The Weiss Family in Cambodia

Sopari is met at the Airport to the Cheers of Many!

2011-08-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

Pari is with us! Well after many, many prayers- Pari is finally in Canada. Yahoo! A joyous greeting party met her as she landed at the Vancouver Airport. The greeting party included TWU's Amy Alexander, current TWU nursing student Sureyah Tach (Cambodian student graduated from Logos International School a couple of years ago), Sureyah's homestay Mom- Michelle Regehr, and us- the Weiss pack. After waiting over 2 hours+ for her to get out of the Vancouver Terminal (and we seriously started to think

she may have missed the flight) SoPari finally came out. As an aside, every time we thought it might be Pari, we started to wave the mini Canadian flags and cheer- only to be disappointed over and over. We were starting to lose hope and the energy to wave those very heavy mini flags but we perked up after we finally saw her come out of the private glass doors to the public meeting area. She looked happy to see us but fatigued. After some relief and hugs, the whole group all headed back to Abbotsford

for dinner to a home we are house sitting. Pari did great to stay up to 9 pm but she probably started to glaze over about 3 hours earlier. I got the hint when I realized she was sipping her food and eating her drink! Kidding. The next day Pari helped us move to a different location of Abbotsford and where we will now be house sitting for the next couple of weeks.This upcoming week we are heading into Trinity to figure out Pari's school schedule and all those many International student details to work out with her. At this time I think it is probably good for Pari that we are her homestay connection. She knows who we are and that must give her an easier feeling about coming to 'The Great White North' (haven't shown her those old Bob and Doug clips yet but plan to). We can also understand a bit of the culture she comes from. For example, as we buy Cambodian rice (apparently Pari says this rice that Les has bought is 'very good') and serve it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Some final thoughts and prayers for you all to consider. Please pray that Pari will adjust well to TWU life and Canadian culture. Continue to pray for her health and wellness as she is away from Cambodia for such a long time. Please pray that we can find some kind of car pool to TWU from our place. Please pray she will acclimatize to the Great Canadian Blizzards of Abbotsford (OK that last one was a bit of a joke). Ha Ha!
(By the way- we have found a place to live in East Abbotsford- about 30 minutes drive from TWU). We also don't move into that place until Sept long weekend. However, we thank God for helping us find a place that can work for us and has the room we needed for Pari. To the many of you who have been a part of Pari's getting here so far- I want to extend a large thank you. Although it has been a great accomplishment to get here, I also know that many of you are committed to continue to pray and support Pari's 5 year journey as she studies and lives in Canada.

Now although this posting has been a large Pari segment- please continue to pray for our other Cambodian student Sureyah Tach as he enters year three at TWU. He is one awesome guy who has been blessed with an awesome homestay family in the Regehr family. On top of working in the nursing program, Sureyah is also working at the "Globe" dorm (this is the international students' dorm -which I am told according to Mindy Kozloff- "this gig is a great honor"). Way to go Sureyah!

Blessings,
Dean

HELP... We need a place short term!!

2011-08-02T17:13:00.000-07:00

Ok, Ok, I know I haven't written since leaving Cambodia, but I am planning to resume writing once my life turns into something even resembling "normal." Not sure when that'll be...

I, personally, have seriously undestimated the severity of homelessness. (But that's a whole other story.....)

However, aside from that, if any of you happen to chance upon this posting, we are in need (yet again!)
To anyone in the Abbotsford area, we are currently pursuing buying a house that, as much as we have tried to have the closing dates by the end of August, they are sticking with needing more time, and requesting the end of Sept. So be it, but come Aug 14/15/16, around that time, we have NO PLANS yet of anywhere to live. That would mean needing a furnished place to sit/rent for at least a month.

ANYONE out there have any ideas?????

Please phone Dean or Lesley at 604-855-8974 if you do, or have any leads whatsoever for us. We need to see if there are any options. You can e-mail us at any of our addresses as well.

Thanks everyone, hope we can find something.
L
:)
PS, as IF this is even a PS, Pari is scheduled to arrive in Vancouver on Aug 18, which is early, but we hope to have a significant plan in place for where we'll all be living and where to receive her. I'm also getting my resume ready to apply for a job that might start Aug. 24.
Pray I'll stay out of the looney-bin!!!
Love to all

Good-bye is here: Lasts and Firsts

2011-06-01T07:18:00.000-07:00

I haven't written for a while... I wrote a bit awhile back, about the exhaustion of the good-bye process, but it was too overwhelming to post...

We've just finished the last full day of classes....
The last of the marks have been submitted...
The last elementary chapel was this morning....
The last school lunch was yummy (kudos to the chefs!)...
Tomorrow is the last awards day (for our girls)...
Friday is the staff luncheon and the last time we'll see many of those faces we have called family for 3 years...
Saturday is our farewell BBQ, which is going to be a hoot, if I can pull myself together enough to enjoy it....( I will :)
Sunday is our last church service, last volleyball...
Monday is moving day, the last of the packing...
Most of our furniture and worldly goods are either spoken for, or will soon be sold...
The kids got their last Logos yearbooks today...

Sigh...
It is pretty rough on some edges, yet on the other sides, it's going well. Just the constant barage of questions leaves us breathless sometimes. Yes, we wish we knew where we'd be living right at this point too, but we just don't and will have to step out in faith (yet again!) that all will be well. (no offense to those who take an interest in us--thank you for your continued care and concern.)

We have all been run raged not only with the busy-ness of the normal school-end-of-year wrap up, but with closing down the whole "living here" thing, it's been hectic. Lots to do, but throw in the emotional strains that come with the package and it's just been that much more draining.

Oh well, we'll sleep in Canada. (haha--nothin' else to do there, it's so dang cold!!!)

Anyways, I will forego the lament now and restate that things are definitely going well: We're definitely thankful to be in the position of at least being able to leave, because that means we at least got to come!!!

And forward we march..... to all the "first" things! (again!)

May the precious comfort of the Holy Spirit bring you the peace I so treasure at these times!
L
:)

Help for Sureyah and Pari

2011-05-24T19:47:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone- currently we are still trying to raise funds for Sureyah and Pari for this upcoming TWU school year. From what I have seen we are still looking for around $16,000 for both Sureyah and Pari combined. I know many of you have wanted to partner with them as they go through their schooling. I have information from TWU as to how to very specifically get monies sent over there. Please prayerfully consider supporting these two great kids!
Please also pray for a church in Manitoba who is considering being the TWU supporting church for Pari while she is in Canada. (This church is already supporting Sureyah with some monies).

Thanks in advance.

To Wire Funds to:

“Trinity Western University – Logos International School Cambodian Student Award #1886”:

Request a bank wire be sent to:

Royal Bank of Canada
19888 Willowbrook Drive

Langley, British Columbia, Canada V2Y 1K9

Routing/Swift Code:

For American Funds: # 021-000021
For International Funds: # ROYCCAT2

Royal Bank Transit #02880-003

For Canadian funds: Deposit to TWU Account #100-759-0

For US funds: Deposit to TWU Account #406-730-2

Trinity Western University Contact: Inga Warnock, TWU Development Department

Please Fax or Email Confirmation: To trace the donation funds please fax a copy of the bank wire receipt to 604-513-2061 attention Inga Warnock, or email your confirmation to warnock@twu.ca regarding a donation to “Logos International School Cambodian Student Award #1886”.

Just so used to it....

2011-05-08T07:54:00.000-07:00

I get up early, the Sunday morning of Mother's day. It's certainly not early by Cambodian standards; it's not 4:30 or 5 in the morning, before the sun is up and the air is yet unheated by it's power, but early enough for me, considering the busyness of this past week. It is refreshing to finally slow down enough, to actually be able to have clear thinking, to just go out and enjoy a short run. I've gotten used to this morning routine, once each weekend....

As I leave the gate, a young visitor to our neighbor wants to try out his english. "You warming up your muscles?" Yes, I reply, going for a run. It is a friend of Mony's coming to visit. I'm used to people wanting to try their english out on the foreigner....

I walk past the construction crews around the corner. Very young men, fully clothed in denim and long sleeved shirts, wrapped almost completely with scarves around their heads; they've been working for hours already, in the rapidly increasing heat. They are straightening rebar, to pour foundations for a rich man's house. I can only see their eyes as they stare at me. I am more than used to those stares....

I pass the bus parkade, which has any given amount of tour buses parked at any given time of day or night. It's an old parking lot with a building that the drivers now use as a home. Different men in there every day; cleaning their buses, fixing their buses, cleaning their bodies, sleeping, visiting, eating. I'm used to seeing them living without plumbing or electricity in that building...

I begin the run as I turn the next corner, to hear the familiar "ullo!" from the young son of the "sandwich cart lady." She is there with her husband every day, wearing one of the two outfits she owns, setting up camp, waiting to sell her food. I think little 7 year old "Kong" goes to school, as he is often dressed well, but otherwise he plays in the dirt around her cart, his home away from home. I have taken him toys, and he seems thankful. I shout hello back, wave, his mom smiles. They've seen me enough now, they're used to me....

I pass the Philmore building. A "school" that teaches young Cambodian women the fine art of domestic service, then ships them off to Malaysia to work. Another "ullo" from a window. I'm used to those hello's as they've come for 3 years now, on a regular basis when we pass...

...the familiar motodope driver, sitting on his moto, waiting for (who knows what?) a fare? He smiles and waves. He is friendly because he is just used to seeing me...

The smells along my regular route; the stench of sewage amongst the fragrance of year 'round flowering trees, the raw polluted water running in the ditch beside me, the flat and decaying dead rats on the dirt path, the uneven surface of the broken up road, even the unquenchable, humid heat...

I'm just so used to it now. And I think after 3 years, Cambodia might be (finally) used to me. Not as many stares. Not as many request for moto rides. Not as many stops by the police.
The regulars know us now, which means we are regulars! The familiar "adjai," the recycling collectors, pulling their carts behind them, day after day, they recognize us, accept our smiles with a nod. As poor as they are, they are certainly worth a smile.

And now, something else I could sure get used to: the feeling of peace, enjoyment, joy and thrill, after the successful run of Joseph. It is all over. The students were exceptional, and after 4 sold out shows, they excelled every time. (Check out the logos website for more pictures and facebook is loaded in picts.) It was so much fun, so much work, and for me, so worthwhile! Congratulations to you students, you certainly deserve it.

I'm so used to Logos. Logos is so used to me, to us.
It's all been so GOOD.
Thanks God.
I'm used to your Goodness, Love and Favor.
I am more than thankful for it.

Sureyah and Pari Update TWU Fundraiser May 27

2011-04-27T23:24:00.000-07:00

I know there have been a number of people who have followed Sureyah and now Pari's educational journey in and to Canada for the last little while.

Michelle Regehr, Sureyah's homestay parent, has recently updated us on Sureyah. I think it is OK if I share a portion of it. It is all great news. Michelle says,
"Sureyah has had a good year. His grades have been Bs and Cs. He thinks that Pari will do better as he thinks she is brilliant! We are aware of Pari coming. Very exciting. We will be participating in the fundraising night, as well as other efforts. If this becomes an annual event, next year you can be there J. We have been praying for Pari from the time we heard she might be coming. We will pray for you as you anticipate your return to BC. –Ok..I am jumping in my thoughts here…Pari has asked Sureyah if he would be her brother. (make my heart go thump). We will all welcome her in our lives. We will be supportive in any way we can.
Sureyah will be living on campus next year and in a leadership position in the international dorm. Very exciting. I think it will be an awesome experience for him and those around him! He will start more intense clinicals next year. It will be a big transition. He is doing well. He as joined the soccer team at Heritage Alliance Church…we went to the game last night. 6-0 for his team. He was so cute…he looks bulky because he has 4 layers of clothes on!!! But he sure has speed."

As you can see- Sureyah is doing well and you have all made a difference in some way to Sureyah's life. Thank-you. Sureyah has come a long way from the Orphanage in Cambodia.

I can also give you an update with SoPari. She is currently in the running as the Valedictorian for our school for this year. Way to go!!! She is a great girl who loves God and is doing so well academically.
Recently Pari fractured her foot when she fell off a ladder while in the province of rural Cambodia. She is hobbling around but she is in good spirits. At first she had no money to go to a doctor but when some of our staff found out about the accident, they gave her the $80 to cover the costs to get it looked at and taken care of. She is all casted up.
As far as prepping for Canada, Pari is trying to get her paperwork in order to apply for her Canadian Student Visa. The process is slow in Cambodia. She has visited the police records check department a series of times only to be rejected and told to figure out odd little things. (I suspect no cash in hand as a possible issue). Yet she toils with a positive heart.
In preparation for leaving Cambodia, we have also told Pari to say good-bye to the elderly lady she calls Grandma she is staying with. Pari agrees with this thought as she is not sure she will see her again before Pari returns to Cambodia in 5 years. Pari is a strong girl- stronger than me thats for sure.
I also know that many of you have asked how you can continually and prayerfully support Sureyah and now Pari while in Canada. Well I am excited to share one possible way to help them through an upcoming Trinity Western University (TWU) fundraiser for the two of them and also 4 African students on May 27th. Tickets are $25/person. I will let you view the advertised poster below for more details. I sure hope you can participate in some way. Of course if you can't make it and you would still like to help there will be other ways I am sure of that. Don't forget you can always contribute to the Trinity Western University Logos International School Cambodian Student Award- this money does go to Sureyah and Pari's schooling costs. Also we are still looking for donations to help with Pari's visa costs and to get to Canada and her flight, etc... Exciting.
I hope you all have a great day- life is busy here as we try to finish well here in Cambodia.
Blessings,
Dean
PS I will also post a bit of Pari's bio below too so that you can get a sense of who she is.

From 2010-11

SoPari's Bio:

To be born, to grow, and to live in a family with a loving dad and a sweet mom have always been the desires of my heart. The necessities of life are not all about oxygen, water, food, or shelter, but love and care from the ones who a person expects to be closest to him. All these I did not have.

Together, my parents had two children, my younger brother and I. They were divorced in 1995, when I was around three years old and my brother was still a baby. My dad left us and remarried severing all ties. As a single parent, my mom not only worked to support me and my brother, but also my aging grandma. Mom worked as an entrepreneur of a small business—selling second-hand army clothes from province to province. Her business flourished. However, due to a serious vehicle accident, her right eye was blinded. Only a year after all her success, my mom was again a jobless divorcee. This time, our family, was left crushed and forgotten in the ditch of extreme poverty. Because of the loss of her right eye, she could not continue her business or find any new work. After about three months, my mom decided she would leave Cambodia and illegally cross the border to Thailand to look for work. My brother and I stayed with our old grandma. From that time on we lived depending solely on my mom’s income from the jobs she found there.

From year to year, life has never been easy for my brother and I. There were times when my mom was jobless, and we had absolutely no money to buy food. At the age of eight, I helped earn money for my family by selling rice cakes my grandmother had made on the street after school everyday. Then in 2002, I was sent to live in Phnom Penh with my aunts’ family. That was when I first heard about Christ. Nevertheless, it took me one whole year to truly have a personal relationship with Him. This year, 2003, was the turning point of my life. It was the year when I first felt and understood love. Christ’s love transformed my perspective toward my own life. Instead of feeling bitter about my own conditions, I felt hopeful.

In Phnom Penh, I studied in a Khmer public school. The school disappointed me. No matter how hard I studied, I would never get better grades than those who had additional money (bribe) to pay the teachers for marks. I often prayed asking God to bless me with a better schooling situation. It took two years for my prayer to be answered. Through much help and prayer from many people, in 2005 I was allowed to attend Logos International School for free. I have studied at Logos International School since sixth grade and now, in 2011, I will graduate.

This year is the year that I have to decide the next step for my life. Once again, this next step cannot be decided without guidance and help from God who has been with me from the very beginning. I sense a deep sense of God’s call on my life. That calling is to go out into the world and draw nonbelievers to Christ by healing them both spiritually and physically. The process of accomplishing His call seems very challenging.

I want to go to college to study nursing yet there is the financial barrier. Based on my mom’s financial status, there is no way I can go to college. Even today she is still in Thailand working to support my family. Our current situation limits the possibility of me going to college. My desire to love and care for others seems financially impossible, yet I believe that what is impossible for me is always possible for God.

The Myriad of Random Experiences continue...

2011-04-18T07:41:00.000-07:00

Over the last few weeks, the continuously surprising, interesting and unfathomable experiences have taken place under the guise of "normal activity" here in Phnom Penh. I will share some of them with you, because some are funny, some are scary, but all are true.

I got pulled over by the police, yet again, for not clearning an intersection on the light. Now I will not enter an intersection with anything less than 3 second remain on the timer (which we can see). People regularily and blatantly ignore red lights here, but I get stopped for entering the intersection on my green turn light, but not quite making it by the change of light (we're talking fractions of a second, here.) Anyways, They ask to see my licence, which thankfully I have, but was not renewed this year, so it was expired. We are clear off the story of a co-worker who was pulled over and when could not produce any licence, was stopped for nearly an hour, charged $50, and the cop took his key for the moto, and locked it into his own motorcycle seat. (The exasperated teacher eventually gave him all the money he had, around $20, and was released.) When my police man recognized the expiration date, he charged me $10. I said no way, I didn't break the law on my turn, but was polite about it. Within one minute, he said, "Ok, $2.50, no, a dollar for me, and one for him," motioning to his partner. I paid the $1.50 each and left.

I sat early the other morning for my quiet time, in our upstairs room, where I saw a flash in the corner of my eye, and thought, "that is one BIG gecko!" Sorry, once I saw the long tail that followed, I couldn't believe my eyes to see an actual rat in our house, running along the floor. I chased it downstairs, and saw it running in behind the stove. It definitely did not leave the house, but please enjoy picturing me in my housecoat, first thing in the morning, all crazed looking with a broom in my hand, ready to KILL this thing before I leave the house! Unfortunately, i couldn't fish it out. We can buy these "pizza pans" I call them, covered in really sticky glue, and they are rat traps of the finest kind. We set one up that night, and sure enough, the cutest little guy was stuck to the glue the next morning. Dean then drowned him in a plastic bag of water. (We have done this before, when they get into the car but NEVER dreamed we'd have one in our secure house--it must have gotten in an open door.) The next morning, the dogs in the back yard had caught another rat in the night and swiftly beheaded it, leaving the decapitated body outside out back door for us. That night, we caught another one in the trunk of our car (seriously!). That was 3 rats in 2 days.

We were driving away from school on a holiday this past week, after we finished playing volleyball. On our main road out of school, we right away noticed a huge crown at the end of the street. A huge crowd around a road usually means an accident of some kind. As we passed, it was chilling to see a slumped body of a man, lying on the road. This accident looked fatal, and it was more than sobering. As we drove away from the scene, we heard an ambulance coming. Yes, a normal sound for you first world people, but for here, this sound is still very rare, and very new. With people not knowing how to drive safely here anyways, please imagine what dangers will prevail when a flying ambulance is around, driving at speeds double and triple of what the rest of the traffic is doing. Dean was on his moto a ways behind me, when I heard the screeching on the ambulance brakes! Sure enough, someone was not getting out of his way, and both car and ambulance braked heavily, slid around and as Dean explains it, sort of bumped off each other's sides. The ambulance continued on to the scene like nothing had happened, and the stunned driver of the other car, slowly made a u-turn to, we assume, go talk to the ambulance driver and settle the score. All this, while that man lay dead or dying.

The dogs in the back yard have ticks. SO many of them this past weekend, that the ticks were swarming all over the ground, up the walls, all over the laundry--it was gross & weird! I don't know where they came from, as we have a big mango tree in the back, but no grass. There is a slew lake behind the house, but something ecologically had thrown the balance off, and they were literally swarming all over the back patio. Our back door is not sealed well, so they were starting to crawl in through the cracks. That's the last thing we need in this house, too! I took the lighter to start burning and popping them, but eventually the raid worked and the landlords took care of the outside. None anymore, but the poor dogs are red and raw from chewing themselves to get the pests off. They must have been so uncomfortable. NO problem for our landlord, though--he just straight "raided" the dogs. Not kidding, just sprayed them with Raid!

Maya continues to learn and absorb like a spong. She had to write her first set of SAT tests, that are administered at Logos every year from Gr. 1 to 8. These standardized, American tests help Logos with their long range planning for educational needs at the school. Anyways, for the Gr. 1's, things were really built up so that they were prepared for how to properly take these tests, etc. After two weeks of tests almost every day, they were tired out of them, rightly so, but it didn't seem to phase Maya too much. However, on the MOnday morning of the second week, she woke up and announced during breakfast that she had a headache. I asked if she was ok, and she replied that she was still ok to go to school, she just wouldn't think!!! Priceless.

A week ago Friday, Steph had a basketball game after school, followed by the senior boys having a game. I was busy scorekeeping, and at around 4:30, into the boys game, I head this crackling sound behind the gym wall, right where we are all sitting. Sure enough, the neighbor right next to our gym, decided to burn his grass right then and there, while our gym was FULL of people, and students running, and playing sports! The smoke was billowing all around, as his yard and grass literally butted right up against our gym wall! Thankfully, the wind was blowing just enough, that it was going the opposite direction of our gym , otherwise we'd have all been literally smoked out. Unbelievable timing.

This past week was Khmer New Year, so we had our "spring break" out here, although considering the start of hot season out here to be "spring" is still a funny concept. We had the priveledge of going to another Beach area in Cambodia, called Kep. Oh, it's only 2 1/2 hours from the city, and seeing as a taxi is "expensive" during the holiday, we didn't know if our car could make the trip, we decided to take the bus. Note to everyone: If you EVER have an opportunity to take a taxi or a bus in Cambodia, during Khmer New year where every city Cambodian goes out to the provinces to visit family and take gift and celebrate, ALWAYS choose the taxi! (By the way, a taxi is just some guy with a car, who drives people from one place to the next, for a random fee decided upon based on so many fluctuating factors, that you never know if you;re getting a deal or totally hosed!) We waited an hour for our bus, at the "bus station" which was really the sidewalk beside a very busy market, where the bus company had a storefront where they sold tickets and organized luggage. Most of our family was in bad spirits as the wait was just jammed with people, and stuff, and buses just kept pulling up on the street (I don't know HOW those drivers could manipulate those huge vehicles with the amound of traffic flowing around them), filling up with people and packages, then pulling off, leaving room for the next bus to pull up and do the same. They came from different directions, and some worker would tape up a hand printed "destination" sign on the side, and none of them seemed to be going where we bought out tickets for! After our bus finally arrived late, we were literally squeezing our way to get on it, and withing 2 feet of entering the door, Maya throws up! I couldn't believe it! She was tired, but not sick when we left, but I think that is how the heat and fatigue affects her. Anyways, after she lost her stomach, she was totally fine, slept a bit and was no worse for wear. If she had been sick just 2 minutes later, it would have been all over the bus! So Blessed we are! Oh, and by the way, there is no concept of "pick me up at the bus depot" out here--the driver simply kept dropping people off along the way--stop here, stop there, stop in the next 100 metres to let Joe off at his granny's house.... 6 hourse from leaving out house, we arrived at our hotel, only to have to wait another 2 hours until check in. Needless to say, we booked a "taxi" to take us back on the return trip and for a mere $20 more for our family, we arrived home in under 2 1/2 hours! Amazing.

