there is a young Sri Lankan doctor who has been here for a year who maybe can help me :)  Interestingly he attends the small group the World Vision contact I met goes too.  Small world :)  I think the Christian community here must be small too cause Akemi said she met people who already knew about me too! And the indians said that the people I met at the christmas program (father of the airport girl) lives in their building, so when they talked to me, I already had built in credibility.  One of the Indian ladies is a social work and she's already open to working with me with the women.  Unfortunately she just arrived too 4 months ago and so doesn't know the lay of the land and language yet, but more than me!  Also, she already gave me helpful hints on how to get indian food!  YAY! I love how God works and blesses His children.  They were so excited to have an indian doctor and I was so excited to meet them.  One of the guys works with malaria control for the governement of Cambodia.  I can at least pick his brain about the nation wide medical programs I have in mind :) I am blessed! I am blessed! I am blessed! :)
Came home and we all cleaned and then picked names for secret santa.  I dont know what to give my person (I wish it was one of the kids) hehe! but this is better!  Just need to figure out what to give. 
Then we cooked.  We chopped and cut vegetables and cooked for hours and by 5 all of us had our lunch/dinner combo.  And then the kids refused to let me sleep! hehe! So we played all sorts of games till 10:30 when they then asked me join them in one of the rooms for a sleep over.  Six of us in one room :) I had thought I would sleep at 10:30 but a friend called and the friends wanted to talk till late at night.  Needless to say, none of us woke up till Akemi came into the room at 9 to wake them up for their shopping time at 9:30.
Yesterday I was just starting to think that maybe I should move out the moment I get a house and get things situated and figured out once I am there, but the Rheas would like me to stay with them forever, even after I have my house.  Wow! I love how God works.  At least I dont have to worry about overstaying my welcome now.  Honestly I don't usually worry about that, cause I figure people love having me around hehe! I mean we all having so much fun, but the 2-3rd day I was here someone put the thought in my head that the Rhea's would want me out asap.  So YAY! Any bit of worry I might have had about that is gone.  Now the question is, how long do I stay :)
So I certainly had a very restful, productive and  fun weekend. Ready to go back to work this week. 

Prayer requests for this week
1) Housing situation - Michael is working on the contract as we speak.  I want 3 months down and am willing to pay 3 months at a time.  I don't want a 2 year lease, but a one year one till I figure things out
2) Making contacts and following through.  Need to figure out the timing of everything
3) Establishing the NGO
4) Visa status
5) Eating healthy - my diet has been atrocious!

Praise Reports:
Besides all that I have already told you.  I love how my relationship with God has just blossomed here .  I was feeling quite dryish in america, but feeling so close with God and loving my devotional times and prayer times and love  for people just flowing out!   Praise God! A real answer to prayer!