We experienced Phnom Penh as a "ghost town" at the end of Khmer New Year, as we've been told, the city empties out over the festival, and literally, there is virtually no one in the city, the shops all close down, and things are so quiet. The streets are empty of drivers and it's easy to get around. So interesting; we have always been away over this break, and never experienced it first hand until this year. A surreal sort of eerieness. We also took a drive to the infamous "Koh Pich", or "Diamond Island" where the horrible stampede tragedy took place earlier this year, where hundreds of people were crushed and killed on the bridge. We drove over that bridge and that was eerie, too. The Island is an event centre, really, with stages, event grounds, a huge expo area and a large fair grounds! Yes, like rides, amusment park! We didn't know this even existed and there it was that night, all lit up, with people having a great time. It was so cool! We even went on a few thrill rides, one where Steph, Julia and I got thrown around a seated ride. I had paid $1 for each of us to ride with a $10, so I had change in my pocket. At the end of the ride, I checked my pocket and it was empty--thrown out with all the jerking! I had noticed someone reaching through the gate that marked off the ride, to pick up some money, and that's when I'd checked my pockets. I right away said that was my $7, as best I could in Khmer, and right away, they gave me back the money! I was surprised! The funniest was the girls wanted to play the dart/balloon game, to win some prizes. We each got 7 darts for 5000Riel ($1.25) and all took a turn, hitting about 3 balloons each! S & J took forever picking out thier prizes, and Steph felt pretty good about getting a bottle of her favorite Head and Shoulder's shampoo. We get home to hear Steph exclaim that it's not Head and SHoulders in the container! Sure enough, the sealed, packaged with celophane Head and Shoulders bottle, had been filled with some cheap liquid soap!

What a place this is! We'll know better for next time. Cheers and talk to you all soon! L :)

One month and counting...

2011-04-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

The countdown is on, to... the Cambodian premier of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,

by Andrew Lloyd Webber, & Tim Rice.

Yes, the Logos International School Secondary drama and choir students, as well as the middle school choir, have been working feverishly over the last term (since Christmas) to practice for this musical. Seeing as I am involved in producing and promotion, it's been a busy and extremely fun time getting things ready. Now the countdown is on.

One month and counting. The show is scheduled to run May 5-7, with 4 shows. We opened ticket sales to the Logos student body this past week, and by the end of the week, both the Friday and Saturday night shows were sold out! (That's 150 tickets for each night.) The Thursday premier is well on it's way as well, and that leaves tickets still available for the Saturday Matinee.

Anyways, we will keep you posted on the final preparations. Our stage is set up, backdrops being painted, costumes sewn, lighting quotes received, sound board and lapel mics purchased--it's going to be awesome. So many people putting their gifts and abilities together to make this happen.

On a personal note, we have a few official dates for you, now that we have purchased "returning to Canada" tickets this past week. Dean worked hard to get the best deals he could. We have the awesome priviledge of leaving Phnom Penh on June 10th, and spending 6 days in Beijing China. I'm still pinching myself to actually believe that we're scheduled to see the Great Wall of China, and the Forbidden City. God is GOOD! Then, we will be arriving in Vancouver on June 16, and spending a one night layover there, to drop off luggage, flying into Winnipeg on the 17th. See details below.

AC030 Beijing, Beijing Capital (PEK) Thu 16-Jun 2011 16:15 - Terminal 3 Vancouver, Vancouver Int'l (YVR) Thu 16-Jun 2011 11:30 - Terminal M 0 34hr39 77W Tango Plus Q

M,B AC294 Vancouver, Vancouver Int'l (YVR) Fri 17-Jun 2011 09:20 - Terminal M Winnipeg (YWG) Fri 17-Jun 2011 13:54 0 E90 Tango Plus Q

So, that's arriving in Vancouver at 11:30 am on Thursday, June 16, flying out of Van at 9:20 the following morning to arrive in Winnipeg on Friday, June 17 at 1:54 in the afternoon.

Wow.. Now that's more like 2 months and counting... Time is flying.

We covet your prayers in these "last days." We've advertised our home for rent to help out our landlords, complete with purchase of all the furniture in it, and we've had a few leads--would be so awesome for a family coming in to the city, like we did, not only to have a home all ligned up, but to have the basics of furniture as well. Plus, it would sure help our landlords. We hope things work out for everyone.

Anyways, take care and God Bless you all. Starting to think about packing and seeing everyone in a few months.

Lesley

PS Can't remember if I told you, but after a few posts back request for a house to sit while in Abb, sure enough our friends the DeKroons are heading out on a three week road trip, and have offered us their house to live in while they're away--almost at the exact dates we plan to arrive in Abbotsford! Huge answers to prayer. Love yous all!

Answers in due time

2011-03-27T06:31:00.000-07:00

Do you even wonder about God's timing? Ok, I know that's a rather generalized question, but it's one, if you believe in His providence, that you might ponder frequently. It's kind of like us, recently. I mean, if we love it here at Logos so much, the kids are happy, getting a great education and have excellent friends; if Dean works so well in his position and with Dan, and we have no "house" or financial worries back in Canada..., if our family in general has been flexible enough to transition from first world life to life in a developing country, we must question, "what are we going back for?" I've brought this up alot, the kids have asked the question. What is the real reason, if there is just one?

Well, there isn't just one reason, and quite frankly, and we'll discuss many of those reasons with you sometime if your'e interested. But now, we have some super news that could very well be one of the major reasons, it's just that we haven't really known it as a realistic opportunity, until now! Just as was done for Sureyah 2 years ago, the administration at Logos worked together closely with Trinity Western University and other intersted parties, to get a Cambodian/Logos scholarship for Sureyah to study in Canada. From the very outset, we have all been working to make this scholarship extend to more and more future candidates. Well, there is another students at Logos who is a prime candidate to follow in Sureyah's footsteps and head to Canada, and her name is Pari. She is graduating this year from Logos, and has applied for scholarship to Trinity, and there is much going on in her favor, for actually getting there! This is beyond exciting for a young lady that has lived meagerly, with relatives for years, with her mom having to live in Thailand to make a living. Anyways, Pari is still in need of financial support, so if you have any interest in fostering this scholarship opportunity for another worthy and deserving Cambodian student from Logos, please get in touch with either us or Trinity Western, and find out the details! However, Dean and I have been approached by the Trinity "powers that be" and have been asked if we would be the homestay for Pari, if/when she comes to Canada. Now, this may be a surprise to you, but we have had this idea in the back of our minds ever since Sureyah got the scholarship, so we've considered it often. Our hesitation was virtually non-existant: we would do anything we could to support Pari in this educational endeavor, weekend homestay, full time "home" when she goes to school... whatever we can do for her we will, and we have committed this to Trinity. The only way we wouldn't take in Pari into our home, is if God already has someone else in place, someone with a better fitted situation for Pari. We would definitely concede to a better situation for her sake. Because, as you may know, there's a bit of a catch: we dont' have a house- we don't know what we can afford- perhaps a 2 story garbage can! haha.

We don't know where we'll be living yet, and I don't know what I'll be doing for work, so unless Pari wants to sleep in a tent with the rest of us, there's not a whole lot we can promise her right now, except a lot of care! haha So, this is where Faith comes in. We've been wondering why the return home to Canada? Among other things, maybe it's simply that Pari will need us there! What are we going to do about a house? If God can get Sureyah and Pari to Trinity, and He wants Pari to live with us, then I'm certain there will be a house out there that will fit both our needs and our budget (miracles happen! :) If we're going to need more income to support another child, then there must be work out there that I"ll be able to get, that will allow Dean and I to parent and support 4 girls. So, we just don't know the answers to all these questions...yet. But, in due time.... God has NEVER let us down before. Congratulations Pari, on making it this far! Looking very much forward to the journey with you, in whatever shape that may take. L :)

Please Pray for the Logos Family

2011-03-20T06:32:00.000-07:00

I write this with great sadness, and very much for the past teachers and employees at Logos, who may remember this family.

A young sibling of a boy at our school was killed in a moto accident yesterday. The little girl was 4 1/2 and was excited to go to school next year. The family is Pakistani, and work with the Seventh Day Adventists here in the city. The older brother is in Gr 2; I have taught Avak for 3 years, and have known the family in a friendly way for that time.

This is so painful. Please pray for this family. Their last name is Khan. They are planning to take the body back to Pakistan as soon as they can, for a burial. The dad was out of town in Bangkok at the time of the accident, the mom was driving the moto with the girl on it.

Please pray for them, the Logos family at large--it's only a matter of time before these things hit us much too close to home. A memorial service is taking place tomorrow, Monday, at 3:30, which many of us plan to attend.

Thanks. Love yous.
L
:)

Thinking time

2011-03-13T05:52:00.000-07:00

Did the last blog post really read "Feb 18?" Today is March 13.

Where did the time go???

I'm asking myself that alot lately.

We've just returned from a shortened week of school and before that, a nice break in Penang, Malaysia, where we enjoyed some time off. Suddenly, time seems short, and the return to Canada and the wrap up of the school year seems so immenently close that we cannot help but start thinking about the logistics: Getting rid of our things and packing up house, when will we actually leave, who will we get to see and when, on our travels home, where will we live, and what will the process look like finding a home?

Faith tells me not to worry, that God's hand certainly is involved in all these decision just as He so miraculously led us here. My human mind, however, can't quite get itself around the complexity of it all. So much thinking. I'm rallying between both mental states to varying degrees. Sometimes it's smooth sailing: "Everything is going to be just fine, God already knows where we're going to live and He's already taken care of all the details." Other times, it's very stressful, argumentative and not very pretty. "WHAT are we going to DO???"

Things will work themselves out, I am content in that, just not sure exactly how yet :). But the thinking about everything still takes up alot of energy.

However, here's what I do know:
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31.

Whew, I have to remind myself of this constantly, and remember to not think too hard!

Ok, a quick question and feeler out there to all of you Abbotsford readers. We're hoping to arrive in Abbotsford for the last two weeks of July. We have places to stay, but are also wondering if there is anyone for whom we could house-sit while you are away on vacation, any time through July and into August. This is just a feeler, but please ask around, and keep it in the back of your mind. We have friends or family to stay with, (lots of them, praise the Lord!) but we don't know how long it's going to be until we can find somewhere to settle for the year (rent or buy) so we are wondering if there are any house-sitting options out there. Or if you know of anything else, ie; short term rentals, houses for rent or sale, please let us know. You can send us an e-mail or comment here.

dweiss@hotmail.com

Finally, in school news. Dan Hein, the principal of the school and his wife have arrived back in Phnom Penh, with their new baby, and they're really doing great. So, Dean officially has his coworker back and is no longer on his own. This is all good, for everyone. Dean's been busy the last couple weeks heading up some renovations in the school, preparing for rainy season, so as much as we've all had to live through construction noise the past couple of weeks, there are some definite improvements. One thing though, Dean caught a cold on our break, and now his one ear has virtually no hearing in it. He's injured it previously, so it's had some damage to begin with. I'm trying to get him to a doctor if this persists. Right now, he's just oblivious to half of everything that is going on cuz he just can't hear.

The girls are all well, and doing great in school and working very hard with homework. Almost no time for piano, it's a constant struggle out here :). While Maya has fun things at school, like Dr. Seuss day where she ate green eggs and ham, Steph is practicing for basketball, writing french, khmer and english tests (3 languages--it's awesome!) and generally hanging out with her friends whenever she can. Julia and her middle school soccer team (football, that is!) have dominated in their first season opener game, winning by a score of 7 or 8 to 1 (I lost count.) Good times. Our family continues to play volleyball with some other staff and students almost every sunday afternoon, and it's great to watch the girls dig up some pretty serious spikes put down by men on the other teams! They're really developing as volleyball players--2 years of playing on a weekly basis with some pretty good adults, will do that for teenage girls! Maya? Well, she runs around in her bathing suit, playing on the playground, waiting for us to be finished so that she can swim. :)

It's getting hotter and hotter here as we head into the hot season. I am consumed with finishing work started in the library (to get it ready for next year, new staff), making music classes creative and fun, and of course, thinking all the time about the Joseph production, rehearsals, costumes, make-up, promotion, staging details...it's taking up so much of my mental energy. It's fun though, I really enjoy it. (Too much, perhaps.-?)

Thanks for all your prayers. If you are of the praying type, here are some of our requests:

Our niece Mia has had her first birthday, pray for her and her family.
My Grandma is just aging. Things are wearing out. Pray that I can see her this summer and enjoy some time with her.
Sokhom, our old househelper is doing ok, but has rented her own house for some income, and is living with her sister's family. I want to see her soon, as we have had little contact. Her eyes are still bad, she cannot work, and she is very weak.
We have to clear out and pack up our house, so please pray that that is a positive experience over the next 3 months.
Our landlords are looking for more renters, so we pray that they can find some good ones. They are such kind, honest people, and work very hard. An honesty that is hard to find out here.
A student here named Pari. She is hoping to get to Trinity and needs funding, so please pray that God will say yes to so many of her needs and she can come to Canada to study!!!
Finally, our journey home, with all of it's emotions.

Thanks for reading and being a part of our lives.
L
:)

What's your motivation...

2011-02-18T22:56:00.000-08:00

...for home renovations?

Dean came down last Thursday morning to find our landlord out in the back area, with this gun!

What was going on???

Turns out, the meaning of the wild dog barking just moments earlier, was because there were snakes in the back yard! 2 snakes, to be precise. They were all twined together (mating, we supposed) and Mr. Dara was out there trying to scare them off. We didn't get the camera in time to catch the snakes, but we sure saw them!
You see, with the body of water behind our house, the land at the back of the yard has been slowly eroding away, causing the tiles to buckle and sink, revealing the holes underneath. Turns out, the snakes came up through that, right in their cooking area. We watched him for a while, while he put pellets into this gun and shoot a bit, but eventually we had to carry on and head to school. Enough excitement for one morning.

Not many days later, all the tiles were ripped up, and workers began to concrete the back yard. Haha. If snakes aren't enough motivation for some much needed home renovations, I don't know what is!

Happy belated Valentines Day to everyone. Although prefering to celebrate love on any day of the year, couldn't help but whip up a cake that was sent to us from the Smith's in a parcel. Yummy treat.

The weekend before Valentines Day was the Annual Logos Carnival. Dean was involved in his usual capacity as resident Bar-B-Qer for the day, Matt Friedberg willingly lending a much needed helping hand! Master Chef BBQ, anyone???

Please keep reading below, (or if it's not right there, by clicking on "older Posts" just below, to the right.) I can only seem to upload 4 photos at a time, so I've included the next posting with this one...

What's your motivation, continued...

2011-02-18T22:43:00.000-08:00

So, what's your motivation for having a good time? Logos Carnival is a huge highlight for many in our community, as very few community events like this take place in the city. I, Lesley, always man the Tattoo station, complete with sparkles. I bring back many packages of temporary tatts for the occasion, and it's usually a hit, cuz they's hard to find here.

Steph had been placed in "jail," one of the game centres, where you have to get your face painted, in order to get out. Most people, like Julia when it was her turn, resist "arrest" quite violently :)

And, the weekend after Valentines day, saw the Middle School Girls (and boys, too, for that matter) volleyball team(s) WIN the city championships against the other 3 international schools. Here we see some pretty excited rejoicing, over the victory!

The tournament was held at Hope International School. But the celebrating didn't stop there. After the tournament, it was off to Lucky Burger (our closet equivalent to McDonalds!) for cokes, burgers and fries. Time to pose for a picture next to the Chinese New Year Tree. Oh ya, happy belated Chinese New Year, too! Bet ya didn't even know it. Asked our friends about the significance of the tree, and the tree is basically a cherry blossom type, that if it blooms on new years day, you will have good luck. The red envelopes are full of money, a typical new years gift, wishing you good luck for the year.

As our family continues on through our last semester here, that question haunts me, "What is your motivation?" What is it, really, that carries us to continue to love and serve Cambodians and the greater Logos community when our time here is short?

Jesus told this parable just before Palm Sunday:
"A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. Before he left, he called together 10 of his servants and divided up 10 pounds of silver, saying, 'invest this for me while I am gone.' After he was crowned King, he returned and called in the servants to whom he had given the money. He wanted to find out what their profits were. The first servant reported, 'Master, I invested your money and made ten times the original amount!'
'Well done!' exclaimed the King. 'You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.' Luke 19:12-17

"When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. " Luke 12:48

God Bless You, as you question your motivations!

Considering Phnom Penh?

2011-02-13T07:09:00.000-08:00

Vancouver, Canada to Phnom Penh, Cambodia
04/06/2011 to 04/20/2011 / 1 passenger

Price (CAD) Airline Departure Arrive Stops Confirm

$1279 Cathay Pacific / Dragonair 2:45am
6:50pm 10:30am
9:25pm 1

Wow, is that a deal. I often check www.flightnetwork.ca for prices, as they've had the best deals I've ever found, and I copied and pasted the above price from there. (that's a return price!) These dates are around our Khmer New Years week off of school (but dates are flexible). SO, if you're ever considering... (PS It's about $400 more from Winnipeg) just thought I'd let you know. We could show you around, do some travel, set you up with some opportunities to serve...

Talk to you soon.
Les

The dreaded 'Checking Out'

2011-02-03T18:21:00.000-08:00

Well I am writing on the blog after I have found a bit of time here. I am always glad when Les gets a chance to write the goings-on of life here in Cambodia and to give you a glimpse of life in a 3rd world country. For the first time, I can honestly say I have thought about home and the return to Canada.
Around here the dreaded fear of thinking about home is called 'checking out'. 'Checking out' means you disengage from your host country and spend time thinking about the future somewhere else. Then as a defense mechanism start to break-ties to the host Country and people in order to make leaving less painful.
I really have made a commitment not to 'check out' and to go/work hard until the term ends, and for the most part I am really busy so that shouldn't be an issue. But surprisingly in the last day or so I found myself thinking about what life would be like when we all return to Canada this summer. I don't like it because in many ways it seems very murky.

Now moving from one country to another is going to provide a large level of stress for anyone- and we will be no exception to this- a very uncomfortable feeling I don't enjoy. The decision to leave Cambodia has not been an easy one. Certainly a large part of returning to Canada is based on the fact that we had arranged ourselves to be away for only a 'short' time. A longer option to stay in Cambodia, although we would have considered it, is certainly not how we set ourselves out three years ago.
Now when I talk about 'short' term, three years is short but it ain't THAT short. Three years is plenty of time to lose a sense of the goings-on in Canada. So the feelings of moving back to Canada are also really muddled with anxiety about integrating to the culture of Canadian life and with what we have enjoyed and will miss about Cambodian life. In many ways I have a sense that I am moving to a new country where I don't understand why certain things are valued or done. Also things that I once thought were so important won't/don't seem to have the same value when placed in a global perspective. On the plus side though, returning to Canada provides a language ease, conveniences, and a reunion of great people and friends. Of course 'Wendy's, Tim Horton's, etc...'

The plan at this time is to return to BC and allow our kids to go to the school we once promised they could return to when we came back from Cambodia. I have a position at MEI and I have always been so thankful to the MEI board for their appreciation of missions and allowing our family to go to Cambodia for the time we have.

Our housing is uncertain at this time, and I am not sure when we will really get a chance to deal with this. However, once a home is established this may create a sense of 'home'?

I humbly write to you all and ask for your continued prayers. In certain ways I fear the return to Canada may be more challenging than when we first set out for a third world country like Cambodia. However, many of you have been such a complete blessing to us, whether through email, packages, prayers, or donation- may God bless you richly for the way you have helped journey with us here in Cambodia. We look forward to reuniting with you soon.

Blessings,
Dean

Summer Sports in the big city....

2011-02-01T05:14:00.000-08:00

As many of you may well know, our older two daughters love athletics, a passion they've inherited from me, their mother.

(I can hear you laughing!...)

Ok, well, maybe, just MAYBE Dean has a widdle bit more to do with their athleticism and enjoyment of sports, but in general, they're great team players and they give their best on all accounts. (They must get that from me?!? :)

Julia is nearing the end of her middle school girls volleyball season. They've had a winning season, with some strong Gr 7 & 8 players. Julia has practiced til she's blue in the face, (with her father's coaching) a "jump spike serve" that's really supposed to be a "jump float serve." Either way, she's jumping, the ball's going over the net in formidable style, and it's cool to think she can do this at the meager age of 12, when she's got alot of volleyball years still ahead of her.

She's worked hard this season to be a great team leader and she's very encouraging to others. Great Job, Julia. Keep up the good work!

Look at that form!
Summer, as you know, never ends in the big city of Phnom Penh, and it's a blessing to enjoy these beautiful days of the "cooler" season. This is Steph's high school girls soccer team warming up for a game at Northbridge International School, where this lovely field is located. This school is the one that Melanie Ens goes to, and it's the only school IN THE CITY with a number of gorgeous, grassed soccer fields. It's seriously, the only place. It's literally like a sanctuary, a haven. We love to go there and play! (Even when the girls lose)

Yes, it's been a growing season for this team. New Coaches Mr. and Mrs. Deremer have excelled in improving the girls skills, but unfortunately they've been no match for the ONLY other high school girls team in the city, ISPP (International School of Phnom Penh.) The girls have played them a number of times this season, and although the score did not represent victory, the improvement on the Logos side was tremendous and noted by all who watched them from game to game. Way to go, Logos!
Steph's in the middle of this pict, hot after their first of two games this past Saturday. She's been unfortunately, nursing a heel injury, caused, we're not sure, by bad shoes? overuse? Either way, it's been frustrating for her, as rest and ice-ing it alot has not given her the swift healing she would like. There is some time to rest it up before Basketball season, which is next for the ladies.
We really hope it can heal up sooner than later.