Thank you everyone who prays for me and

Yesterday was another wonderful day with God!  I woke up late! The latest I have been able to sleep since I got here! I didn't wake up till 8ish! Felt lazy all morning long.  Didn't want to really interact and talk, but Monichea really did so we read kindle's together and listened to jokes :)  In the morning did some diagnosing for Akemi and so a pleasant but lazy morning. Just what I needed and wanted! :)
Michael came over at 2:40.  The party didn't start till 4, but he said the boss had called a meeting for 3.  We arrived at 3:05 and there was no one there.  Hmm? But shortly another guy arrived and we were told to go to the bosses house.  Now, if you look at the boss, you would think he's an average Joe.  But!! This house was incredible.  Totally gated with huge gates and beautiful! The furniture, the floor the chandeliers - you know you are in the presense of someone very rich!  We sat in the living room.  And asking about pictures I found out his grandfather was a major in a beach town in the past.  We kept talking and his daughter came by.  She wants to be a doctor and so I offered to have her come with me to an outreach.  She was overjoyed and that gave Michael a chance to share something about what we are upto.  The boss then started asking me questions about his health and I gave him some blood tests to do.  Personally I feel someone has been trying to scare him and stuff him with pills, so I tried to explain how he is perfectly healthy.  :)  I am not sure he liked that, but after everything he mentions he is the deputy of the ministry of interior or something like that.  What that means I don't know, but I know he's important and he said if you ever have any problems just call me and he gave me his number! Wow! Am I blessed or what! And I am really glad I didn't know his position before because then I would have been more self conscious in talking to him. :)
After the meeting we all went outside.  Now this guy is treating me super special.  All the teachers felt they had to sit on the plastic chairs, but Michael and I were sitting in the living room with him before the meeting :)  And during the meeting he turned on the cartoon network for me so I wouldn't get bored.  I am blessed! At the party he had me sit with him, but since I like to socialize and his english is limited I went and sat with a table of girls. And that was super fun.  I think I made friends that I will get to keep! One girl is going to take me shopping and another is going to teach me traditional Khmer dancing for free - brought it up on her own! I am so blessed! One girl was Christian and I'd love to be involved in her life.  One girl was the party girl and was super nice.  There was the quiet one who smiles a lot and reminds me of the old me. Then there was the Khmer teacher who was super sweet and the married one with the super cute kid.  Loved them all (some more than others) heheh!  Once I get my house, I want to have a party for them :)
Now it was supposed to be pizza night at home and I really wanted to get back and eat pizza - real pizza!! Not fake stuff.  But Michael really wanted to stay, so I stayed and socialized and absorbed in the culture, the love of karaoke, the different way they sing, the dancing, the drinking, the food, the loud music, the laughter, love and freedom.  I love the cambodians!! Oh and I love their dessert!
Came home hoping there would be pizza but ready for there not to be and YAY! there was a ton left! and it was really good, but at the same time while eating I was thinking, it was not worth leaving the party early for for sure :)  I'm glad I made the right decision.  The boss guy is so nice, he went around socializing with everyone and really making everyone feel sooo comfortable.  I loved it! I got invited back to the next party too! :)
Came home and had pizza and talked to Monichea and then we all watched a movie on the computer.  Right now Monichea is sleeping on the floor so she can be near me.  It's a granite floor and she is sleeping directly on it! But how do you convince little kids not to do that. I would let her sleep with me, but I only have a twin bed and the top bunk and the small residual fear that the last time they all slept with me (4 of them on my bed) the next day they told me they had lice! hehe!
Looking forward to another day today!  It's 8 so I have to get ready for church.  But I realized while I was at the party, I could have been lazy all day and missed the party, but going out and meeting them all energized me so much. God has certainly changed this homebody into someone who really loves interacting and meeting people! I seem to thrive on it - maybe I really have become and extrovert.
I am so excited for all that He is doing. The random connections, the people, the friends, the family,  the fun and the super amount of love I feel from everyone around me.  I  LOVE CAMBODIA AND I AM SO BLESSED TO BE HERE!! 
Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 8:28, Psalm 23:6

Yesterday (Day 6) was awesome! I was kind of tired yesterday and the mornign was a nice and relaxing one. Everyone was gone so I had time to just read the bible, my devotional and actually just fall asleep again :)
At 12 the Rhea's came home and they drove me to the doctor's meeting.  I wasn't sure I wanted to go, but I was really glad I went.  I ended up meeting some very cool people and a medical student who has a heart for japan and wants to practice there in the future (she speaks Japanese so it's perfect).  We will hopefully meet up and talk.  The Director has some contacts for me so I am exicted about that. I really like the group so am toying with the idea of working there a 1/2 day or 1 day a week.  They are from all different denominations and groups and just super cool people who really love God.  I think they would be a great set of people to get to know.
After that Dr. Dale and his wife and I went shopping for DVD's.  Apparently all movies in Cambodia are pirated but some as I discovered at night are just as good as the real ones.  And they come out with the movies on DVD here before they are out in America, infact when they are still playing in the movie theater.  On top of that they cost only 1 dollar and the series are 2 dollars. I was watching a tv show called Revenge in America but the whole first season is already out here! :)
I had a great conversation with Dr. Dale in the car when he dropped me off and he told me a way of getting money sent here from America that won't cost me anything!  I checked a bank yesterday and the total costs were nearing $55 dollars :( and I was not too happy about that so YAY!
Came home and ate and then all the girls were going to go Christmas carolling at a mall with their teacher from school so I went.  When we got there only the teachers were singing, eventhough we were an hour late.  No one else had come.  So it was great to suddenly have 8 more singers.  I loved the teacher's enthusiasm and love.  As I participated, I just felt God's love.  I was tired but it was really fun.  I wasn't going to join, but Frances was standing out (maybe cause she goes to a different school), so I took her with me to sing.  Singing was followed by chasing a boy around the mall and then home.
Friday night is always movie night at the Rhea's.  So we started with Johnny English part 2, but since it needed to be prescreened with switched to The Help.  Maggie made popcorn and it was great.  We all slept super late, but I got my laudry done just as the movie was finishing.
Another beautiful day.  Be still and know that I am God - the theme for yesterday and it certainly was a day that I needed.  My top prayer request for yesterday already got answered!  He is sooooo good! 
Today's plan is a party at the english school and fun with the girls as well as contacting more people :)  I think jet lag is catching up with me so i might just take this weekend off :)
Psalm 46:10

What a busy day! Just yesterday I was thinking, wow, I love waking up early and having extra time to take everything slow and enjoy the moment and that I am going to love this about Cambodia.  Free till the afternoon and then busy till night.  Hehe! Full day, but starting it off light made it soooo nice :)

Well, today started of busy and it’s busy all day except for my little break now! But such a good good day!  So we started off with the medical camp.  I was running late, yet it was fine cause they were running later :) I love being in Cambodia!! No worries about being on time! Works well for me!! You can take time for the last minute people and things without feeling bad or pressured! And no one cares that you are late! I made it late to the lunch appt and so did my lunch date! We arrived at the same time and we are both Americans :)

So we did the medical outreach with the local government officials.  At first we got there and it seemed like no one was even expecting us.  So I just sat on the chair they offered and smiled at the women who smiled back and were super happy.  Then they gave us a real office and I got the “special chair” and they started trickling in – one by one at first and then they started lining up for me to see them.  I don’t think we saw more then 10, but since they were all with translation and I treated them like my American patients not bad for 3 hours work.

I asked the first one if I could pray and that I was Christian.  By the end they were waiting for prayer.  That seemed to make them happier than anything else! Praise God! I could tell Michael was a little scared when I first started, but even the head guy was happy to get prayer and after that I could see him totally relaxed :)  so I will be back in 2 weeks to do follow up and need to do some research on PT stuff! Here I thought I had given up medicine for a bit and it looks like a Christian hospital might want my services and so I am meeting them tonight :) 

I loved the people at the clinic. They were all so sweet and cute and adorable ;) and although they are rich, I didn’t mind treating them for free at all J I am really looking forward to seeing them again!

After that I met up with my world vision contact. I wasn’t sure she’d be able to do it cause clinic went so long, but it ended up being perfect timing for the both of us.  Our meeting started out as usual, but by the end I was invited to her house for dinner when she returns from her vacation! YAY! Another friend and she was a wealth of information about how to buy food! And it seems like there is a $5 dollar unlimited internet for the iphone!

Went bank shopping after that! I am glad Michael understands my heart better than what I say.  I said not to go but on the way decided I did want to go but figured it was too late to change my mind, but we ended up there anyways! :)  God is good!

Headed home after that and I was happy! The day before Michael had wanted to stay out in town so I figured we would do that again and go home after his English class.  In fact I had already told the Rheas that they would have to pick me up from his school for dinner because I would be there.  So I was super happy to come home and get a chance to just rest a little and change out of my hot jeans into something cooler!  I love how God takes of us so well.

Dinner was Italian.  We were supposed to go to Chinese but it got changed! YAY! So I was happy!  The food wasn’t bad either and not as expensive as I thought it would be and it was 30% off! So I ended up paying less for all 5 of us than I did for the 3 of us at lunch and the food was much better!  Got invited to another meeting for tomorrow! I thought I had the day off, but no :)  So I will be meeting doctors from a certain Christian hospital on Friday – my 12:30

On the way back Michael called.  He said there was a woman with a 3 month old and a 3 year old sleeping outside on the sidewalk near his old house.  He wanted to know if I would help her.  I don’t know what to do about her.  I would love to take her in but I don’t have a house yet.  I don’t know enough about the NGO’s here to get her plugged in anywhere so… what to do…

God is so good.  I am super tired. It’s been less than a week but already sooo much has happened.  The clinic was a huge success.  I feel like I have been in Cambodia forever and feel at home.  The meetings all bear so much fruit and I am meeting such cool people and I simply love the family I am staying with!