Steph is headed off to camp next week! As her first year in high school, she gets to attend the camp that Dean has attended the last few years (if you remember, where they zip line from trees, do all sorts of harrowing events!) She is pumped to go, and can enjoy a nice break from her parents' ever watchful eyes, as neither of us will be there! We really hope she can enjoy and have a great experience. (Pray for me!!!)

Well, that's it for now! If you haven't figured out yet with the pictures on the last two blogs, I, yes I, Lesley, have F I N A L L Y figured out how to upload pictures myself!!!!! (With no help from anyone--that's what "myself" means) so NOW, I can do it more often! Watch out, you avid readers--now there's no stopping me! Mu-ha-ha-ha-ha (evil laugh...)

Take care, loved ones and hope we can talk soon. PS. Just sent of registrations not a half hour ago, to MEI for the girls next year, (one in each school--elementary, middle and high!) Now THAT's a weird feeling: Logos is such a home to us now, it'll be very strange to be in a different school. I can't really picture us gone, yet. Pray for us, thanks!!! L

Don't like your job???

2011-01-25T06:34:00.000-08:00

So, have you ever complained about your job, like many of us have? Sure, it's a normal part of blowing off steam, right? I've had an excellent reminder recently, here in Cambodia, of how much I should really be thankful for my work that I love, even when it's trying or tiring.

Beside is a picture of the Boeung Kak Lake right behind our house, that is being filled in. Everywhere you see sand, is where there used to be water, houses, and foliage. It's amazing what they have done. The purpose is for development.

Now, right here is the picture of our neighbor's back yard, looking down off our rooftop, where I took the very same picture of the lake. This fairly new owner is also filling in the back portion of his property, that was all entirely swamp water just months ago. Watching this process has been one of the most humbling experiences I've had out here, and continually reminds me to be thankful for my teaching job and my education that has got me there.

It's because of this man.
The gentleman in this picture, if you look closely, is dropping the mud fill onto the property. This man has been doing this job since weeks and weeks before Christmas. He started at the front of the house, with loads of crushed brick and concrete, and has now turned into a clay-like soil.

Because the area to get from the front to back is so small, obviously the owner was not able to manouever any large equipment to the back of the property to dump the loads, so he's hired this one man, to do the entire job with physical labour! We have watched load after load after load, get dropped outside the front gate on the street, and virtually every day, this Khmer man starts work before 5 in the morning. He finishes and leaves at dusk, around 6 pm. Day in and day out, we pull out the car to go to school, he's filling two baskets with soil: We come home from school, he's carrying another load of soil: the two baskets hang off a pole he balances over his shoulder. We go on Christmas vacation--we come back. He's still hauling loads. And weekends? We come and go freely running errands, or going to school or sporting events, hosting birthday parties; He is always there, chopping the fill into the baskets and transporting them to the back of the house on the strength of his back. No "weekend" for this man. Needless to say, he's not got an ounce of fat on him. I figure he's younger than me, but the girls think he's older. He certainly is no youth.

That large pile behind Dean is the size of just one of the loads that this man has single handedly transported to the back of the property. There's been so many of them. It's heavy, it's dirty and it just never seems to end. He finishes one, another gets dumped out. For the owner, it just must be cheaper to make his own land, than to buy it. For the longest time, the worker took no notice of our comings and goings, but lately he's smiled at us, and I've been able to nod and smile back. I just can't get over the fierce difficulty of the back breaking labour, and the mundanity of it all.

Oh, and just one more thing. Do you ever complain about your pay? Not enough? Never enough? Our neighbor has told us that this man needs money, that is why he is working so hard. She found out that he makes 100,000 Riels per load. Divide that by 4000, and you'll figure out he's making $25 US, per load, for days and days of hauling soil.

Kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it???

Back in the "up" swing

2011-01-16T05:23:00.000-08:00

Nice. Happy New Year to you all.

Have to get back at a post to say Christmas break was a blessing and very restful for our family. The beach in Thailand was all that you could imagine it is (so beautiful and quiet, sleepy where we were, although it was completely packed with Russian and European travelers.) Bangkok, in Thailand, is the perfect retreat if you need to have a taste of the first world again, which we enjoyed. Basically, we were enthusiastic to return to school this past Monday, with a very restful break behind us. We hope you enjoyed something of the same over your Christmas time.

Steph and Julia were sick, though, over the break, and they were long ones! Julia woke up not well on Boxing day, and was unable to eat or stay awake all day! We were planning to start our vacation with a long drive the next day and were seriously questioning whether we could leave or not, as she was still pretty feverish. We made it though, and for the next 3 days, she was exhausted, layed down or slept for alot of the days, and ate virtually nothing. We were in Koh Chang at the beach and by the time I finally couldn't take it anymore, and said I was taking her to the doctor the next morning, she rallied, and like a switch went off, she was fine! The next day, Steph was throwing up all night and ill for the same length of time. Poor kid. She caught it just in time to miss most of new years eve show at the hotel and all of the food (for 4 days.) No one else has been sick since, except for Maya who had a bit of an episode just today. Again, she seems fine, but tired tonight.

So, the Weisses have started the New year with our annual birthdays! Maya on the 9th, and Dean on the 14th. We arrived home from holidays the day before Maya's birthday, so it was quiet, but she openned a few gifts and managed to get a cake. She had a party just yesterday, with a bunch of gr. 1 girlfriends, and it was very fun.

Dean, on the other hand, has had quite the week, being the only administrator here at Logos now until March, as Dan Hein and his wife Jessica are in the States having their second child. His first week was intense, new students to organize, tours of the school, sorting out an amazing amount of scheduling and timetable issues, but it all went fairly well. So, Friday was his birthday--On a surprise, I ordered a lovely cake from a great shop here in town called "Bloom," to have at school for all the staff. It was delicious! THEN, I announced in morning devotions to all the staff, that anyone who would sing to Dean today and correctly guess his age, would get candy! And, around his neck I strung the largest necklace of candy that he could hand out! Ha ha. He made sure he got rid of it as early in the day as possible, but he certainly had the most birthday's songs sung to him in his life! The whole elementary took a turn at it, as well.

We're heading now into week 2, and I have a very exciting news: The Logos High school is currently in the preparations of presenting "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" in May, with which I will be very involved. We are already beginning to live, eat, breath and SING Joseph, so it's really exciting. The preliminary plans have been in the works since even last year, and now, we're ready to give it a go! So, Logos is more than excited to present it's first ever large scale musical/drama production. We have the stage, thanks to Jog-a-thon money, the new school facility with the auditorium on the top floor, and a strong fine arts program that can support this size endeavor. God is good! This is such an opportunity for the students to do something of such a high quality. Will be giving plenty of updates as this transpires!

While there are always diffiuclties and challenges here of what always seems like the extreme nature, it is nice to feel a bit of lightness now and then, and then to just enjoy it. Birthdays, parties and cake! Hearing all those kids singing Happy Birthday to Dean--it was fun! We received a parcel LOADED in stuff we could use, from Tim & Sylvia Smith. Yay! And, the International church we attend on a bimonthly basis, is moving to their new facility next week. After a year and a half of looking for a site and building, it's these kinds of lovely upswings that are just a blessing and something to be so thankful for our here, enjoy as long as they last! Preparing for Joseph is high on my list of things to enjoy and be thankful for.

So, here's cheers to new years, 2011. We hope and pray you've had a blessed beginning and continue in health and joy throughout. We will talk to you soon.
L
:)

Merry Christmas... in Asia?

2010-12-23T18:18:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all of you! Bonne Noel as they say in Khmer (yes, It's stolen from the French who brought it over!)

It's Christmas Eve morning here as I write, and we're going to be preparing some food for a traditional dinner tomorrow. I'm sure that's what most of you are doing too! Receiving visitors and company? Sounds great. We will have 5, single female staff members over for dinner tomorow, so that will leave Dean with 9 women around his table! Lucky guy!

Christmas in Asia is a stretch at best, but you have to hear this funny story that puts it all in perspective. This past tuesday, I phoned our orthodontist, as Julia's retainer had broken and was in need of repair. The Malaysian doctor that attends to us (and trains the Khmer dentists at this office) was already gone for Christmas, so I asked if there was anyone else on staff who could repair the retainer. Yes, another dentist could look at it. "You can come in on Saturday at 2:30."

While I was desperate to get this fixed before we left for holidays, I had to step back a minute. Saturday?? Wasn't I busy that day???....
Ha ha. "No, sorry, We can't come saturday." Can you imagine? Openning presents christmas morning, going to the orthodontist in the afternoon, having turkey dinner in the evening! Now that's some dedicated doctors, willing to sacrifice their Christmas day to help us fix a retainer! haha. (They obliged to see us on Thursday!)

So, aside from all the Christians here having a great old time preparing to celebrate christmas, life still goes on as normal. We see more kids on motos, dressed in red santa suits and dresses, and the christmas tree decorations are in the stores, but otherwise, same, same, as they say here.

Finally, the girls and I had to head to the "mall" yesterday to finish up some "last minute shopping." Wouldn't you know, by a display of Boston Books (a north american bookstore company here in town) there was a Santa! He was a Khmer Santa, sitting there on a makeshift throne, just sitting there, not doing a whole heck of a lot, expect waiting for the odd person to come by with a child and he's give them a candy! Did I mention he was just sitting there? No long line-ups through the mall, no other decorations, just a brown skinned Santa, looking bored out of his skull, probably mortifiably embarassed at his profession for the day! It was hilarious.

Maya saw him first, but of course, refused to go and visit with him. She did want to look from a cautious distance, though. "Is that the real santa??" What a question! No honey, sorry!~ That's a Khmer Santa. It was too cute. It was kind of like seeing the "black" Jesus picture on the walls of churches in the deep south, in America!

Well, Blessings to you all. Enjoy your family times and celebrations. We will miss you but enjoy our "family" out here and our break from school. I leave you with some devotional words that I read that really resounded with me. In fact, my personal Christmas wish and new years resolution are all pretty much wrapped and summed up below... All I want for Christmas is an entire filling!

"Even as believers, we often make it our first aim to find out who we are, what we desire, what pleases us and makes us happy. Then we bring in God in the second place to secure this happiness. We do not discern that God must have us at His disposal even in the most trivial details of our life to manifest His divine glory in us. We are not aware that this entire filling with the will and operation of God would also prove to be our highest happiness."
-Andrew Murray

It's over, baby!

2010-12-19T07:26:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the High School Choir and Middle School band, who wrapped up the Logos Christmas Concert Season in high style, with a great concert this past Saturday night.

Now Mrs. Weiss can breath....

I (Lesley) am officially now in the Christmas spirit here at the Weiss house in Cambodia, now that all the concerts are over. It's not like I was wishing them just to be done (at all!) but now that they are finished, it's just such a huge sigh of relief that all went well and we made it! The band played great, and as last year, impressed the audience with their ability to sound like a real band, after just such a short few months on their instruments! It's always great for me to hear as well. I accompanied some solos and the high school choir, so it was a very involved night. Not to mention singing in the staff choir--Mr. Weiss made his debut choir performance as well last night, to the jousts and cheers of the ecstatic audience. (For some reason, the staff choir incited this mayhem!) Our auditorium was full, the new stage was all decked out with the new curtainry, and the power didn't go off! Yay!

So, just a quick update on that. Julia performed last Thursday morning and evening, as Winnie the Pooh in the middle school drama and she was a riot! I hope to get a picture forwarded soon. She's a chip off the old block, that one! Quite entertaining to watch.

Lucky Steph is still in the middle of exams, but for a first timer, she's doing great. The first 3 went pretty well, but the poor kid is facing Biology and Algebra 2 tomorrow (I think it's bothering me more than her!) Anways, she doesn't like the lonliness of so much studying, but hopefully her hard work over the year will pay off now.

We certainly hope these last few days leading up to Christmas will be excellent for you and your families. WE will really miss not being with loved ones again this Christmas, but are greatful for all the friends we have here. Even just tonight, we went out for Indian food with a large group of staff and it was so much fun. We also attended a city wide combined church service held in a large hall at one of the high end hotels here in the city. It was many of the international churches here in Phnom Penh. What a blessed time--seriously, you looked around that room and just saw the world represented in almost every size, shape and color. It was so very cool. Makes me continually think, "to what do I owe this awesome experience???" Simply grace. God is Good.

Well, we sure hope to connect over the phone with immediate family this season, and once we're in Thailand, that should be much easier, so please expect more contact from us on or around the 28th. And just incase you're interested, there's been a cold spell these last few days. Some rain bringing with it a cool system, blew in about 3 or so days ago, and since then, it's been as "winter" as it gets here! Plus 22 in the mornings, then it warms up. Almost don't need air con at school AND, seriously, we're all chilly sleeping at night, our toes are cold, and the kids are wrapped up in fleece blankets. (Well, Dean isn't cold, but he never is, so he doesn't count!) So, we're thinking of you all in your snowy seasons, as we have to actually wear long sleeves on the motos, while we drive to school ! haha.

Love yous and God Bless!!! Merry Christmas!
L

The good, the bad, the...trusting.

2010-12-10T18:08:00.000-08:00

"On a good day, enjoy yourself;
On a bad day, examine your conscience.
God arranges for both kinds of days
So that we won't take anything for granted."Ecclesiastes 7:14, The Message

From Maya's grade 1 class at the afternoon elementary christmas concert

Well, that about sums things up! The good out here is so very, very good. The bad days, well, we all have them I know. Here it just seems multiplied and for very good reason.

The good...

From Lesley in here element. Running the elementary christmas concert

The Elementary Christmas Concert went very well this past Wed. evening. Kids were very excited and once again, we packed the gym. With our larger facility this year, things were not so squishy and the breeze that flowed through the more open space of our new gym, was a blessing. Kids did great, the Christmas message was clear, and the candy canes at the end of the show were a hit! Some picts to follow soon.

Principal Dean giving introductory talk at the elementary christmas concert and showcasing the new stage

The most exciting part of this Christmas Production Season for me so far, is Logos' acquisition of a new and multi functioning stage! Up until now, we have used some small wooden risers for a lift, or rented stages for a fairly expensive price. Well, the time had come, with plans to run a large musical at the end of this year, to invest in a decent stage for Logos, which was large, could be disassembled, stored, set up in various styles, could hang lights, etc. The admin looked seriously into all this, and did all the grunt work, finding out what our arts department wanted and needed, then got quotes from various builders around town. The final product is unbelievably gorgeous (you will see in pictures) and is so multi funtioning--even each stage flooring can double as a large table if needed! ) So, having our Christmas concert on this brand new, really nice stage was half the enjoyment for me! Logos now has this forever, and it is money well spent! Thanks for all the donations to the jog-a-thon, cuz that's what did this for us!

From Maya singing her heart out at the evening christmas concert in the gym

COming up still, is the middle school concert (next weekend) for Lesley, and Julia has a drama production next thursday. She's Winnie the Pooh (much to her chagrin) in a middle school play, so this should be fun to watch! Steph, poor kid, has 7 exams coming up at the end of next week, and the week after, to end this first term. This is her first foray into exams, being her first hear in high school, so although it is stressful for all kids, she is doing ok, and is a very independent studyier and enjoys academics. So, at least she has that going for her. She will do well, but still has to endure the studying.

From Les giving directions during the evening elementary christmas concert

You can all pray for Dean over the next few months, as he will be "flying solo" so to speak, running the ship at Logos. Dan Hein and his pregnant wife Jess leave this sunday to go have thier second baby in America, with a Christmas stop in Canada first. That means Dean will be the only administrator around until March. Now while Dan is always available through skype and e-mail and will be there for communication, he still really needs this break, and Dean does not need to run to him with every little thing. So, it's going to be an interesting (and busy)few months. A job that regularily takes 2, is now going to be handled by one. All the best on that one, Dean!

Christmas parties--the staff party was just held last night, we hung out with friends and decorated cookies the weekend before. Our tree is up and lights are on every morning and evening. We sure have to make our own Christmas excitement to feel in the spirit out here, but it really has been fun to gather as family over these alst few occasions. A bit of Christmas shopping as best we can out here, and everyone gets excited!

And there is more good. We finally were able to book some rooms for Christmas in Thailand, with friends of ours, so we now know for sure that we will be able to get away for the break. This is a huge sigh of releif and thanksgiving as we get to travel with friends for about 6 days, and we know we will have a bit of a holiday as well afterwards, taking the bus from the ocean in to Bangkok. We are so looking forward to it. THe kids still say their first choice for a Christmas destination spot is Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada! But, we say that this will probably be their last tropical Christmas in a very long time, so it is best they enjoy it. So funny--how many of you in those cold climates wouldn't give a right leg to be on a Thai beach in December?? And our kids want snow! haha.

The bad these last few weeks, more for me, (Lesley) has been the culture stress. Not even the stress of school or concerts, but since the accidents, many things have still been difficult. By accidents, I refer to our traffic incidents and also the greater tragedy of the stampede on the bridge. All these things together cause what is referred to as "culture stress" and you would think after having been here for 2 1/2 years, I would be used to things already. Although for people out here this is considered a normal struggle to deal with at one time or another, but the stresses come in waves.
After our evening car accident, I simply struggle to even try and drive at night in our vehicle. It is hard to see, lighting is bad on the streets in general, it is just too much for me right now. So either I don't go out, or I take a moto a short distance. The result of this is feeling very much trapped at home, feeling like you are not safe to journey out after 6 pm when it gets dark. These feelings get very old and tiring when they last for so long. It's frustrating.

Plus, now with the post traumatic stress I am dealing with, I feel like many Cambodian's look at me with distrust or wish I would leave their country. This is not true, but it is definitely some of my thoughts as I am driving around. I don't see their outward friendly smiles, I see them as someone not to trust. OR I find I am more frustrated and angry that things are done a certain Cambodian way. For example, things in traffic that used to make us laugh, or we could take lightly seem to excite more negative emotion rather than laughter. (I speak for myself- Dean seems fine.)

This is all post traumatic stress. I know this. Many of these thoughts are not true, either, and I have to take them captive. I know this. Doing all this and putting emotional and mental health into action is harder. Especially when you're particularily busy at work, or at least can make excuses of that.

This is why the words at Eccelsiastes are so important. God allows us all these kinds of times and situations, so that we won't take anything for granted and trust him. And, be thankful.

I hope this Christmas Season is not finding you so ridiculously busy or stressed out, that you can't enjoy things. More Ecclesiastes on that:

18-20" After looking at the way things are on this earth, here's what I've decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that's about it. That's the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It's useless to brood over how long we might live. "-the Message

elementary christmas concert see all 113 pics here

A Glimmer of Hope

2010-11-29T06:33:00.000-08:00

You know, I got back to school today after a weeks long break. Cambodia has suffered horrible tragedy in that time, while we vacationed and had a restful week. Our entire beings suffer with these people, as this tragedy strikes far to close to home.

I have duty on Monday mornings. Usually I do not appreciate the necessity of making sure I'm at school on time first day of the week :), but once I'm there, I love saying good morning to the kids, and seeing their faces. This was especially real today, when I asked some of them if they knew anyone injured or killed in the stampede. Most of our kids have been untouched directly by loss, which is something to be thankful for.

However, the Gr 4 girls I was chatting with this morning, were all a buzz with the details. I talked with them a bit, but as been common, the conversation quickly turns to ghosts, and how everyone is so afraid. "My auntie who usually fights with her sister, they were hugging!" I mentioned just how thankful and priviledged we are to know God and that we don't have to fear spirits when our God is so much bigger and more powerful! The girls chimed in, enthusiastically, "I KNOW!" One beautiful young lady showed me her wrist that was tied with a small red string. She said her Grandma put it on her to "protect" her (We see this all the time, strings tied around people's waists, car mirrors, wrists--it's to somehow ward off the ghosts.) I again said how thankful we can be that we just know it's not a red string that protects us, but God does. This young girls enthusiastically agreed with me, she was honestly so greatful for the knowledge of the truth! What Joy, seriously, that moment has kept me going all day!

What follows here is copy and paste of a potentially bland blog post, that I've been writing over the last few days. It updates everyone on the "stuff" that's been going on since I wrote last. It's been a while, and alot has taken place, but the above story is the heart of the message here. We are protected, we are loved, we do not have to fear! Oh how our prayer is for all Cambodians to know that!!! The gr. 4 girls this morning gave me that glimmer of hope for one day....

Long Overdue Blog Update :

Phnom Penh Tragedy

We are so grieved along with this country, in the wake of the staggering loss of life due to the crushing crowds on MOnday night. The death tally has risen to over 400 people now, and here's what we see around the city: Many offering sites all over the place (Incense sticks, candle wax, bananas), fewer crowds and the newspapers full of articles, first hand accounts, authorities passing the buck, etc. We have not personally been to the bridge site, although know where it is, and are still somewhat hesitant to head that direction. On the night of the chaos, Lesley and the girls were in the province of Mondulkiri with a group of staff members, a good 400 km out of Phnom Penh. Even if we were in the city during Water Festival, we would never have frequented the accident site at that time of night. It is dangerous to be in the crowds in general. My parents phoned all the way from Winnipeg to the simple cabin porch I was sitting on , in the middle of the sparcely populated province, to see if we were Ok. I still cant' believe that phone coverage can get all the way around the world, from WInnipeg, to such a remote place in Cambodia!

Our prayers are with the people of Cambodia, such useless loss of life, that could have been so easily prevented. Such a horrible situation, terrible, yet not really the least bit surprising. With safety standards and crowd control as poor as they are here, what's surprising is that this has not happened yet, or happened even worse. So sad.

Ghosts and Hauntings

Our neighbor placing a scarecrow to ward off the evil spirits from the many dead in Phnom Penh

Because of their Buddhist and animist beliefs, Cambodians are now very scared of the many deaths that have taken place, because of the wandering spirits. They are afraid of ghosts and bad things happening to them by the souls that haven't had a proper burial. All over town we see the appeasing offerings that are meant to keep the spirits at bay. Right 2 doors down from us, appeared two scarecrow type statues; fully clothed, stuffed with grass, meant to trick the spirits to pass by their house. It was eerie to see them and know their purpose was for spiritual protection. (No "pretend" halloween here, folks, this is the real deal!)

Many are saying the bridge won't be used anymore and that they should just take it down because of all the dead and the ghosts that will haunt it and the island. This is very real to Cambodians, who have had centuries of these beliefs, that they could potentially be harmed by ghosts and spirits. And to a people who easily believe what they are told, the underlying fear in this city is evident. Whatever your thoughts or opinions on this subject, we really pray that the people will learn through this event, that God is bigger, smarter and more powerful than any evil spirits. It is very real, their fear.