A few prayer requests:
1) That I rest.
2) That God opens the door to working with the women.  Apparently a law was passed two years ago that made prostitution illegal and so now all the women will be prosecuted (the the buys or the handlers).  So everything has gone underground and it’s harder to find them.   That said, yesterday I was thinking I haven’t seen the girls and as Michael and I were returning from the local government officials house (which isn’t in the greatest neighborhood) I saw a girl standing outside the house of another person and then two more.  I just want God’s hand to open the doors into their hearts when I am ready.
3) That God shows me what to be involved in and what not to be. The opportunities are endless
4) For the woman and her two kids
5) My housing situation – the landlord is asking for a 6 month deposit and that is too much for me
6) Wisdom on 1 or 2 houses and is this the right location (it’s far from everything, but it’s brand new, gated community and has 2 air conditioners that will come with it!)
7) Language  - I will be starting lessons if all goes well on the 3rd of January! Right now everything is hard to remember and process so just prayer that it will all come together and flow easily.  It’ll mean 5 hours of studying everyday so also just prayer for everything else I need to get done everyday!

Oh and I just wanted to say! I know some people are a little scared on my behalf being here and all but the people here are fabulous and yes it’s a 3rd world country with the issues that are involved with that, but the other day I had my Iphone in my Capri pocket and I didn’t close the button in my rush and it was poking out and a random stranger pointed it out to me before we took off on the motorcycle.  Had he waited just 1 minute, it would have fallen and been his.  So rest assured, God is taking care of me and He’ll continue to do so!  There was another story but I forgot what it was already J

12/15/11

God is good! Really good! Every day is such a blessing and full of surprises.  I wrote yesterday’s blog and then did my daily devotional and guess what the verse on there was :) proverbs 3:5-6!

I had a very quiet and relaxing morning since my first appointment wasn’t until 2:30.  After getting ready and everything Mrs. Rhea and I ended up talking till lunch.  She is such a fascinating woman who has gone through so much and yet can see God’s goodness in all of it! I loved talking to her.  Mr. Rhea came home and we all had lunch together.  It’s like being part of a family! I just love how God finds family’s for me everywhere I go! :) Never was the verse about God giving 100 times what we have given up clearer than since I became a missionary.  Where He sends me, He surrounds me with people that love me so much!  I had my America, India, London and Japan home but I think I have another one now :)

After lunch Michael and I went to our appt to meet another “contact.”  As usual the meeting started out awkward with no one knowing what to say and then Rachel began talking and sharing things and I have to say it was so enlightening.  It’s interesting to hear the opinions of those in the know.  A lot of useful information about networking and things I need to think about with the girls came out.  Now I have a lot more contacts to meet that Rachel will be sending me :)

Our meeting went so long that Michael couldn’t drop me off home before his class so we went to an expensive shopping mall to look around.  We drank a horrible avocado drink that neither of us will drink ever again and then looked at refrigerators and things he can give people for Christmas ( I guess you find what you like at the expensive store and then go the local market and buy the same thing for cheaper).

Then off to his English class.  This time we had 4 students and Michael had me be the teacher.  We all had a blast! Hehe! They couldn’t understand me at all, no matter how slow I talked but everyone wants me back! J  We laughed the whole time and I picked on the quiet ones but I was really glad to see that one of them by the end started asking questions and felt more confident in her English! Can’t wait to see them back again!  Michael invited me to a Christmas party he is giving them on the 23rd, but Kimmy already invited me to one on the same day to meet a lady who is working with victims of sex trafficking as well.  Hehe! Looks like my schedule is starting to get busy.  Someone the other day was commenting on why in the world did I come during the holidays to Cambodia since most people are going back for the holidays and it got me thinking, “what will I do if everyone is gone?” hehe! But I have an appt on the 23rd and 27th, so I think I will be plenty busy! And I will finally have time to spend with just God and me!  YAY!