Two other quick comments in wake of the tragedy. We've been reminded to pray for medical teams, as they continue to help the injured. Unfortunately, hospitals are understaffed and insufficient for this size influx. Many injured have internal bleeding, and that requires immediate medical attention (we are first hand aware of how true that is, when our Julia had internal injuries when she was in Gr. 2). Amputated limbs leave very poor people, with the inability to work, and the situation for many will be very difficult. The state and number of the injured is still a serious issue.

And, I've also heard from a very reliable source, that those little bunches of banana's the people are buying to offer up to the spirits! Usually $.50, the price has risen to $15! Talk about taking advantage of your fellow countryment in their time of grief and need! Now I'm not sure this is a city wide inflation, but it had happened. SO many problems...

Modulkiri

From Mondulkiri

As mentioned, Les and the girls headed with 2 vans full of Logos staff and families, to this eastern province, in a gorgeous mountain range (hills really, for you Rocky Mountain people!) We stayed at the "Nature Lodge" a lovely guesthouse area run by a European gal and her Cambodian husband (their first baby is due in a month or so!) THey are little cabins, complete with bathrooms, on beautiful grass area, cool temperatures prevail and freshness is in the air--very different from the city and much of the rest of Cambodia.

Welcome Eco Lodge

ANyways, the Weisses were the last to reserve, so were put in the "overflow" cabin, which was in a word, camping in the Cambodian bush! The wood boards of the cabin that didn't join together and the grass thatch roof, allowed for any spidery type creature to easy creep inside (Which they did!) We slept under mosquito nets and for the first 2 nights, we checked all the bedding inside and out, before crawling in and tucking in the mosquito net as close as possible! The funny part is that we were told we had a "shared" bathroom. Ok, for 2 nights, we can do that. TUrns out it was a small outhouse, with a toilet with no seat on it, a cold shower, no sink. No one would share that with us! haha. For two days, we used the squatty toilet close to the restaurant, and borrowed a hot shower from one of the other bunkhouses!

Spiders are big in Cambodia.

After the first two nights, they had room for us in a "Real" cabin, and then it was awesome! Still slept under nets, but had a nice attached bathroom and actual windows for light! But, we still ended up seeing huge spiders, a small scorpion that was in our bathroom, and on the last night, a HUGE tree frog that could really JUMP (causing me to scream!) as we tried to get him out back through a crack in the wall. THe name of the Lodge was certainly earned honestly. Oh, and did I mention we all got bit by ants? UNBELIEVABLY painful, it was weird!

Julia on her way to school. Just Kidding.

We saw some beautiful waterfalls, had an elephant ride, saw the traditional homes of the Pnong tribal people that still live there. It was a really nice time, very relaxing with campfires and marshmallow every night, great food from the restaurant, pool table, volleyball court. The kids had a blast hanging out with the Robert's family, kids the same ages. A few camping meals together made it a real different feel for what we know of Cambodia.

John and whole bunch of people jump 5m into the water below. Julia jumped too!i

Dean in Korea

From DeanKorea

Dean, however, spent his week in Seoul Korea, at the ACSI conference, where he needed to attend workshops to get credit for administration. As I write, we're expecting him home any minute. He did have a tour of the city, and travelled with 4 other staff members. He hoped to meet up with a former Logos teacher who is now there, and Ji Hyun, Greg and Shawna's homestay student they had for years. She's living back in Seoul now. I'm anxious to hear how his time was, although I'm expecting him to be tired:). (by the time this is actually published, he is home, it had an excellent time, and he came back with Korean candy treats for the kids and, drum roll please, Starbucks Christmas Blend coffee! What a treat!)

Post Accident News

We are doing well in the wake of our accident on Oct. 31. The car is still dented where it was kicked and hit, and Lesley's still not driving that much in the dark, but the windows are fixed. While processing has been positive, I (Lesley) still don't feel safe on the roads, and tend to be driving slower, which is actually dangerous in and of itself here.) It's been nice to have this week off to just rest, and it has been restful, so that's all been helpfu with processingl. I've written a few things down so that will keep record. Still haven't sent anything to the embassy or newpapers, but still am pursuing that.

Ted Price

A fellow Canadian who does work out here with the Cambodian police, met us for dinner the other night, as he was in town. Ted is also an attender of Seven Oaks, our home church in Abbotsford. IT was so very nice to see him. We introduced him to Pari Sor, a twelfth grade student who has hopes and dreams to become a doctor, and would like to pursue studies potentially at Trinity Western University, next year. ANyways, I have to say, Ted was so very encouraging! He was very enthusiastic about his ministries and our work out here. It was so refreshing and I really needed it right at that time. Our visit was very nice, and we want to thank Ted for taking the time to hang out with us.

Jog-a-Thon

From jog-a-thon2010-11

The last day of school before the Water Festival break, Nov 19, was Logos third annual jog-a-thon, a fundraiser for the school. Many thanks to some of you who donated for the kids. They all got their free t-shirt and had their names entered for some prize draws. DIdn't win anything, unfortunately, but the school raised around $12,000 with a matching grant from a private donor. After a computer lab is paid off, we should be able to put monies toward repairing the road to school, so we can all actually drive on it! (it is so nasty right now, after the rainy season, it's just lumps and bumps and is very narrow. ) *As this is published, we've actually driven on this road, and yes, miracles do happen--it's been grated, leveled and gravelled and it's AMAZING! Never thought we'd be so excited about a flat, gravel road!*

From jog-a-thon2010-11

Christmas Concerts

Lesley is in full swing of preparing for the Logos Elementary Christmas concert, Dec 8. We've been practicing for a couple weeks already, now after the week off, we'll prepare to perform in a week and a half. Crunch time! Looking forward to it, as it's such a fun night for the kids, and they put alot of effort into it. The mIddle school band course I teach, will see the kids perform on Dec 18. School goes until Dec 22, then we're still looking for a place to go for Christmas break. Here at Logos, since we start school in August, Christmas break is the half way mark of the school year. Hard to believe.

Future and transitions

WE will be looking at housing when returning to Canada, kids will be going back to MEI, and Dean has a position. Lesley is very excited (seriously!) to see what GOd has in store for her! I'm really hoping to help my family transition as it's going to be a HUGE transition with I'm sure lots of hills and valley's. Please be in prayer for us, as we make decisions and find out what the short term future holds.

Maya cute quips

From Mondulkiri

I have to write some of these down publically. They're so funny.
1. There was a short 3 and 5 K race a few saturday mornings ago. (I ran the 5 k for the first itme in a very long time and I'm still not sure how my sisters run half and full marathons! 5 K was a serious killer for me!) ANyways, after we left the race, Maya and I were driving on the moto just outside the school gate on part of the race route, and she asked, "is this where the Pre-K's ran???" (Get it? She heard "3K" and "5K" so much, she was thinking "pre-K." Cute.)
2. Maya was learning abou 3D shapes in school, so came home and pointed to all the tin cans and glasses on the table and said, "that's a salamander, and that's a salamander.. and that's a salamander!" (Meaning, of course, cylinder.)
3. There is a worhsip song that goes, "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord.." As much as Maya loves to sing, she often slurs her words and just sings random syllables that make no sense! It's quite funny. ANyways, I caught her singing this song with the following words, "...as we wait upon the floor...wait upon the floor." Well, gr. 1 does do alot of sitting on the floor, waiting.....
4. Just before our break, Maya was insisting to her teacher, Miss Cole, that she would be traveling to CANADA for the break. (Instead of Mondulkiri, Cambodia--poor kid is so confused!) When corrected, she was insistant it was Canada she was going to, and it would take a whole day by van! Cute.

That's all, folks...
Thanks for staying tuned. We have so much coming up these next few weeks, that I hope to stay in touch in smaller doses, and send some pictures along. Take care all, and enjoy the beginnings of the Christmas season.
Lesley

Deaths at Water Front

2010-11-23T02:06:00.000-08:00

Heng Sinith / AP
A crowd of Cambodians are pushed onto a bridge on the last day of celebrations of a water festival in Phnom Penh on Monday. Thousands of people celebrating a water festival on a small island in a Cambodian river stampeded Monday evening, killing at least 378.
msnbc.com news services

I am just hearing of the tragic news about the many deaths at the water front yesterday. Many of you have asked if we are OK, and in short 'Yes'! During water festival, we have no school and are away from Phnom Penh. Les and the girls are exploring in Northern Cambodia with about 12 other staff and their family members. I am currently in Korea for a Christian schools international conference (acsi).

Now I should say that I did make an attempt to get to the water front earlier on the weekend but Failed. I tried to get down to the water front on Saturday just to see how busy it is, but I honestly turned around when the crowds were massive. I was still about 1 km away from the water front and I could barely move, and so I decided to give up and turn around and go home. This is looking like a wise decision.

Thanks to many of you for your prayers and concerns.

Below is an article from msnbc I was sent to get information on the tragedy.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40318112/ns/world_news-asiapacific/
updated 3:52 a.m. ET, Tue., Nov. 23, 2010

Cambodia festival stampede kills hundreds

Thousands of people stampeded during a festival in the Cambodian capital, leaving at least 378 dead and hundreds injured in what the prime minister called the country's biggest tragedy since the 1970s reign of terror by the Khmer Rouge.

A panic-stricken crowd — celebrating the end of the rainy season on an island in a river — tried to flee over a bridge and many people were crushed underfoot or fell over its sides into the water. Disoriented victims struggled to find an escape hatch through the human mass, pushing their way in every direction. After the stampede, bodies were stacked upon bodies on the bridge as rescuers swarmed the area.

Survivors said panic set in when several revelers were electrocuted. Police said some had shouted that the bridge was about to collapse, triggering the melee. The prime minister's special adviser, Om Yentieng, denied the reports of electrocutions and that the panic was sparked by a mass food poisoning.

Ambulances raced back and forth between the river and the hospitals for several hours after the stampede. Calmette Hospital, the capital's main medical facility, was filled to capacity with bodies as well as patients, some of whom had to be treated in hallways. Relatives, some crying, searched for the missing Tuesday morning.

"I was taken by shock. I thought I would die on the spot. Those who were strong enough escaped, but women and children died ," said Chea Srey Lak, a 27-year-old woman who was knocked over by the panicked crowd on the bridge.

'Calls for help from everywhere'
She managed to escape but described a woman, about 60 years old, lying next to her who was trampled to death by hundreds of fleeing feet.

"There were cries and calls for help from everywhere, but nobody could help each other. Everyone just ran," she said at Calmette Hospital, where she was being treated for leg and hand injuries.

Hours after the chaos, the dead and injured were still being taken away from the scene, while searchers looked for bodies of anyone who might have drowned. Hundreds of shoes were left behind on and around the bridge. An Associated Press reporter saw one body floating in the river.

"This is the biggest tragedy we have experienced in the last 31 years, since the collapse of the Khmer Rouge regime," Prime Minister Hun Sen said, referring to the ultra-communist movement whose radical policies are blamed for the deaths of 1.7 million people during the 1970s.

He ordered an investigation into the cause of the stampede and declared Thursday would be a national day of mourning. Government ministries were ordered to fly the flag at half-staff. He said that the government would pay the families of each dead victim 5 million riel ($1,250) for funeral expenses and provide 1 million riel ($250) for each injured person.

Authorities had estimated that upward of 2 million people would descend on Phnom Penh for the three-day water festival, the Bon Om Touk, which marks the end of the rainy season and whose main attraction is traditional boat races along the river. In this year's event, 420 of the long, sleek boats competed, with crews of up to 80 racers each.

The last race ended early Monday evening, the last night of the holiday, and the panic started later on Koh Pich — Diamond Island — a long spit of land wedged in a fork in the river where a concert and exhibition were being held. It was unclear how many people were on the island to celebrate the holiday, though the area appeared to be packed with people, as were the banks.
Soft drink vendor So Cheata said the trouble began when about 10 people fell unconscious in the press of the crowd. She said that set off a panic, which then turned into a stampede, with many people caught underfoot.

Philippians 1:27.. A high calling

2010-11-08T04:29:00.000-08:00

Phil. 1:27 "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ... (v.28)without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. (v.29) For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him..." (italics mine)

Gulp!

The NLT version words it this way: "Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.
(28) Don't be intimidated in any way by your enemies. (29) For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privelege of suffering for him. (Again, italics mine.)

You know, when Bible study on Friday deals with the topic of community and how we as Christians should interact with it. Then Sunday, the message from the pulpit is on these very verses, you KNOW God is trying to make things clear to you.

In light of recent events in our life out here, I can say what a challenge it has been to live up to this very high calling. Philippians is packed with similar ideas that call us to live above the standard the world sets, simply through compassion and love, not thinking we are better than others, but to humbly serve.

"Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." ({Phil. 2:3-5)

As much as I want to dwell on my failures in this area, Philippians then turns to verses that offer so much of the Grace of God: His compassion with my humanity, his forgiveness for my failures, his abounding love that far surpasses my worthiness.

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7)

This is not Christian "mumbo-jumbo." These are LIFE GIVING words, full of hope for everyone!

And when we do screw up? Make wrong decision? Think we are doing good, when really we are putting our desires ahead of others? Guess what? As we "press on" toward living a life of (perfect) faith, as even Paul confesses,

"No dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Phil. 3:13-14)

I keep hoping that "one day" I'll get it right! But in reality, one day...

(Verse 21 of Chapter 3) "He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control."

Not "might," but WILL!

What peace, what satisfaction to live with these promises. I can only be thankful that when others don't understand me, and even I don't understand myself, He does.

Hope you all have a great week!
Lesley

Desperation

2010-10-19T07:05:00.000-07:00

I need to write this blog post, but I've been dreading getting around to it since last Wed.

So much has happened in the last week and a bit, that I hardly know where to begin. Everyone is doing great (save me, but that's to come.) Steph and Dean safely traveled to Bangkok this past weekend, along with the rest of the high school volleyball team members, for Logos' first ever international tournament. It was a humbling, but excellent experience all at the same time. (Kind of a microcausm of life out her ein general--lots of losing, but overall, a ton a great experienced.) Check out the Logos website for more details and pictures.
www.logoscambodia.org
Dean put alot of time into planning the trip, and he considered it a success. Logos, (again the microcausm of Cambodia) was a clear underdog, but you gotta start somewhere, right? LIke this country, start again somewhere.

Julia had a great weekend too, where she played in a basketball tournament on Saturday. She just loves basketball and plays it pretty well. My favorite shot was the tournament winning, after the final buzzer free throw that went in, to win the whole tournament for Logos! Wow, what a finish. My second favorite shot was the 3 pointed, thrown up in desperation, that was a swoosh---nothin' but net! The kind that gives goaches heart attacks!

But now I have to write about the car accident I had last Wed,which makes me reflective and gloomy.

I'm not going to go into a long story about what happened. Unfortunately, the truth doesn't matter here. But of course, I will say that everyone is fine. You can't get injured driving 5 or 10 km an hour, trying to make a u-turn in the school parking lot. But you can get knocked off a moto, if you are driving too fast around a blind corner and into the path of the car making a u turn into the school parking lot!
I said I was not going to go into all the details, nor do I want to continue to plead my innocence, like I have wasted far too much emotional time and energy on since this whole thing happened.

Anyways, suffice it to say, I had a collision with a moto and driver, whiched knocked the driver off his bike, and wedged the side of his moto under my bumper. His ankle was cut up a bit and was bruising, but he was walking around and yelling at me, so he was basically ok.

What ensued next was a classic Cambodian accident scene. Very few people here have any insurance. IT's just not what's done here. When accidents happen, the largest mob of a crowd appears instantly, and everyone starts talking and yelling at each other, and they all somehow come to an aggreement of who's fault it was, and how much money should be paid, right then and there. No one leaves the scene until everything's settled. If the police are called, they have to be paid a cut, and they don't really care about fault, they just want in on the purse, so they rule in favor of getting the most for themselves.

Needless to say, within 30 seconds of the moto and I "crashing," a crowd of about 30 people all came out of basically no where (their homes, I guess), NONE of which witnessed the accident. I am right outside the school gates, and people are starting to arrive to drop off students, so as you can imagine, this is begining to be quite a scene. I'm shaken up, the moto driver is mad, and this woman, who I figure must be his wife due to her involvement in the situation, is SCREAMING at me, and literally flipping out. The scene gets progressively worse, when Dean arrives to help me, and other staff members. We try to clear the accident so trafic can get through, and this woman went nutso on Dean, she started literally grabbing and hitting him to leave the moto as it was. She tried twice to reach into our car and grab the keys out of the ignition. I just held them away from her, I saw her coming. She's screaming in Khmer, others are talking and yelling, and more staff are now coming out to my aid. It was a nightmare.

See why I didn't want to get into this? I've been rehashing it over and over in my mind, and just can't relax about it. IT was just such a lousy way to start the day. Thank God we were right in front of the school, cuz wouldn't you know it, but I managed to hit the "commune" leader's son, (basically a local leader' son). So I think it was him, who had to come into the gate and negotiate with Dan, Dean and Robert, for damages. At least we could be safe and away from the crowd to speak in peace. Seriously, that was such a blessing, you would not believe it.

The angry woman continued on and called the police. THis could have meant my car getting towed into the office and I'd have to pay to get it back, but that never ended up happening. Negotiations continued for over an hour (yes, school had started by now and EVERYONE was talking about it!) and finally a sum was reached for "emotional damages" and we paid the moto driver. The police ruled that I was "clearly" at fault, and that the accident was NOT on school property (where he wasn't supposed to be driving, but it really was so that was just a lie!). The basic law of the road is that cars are held at fault no matter what move a moto makes on them. ANd then, of course, I'm a foreigner. Cash cow! I will automatically be held at fault and paying something to someone.

And I forgot to mention the even more crazy part. The angry woman that came out of her house, was wearing nothing more than a purple satin camisole top and some matching shorts. She was in her negligee pj's or clothing or whatever it was, with no bra, nothing else. ANd she was screaming, I mean yelling and screaming, pushing and pulling people and stuff, hitting the vehicle. She stared at me a number of times, and the anger in her eyes was unbelievable. She seriously has major issues of her own, and it sure showed. We've been praying for her.

So finally, you might ask, where was I all this time? After I parked the car, and the negotiations started, a dear fellow staff member, Mrs. Vuthy, in her stable, Khmer wisdom, simply ushered me away from the scene. She told me to let Robert and Dean deal with it, and I was to get away. So, I sat in the office by myself, mostly crying, and just waiting it all out! THe feminist in me was screaming that this was my problem, and I should be the one taking care of things. Not a single person involved in the negotiations on either side, had even seen what happened! DIdn't anyone want to hear what I had to say??

Unfortunately, as Dean has said many times to console me, the truth doesn't matter. It all just comes down to money. Once the amount was settled, the money was paid, and it was all over, just like that. Our car got fixed the next morning, a straightened out bumper and new headlight, to the tune of $25, and that was it!

Except for my S T R E S S ! haha. Let's just laugh about it, cuz that's about all I can do. The difficulty is in the way this whole thing could have been so simply avoided with caution and less speed. The way what actually happened caused such a calamity at the gate that morning, when level heads could have prevailed, and talks gone peacefully. The need for truth to actually matter, and not anger and the desperation for money. It's been a tough go trying to deal with all these things, for me. Why was there no truth, no honesty, no concern, compassion or forgiveness, no peace, no wisdom?

peace,
truth
wisdom
honesty
love
concern
respect
forgiveness
compassion

Jesus Christ IS ALL those things! If you don't know that, or don't believe that, don't just take my word for it and also, don't just dismiss it! Check it out! Test to see if it's true, or prove that it's not true! Seriously, if you seek it out, you will get answers that will probably knock your socks off! What is so much of the difficulty in this country right now, is the loss of truth, and the perpetuance of lies, deceit and corruption. We honestly pray that the next generation will be educated so that they can think critically beyond the "mob mentality" and ration will prevail. We also hope and pray that through the real truth, Jesus Christ, hearts and minds will be transformed, love will matter, the well being of others (instead of just ourselves) will matter, and honesty will become a value. Our hearts cry out for it.

Well, I'll write again soon. Still lots on the go with more sports and other events coming up this weekend. Canadian Thanksgiving celebrations scheduled for Oct 30, which is better late than never. hoping to see Davie and Patti then, too. Oh, and by the way, Maya has now lost her second tooth, 2 baby teeth gone is leaving space for just the one next one coming in! Yikes. We were warned about this from the dentist! It's all pretty exciting.

We will talk soon. Love yous all. Thanks for listening. Pray for us and pray for Cambodia, the moto driver, the angry woman. Our prayer list is endless.

A Plea

2010-10-11T07:21:00.000-07:00

Hello all and Happy Thanksgiving to all Canadians alike! We have so much to be thankful for, don't we? Even here abroad, the reasons for thanks, perhaps even moreso than actually in Canada, are abundant.

We're back at work now after 4 days break at the beach in Cambodia. It seems everytime we go there, it just gets better and better. We stayed for the 4th time, at a lovely little guesthouse called the Orchidee. EVERY, and I mean every, expat knows about this place. It's run by a dutch fellow, and for $40 a night, our familiy gets a huge family room, 2 king and one double bed, a nice pool to swim in, breakfast included AND it's only a block from the beach. That said, it's only a walk down the street to some local BBQ restaurants, which Dean goes crazy over everytime we come. For $3 a plate, you get delicious skewers, salad and fries. It's really so cheap, I don't know how they make any money. And those workers and cooks run all night long.

And while iT was a big Cambodian holiday, that made for the beach town to be quite busy. But there is a little secret in Sihanoukville called Victory Beach. I shouldn't be telling any of you, because then the secret might be out. But, if you're willing to drive or moto to the other side of the town, there is a small strip of beach that is fronted by a very strange bar type restaurant, that actually has a real airplane in it (yes, the kids can go in and play!) that is built like a real hangar. ANyways, for the price of a beverage or some food, you can use their chairs and sit on the beach all day, in and out of the warm sea water, retreating to the shade under the bent palm trees.

Sound appealing? I'm doing my best.

You see, we need visitors. Well, maybe want them, but we'll leave it at need for now.

This is very likely the last year we will be in Cambodia for a (long) while, and to date, while we have had some visitors come out, they have all been groups or people with alternative reasons for coming out. We'd sure love to have guests that come out to see us, see what we do here, experience our lifestyle, taste even slightly the beautiful things Cambodia and neighboring countries have to offer. We welcome visitors and are outright asking for them.