After that we stopped by the government official’s house and everyone was in smiles.  That’s all I can do.  The official always tries to offer me things, but I always decline.  I wonder what the correct etiquette is? But for right now I think we'll keep it this wa  So the medical camp got set for today at 8:30! Hehe!  I am amazed at how God is working so fast! So as soon as the bathroom is free I will be getting ready for camp! :)

I was feeling kind of bad for not having time with the girls.  The day before I was so tired I went to sleep at 8ish, right after the Christmas outreach.  But last night I got to play games with them and have fun, tutor in biology, diagnose a foot problem! Not back for a night’s work!  I just love God and how He works!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever  Psalm 23:6

Good morning everyone! It’s 6:21am in Cambodia.  The internet isn’t working and the kids are using the restroom so I thought I would just write yesterday’s blog.  I am continually amazed at how God works and what He does.  Everything is perfect in His time and His way!

So after all my morning things were done and I was changing rooms I met Mrs Rhea.  We started talking and basically she has ideas and people that can help us!   She not only has skills but people who can sell our products in America! So YAY! Plus she has more people who want to help and lots of contacts! So we spent a few exciting moments talking before she had to get ready and I had a phone call :)

Michael came and we all went to see Doc Demy.  He is a surgical oncologist from the Philippines who has been in Cambodia for the last two years doing missionary work.  His wife is in the Philippines and he is here.  His daughter is visiting and he has a team of 5 Filipinos and some locals.  Our meeting started of awkward and then as soon as he found out I was here to stay suddenly everything changed.  From trying to dissuade me from working in the brothels and not wanting to be involved, he’s got connections to get me an ngo visa for cheaper, how to get a cheap car and lots of other helpful hints.  Did you know apple products are a few 100 dollars cheaper here and it’s from the official apple store according to this group! Plus there is no tax J  Had lunch, shared a few stories, prayed together and then Michael and I walked home. I figured a 10-15 minute car ride couldn’t be that hard of a walk home, but boy was I wrong. Praise God for the weather.  Perfect.  There is a constant gentle breeze and the temperature is just perfect!  All the pictures I have been wanting to take on the back of Michael’s motorcycle but would never free my hands to take, I could take!  

We stopped by one of the homes he goes to visit.  The family makes things used in the local temples.  A simple repetitive task gets them $150/mo.  After reading about the Grameen Foundation and it’s foundation it makes me wonder if they weren’t selling to merchants and directly to the people going to the temple how much more they could make.  Microloan possibilities?? Or just my head full of ideas 

Continued our walk home after that but bought a coconut on the way.  This had to be one of the sweetest cooled to perfection coconuts I have drank! Loved it!!

Got home and the girls were so excited.  One of the teachers they had been talking to me about ends up being the exact person I was supposed to contact that day!  I met her at the airport my first visit to Cambodia.  We ended up hanging out together at the lounge in Thailand and were in a crazy mood. J  So we decided to take turns riding in the luggage cart.  She went first and I was taking her across a walking sidewalk and all was well until the very end when I needed to do a little lift to get the cart off the sidewalk and I wasn’t able to! Down went the cart with Anu inside! The funniest thing was an airport personnel came up from behind, lifted the cart up and kept walking like nothing happened.  Needless to say we decided I wouldn’t ride in the cart. 

Well she was supposed to be at the kid’s Christmas program that I had agreed to go to the day before. We got to the program late and sat in the back and there were so many people I was thinking it would be hard to find her.  Well right at intermission guess who comes to me! Apparently I was sitting in front of her! So YAY! I love how God works and connects.  She introduced me to her father who works with the pastors of Cambodia and knows a lot of people. 

Everyday, I am in awe of how God connects and puts pieces together.  Mrs Rhea has been wanting to do something and has had no one to do it with.  She is thrilled I am here and planning to stay in the city and not the province like she had originally thought! Anu just happens to be the teacher of the girls and sitting behind me at the program.  Doc Demy and his team have a lot of contacts and knowledge to help a newby like me and he’s a doctor! I am sooo blessed! Sooo blessed!
Proverbs 3:5-6