Ok, Ok, I know. It's not like driving to Grand Beach, or a quick trip over the border to Washington. There a fair chunk of time involved. ANd of course, money: depending on how many people come in your party, it could be pricy. BUT... there are ways around big prices. Did you know? First of all, there's different routes you could take, to get you here, that could save a ton of money. We know a bit about discount airlines and websites that offer some potential deals. But most of all, did you know that money is the LEAST of God's worries??? If there's one thing I've learned over these last three years, watching the provision that has taken place for our family, is that God could care less about money, and it sure doesn't cause him near as much concern as it does us! "Ask, seek and knock," It sure doesn't hurt to ask, does it???

So, perhaps this is the inkling you've been needing, the nudge that will push you over the wall, the fan that flames the spark. Maybe you've thought it in the back of your mind, but just dismissed the idea, considering it just too far fetched. Well my friend, maybe it is time to reconsider. Maybe it is time to find out if the possibilities really lead to dead ends, or if there is a chance, a small window, that could be openned wide.

Well, don't want to shame any of you. Certainly you all know your limits. HOwever, you know, the thought is worth the thought, at the very least. You just never know, you know? I mean, we're out here, and there certainly was a time where that seemed like a total impossibility. And just think of all the scriptures I could quote where God wants to give us good things!

So, we have lots of time over Christmas. We get a good two weeks off then, the weather is superb, so there would be time to travel a bit, see the big city of Phnom Penh. After your flight costs, really there's no accommodations staying at our place, we have lots of room, food is very cheap, and so much of it would be covered at our house. THen, just what you want to spend for spending money, and if you want to go to THailand or ay other close traveling. We can do aloat of booking things if you have ideas.

If Christmas isn't your gig, we will accept visitors ANYTIME! WE have a one week break in April. It's smokin' hot then, so you could have a real taste of hot season in the tropics! Of course, any other time we would have to work, but we can certainly plan to be as free as possible, and set you up with tuk tuk drivers, to get you around on your own. Really, it could be such an excellent opportunity and experience for anyone, families, parent and child, couple, single if you're of the brave variety. We would bend over backwards to entertain you Cambodian style, which is generous. Get your shots, your passport all up to date, a return ticket and get ready for an experience of a lifetime in Southeast Asia!

Sigh. I'm a terrible sales person, always have been. Anyways, we send out the invitation and leave it at that. No, I won't leave it at that. We would really like to have visitors, REALLY! It would sure be a special time for us to have guests, and we welcome any inquiries, even if they are just that. Feel free to ask. No expectations, just alot of prayers!

Ok, that's enough for now. Love yous so much and hope you've all enjoyed a wonderful long weekend with friends and family. (I heard it was warm in Manitoba!)
Take care. God Bless.

Musical Mishaps...

2010-10-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

Hello there. Must share with you a number of brief musical stories that have taken place over the last week or two. I will be quick as I can, as I NEED to get more sleep and it's late for me even now. But I must share.

Last MOnday night, Dean, Maya and I had the priviledge of attending the finale concert of the 7th ANnual Phnom Penh Music Festival, sponsored by some German contacts. THe concert promised a symphony orchestra composed of Cambodian and international musicians, and the Angkor Youth ORchestra. I couldn't wait.
It was lovely! Maya stayed up late and we closed the show. Here are the funny details. THe Youth orchestra ranged in age from about 6 or 7 year olds, all the way up to late teens. They were all at a very beginner stage and played a number of simple tunes with piano accompaniemnt. There were about 70 in all, I'm sure.

Having a music education as I do, from a first world country, I know how the concerts are supposed to go: Who should sit where, how the tuning takes place, when to clap, etc. THose refined details that only the priviledged get to learn from experience. When the numbers of children started up on stage, it was funny to see a very young, little girl in a very pretty dress, sit in the "concert master" chair (the violinist closest on your left to the audience and the conductor.) This position is reserved for usually the strongest violinist, who tunes the orchestra. I actually considered for a minute that this little thing just might be a prodigy, and that she would actually BE the concert master! (My hope for this country prevails!) Sigh. Needless to say, as the concert began and she played, swinging her little legs on the chair, I realized it was just her seat for the concert! She, nor anybody else, did any tuning before they played! The entire youth orchestra had sat at the back of the auditorium waiting for their chance to come on stage for nearly 45 minutes, and when they finally all arrived in their positions, they didn't even bother to tune at all! The conductor, a man in his late 40's, simply counted them in, and they began their song! You can imagine 70 beginners who haven't tuned to each other. It was beautiful in heart and WONDERFUL to see the hope of a music education future for those younsters involved. Besides, Who needs to tune, when you could instead make music???

The best part about this evening was the preparation for this youth orchestra to go onstage. In perfect Cambodia fashion, the grand piano (donated as was the entire auditorium hall, by the Japanese) needed to be moved from centre stage to the back, to accommodate all the kids. One, two, three.. afew more stage hands headed to the piano. I noted it was on wheels, albeit they looked small. Before my very eyes, after a few more joined, to the total of 7 people, they all took their place around the expensive and precious grand piano, and on the count of 3, they all lifted! Yes, the piano was LIFTED across the stage by at least 7 people all shuffling with tiny steps. I think I gasped, as did others in the audience, then couldn't help but chuckle. It's Cambodia, why should I be surprised? The friendly American fellow in front of me, turned to comment that at least it wasn't being pulled by a moto! Within seconds, the audience chuckled even louder as the "lifting" team, realized they had shuffled the piano to the WRONG corner of the stage, and had to go all the way across to the other side! It was certainly something to see, the piano "floating" across the stage by muscle power!

I am currently teaching middle school music at Logos, where we have for the second year, commenced the beginner band program. We have a handful of trumpets, clarinets and flutes, and we're doing our best to learn to play them well. A very sorry story accomopanies a student who, while during her practicing at home, "lost control" of her clarinet (and I'l leave it at that!) and broke the bottom bell right off, including the attachment part from the other piece. I know, it's confusing. Suffice it to say, it was severely damaged. There is more to this story that I cannot post publically here, but the end of it is, I have seen the clarinet and can do nothing to repair it. It's performing life is over. IN an attempt to cover up the damage, it was "repaired" by someone who did not know it's worth, and the "glue" that was used, may as well have been contact cement, as it won't clean off, scrape off, nothing. (You know, when you WANT glue to stick in this country, it won't. When you want it to wash off, it is IMPOSSIBLE!) SO, no "insurance" to cover the damage here, no "rental company" to run back to. We need another clarinet, and getting them, especially a fine quality one as this one was, is so very difficult.

So to continue this story, I now have to replace this clarinet (to the family's expense unfortunately) and headed off just this past afternoon, to the shop in town that I know carries some inexpensive, Taiwan brand of instruments. The owner had some last year, not sure if he still carried them. Well, I walked in, and a young fellow tried to help me, but he had very little english. THe owner, who eventually came to our aid, has good english and although is a bit of a used-car-salesman type, certainly knows enough of his stuff to run a music shop. So, I ask the first guy for clarinets, he has no idea what I want, then I spy one shoved in the top shelf of a glass cabinet, so I start pointing to it, for him to get it. THe clarinet, a flute and two trumpets, one silver, one brass, are all laying on top of each other, shoved into this shelf. No cases, no stands, no protection, just laying one on top of the other. He takes off each instrument until he finally gets to the bottom of the pile where the clarinet is.(!) Bye this time, the owner with the english gets to me, and I ask if he has any new ones in the case. Yes, he has a few, but this is the "demo" model, so I could try that one. I guess all the instruments on the shelf were the demos! haha.

Sure enough, the clarinet has a reed on it (!) that is a little chipped, but I came prepared, and had my own to try out the instrument! I remove the "demo" reed and attach my own (without actually washing the mouthpiece, now, come to think of it, isn't that gross??? I've been here way to long if I actually think that is Ok. I guess I rationalized that it wouldn't be likely anyone had tried it recently and any germs would probably be dead, plus I could catch something just from the water even if I did wash it!!)

ANyways... I tried it, was ok, and asked the owner for one of the new case ones. So, while he's getting it for me, the original helper with little english asks me in Khmer if I want one, at least I think that's what he asked me, as I assumed he heard that the boss was getting me the new one. But what I think he really asked me was "do you want THIS one?" Because when I said yes, he took the clarinet from me, complete with the "demo" reed replaced, and started to put it into a small plastic bag. Just the clarinet in the plastic bag, like, no case, no paper wrapping, nothing. Just the whole instrument into the bag that only covered three quarters of the instrument! Was I on candid camera? WHen I objected, saying no, no, I'm getting a new one with a case (I used the Khmer word for new) he put the bag back, and, bless his heart, grabbed a larger, black bag, and put the clarinet in. By this time, I was laughing, the owner had arrived with my "cased" instrument, and he too chastised the clerk for trying to sell me the demo model in a plastic bag, and playfully smacked him upside the head. It was all so very amusing, although I'm still not sure the young fellow quite knew what he had done wrong. Sigh...

Such is life in Cambodia. Never a dull moment. My final comment, then to sleep. THe last performance of the night at the finale concert I spoke of, was an orchestra comprised of Cambodians, mostly the teachers of the youth orchestra, and some interntional performers. Clearly, the Cambodians were respected by given the first chairs for everything. Most of them were my age or older, so that meant that perhaps as children, they had had the opportunity to take lessons before they were smitten with the wretched war. I felt both joy and sadness at the completion of the performance (Which was very good!) as they all rose for their applause. Many did not smile, they just stood there with little expression. Maybe their hearts were broken with the same thoughts as mine: Millions of people in this country, and not even enough of a handful of expert musicians to complete their own orchestra! It was so sad, yet the hope is there, and the concert was definitely positive.

Well,that's all for now. Bless you and happy, safe, careful and CLEAN music making!
L
:)

You Feeling Lucky?

2010-09-27T19:39:00.000-07:00

Well every now and then there are moments in Cambodia where I feel very fortunate. One of these such moments happened while on our Staff Retreat last week on the border of Cambodia and Thailand in Koh Kong.

From Staff singing at our 2nd staff retreat held in Koh Kong, Cambodia

Although this particular "moment" may come across as superficial and unspiritual and may disappoint some of you because I just came back from a "spiritual retreat", nevertheless, this particular moment I felt lucky to have been there. What am I talking about?
Although, as a staff, we slept at a different lower end place as our regular accommodation (Apex Hotel) while in Koh Kong, one particular afternoon we ventured out and had a nice beach and swim time at this very nice pool area called Koh Kong Resort & Casino on the border. When you see the pool and beach you will understand. This is the kind of place that many people pay alot of money to go to for a holiday, and here we (Les and I) were lounging for a relaxing afternoon.

From The Koh Kong Resort & Casino on the Border with Thailand.A beautiful ocean and pool view. We didn't stay here, we just came for a relaxing afternoon

Although a large hotel and casino, the pool area is completely empty and left for our staff to enjoy for the hot sunny afternoon. Why? Because everyone is busy gambling of course!! And of course like any good casino, they require all swimmers to traipse through the casino area hoping to entice and distract the swimmer to stop and perhaps drop some Baht or other monies into the machines. The casino itself is not very big inside and looks kind of cheesy, and mainly attracts Thais who are not permitted to gamble in their own country of Thailand. We were not deterred and headed to the beach area.

Now getting back to my "moment", I guess it was a bit more spiritual then I first noted. At numerous times on that afternoon, I just felt really in awe of God and his amazing design of the planet. I also felt really lucky to have seen this small beautiful corner of the world too. I just love looking at the different tropical plants, the amazing jelly fish, schools of barracuda swimming in the ocean water, and the whole ocean view. As a Canadian I am also amazed that God makes very warm ocean waters to swim in too. (Thats right Canadians, Ocean water can be HOT! No shock value entering the waters! Ha Ha!) I can't help but think that God is so creative and how we are blessed to be interact with His great design.

Well, on the staff spiritual retreat side, no matter if it is in Cambodia or not, it is always good to get together with staff to pray and worship the Lord.

Many Blessings to you all,
Dean

From Tim (new teacher to Logos this year) sipping a freshly cut Coconut. You just got to love the tropical plants here in this part of the world.

Koh Kong Teacher Retreat- Click here for all pics

Just a little bit 'o information...

2010-09-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

Hi all.
News bullitan on Weiss life in Cambodia. STOP. Over next 9 days, kids only have 2 days of school. STOP. Parents are going to Koh Kong for teacher retreat for WEd, THurs and Friday so kids will stay at friends' house. STOP. Kids very excited. STOP. Not sure if friends' parents are. STOP

Just KIDDDING. But it is true. We are heading into a 2 day school week this week, which is a blessing on many fronts. A nice break for the kids, a nice break for the staff. It's been a steady go from Day 1, so this is an opportunity for a change of pace.

Our friends the Friedbergs, kids Jordan and Micah, have once again graciously agreed to "sit" our lovely children while we are away. THey're busy people here too, with ministry and language, so we are very thankful for their unhesitant acceptance of the task. Maya can still throw a bit of a good fit if going to bed does not fit her prescribed pattern (ie, the parent of her choosing, the song of her choosing, that sort of third child, spoiled rotten, stuff!) so please join us in BEGGING God in prayer that for just 2 nights, while we are away, she will be co-operative. Plan B: Gravol...

ANyways, the parents are very much looking forward to the retreat. ALl this even though the planned speaker, in true "unpredictable" Cambodian fashion, has just cancelled out last minute this past Saturday. Well, I guess God has something else up his sleeve, just no one knows what it is yet. It's SUnday night. The retreat starts Wednesday. Yikes! Times like these, I'm glad I'm not the boss, and am just married to him.

Speaking of the boss, he spent most of the weekend sick again. Like, fever, chills, lots of sleep all weekend, some kind of virus, cold type deal. So, if anyone's over there in Canada is sick, please don't breath in Dean's direction, cuz he might just catch it, flying over the ocean currents.... Really, the rest of us are fine.

Today at church, Dean spoke to another opthamologist contact of ours who used to have a student at our school, about Sokhom and her condition. This doctor was quite surprised at the diagnosis of the $400 treatment being her only option, and thought that perhaps it came about because there was a Westerner in on the appointment. He agreed that such treatment is not sustainable even in a Western situation, let alone out here. He's going to look into getting some glasses for SOkhom to try, as incorrect glasses and/or poor perscriptions can often cause squinting, and aggravate the problem. SOunds so simple, why didn't I think of that? ANyways, we'll look into that this week. Otherwise, we're very willing to help her out with the $200, on the hope that it will last as a longer term solution, rather than just the 6 months.

That's about it for now. Steph, Maya and I had a fun afternoon Saturday going to the mall, while Dean slept off his illness, and Julia went to a cookie baking party with her middle school youth group girls. (They were really good by the way.) I so wish I had had my camera with us for the drive to that mall excursion. Not only did we see the standard live pigs tied to the back of the moto, we also saw and went in to "I KEA." Yes, didn't you know? There's an "I KEA" opened up in PHnom Penh! Ha ha. Yes, it had furniture, but not a stitch of it was from IKEA. WIll take a picture of that sign and store another time. Then, just today, was driving past one shop that looked like it was selling tombstones. For the life of me, I can't remember exactly what the shop was called, but I can tell you, the words "miserable corpses" were in it! Something like "the shop that sells for the miserable corpses." It was dark and funny all at the same time. IF I shoot it one day, I'll send it along.

Finally in the news, Logos Middle School girls handed down a season openner victory this past Friday after school, where they beat the Hope School girls, in a landslide win of 12 - 5. Top scorers included Julia Weiss, who laid claim to half of the Logos girl's 12 points! Fans are surprised and excited that Coach Roberts has not lost his voice yet this season for all the yelling and cheering! Next game, two weeks away. KEep up the great work, girls!

Happy Anniversaries go out to many: Mart & Alf, Rod and Rose-Ann (11), Har & Clar, Mom and Dad Boucher, Scott and Michelle...
Birthday Greetings to: Sadie, who's 5 on Monday! Love you sweetheart! KEep knocking out your brother's teeth! He's still got alot to go!

Love yous. Talk to y'all later.
L
:)

The Good News and the Bad News....

2010-09-14T07:03:00.000-07:00

What do you want to hear first?

Sokhom, our faithful househelper that has cared for our family for 2 years, is currently ill and unable to work. I have shared some details here, but basically she's been unable to open her eyes well, and has had a diagnosis of glaucoma. SHe has been to many cambodian clinics, has spent much money on drugs, and a trip to vietnam, she cannot work because of her condition, and she is flat broke. She is also the only Christian in her extended buddhist family.

Well, you're going to get the good news first. Dean was able to get her in to see a qualified opthamologist here in town, (He picked her up on his moto and took here there personally just last week) and she had a check up.

Sokhom does NOT have glaucoma, and she is NOT going blind. This is praise God, halleluia news for me! THere is nothing wrong with her eyes themselves. That in and of itself is a miracle!

What she does have, however, is "Aquired blephauspasms", which if I'm spelling it right, is the uncontrollable twitching of the muscles around the eyes. We all get them, when we're tired, or under stress, you know that twitching that you can't stop??? Well, I guess her case is more severe, as she can often not keep her eyes open, as the muscles contract to close the eyelid. There is no known cause according to the doc and the websites we visit, stress and fatigue play a part, and there is possible genetic issues involved.

However, here is the daunting bad news. There is no cure, as such. But there is a treatment: Botox. She can get injections around her eyes, which are said to calm the muscles and provide relief only temporarily, for anywhere from 3-6 months. THe doctor has the botox and could do the treatment tomorrow if we wanted. THe price?

$400 US.

That's an unbelievably exorbant price here in Cambodia. That's more than three months wages for Sokhom, and like I said, she's not been working. She literally has nothing, but what family has been providing for her.

Well, we got the call today. She phoned us to say she would like to have her job back, she wants to work, but would we lend her money for the treatment. She has somehow raised some of the funds, and has only asked us for $200. I don't know yet where the money came from, but I can bet it's church or her Christian community. I'm sure even if her extended family wanted to, they don't have that kind of money, either.

SO, now we're faced with a decision. Dean has dealt with this so much in his area of work. Cambodians who want to borrow money, pay it back off their salary, which is already meager at best. In some cases, employees disappear after the loan has been paid out, leaving no payback off a salary. It's a constant stuggle to know which money's to borrow, who to say yes to, and who to decline. There are so many factors involved. There is no shame in begging here in Cambodia, it's just seen as something people have to do. There is also no real social issue with asking for money either to borrow or have (to my knowledge, which is also meager.)

So, basically, we have to decide. Say yes, or say no. Yes, means we give Sokhom, (perhaps loan her $200, but I can't really see it ever coming back to us), and she gets a treatment that may only last, worst case senario, 3 months. THen what??? Another $400? What does her future hold? Saying no, of course, seems so wrong, as $200 to us, even out here, is really expendable money that we won't miss in the long run! We'll still eat, which is more than many here would say with the prospect of losing $200. We have been so blessed with financial security out here, that $200 in the reality of it all, is really just money. We would hardly bat an eye. But, will it really make a difference? WIll it be the right way to help SOkhom? Is giving her the treatment the best way for her to be financed? Does "loaning" her the money even give her a chance to get ahead, when she has to pay it all back? There are so many questions, we really need to seek God's council on this one, which we are.

ANd then the question has to be asked, Can't GOd handle calming a few eye muscles??? Of course He can, it seems like such a small problem! Maybe faith and prayer is the answer here, not money. How long do we wait then, seeking healing???

We will keep you posted on the outcome of this situation. It's a big deal, as I feel like we have Sokhom's quality of life in a delicate balance here.

So, if you were faced with such good and bad news, what would you do???
GOd Bless, we'll talk to you later.
L
:)
L
:)

Confessions of a Fairweather Blogger...

2010-09-05T02:02:00.001-07:00

Hi all. Lesley here.

I have finally made time to write to all of you.

I have no problem admitting that I am a fairweather runner. In Canada, if it was too early in the day, it was too cold; if it was too late, it was too dark, or I was too tired. HEre in Cambodia, it's even worse. It's always too hot, unless you get up at 4 or 5 in the morning. I just can't keep that up. I't dark at 6pm every day, all year long, so running after the school day, means either just before or just after the supper hour, and I'm either too hot, too tired, too hungry, too full, or just plain old too lazy to do it. Plus, there's nowhere "nice" to run, people are always staring at me, or I have to say hello to about a hundred people along the way, as if I'm in the world's shortest, white-woman-amongst-thousands-of-cambodians-marathon, and in lieu of them cheering me on, they just stare, so I wave and say hello. The kids always yell out, "what is yo nam???" Running here, for me, takes alot of mental energy.

Well, that is also precicely how it's been for me to start this year back in Cambodia. I haven't posted a blog lately, not so much because of a few technical difficulties with our home comoputer, nor the fact that it's been a good busy getting back into work and school. But mostly, it's because I think I'm a fairweather blogger. When things are going well, oooh, aahhh, I'm funny, love to tell the crazy stories, brag about the kids, even the "great efforts" going on at the school. But when things are a bit harder, like they have been for me personally this year, i just tend to make excuses and not bother to share or connect with loved ones. I think it's a little like hiding.

I do this in my prayer life too. While others fall on their knees even moreso during times of trial, I tend to find it easier to talk to GOd when I'm in a good space. I can connect with Him from my end, alot better, and everything makes sense. But when the going gets troublesome, for whatever reasons (big or small), I tend to back off, and fatalistically convince myself that, "ah, what's the big deal. God knows everything anyways--he'll work it all out in the end." And I don't confide in Him the way I should.

So, Coming back to Cambodia this year was a bit hard, not for reasons that may seem obvious or reasonable to others. For me, it was a coming back to my place of comfort. Seriously. Here, I know who I am and what I am doing, and back in Canada over the summer, between all the visiting and reconnecting, I just find I sort of get lost again. It's weird (can anyone relate to this?) I have to come back to the safety of Phnom PEnh, my home, having my family all to myself, (selfish, I know), the wonderful community of staff and friends and families at Logos, where I can pray openly, share my faith without hesitation, live freely. Even physically, it doesn't matter what you wear out here really. Most are happy to just have clothes. I can relate to that, I resonate so much with life out here, the necessity to survive amongst needing so little. It makes sense to me.

Ironic, isn't it, that in a place where most consider life here challenging or difficult in various ways, I find comfort.

So that makes me think that in returning to Cambodia, I am running away from some of the difficulties and challenges I face spiritually in Canada, in relationships with others, in the lifestyle that exists there. I am h i d i n g in my life here. SO then, I start to feel guilty: Being an international worker in a missions context, shouldn't I be so strong in my faith, that I can handle the pressures any situation, and not need to run screaming to my "comfort zone" in order to function??? Negative, untrue thinking produces poor fruit. I am at least aware of this, even if I cannot control it yet. Maybe I've just been thinking too much, lately.:)

So, if you're looking for fairweather, funny stories of cambodia since returning, yes, I have a few. WE had a rat living in our car engine when we returned from the summer. When I'd asked Dean why the rat was still there, he commented that he was glad it was there, and at least not in the trunk. (?) (Why not just get rid of it??) Then I found a gecko in my cracker container, staring up at me with beady eyes when I went for a snack. Last weekend, we killed a mini tarantula in our house, and these suckers are huge! Way too big for a spider. That was gross. ANd since it's rainy season, there's been a lovely assortment of flood-type stories, rain that comes down in such droves, it soaks our school gym floor. We always have a big lake on the road right outside our house gate, as a new house that went up has blocked our previous drainage pattern. I have to choose different routes to pick up the girls sometimes, to avoid driving through a foot of water.

If it's sad stories you're looking for, I've got those, too. Since we have returned, our wonderful househelper Sokhom, has been unable to work, due to the diagnosis of glaucoma in her eyes, and the inability of her to open them regularily. Many of you will know this, but you don't know that I went to visit her last Sunday at her home, and in a word, it's a very bad situation.

I've always been very afraid to see her home, as I've always expected it is one of those shacks like I see in poor areas, and I was right. at 60 years old, she walks down a narrow corridor between walls of other homes, she has to climb 7 or 8 stairs of a very steep ladder, (one of the wrungs of which is broken) to get into her 2 room home. Wood and corrugated steel walls, wood floor, a 5 by 8 kitchen with a stove, and a larger bedroom, with her bed, a fan, a tv, and another bed that was sleeping her (good for nothing) son that I don't think is helping her very much. Clothes, mess, an unuseable sewing maching siting there, old medicine, a rice cooker. Pretty much, that is her life. She seems to be laying around alot, because what can you do when you can't see??? There is no government help or agencies or aid to give her training or education on living blind. The medicines and doctors, to our knowledge, have not been that helpful and have completely wiped her out of any cash she may have had. I asked her what she needed, and she said money. TO pay her electric bill. A niece comes once and a while to cook a bit for her and help her. She is the only christian in her buddhist family, and she goes to church and they pray for healing on her eyes, yet no healing yet. It is so, so sad. We have to help her, and we will, in whatever ways we can. WE prayed and cryed together. I miss her in our home, taking care of us.

And if it's unbelievable-but-true-cambodia stories you're after, I have that for you on this blog as well. 2 weeks ago, Dean came home from school on a Friday earlier than I, to find our entire street was loaded with police and military, and they were spray painting measurement marks all over everyone's nicely painted concrete fences and gates. I came home a bit later to see all the red number markings and immediately assumed they would be paving our road. However, what I found out is unreal. Our landlord and other neighbors were all out talking. As it turns out, the powers that be were there to tell everyone yes, they're going to fix the road, but that they're going to widen it to a 20 metre road, which means the whole lot of landowners on our side of the street, are going to lose up to 10 metres of their current propery on the front of their houses, to make way for the road! Just like that.

Seriously, the proposal is to bulldoze whatever of the homes that they need to widen and put in this road. Dara, our landlord, stands to lose 7.2 metres off the front of the house, which is almost the entire front gate and carpark. Basically, the road will begin about 2 steps outside our front door. Yes, they told Dara he can have the 35 metres deep of property that he owns, but that he can just add what they take off the front, onto the back. THe back is a lake. (Maybe he'll build a dock to park his car!) It's really unbelievable.

So, for us it's not such a big deal, because the SECOND they start actual construction, we are out of here and moving. I am not living through that. But what a bout all these poor landowners?? What can they do? There is no city planning to speak of, just post-planning, and they take what land they want, when they want it. It just seems so unfair. Dara said it won't happen for a long time, that there is no money. He's going to go to the meetings. We are praying against the road going through like that. TIme will tell.

So I guess, overall, it really has been a good, eventful start to the school year and to our return for our third year. Still, my apologies for not connecting until now, until things got a little more "fairweather" in my head. I know there are many of you out there that care about us regardless of how I "feel" and appreciate the regular updates we post. And maybe I just needed to give myself some grace and get settled in. Ok. (Good thing God is not like people. Whew....)

ANyways, here's to regular writing, regular connecting to you all, regular updating on the stories of our time out here, and hopefully hearing from you too. THere is still never a dull moment, and we cherish your prayers as we continue to be a part of building Logos, building Christian education here in Cambodia, loving kids with the love of Christ that He puts in us for these precious souls, and parenting our wonderful brood. (This past weekend, between sleepovers and playdates, we added an extra 4 females to our household, and let me tell ya, Dean feels pretty outnumbered. )

Fairweather or not, God is ALWAYS good, He is ALWAYS loving us, and ALWAYS helping us. "For the Lord is good and his love endures forever: his faithfulness continues through all generations." (Psalm 100:5) Amen to TRUTH!

Thanks everyone, for loving us and staying with us through thick and thin, Love yous all lots, too. Take care and write us when you can.
L
:)

PS. Many of you are now back at school, and we wish you all the best for your school year!

Cambodia Woes

2010-08-18T18:33:00.001-07:00

Hi all,
Life to write on the blog has been challenging since coming back this year. My laptop died after only 2 days in country and so I have not had a chance to write anything or post pictures on the blog. It is tough during the school day to find time to write too. The good news is that I have another laptop coming from out of the US in early September and traveling with someone who is headed to Cambodia. Actually my laptop and Dan Hein's, (high school principal) laptop have both died on practically the same day. So in actual fact, there are 2 laptops are on their way to Cambodia. Many thanks to a guy named Steve, from Manitoba, for donating 2 laptops to us.

Myself and Elaine Carpenter, a new teacher at Logos, have started coaching high school girls volleyball. Oddly enough, this is the only age group I have not coached volleyball in my 20+ years of coaching. Elaine has coached girls volleyball and seems like she knows her stuff so that is good news for everybody.
This year, our volleyball teams have an invitation to go to Thailand and play in a volleyball tournament at International Christian School in Bangkok. We are trying to determine the costs (via land travel) and safety to get there. We have many kids who are on scholarship who are playing so it will be tricky. Also Thailand really loves the Cambodians (Er... right) and apparently there is a hefty visa cost to get over the border. The kids would love to go, and I am hopeful, but it is tricky and well to be honest, we are in Cambodia where nothing is easy or straight forward.

Our house helper has stopped working for us due to health reasons. She is a dear 60 year old lady and she is going blind. We have suggested many things to guide her with her health, however, she has her own ideas about what needs to be done.
We had a person we wanted her to see in PP, however, she decided to go to Vietnam to see a "doctor" last week. After all was said and done, the Vietnamese "doctor" told her he would inject Cobra venom into her eyes for a cost of $400 and that would help her for 6 months. Now the cost was already prohibitive, but even our helper was too scared to do that!
Before she left for Vietnam, she also started to act very loopy and we found out that a local "pharmacist" told her to buy these $1/day pills that would help her eyes. It turns out these pills are Diabetes medication and her blood sugar levels was going up and down like a yo yo. Her low blood sugar levels were causing her to act crazy and loopy. I am talking mumbling, stumbling and falling asleep in mid conversation! I took the medication from her and told her to get her money back. Of course that did not last, as she found the pills and kept taking them until they were finished.
Anyways, the struggle we have is how much ownership do we have to help our former helper in this case? She expects us to pay for her medical costs (since there is no health care plan). She really is unable to work for us as she would walk around waving her hands in front of her and in the process breaking our coffee pot (2nd time) and a number of dishes. She has tried bringing in a "niece" to train as a helper, however, while that happened Steph had her money stolen out of her desk. Of course we have no proof that the niece did it, but we told our helper we do not want her bringing in anyone that we don't know. Our helper is caught in a hard place because she has no income otherwise. We don't really know what obligation we have to her either. We are dealing with it.
Please pray for us as we work with finding a solution with our helper. Please pray for our helper's sight.

Blessings,
Dean

Sorry for the delay

2010-08-06T01:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry folks, I have been wanting to write for a good long while but after only landing in Phnom Penh a day our laptop died and has not been awake ever since. Alas the recycled Trinity Western Laptop may have seen its last days on earth. Perhaps it could have been the heat and humidity.

Part of my delay of writing also has to do with my health. I have also been really sick since I have been back too. I guess adjusting to the Cambodian dog diet (kidding) takes more time than adjusting to the Canadian Tim Horton's diet (wish I were kidding). However, today is the first day I have been able to eat in about a week. Although I do not know whether I will keep it in at all.
Great to have the girls back with me finally too. We went quite the stint apart as we departed on July 19th in Canada and finally reconnected on August 4th back here in Phnom Penh.

Got some good news and another funny Maya story. Maya just lost her first tooth last night and of course the Tooth fairy came and gave her Khmer money (Worth 4000 Reils , about $1). Maya laughed and was tickled pink that the tooth fairy actually came to Cambodia!!!

Also want to say big thanks to Carla (Bodnarus) Tschigerl for sending us a gift package that she sent some time in April. It just arrived to us today (August 4th)!! The package was filled with Granola bars, chocolate chips (that have become a chocolate block) and a big beautiful tin of Tim Horton's coffee. As a side note: Granola bars from Canada are the best. We can get granola type bars here but they usually shove shrimp flavor, crab, seaeweed or fish flavor with the cookie style bar. Not enjoyable at all. So from the bottom of our hearts, many many thanks Carla.

School with all students starts on Monday. Better get back to work!!

Blessings,
Dean

Pics will follow in the next day.

Quick Hello, Visiting update and Musings on our life...

2010-07-16T16:13:00.000-07:00

Hi all. I'm starting to miss my Cambodian cohorts alot these days, although enjoying alot of Canadian visiting. SO, wanted to blog a bit and say hi to all. THinking alot of those not returning for next year, so if that's you and you're reading, really hope you are doing well. Back to PP in a few weeks.

We are currently in Calgary Alberta, with Les's sister JEnn and her family, in their beautiful new home in the NE. We have enjoyed walks and parks like crazy this trip back, especially Maya getting to play so much with cousins and outdoors. Not been hot really anywhere we've been in Canada yet, but maybe that's mostly cuz our definition of "hot" has changed considerably over the last 2 years.:)

Enjoyed Abbotsford immensely with the Smith family and friends and coworkers. Gave out many prayer cards to people who loved our Khmer pictures and have been generous with meals, visits and prayers. Missed a few people (always run out of time) but were thankful for those we did get go see. Car runing great after some regular wear and tear repairs.

Edmonton was our first chance to see cousin Mia, and boy, is she a beautiful, happy little 4 month old. Dean's mom surprised him and showed up (from Winnipeg) for the weekend, so he got to see her (which he wouldn't have otherwise) and it was really great. Went tubing behind Adam's boat, and enjoyed watching Adam give Dean no mercy on the tube, trying to knock him off at every turn. QUite alot of fun. Tracy is great with the baby, a real natural mom and Mia has everything a new baby could ever need or want. Great to spend the time with them and thanks guys for all the food and great visit.

THis weekend we'll hit up a free stampede breakfast on Sat. Dean's out golfing with Graham as we speak, then we'll wrap things up Sunday, for Dean to leave us (sigh) and depart out of Calg airport to head back to Abbotsford for a few days, before leaving next friday (july 23, Julia's 12th birthday) to make it back to PP. The girls and I will drive to Winnipeg on Monday (that's 12 hours) to hopefully catch our 2 nieces Justine and Sarah, before they go visit their dad in Ontario. Then, we'll see and stay with relatives until we leave on Tuesday, Aug 3. Get back to PP by the 4th at night, and I'll go to work THursday and start setting up for the first day of school, the following monday.

Whew. It's been so nice this summer to visit. But it is true, it's always living out of suitcases and in "visiting" sort of situations, so as much as it's been enjoyable and relaxing, it's a different sort of relaxing than if you have your own place. Such is our life. Not complaining, just stating rather... that's the way it is. Not so easy all the time, but not so hard to take, either! (You know what I mean?)

Time has moved slowly this summer for me (Lesley) but quick for Dean. Already I'm starting to look forward mentally to returning to our "Peeps" (as Suzanne would say!): our community of Logos, our adopted city of Phnom Penh, our welcoming host country of Cambodia. Canada is so rippin' beautiful, and dare I say that Australia was even moreso! Our eyes have seen the best beauty the world has to offer, this summer. Our mouths have tasted the bounty and accessability of the best food and beverage that the world also has to offer. And yet, I still long for the developing country that we call home?? It must be a GOd thing. To desire to serve Him in this way is not weird or "leaving comforts" for me, as much as it may seem that way, but rather, an arriving of peace, satisfaction in being where we're supposed to be right now, doing what makes sense and matters. It's good. It's all good, the ability to travel and visit and to go back. Can you believe how blesed we are? I still shake my head. TO what do I owe these kinds of blessing??? Grace, and that's it.

Ok, my rambling thoughts are done. Hey, anyone reading this in Cambodia, let me know if you need anything from NA. Might have some luggage space, so send me an e-mail or comment, and I'll do my best. Off for some Pho, Calgary style, for supper! Tis good.

Bye for now. Hey, just read Hebrews 11 again, first time in a long time. It's a great read for a pick me up and affirmation that Faith matters! I recommend it! GOd Bless and stay in touch.
L

PS Sorry about slowness of pictures. They will come eventually!

Back in Canada, after Australian Adventures

2010-06-25T10:20:00.001-07:00

Hello all! Just a quick note to say we have safely arrived back in Canada, and it is lovely to be here. We are staying in Abbotsford for a couple of weeks, then will head to Alberta to see loved ones there (MIA!!!) We are being graciously hosted (once again) by our friends Tim and Sylvia Smith in their lovely new home, up here on the mountain, with a beautiful view of the valley. Trampoline and (cool) pool in the backyard AND their dog Snickers (Golden retriever) is a highlight for all. THanks guys, for getting everything so ready for us when you're busy with year end things at work!

We have been blessed by our trip to, and the country of, Australia. IT was more than beautiful there, as we saw as much of the coastline and ocean as we possibly could. We rented cars and drove in MElbourne and Sydney, and surrounding areas; stayed with two hosts, the Bartch's (in Shellharbour, just outside of MElbourne) and the Weisses (Dean's cousin Tom, Janelle and boys Tristin and Aaron) in Gold Coast, just before departing out of the airport.) Great times to see those two families and enjoyed the visits VERY much.
We also rented a campervan and `camped` along the 1700 km drive from Cairns to Brisbane, after snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns. Talk about life highlights! That tour was remarkable. The boat ride out to the reef was an hour and a half of human torture as the winds were 20-30 knots, as the boat was being thrown around like a soccer ball on a fous ball table! NEedless to say, many stomachs were not too happy about it, and the crew on board spent all their time attending to the about 30% of the entire boat that got violently seasick! It was horrible! Amazingly our family was fine--our kids sure endured this intense battle with nausea unbelievably! The girls traveled so well and hardy this whole trip. They are troopers, thats for sure. The snorkeling, however, was worth it, and the trip back was not near as bad, so all in all, it was something to remember.

Finally, we have a tremendous thank you to make to a kind australian names Geoff Teitzel and the police officer Gavin Oats from the Bowen police station. On one of our campervan traveling days, we enjoyed a morning stop at a beautiful beach in Bowen, swam and played in the water and had nice warm sunshine. On leaving the parking lot, we inadvertently left behind a piece of luggage, as it sat outside the van as we pulled away. (Picture the Amazing Race cameran panning to the suitcase as the van drives off without it.) Needless to say, as all the luggage was usually stored overhead, no one noticed it missing until late that night, when we wanted to get clothes out of it to change for bed. Realizing it was not with us, I considered it`s value--it had some clothing, my only umbrella, a few crossword books--nothing worth worrying about or going back for. Just cut our losses and move on, until I remebered......
OUR PASSPORTS!
All 5 of our passports were in the top pocket of that luggage!

Oh My Word!

I`ll make a long story as short as possible here. We left our dark campsite immedately at about 10 pm that night, to make it to the nearest large town (Mackay) to report the luggage either lost or stolen (missing for sure, but we were not totally sure it wasn`t stolen as windows had been left open in the van and Dean was suspicious.) The police station over there helped us until midnight as we filed a report, left e-mail addresses, and described the contents of the luggage. The officer was certain that if it was a theft, the passports would be long gone, as Canadian passports are very valuable on the black market (People travel on them!)

We slept about 5 hours that night, then headed early the next morning on to the next big town, (Rockhampton) as the police station there was expecting us so they could fingerprint our window on the van. Did that, (Think CSI and that was us!!!) and headed to the nearest McDonalds (every McDs in Australia has free WIFI and it was our lifeline to the outside world!) to check e-mails and start the process of getting ahold of the embassy to find out if we needed emergency passports.

By the way, as we were starting to find out, the emergency passport process would not be easy. We would have to appear in person in SYDNEY or CANBERRA (where the offices were) which would mean an IMMEDIATE end to our holidays, purchasing flights for 5 people back to Sydney, and with offices not open until Monday (this was a friday night that all this happened) it would take 2-3 days to complete emergency passports, and we were leavning Wed morning out of GOld COast! If you do the math, youll find out just how scary, and potentially expensive, this reality was becoming.

But from the very get go, I was really at peace, very hopeful they would be found and we could track them. Didnt panic, but rather followed the proper chanels of registering with the police. (There would be enough time to panic later!) After finding all the info from the embassy clerk, Dean decided to check his e-mails for any info, and wouldnt you believe it, there was an e-mail from the Bowen police stating, *Property that belongs to you has been turned into the police station.* We continued with contacting this officer to find out that no, our luggage had not been stolen from the van (Praise God) but rather, it had been found in the beach parking lot, was turned in once the finder saw the passports, and eventually worked it out so that it would be sent to Brisbane to meet us there, via Greyhound, WHO actually offered to ship it, considering the circumstances, for FREE!

Can you believe it!!!
When all was said and done, we hardly even had a GLITCH in our travels. We ended up continuing on pace to Brisbane, seeing everything we wanted to see, and the day before we had to get to the GOld Coast, we picked up our luggage, safely zip tied, and COMPLETELY INTACT (not a thing missing!) at the Greyhound station. We were so incredibly thankful for all the details that went into making this potentially disastrous story a huge blessing for us! Amazing that God can continue to help us out and use kind people to spare us disaster!

Well, its 11 am in the morning. Older girls are still sleeping (hope they will for a long time, they were sure tired after all the flying and traveling to get here--39 hours or so of flights and layovers, without beds, make for pretty sporadic sleep!) Dean is off trying to register our car. Im doing laundry and making lists of things we need to get done. Such is returned life to North America.

Hope you are all well, and will talk to you all soon. GOd Bless! HE is VERY Good!!!
L
:)

Khmer Photo Shoot

2010-06-04T02:39:00.000-07:00

From Traditional Khmer Photos

Here is a fun photo shoot we did in Phnom Penh. It is a traditional outfit for Khmer families. The girls had a hoot and it took about 2 hours to get everyone ready. It took me (Dean) 5 minutes. The guy just doesn't matter here. Enjoy.

Traditional Khmer Photos

We're done, and we're OFF!

2010-06-03T22:56:00.000-07:00

Hi all. I can't believe it was May 14th that Dean posted our last blog. It seems like forever ago, yet it was only a couple of weeks.
In one hour from now, we will be heading to the airport to begin our trip to Australia, then on to Canada by June 24th.

The kids all wrapped up school last week, so we've been on "holidays" since the end of May. Sure feels good! The kids had great closure to the school year with parties, quality report cards and good-bye's to many of our staff and friends that are leaving Logos. This international teaching/missions scene is just one hello and good-bye after another, let me tell you! You better be good at that kind of stuff. So much transition.

Anyways, the toughest thing right now will be for the kids to say good bye to the puppies, as they will probably all be reloacted when we come back. It's been fun for sure, and they still are so cute,(but they're starting to stink!) haha.

Hopefully we can drop a few lines while we're on the road. We'll see how the timing and internet access goes. However, we love you all and it's likely we're going to be able to SEE many of you readers soon: loved ones, friends, co workers, peers, etc, etc, so we are VERY much looking forward to this! Praise God we're in good health, and able to travel like we are.

So, that is it for now! Perhaps we'll see you before you know it! Much love to everyone!
Lesley
:)

Maya keeps us smiling!

2010-05-14T07:11:00.001-07:00

I will share one of the funny things Maya said a little while ago after she had visited a very poor area in Phnom Penh.
Maya was taking it all in, watching the little kids play with garbage and broken glass on the dirt path. Maya and I watched a little dirt covered naked girl about the age of 3 (could have been older but she was so small) trying to feed a dog some dinner she had made up consisting of dirt, broken glass she collected and bits of old dirty mango skin. It was what this little girl's life was all about. She was still having fun amongst the rubble. The little girl didn't care, she just wanted the dog to eat what she made. Watching this little girl, Maya noticed her and many other scenes like that with other little kids that day. Now for many of you reading something like this might be tough to handle, but it is real life and common here in Cambodia. So it is sad, but we are more use to seeing it so we can find some humor in this next part.
What Maya said later was really the funny part. We got back to Logos school and we decided to have a swim to cool off. Maya went to the bathroom to change. In her frustration and sweat she started to cry because she couldn't get her bathing suit on. In her frustration I came to help. She looked up at me and told me to take a note how dirty she was. I did seem to suddenly notice the unkempt mixture of sweat and dirt on her seemed rather prominent at that moment. I figured the dirt was from when we visited the poor area earlier that day.
Maya cries out with sobs and frustration, "Look at me Dad, I look like an Orphanage!" I laughed really hard when I heard that one. I questioned her and said, "Do you mean, you look like an orphan?" Maya half sobbing nodded her head yes. I said, "why do you look like an orphan?" Maya said it is because she is so dirty like those kids we saw earlier in the day. Oh out of the mouth of babes! I wish I could keep that image of her sad face looking up at me forever in my mind. It is very precious. Forever impacted.

From for_blog

Another story involves Maya reading to me about how God told Adam to name all of the animals He had created. There is a part near the beginning of her 'kid' Bible where God makes all the animals and places 'man' in charge of all the animals. It is now Adam's responsibility to name them all. Maya shows me this one picture of Adam and a large number of cartoon like animals all together. Maya points to this one small green frog at the bottom of the picture and she says, "This one is named Timmy!". I laughed hard at that one too.

Blessings,
Dean

So much to say.... PUPPIES!!!

2010-05-02T05:13:00.001-07:00

Hello all. It has been such a LONG time since I wrote you. (Lesley here.) Dean's picked up the slack for the last few entries, so you're a little up to date, but there is still so much to tell you, so many "cambodia" moments: I'll try now to get it all out in the shortest form possible.

I've wanted to write since about 6 weeks ago, when I accompanied Julia and the gr. 6 class on an overnight field trip out to the province. With their geography class learning about land formations and culture, they headed off to a Khmer homestay, where they would live like in a traditional village. Parent/teacher volunteer, I went.

Julia out in the province with her grade 6 class

Such a great time. If any of you want to come to visit us, we can head out there. It was just Western enough to be comfortable (flush toilets, a battery operated fan in the "hut," and safe food) but, it gave us an idea of what it was like to do some traditional Khmer things, like sleep in the house on stilts, drive around in ox carts (of which the kids got to actually drive!) and do some cultural dancing. The Gr. 6's are an awesome group and had a blast, but here's the "cambodian" side to the story.

Accommodations for the Grade 6s

It's been hot season for a couple months now, so there is little to no rain, then the rain will start up again in May. That night, as we were settling in to get to bed, I thought--was that thunder I heard off in the distance? Within minutes, the lightening started. Sure enough, within literally minutes, this MASSIVE, and very unexpected thunderstorm rolled in. Now picture this: There's all these KIDS in HUTS (which are basically thatched roof tree houses) and in comes an ELECTRICAL storm the likes that is unmatched in North America. The rain pelted us so hard, that it was misting in through the windows on our bed, through our mosquito net! I love storms, and was trying to settle Julia and Evelyn down (my roommates) because it was SO loud, then I realized that hey, I was basically sleeping in a tree during a lightening storm! Nice. So, we prayed, of course, and it did blow over, but boy, did it do a number on the land around us. There was a sign torn down just down the road, and in the morning, everything sure had a good soaking.

Cambodian transportation. Julia loves it.

Well, since we'd all survived that, now all we had to do was get our enormous bus out the gate and down the single lane mud road, that had been deluged with the rain, in order to go back to P later that day. It was a tiny, trecherous little road on the way in, and that was when it was dry. Well, we did our next day's activities by rented van cuz the bus wasn't even going to attempt getting out until things dried up a bit. Sure enough, later that morning when the poor driver attemped the exit, he slid a huge 30 passenger bus off the small road into the ditch. We figured we were there for another night. While we lunched, apparently a whole bunch of pastors from all around used the typical Cambodian ingenuity (which included ropes, motos and trucks) to dislodge our bus, and sure enough, we were home on time. It was amazing, really, that everything worked out, and all those guys got a free lunch out of the deal! You'd be amazed what a perk that is out here!

Interestingly, one of the geographical things we were going to see on the trip, was a dam built during the khmer rouge, and wouldn't you know it, the bus driver said this was where he was "relocated" and sent to work during the war. We saw it, and miles and miles of a wide ditch to catch the dammed water was dug in the 70's entirely by forced manual labour, not a single machine, and that poor driver was one of the many. It was hot. We were all overheated just walking around, seeing everything, and we tried to imagine LABOURING in that heat, with limited water resources and food, being forced to work for long hours. Our bus driver lived to tell about it. The human endurance and will to live is amazing.

Trying to hold up the dam?

So, that was a few weeks before Khmer New year. The kids have just been enduring very hot rooms at school for second half of the year since we moved to the new building and have had the energy issues. Sweating all the time, we get home and just shower and sit in air con to regain our cool after a full day of very little reprise. IT's tough on the students especially, as they're still expected to keep up with their studies, tests, etc and stay focused. They had to write SAT tests (standardized tests) during that time and it really stressed Julia out cuz she hates them. Steph was fine. Anyways, fast forward to right now and I tell you, our kids are tired of school. They have worked VERY hard this year. Homework every night and they have done exceptionally well with the difficult circumstances at the school. They really have done so good, Maya reading now everything she can get her hands on. We bless them, and hope May can be a great finishing month. Steph will have one high school exam as she's been in an accelerated, Gr. 9 math course for this semester, and it's sure challenged her, so hope she can do well on the exam. If not, she has next year to catch up on the same course if needed.

The beach off of an island in Kom Pong Sam

Well, Dean's told you all about Khmer New years, our "spring break" where we enjoyed a week at the beach. What a rest, I tell you, it totally energized me to carry on for these last two weeks, where I've finished up two concerts with the elementary, but i'll tell you more about that in a minute. Towards the end of our holiday week, in the morning, I got a message on my phone that registered a long distance number, and my suspicions were confirmed when I went to check the e-mail, and found out my Grampa Papson had passed away. Just such a long story, for a time if you're interested, but suffice it to say that after a long battle with just old age, he succumbed peacefully, the day after his 90th birthday. Mom said it was like he was just waiting to see everyone again, tasted some icing from his birthday cake that they put to his lip and went the next day.

Last summer visit with Gramma and Grampa Papson. Last chance to see Grampa alive.

I was the only Grandchild that was not able to be there for the family memorial that was held in his honor the following week Sunday. This was very hard for me, but also a blessing, as I was able to write a letter to celebrate him and the memories I have of him, and it was read as a eulogy, to eveyone's enjoyment. The fire truck was driven onto the property for his service, and it was a beautiful time for the family. I received alot of nice e-mails, information and pictures! Sure missed everybody, but it was great to be kept in the details. Grandma is doing well, and she has lots of help there with 3 daughters close by. I was also able to share some of my writings with our staff, as a morning devotional, which for me was a healing thing to do. They were very gracious to share in my grief, and it just helped to close things a bit for me. Amazing how God can pull things together for us, in ways we just don't think it ever possible. Closure all the way over in Cambodia?? Pretty generous of Him.

The last two weeks have been a wonderful whirlwind of work, activity and preparation for the year end, elementary concerts, which will wrap up the second half of the year with performances. We were able to get, at Logos, 12 new Orff instruments (barred, pitched percussion instruments, like xylophones) this year, so we got to perform on those for the concert. It is a very different mode of concert than a typical choir performance, or like our big Christmas drama/musical extravaganza. Plus, it was going to be hosted in our new, top floor auditorium, where there is carpet and AIR CON.

Lesley directing the elementary concerts at Logos

Well, this past Thursday was the first of 2 concerts, with the Gr. 1-3. We had had many rehearsals together during the weeks, and were ready to perform. The kids were excited like electric! IT was so fun, parents were taking pictures like the paparazzi, and the evening went as well as could be expected. The audience out here in Cambodia, culturally, is very different than a North American audience; there's alot going on while you're trying to perform--People talk on telephones, children run around and pick up instruments on the floor, parents talk non stop right through everything, and the host for the evening was very hard to hear over the noise and some technical difficulties. Even through all this, it was still fun and the kids actually did a great job, really rose to the occasion.

Enjoying the concert

Ok, but during the performance, another "Cambodian" storm came in. No problem, the rain was not as noisy on the roof as it would have been in a gym or some other outdoor facility. The power stayed on and the between the air con noise, the audience talking, and our music, the rain was barely audible. I finished conducting the last song, made a few announcements and headed out the doors of the auditorium to find that the school was leaking! Like, buckets of water was pouring out through the roof, right at the entry door, and one teacher's classroom had water pouring down the walls, dripping out the ceiling aircon, AND the roof was BOWING where water was running through it. While parents and kids were leaving, we were emptying this classroom of all it's valuable to keep them dry, including the computer and all the desks! It was amazing. Dean was up on the roof with other workers, trying to figure out why everything was leaking into the school.

Trying to stop the flooding.

Sure enough, there was one drain up there that we later found out was just clogged with construction debry, so it wasn't taking the water away. The water just pooled in one connecting area, where it had no where else to go but INTO the SCHOOL! Dean immediately sent one of the guards to go to the bottom of the drain pipe and CUT IT with a saw, and when they did, the water pressure just sent spews of water flying everywhere. Needless to say, Dean ended the concert a soaking wet rat, the stuff from the teacher's classroom was everywhere in the hall and the cafeteria, drying out or being protected from more water, the carpet into the auditorium was soaking wet. Yikes!

Water pouring from the ceiling during a heavy rain.

But think of it this way--what if we had decided not to have the concert that night??? Thank God that people were there, and we all witnessed the water coming in and were all able to help evacuate the room. Later, even the lights were flickering, so we were able to shut all the power down and let things dry up overnight. Imagine if no one had been there that night and we all showed up to the disaster the next morning? At least the cutting of the drain pipe at the bottom of the building caused the water to at least start draining away, and the leaking slowed down and stopped after that. Wow

Never a dull moment. I gets to school the next morning to find out the rest of the news. One of the Gr. 2 kids who was in the furthest back row from me, who came to the concert even though he had a "stomach ache" (You can see what's coming, can't you?) , actually threw up right in the middle of the very last song!!! And I didn't even KNOW!!! Talk about being spared! Apparently, other teachers rushed to his aid, and helped get him out of the hall and cleaned up the carpet. I KNOW I was being protected, by not having to see that in the middle of conducting the last song! haha. The fact that he was at the furthest back row, is God's doing, I'm serious! What if he was in the front?? Could you imagine? What if it had been earlier?? Could you imagine that? Things can always be worse! Poor guy. Needless to say, he was not at school the next day, but I sure heard the story over and over again from the kids who were there! haha

So, Friday, 2 nights ago, was the last concert, Grades 4-6. But, seeing that we had had this huge storm the night before (that flooded the upstairs) and rain in the morning, we got to school and there was no power to start the day. No power= no aircon and no keyboard! (I need piano accompaniment for choir!) Ok, the power is out in the area, nobody knows why, but the guys are coming to look at it at 11, we should have it back by maybe 1??? That's the morning word.

Well, I have power related things to do, but by 1;15 and there was still no power, I was really in a quandry. Do I run a dress rehearsal with no power, 80+ kids in a room with no air flow? Do I push back the practice? Do we postpone the whole concert? So, decided to run the practice, and just opened all the windows, and PRAYED, literally, for the power to resume. Then thanked God that we even had the option of rescheduling until next week, but the kids were all ready for the night, so it sure wasn't a preference. About 1:30 the LIGHTS go on, everyone cheers, and we had power for the rest of the day, night, and had an excellent concert. The audience was a little better behaved, things ran alot more like I hoped and parents enjoyed. So, I was all done! Friday night, it sure felt good to have it all done and fairly successful!

Yes, finished all my stressful things just in time, for Saturday morning. At 6:00 am, Lilly, our landlord's dog (who is also sort of ours!) started giving birth to puppies!

Lilly has puppies

Do you remember the story of Rosy being killed, because Lilly was in heat, and all the pack of male dogs were after her, and ended up biting Rosy and killing her? It's a terrible story to remember, but Lilly did get impregnated then, and we weren't sure at all until after we came back from Khmer New Year break, and you could tell she was much fatter, and lactating like crazy! Ok, we were in for puppies and everyone was looking forward to it.

7 puppies total

It sure couldn't have been timed better! We waited all last week, thinking it might happen any time, and nothing. Then, the girls had a soccer tournament Saturday, so we were planning to be up early. I had heard Lilly sort of crying early in the morning, thought it might be time, but Steph came into our room early with the news that Lilly was having the puppies and 2 were born already. We all ran outside to watch the next 3 being born! What an amazing first for me, and for the girls! It was so amazing how Lilly is just programmed to clean the puppies and care for them! And they were so adorable. Oh, words will not describe, so we will have pictures up no doubt.

ANyways, she appeared to be finished. 5 puppies, some spotted, and a bunch more brown like Lilly. They were squeeling and crawling. So cute. Then we saw--she wasn't finished! One, then 2 more! 7 puppies!!! Unbelievable! They are all seemingly doing well still, and are feeding and staying warm and close to mommy. Every single chance we get to go out and watch them, we just do (especially Steph and Jubes). They've been out there with Mony at every chance. What a nice gift, to have the puppies on the weekend, so we could be around! It was really such perfect timing! Couldn't have been better. What a real miracle to see them being born!

So, we carted off after seeing #7 born, to the soccer tournament, which, thankfully, it didn't rain for. It was just plain hot instead. I don't know how those girls run and play in that heat--4 games! They won the first, second and third, to put them in the final, and they WON. Julia scored the only goal to win 1-0. That is apparently the first and only time the middle school Logos girls have won a tournament, and their record last year was I think all losses, no wins! so, it was fun. They were hot and tired after all that, but anxious to get home to check up on the puppies, which are already, by the way, getting named and "chosen" as favorite! Steph played awesome defence, she's a good strong defender, and Julia switched around forward and middle, scoring a total of 3 goals all tournament. I know, it sounds like bragging, but it was just plain fun to watch (in the shade!) and see both our girls on the same team, just loving it and putting in a great effort to play well. A real treat.

Most of the middle school Soccer team.

We actually ended up having a few friends over for Pizza, then in the evening, went to the Annual Logos Talent show, which is just a fun night of kids putting together some performances of many kinds. Julia put together a skit with a few friends, of the smurf song "You're a pink toothbrush, I'm a blue toothbrush..." and she acted it out in quite hilarious fashion. What a hoot. I taped the whole thing on my camera, and hope you can get to see it either here, or on Youtube. Chip off the old block, that kid. (ANyone reading this remember Dean in his Gr. 9 skit, "The Gambler?" Julia is same, same, but different, if you get what I mean!) We all enjoyed the evening and had a ton of laughs.

Well, does that actually wrap up our last few weeks? Can't believe we're into our last month of school! and for me, with the concerts done, I'm looking forward to just wrapping up some last review and testing, and getting the library all organized for the end of the year. Fun stuff, so I'm doing great! Steph's birthday is coming up next week on May 10, and still not sure just how to celebrate it (the options are somewhat limited out here) but will find a way to say "Happy 14th" to our lovely young lady!

Steph getting ready to scuba dive.

So, I shall sign off, saying one last comment about summer plans. As you all make your plans for the summer months, I'll let you all know that we'll be arriving into Vancouver on the morning of June 24th, directly after our time in Australia. We'll be spending those next few weeks in the Abbotsford area, staying at Tim and Sylvia Smith's place, much like what we did last summer (however, they have moved to a new house, so it'll be a new location for us.) After that (sometime early to mid-July) we will head to Alberta to see our new niece Mia, in Edmonton and hopefully to Calgary, if possible, to see my sister Jennifer, family and new HOUSE.

Sunset from a boat off the beach in Cambodia

Dean has to fly out of Vancouver on July 23, (Julia's 12th birthday, by the way!) to get back to PP in time for new teachers to start on July 26. However, the girls and I don't have to be back that early, so we're seriously considering staying on longer, so the kids have more time to visit. This could also include getting to Winnipeg, but we need some creative help or ideas. If we're in Alberta, Dean can drive the van back to the Lower Mainland, and we could come out to manitoba. The airfare from Winnipeg to PP is only $100 more expensive than departing out of Vancouver, but we need a way to get from Alberta to Winnipeg. Anyone planning on coming out to meet us half way and driving us back?? ANy other ideas out there? Keep in mind it's 4 of us, plus probably alot of luggage, as we'll have to check in all our baggage out of WInnipeg airport. See, the problem is, we have the time (an extra week, the girls and I don't have to leave until Aug 3, just after the August long weekend) and then we could be in Manioba to see loved ones for a good week. But, we'll need some help, ideas, suggestions on how to get there. Airfares are expensive, but not totally out of the question yet.

Anyways, those are our thoughts and plans for the summer so far. The kids are very anxious to get to Canada, as being there at the end of June means we can go to school for awards day, stuff like that and most friends will be around. So, please send us an e-mail or drop a message off on the blog. The kids also really want to see (and stay at) Rebecca and Justin's in St. Lorette, so hey, if you guys are reading this, we'll have to make plans! haha

So, take care all. Thanks for the e-mails and staying in touch. Lots of love to supporters, to whom we are so grateful. This experience for us, is still such a huge blessing. Lots of ideas for teaching next year, including advancing the band program with more instruments, so keep that in mind if you have anything to donate!

Ok, I really have to go. Love you all and talk with you soon. Enjoy the pictures (when they get here!)
L
:)

assorted pics related to this blog entry

Carnival for New Life School and Khmer New Year Break

2010-04-22T20:13:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has taken us a bit of time to write- we headed into Khmer New Year in mid April and like everyone else- just put life on hold until it was all over. I am not kidding, leading up to and during the Khmer New Year holiday, in Phnom Penh, it seemed like a ghost town as everyone left and all the stores were closed for the week. Our family was no exception and during the Khmer New Year's holiday we went to the beach down on the coast in Sihanoukville in Cambodia. It was a relaxing time and we enjoyed the 33C ocean water. We stayed at a couple of different places- one nice and the other really nice. It was a real blessing for us to go and relax too as we would never had that nice relaxing experience if it weren't for the generosity of other people blessing us with the opportunity to go. A truly wonderful treat.
Our days were meant for relaxing. Les had fun exploring the beach town on a moto rental with the girls. She really enjoys the freedom of the moto and just learning a bit more about the town the different beaches, and the shops. Steph and I did some scuba diving just off of an island and we really enjoyed that too. Julia was not interested in coming diving with us as she was afraid she would see sharks. Steph and I didn't see any sharks, however, we did see a big jelly fish (over 1m in diameter) and a "Man of War" Jelly fish too. Lots of colorful fish to look at- it was a wonderful experience with my daughter. Maya's big holiday push is swimming, and so that was on the agenda everyday- mainly in the hotel pool. Maya doesn't like the waves and the salt of the ocean water so it is hard for her to go in the water at the beach.
A sad note during the holiday was finding out that Lesley's grandpa died at the age of 90 in Winnipeg. Les really wished she could have been there with all of her family and relatives. She did write a lovely tribute letter to her grandpa though, however, I know she would have loved to be there instead of writing a letter.

Leading up to Khmer New Year things were very busy. From trying to get the transformer set up at the school, getting the road repaired, and then last but not least, our school hosting a couple of fun carnival days for 'New Life' School.
Teachers and students from our school hosted 2 separate carnival days for kids to come in and swim, play on the field, have carnival games, puppet show, and have ice cream (ice cream is not quite what you and I think). New Life school is a small Christian Cambodian school in Phnom Penh. The head principal is a former Teaching Assistant from Logos and Logos has helped in many areas of establishing this school directly and indirectly.

From Lesley and Jess Hein getting the kids organized

From New Life School teaching staff and some students having fun

From Enjoying the Logos Pool

Many thanks to Jess Hein, Logos Teacher, and all those on the carnival committee (including Lesley) for all the planning and making the effort. Also special thanks to the grades 3, 5 , and 6 class for volunteering and making the carnival a fun time for these kids with the games and activities. The New Life kids and staff really enjoyed the experience!

Blessings,
Dean

Here are pics from the carnival. I will also try and put up a few pics from the beach.

april 092010.New Life carnival

We Say Goodbye to Ang Booy

2010-04-01T07:03:00.000-07:00

We finally had to say Good-bye to Ang Booy. With many hugs we had to let her go. Ang has been out in Cambodia with YWAM for about 6 months and her program has finally come to a close. So now it is time for her to go back to Canada to meet family and friends back in Abbotsford.
While Ang was in Phnom Penh, she spent most of those Weekends at our place. Maya was especially excited to know that "Miss Ang Booy" was coming over for the weekend and Maya would usually squeel and giggle when we told her it was Friday. Ang came over Friday night and we usually dropped her off on late Sunday afternoon back at her YWAM base building. Ang was easy going and when it came to where we needed to go on a Saturday, she was very accommodating to our plans. On Sundays she just came to whatever church we were going to that morning. Later on most Sundays we would just drop her off in time for her Sunday dinner at the base.
In the middle of her time in Cambodia she ended up going to India for a while, but within an hour of returning to Cambodia and then landing on the ground from her trip, she called us to come over to stay at our place. NOW THAT is dedication!

Regardless, we will all miss, Miss Ang Booy. We wish her the Lord's blessing as she gets back into the Canadian lifestyle again.

With Love,
The Weiss Family

The package you see her carrying is for Sureyah, as Ang agreed to bring it over to him. It is a little something to help him remember Cambodia from Dan Hein and Dean. When you see Ang you will have to ask her WHAT we made her carry!

Andong Village

2010-04-01T04:44:00.001-07:00

Kids play on the street in Andong slum

In front of the Christian Primary school in Andong

Classroom teaching- Logos will help here

Had a chance to go with Daren Beck (head of Action Cambodia) and Dan Hein (Logos Secondary Principal) to the village of Andong today to look at building a relationship with a local primary school and seeing how we can help and support the school.

Fishing Hole in Andong

Daren had already been doing a variety of things in this area to try and help. He has been getting some Logos kids to come to the school and help teach English to the kids. Another thing that Daren and Action Cambodia has been doing is helping the primary school with the feeding program. Daren also said they have been helping pay to get sewer drains in the slum area. I have enclosed some pics of parts of the town that have not got the sewer in place. It is very sad. The kids are playing in the sewer water and they don't know any more than that. It is there home.

Play time

Anyways the primary school also has recently rented an abandoned property that has a dilapidated basketball court (used for volleyball) and a small soccer field (a dust bowl) and a fish pond. This property attracts some of the older kids (17ish) in the late day to come and play sports. We are going to bring some of our kids to play with the older kids.
We are also looking at ways to get some of our students and staff to go over there regularly to help out. We will also look at finding school supplies for them too. This primary school is only 15 minutes from the New Logos so there is lots of opportunity to help here.

Pastor Abraham in the kitchen
-Action Cambodia helps with the feeding program at the school.

A bit more on the primary school. It is run by a Cambodian Christian guy named Pastor Abraham and he started it in 2007 (I think). I have enclosed the testimony of Pastor Abraham below. It is quite the story. The idea behind this primary school is to give some of the slum area kids an education so they can go to the run down public school. Although some of the locals are now asking to keep their kids in this school (although there is no curriculum or standards at this point that match the government school.) At this point this is not going to happen unless something changes.

I have enclosed a few pics from the visit. Dan "Mr. National Geographic Photographer" Hein would also want me to let you know that he did take many of these pics.

Blessings,
Dean

See all 22 pics from Andong

Pastor Abrahams Testimony:

Testimony of Pastor Hang Simting Abraham

Interviewed by Brian M. Maher

I was born in 1974 into a Buddhist family in Kompong Cham Province of Cambodia and I grew up living in and around the Pagoda because my grandfather was the Buddhist Patriarch of the Pagoda. The Pagoda was my second home until I graduated from high school. My youth had been highly influenced by Buddhism as I was expected to study Buddhism regularly. After I finished high school in I went to Phnom Penh to study at the Phnom Penh University in 1992 where I studied the philosophy of Education. It was there that I had heard the good the news of Jesus Christ for the first time in 1995, but I took no interest in Christianity, and as matter of fact, hearing it angered me and turned me off to Christians. A friend of mine invited me to join in his church’s Christmas program and he gave me a special gift. I thought the gift was a shirt, money or something special until I got home and opened it. It was simply a bible which I threw in the river on my way to Kompong Cham for a school break. I had no interest in Jesus until I finished at the university.

When I finished my Bachelor’s degree in 1997, I became an official in the ministry of Education. Shortly after, I went through training in order to evaluate the education levels in government schools. Therefore, I was enjoying my work and it was great but the salary was extremely low but those around me were getting rich because of corruption. As for me, I did not appreciate corruption and often confronted those involved. My life was difficult because of the low salary so I had to find some additional work to make ends meet. I contacted a lumber company from Hong Kong who bought timber from Cambodia and after some training I became their manager which provided a great salary. I saved up my money, quit my two jobs and opened my own lumber company of which I partnered with the Hong Kong Lumber company for a short time before they closed up. I produced lumber at my saw mill and began to partner with a Thai family which made me quite wealthy. This was in Koh Kong province which was like the American Wild West, and had no rule of the law and there were many poor people living close to my mill. We had a gang who ruled the area and fleeced the poor through violence and intimidation. When I saw this take place, I began to help the poor who were being ripped off by the gang. I created my own gang and we had automatic weapons to fight the bandits as I had become a soldier as well during that time. It was now 1998. I ended up killing the leader of the bandits and gang dispersed and ceased to oppress the people. I am the only one left alive from our original group of modern day Robin Hoods, because, as I thought at the time, my good luck came from the magical powers of a Khmer Witch doctor bestowed upon me.

Business was going well, too, but soon my partner ripped me off in Thailand and I lost everything but the shirt on my back, including my fiancé which broke my heart. I had to sell my mill to pay my creditors.

My life by then was a big mess, and full of problems. My mother really worried about me and called me to meet with a Khmer fortune teller who told me I would never have a wife or children. This often made me hopeless and I often remembered that friend who encouraged me back in 1995 with the words of Jesus. I took a break from life and stayed with my sister in Phnom Penh and went to Campus Crusade for Christ to ask them about Jesus and they explained quite a bit of the gospel to me. They gave me a New Testament and I took it home to read. When I was free, I read it. It was two months before I finished it, after that a particular verse really interested me. It is found in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth and the life…..” I remember that Buddha said, I will show you the way, but that Jesus was saying I am the way. During this time I was considering the difference between Buddhism and Christianity but I did not believe just yet. The book of Romans talked a lot about salvation and that we cannot save our selves, only Jesus can. The teaching in the Pagoda told me we could receive salvation by doing good deeds. If we did good things, good things would happen to us. But for me, I wondered why when I did good things, bad things happened to me. Romans said we are not always able to do good because we are sinners and this made a lot of sense to me. It gave me a clear answer. Romans said that Jesus is the only one who can forgive ours sins and give us salvation. Again, it was a clearer explanation than Buddhism, one which I was looking for. I also sought Christians to answer the questions I had until I was invited to attend a Sunday worship service and when I went, they sung a lot of songs, one of which made me cry. It was “Jesus, the Rock of Salvation.” When they sung that song, I got goose bumps. It was the singing of hymns that brought tears to my eyes and I wondered why this never happened when I studied Buddhism with my father. I had the feeling of excitement in my heart. Because of that, I decided to follow Jesus that day which was August 15, 1999 (my spiritual birthday) and I wanted to transform Cambodia and rid my country of crime and corruption. I wanted to join a political party that was against crime and corruption but my family told me I would be dead in two years if rose within the party. How could I change Cambodia quickly? My parents and friends asked me to consider my plans so I prayed to the Lord to ask him. I prayed and fasted many times and God told me the answer was in sharing the gospel with the Cambodian people so I wrote out a covenant that told God I would give my life to spreading the gospel in Cambodia whether it meant life or death.

When I first believed, I met up with some heavy persecution from my family. My father wanted me to work with the government having a big title and a big salary but I was intent on serving the Lord. My father commanded me to stop following Jesus and join the government to become an official. I felt caught between a rock and a hard place. The tension between my written covenant with God and the demands of my father caused me so much angst that I sought God in times of silence and solitude, and the Bible showed me that my sacrifices for the Kingdom will bring much more blessings than that of what is “lost” in return, so I offered my life and everything I had to Jesus again, including the idea of working for the government of Cambodia. I decided to serve the Lord through Campus Crusade for Christ.

When my father heard this news he was livid. He said I was crazy to fall into the influence of a western religion such as Christianity and that I was now brainwashed. When I visited him, he had to get drunk in order to talk to me. He said I was the one of his children who destroyed his heart and he remembered when he used to brag that I was one child that brought him the most pride and honor. Through all of this, I still followed the will of God as I knew for my life with Campus Crusade for two years. Because Campus Crusade was not a church planting organization, I resigned because I had the vision to plant churches and so joined a Baptist Denomination. For three years I studied in their Bible school, learned a lot, and gained some experience in the process until I had some conflicts with some of the foreign missionaries running the denomination. I wanted to do holistic ministry even though I did not fully understand just what it was. The missionaries said God only cared about spiritual things like Bible reading, worship and evangelism, and the physical or social needs of people so I prayed about this for a long time and came to the conclusion that it would be best for me to leave and so I volunteered to serve at an independent church as an associate pastor.

After getting more experience with church problems and politics, and persecution from my family, I decided to add another name to my given name which is “Abraham,” because my character was akin to that of Abraham in the Bible. Like Abraham, who left his family in Ur to travel to the Promised Land, I left my parents to follows God’s call. Now I am called ‘Abraham’ Simting Hang, but my nick name is Abe. I had to go through a lot of red tape with the government to get all my identification documents changed but now even my father calls me Abraham.

In the church where I served, I noticed a young woman who had a servant’s heart in the youth group. I was very impressed and decided that I was going to marry this girl. After knowing her 7 months, I boldly asked her to marry me. She was shocked and said she would pray about it. Three weeks later she agreed and I had to go meet her father and he wanted to meet my parents to talk about the engagement. When my parents heard, they were angry with me again. They would not come to meet my future in laws. So I went by myself with another young person from my church. I apologized for the rudeness of my family but since Sophin’s family were Christians, they understood and said, “No problem.” The first time my parents met Sophin’s parents were at the wedding. When my family came to join the wedding they saw me crying because I was so excited about the wedding. When the service was over, we had the reception at noon. As I sat with my parents, my father asked me why I cried. “A man should not cry because it is not culturally appropriate.” I said to him, “I am crying out of joy because this wedding is where God brought Sophin and I together as one.” My father did not answer but his face showed how he felt. After two months, I told my wife I wanted a son but I remembered what the fortune teller said, and we prayed to God that God would bless us with a son who we would name “Purith,” which means in Khmer, “one who brings blessing to family in the way of good relationships.” God answered our prayers and gave us a son who ended up bringing my family together with my parents and extended family and until now, we have a great relationship and they are trying to understand what our faith is all about.

This is about the time when I became a student at EFC KEY’s Diamond Program in 2004. I was surprised by the uniqueness of the lessons, and especially the lesson that articulated what Holistic Ministry really was and this gave me more impetus to do holistic church planting.

In 2005, I left my church and started my own ministry in early 2006 and focused on holistic ministry. I prayed that God would help me fulfill the vision I had for holistic ministry. When I shared my vision for holistic ministry with many church leaders, they didn’t like the idea and said it was only good for community development, not for church planting. I was convinced otherwise so I continued to pray and an American missionary friend encouraged me to pursue God’s vision for me.

After that, I began to work with the poor because of Luke 4:18 and 19 and I wanted to follow Jesus’ model of ministry to the poor and oppressed. I found a whole bunch of IDPs1 living on the river bank that fled the war since 1979. They were squatters who were very poor and who were forcibly evicted from the riverside and thrown into a rice field north of Pochentong Airport with only tarps and rice bags for shelter. They had very little food and the field became a quagmire because during the rainy season. Their new location was called Andong Village. There was no infrastructure-sewage, drainage, electricity, clean water, health care, etc, so I moved my ministry from the riverside to Andong and spend my time just visiting among the former squatters. When they began to ask about me, I told them who was and that I was a Christian. Then some began to ask me about Jesus and I shared the good news with them and they became believers. Eight of us gathered for worship outside of a Korean Medical Clinic and after a while we began to grow numerically bit by bit. When we got big enough, I rented a small house with some land for worship but the house soon became too small so I built a simple thatch church building that could hold about 100 people.

The people were suffering and unorganized as the government paid them little attention. No NGO was able to have a voice or organize this group of high independent and unruly squatters but I decided to become an advocate for these squatters as many groups were out to steal their land. Soon I partnered with some churches in Seattle and a local organization called LICADHO to build new roofs for the people that were living in terrible makeshift dwellings. Some days, after putting in the poles for framing, we’d wake up in the morning to find them pulled out and torn down. I decided I needed to sleep out there in Andong in order to prevent this gang from doing it again. They were not happy with me. With funding from Seattle, we were able to rebuild houses for about 500 families. This helped my reputation with people and they began to seek me for counsel but a gang sponsored by someone with bad intentions for the Andong residents threatened to kill me many times. I told them, “You can only kill me if God wants me dead.” We built roofs which really helped, but the extreme poverty and health problems were taking a big toll on the people. But mainly, I noticed three things: 1) many of their problems stemmed from not having Jesus in their lives, 2) they had no education, 3) they had no confidence in themselves, and depended on others to sustain them. I wanted to change these three main obstacles in lives of the villagers. We already had a church, but this was for the believers. Most squatter children were not allowed to attend public school because they could not pay the fees and most of their parents were illiterate. I was concerned that the children would grow up to be illiterate like their parents. This gave me the idea to build a school for the children of the 1000 families at Andong. I shared this idea with many but they thought this was the job of an NGO or the government. So in the beginning, I built the school with money from my wife’s savings which was about $5,900, and she was in agreement. After the school was built, we had a problem finding funding for the teachers but I shared my ideas with the potential teachers who decided they would volunteer their time to teach so the school began to operate with three grades and 65 students. After that, the Seattle churches began to help fund school supplies and the school began to operate smoothly and funds came from Tasmania for teacher’s salaries. The process I began with a concept began to show fruit on the ground so I offered the fruit back to God. When I was invited by the Christian and Missionary Alliance in the US to travel to America, I had the opportunities to preach at their youth camps and in churches about holistic ministry. The offerings I received for my personal use totaled close to $10,000 which I invested back into the school and general development of the village.

When I came back from America, a group wanted to evict the IDPS once again as the land increased in value so I gathered the villagers together to urge them not to let anyone displace them again. After a few days, I was bringing my pregnant wife (2 months) to Phnom Penh on my dirt bike and suddenly I saw a motorcycle coming up behind me at a high speed. They shouted at me and kicked the bike. I called to God for his help as we were crashing and God answered. God protected my wife and our yet to be born child. My knee suffered damage and the bike has never been the same. In spite of these problems, I prayed with my wife and we compared our situation with that of the Apostles. We were happy to have the privilege to suffer for Jesus.

Shortly afterwards, I received encouragement from Australian, Mike Frost who shared from his book Exiles which really touched my heart. His teaching affirmed that what I was doing was God’s will. This gave me more impetus to continue along with seeing the fruit that God was giving me through Holistic Ministry despite outright persecution. I began to see my vision become clearer each day and this gave me joy.

We had a church and a school so I thought I would start an NGO in order to partner with other organizations and NGOs that were hesitant to trust churches. Through the quality of our work, I hoped we would be a testimony to the secular NGOS and this is happening now to a measurable degree.

Two years after we put new roofs on the house, they needed to be replaced. Many villagers came to see me, full of tears, as the rainy season was approaching. I told the people to pray and believe in Jesus and he will hear their prayers. I gathered 50 villagers to pray each night and two weeks later Medical Teams International and Imago Dei Church from Portland, Oregon responded with funding for corrugated tin roofs and water sanitation. Through them, we built 103 new houses and the people were amazed and praised God. I would like to continue with the new houses/roofs until all the villagers have good roofs, good health, and good infrastructure. These holistic efforts, done after Jesus’ model, have caused the villager to come to my office at the church to ask to become believers. They used to call the village a hopeless case but since transformation is happening, they now have much more hope than they had in the past. In addition, many onlookers from NGOs, neighboring villages, etc, are surprised to see such transformation in this squalid little village of 800 families. This is an example that we can use for community development in other villages in rural areas.

I recently preached in churches in Australia and they were surprised to see the model of ministry I was using and have recently sent interns to come learn with me. They are now changing their model of ministry to become more holistic and more akin to Jesus’ own model.

Just yesterday, there was a meeting of organizations and NGOs working in Andong Village which I was unable to attend. News reached me that these secular and Buddhist organizations who initially hostile to my work had voted me to represent this association. I was overjoyed that our testimony and work had impact on even Buddhist organizations.

My future plans are to plant churches and build a school in Oddar Meanchey Province (near the Thai border) among the former Khmer Rouge. I have been given seven hectares of land by a government official in order to this. Just this week, after traveling to Anlong Veng with MTI and Imago Dei church I was able to share the gospel with many former Khmer Rouge leaders as I slept in their village for two nights.

I look forward to what God will continue to do in the Kingdom of Cambodia through my NGO and our many partners.

Sureyah has got into the Nursing Program at TWU!

2010-04-01T04:31:00.000-07:00

Great News from Sureyah. Here is a note he just sent us and I thought I would share it with you. It was posted on the http://logoscambodia.org and I thought you should all see it here too since many of you have followed his story.

SUREYAH is accepted in University Nursing Program at one of Canada’s top ranked universities

Sureyah in his Dorm Room at TWU

Yes, things are going pretty crazy, but thanks to God that I am able to stay on top of it. This semester flies by so quickly, and not only that, it means I am studying in Canada for almost a whole school year…

The spring atmosphere is very welcoming and full of delight. You will enjoy it very much when you come.

As for school, I have something exciting to tell you today…I GOT ACCEPTED INTO THE TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY NURSING PROGRAM!! Many thanks to all your prayers…they are indeed today answered.

For the summer, I will be working in the Regehr’s farm…however, I am working on my working permit because my current visa allows me to work only on campus. Anyway, it will come in time. (Please pray for that).

I just heard from Mr Weiss yesterday that I am going to receive a surprise from him and Mr. Hein! I don’t know what…Mango perhaps :-) the unripe ones…I really miss those. Anyway, I am glad to hear from you.

Talk to you later,

In Him,

Sureyah

Photos from MEI team in Phnom Penh

2010-03-19T21:17:00.000-07:00

From MEI visits poor area

It was sure great to see the MEI high school team from Abbotsford in PP. Always good to see Henry Z and it was nice to cross paths with Mary-Anne Quiring this time too. Henry seemed a bit more sedate this time (maybe jet lag?) The MEI students seem to be handling the heat reasonably well. Our school had a day off and it worked out well to have our whole family with them for the day and also use the school van as a means of transportation. They started off the day visiting New Life School, a cambodian

From MEI visits PP

christian school (and also a school that many people from Logos have helped build up and support. Including bringing over two of our Teacher Assistants to become the principal and the head teacher.) After lunch MEI visited a slum area in the city. MEI did a great job while visiting and ministering with a drime, praying for people, handing out food and with Joel Reimer leading some singing. Joel Reimer is always a blessing when he comes down here and it was nice to touch base with him too. (Keep praying for him up there in Poipet.)

From MEI visits New Life School

At the end of the day we let them visit our school for a swim and then off to our house for dinner and some worship time. The group knows how to pack away the Mangos!!!

From MEI visits our house for dinner

Thanks to the group for sending along real chocolate chips and some Tim Horton's coffee - really special -many thanks. Also want to say a special thanks to MEI and Tim Smith for sending along a wonderful new volleyball net, jerseys, and some good volleyballs. Those items have been received with great excitement by everyone! Hope the team had a great time in Siem Reap and Poipet!
Blessings,
Dean

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”- 1 Peter 2:2-3

MEI visits PP- click to see all pics

Refocus

2010-03-11T07:43:00.000-08:00

Refocus...

So many things happen all the time here, so fast it seems, it is hard to explain. Since I last wrote you, the following has taken place in a matter of 6 days.

When I was actually clicking on “post” for the very last blog, I thought I’d better head downstairs to see what was up, as I could hear what sounded like mourning and wailing! Thought maybe Julia was just in trouble for something.

I got downstairs to see both Julia and Steph in tears, and Maya comforting them. Our landlord’s dog Rosie, had just been killed. Rosie was the adorable little puppy we met upon arriving back from Canada this summer, and the girls, especially Julia, had grown so fond of her. We have written about the dogs often here, and there is Lilly as well. Lilly is not the brightest dog in the bunch, but Rosie was very smart, cuter, and since we’ve spent so much time caring for the dogs (they share our yard) they really feel in many ways like ours.

Anyways, the story is fishy, but it’s something like this. Lilly is in heat, so there’s been packs of male dogs hanging out around our gate almost all the time. When Lilly gets out, when we’re opening the gates for cars, etc, quite frankly, it’s a free for all. The girls are getting quite an education. They are certain that puppies are on the way. So, that night, Mr. Dara the land lord opened the gate to go out, and it all happened so fast. The male dogs got Rosie, Lilly was around but we’re not too sure on the details of her involvement, but one bite to the jugular, and Rosie was gone. The girls were informed of the horrific event by a teary eyed Mony, and they saw the carcass in the back of the truck. They were going to bury her at the farm.
It was tough sledding that night. Everyone was verifiably upset at the uselessness of her death, the violence of the attack, (this is not the first dog on the street that’s been killed by that gang.) It just wasn’t fair, agreed, but such is life out here, I’m afraid. People aren’t always treated much better. So, it was a late night, but the next day, everyone was settled a bit more.

This of course was Friday, the day Dean and I were leaving for Singapore. We had no idea if the teacher that was planning to stay with the girls would be OK—she was very sick the day before, so we were making some bleak “B” plans, but Erin did show up to school and was up for the challenge. It was such a super things for the kids—we found out after just what a great time they had, with sleepovers, hanging out with friends, visiting, a soccer tournament, and church with Pho afterwards — just all around a fun time for them. Erin, we love you and thank you so much for loving our kids. They were fully content to spend time with you and they honestly had a blast.

So, Singapore. .. What a beautiful city. What a cherished time apart. I really had no idea how much either Dean and I needed this weekend, or just how much it would mean to us. I think the timing was something amazing, cuz we’d just prior had the marriage enrichment weekend, so this following weekend was in many ways a follow up to that, or a proper debrief. Call it what you want, it was lovely. We walked for 2 days, enjoyed food the kids probably wouldn’t have. (We could never afford to take them all to Singapore—to expensive!) We went to Sentosa island, beached it for a couple hours, saw the harbor, did a bit of shopping (You need to mall it when the heat is as extreme as it is—just to cool off!) Even though it was really only 2 days, with travel til late Friday night, and starting back Monday morning, it was still so great. The city was such a change from Cambodia—neat, clean, orderly. You just remember what it is like to live in the first world again.
A chance to refocus. What is really important in life?

We came back Monday night to preparations for the MEI missions team that we were supposed to meet up with on Tuesday! Can’t wait, it’s always such a treat to have people from back home come and see this world. We hooked up with them by late morning at a Khmer Christian school (New Life) as they did some singing there, then lunched with them, and headed off for an afternoon ministry in the “slum.”
OK, I have lived now in PP for 1 ½ years, and what I saw that afternoon, was something that is well hidden from the public/tourist eye, it is something I’ve never seen, but to be honest, it’s something I’ve not wanted to look for either. Turn a blind eye? In a way, yes.

It was a small strip of shanty houses, backed onto a magnificent brand new apartment –type building, just a long, narrow, muddy lane of poverty. The connection was with New Life church, who Maryanne Quirring, one of the team leaders, had connected with previous on one of her past trips. (PS, Although I’ve e-mailed Maryanne and connected with her, I’ve never actually met her formally until now! What a special woman, and I look forward to sharing our hearts for Cambodia in the future, as her story is so unique in her desire to be here and share God’s love! Really cool to hear.) A Khmer team led the MEI team into the area, as they have been ministering there often with food, medical help for people, often pregnant women in need, and with the Love of Christ.

Basically, the people who live here, half of which seemed to be small children, have nothing, they can’t/don’t work, many of the men there were obviously drunk and were gambling, while the women sat around, some were gambling, playing cards, passing the time just keeping house in what was flat, broken up boards with ripped up tarpoline, cardboard and whatever they could find over them. The poop, the pee, the garbage, the dog and cat feces, the bathwater—everything went to the ground, the same ground the kids played on, everybody walked around in, and lived over. Simply unbelievable. You know those World Vision ads you see on TV, with extremely poor people in Africa, kids with distended bellies, white edged hair from lack of nutrition, head lice, little to no clothing—you know that type of TV drama? Well, here it played out for us in real life.

Do you know how weird it is to just walk, this big group of foreigners, into an area like this? This is where people live, it’s their homes, and we walk in there like there’s something to see. It’s hard to take pictures, because of the sensationalism of saying, “wow, look how poor these people are!” It’s personally disgusting, yet at the same time, absolutely necessary that people go in there, see the disadvantage, tell the story and then get off their pampered keisters to get up and do something about it.!

The best way in is of course, for Khmer people to minister. We walked around, talked what little we could with the people. And played with the kids. They are so beautiful, big brown eyes. Some are so happy, just playing with pieces of garbage they could find, and running, ignoring the discipline of the adults, laughing and talking with us. Some, on the other hand, don’t smile. They shy away, look the other direction, cry a lot, or just look forlorn. One tiny baby we found all alone on a large flat chair, just sucking on a water bottle, sitting of course in his own urine. Someone eventually showed up to do something in the house. Steph noted that no one was taking care of him, at an age in North America, where you rarely leave your child out of sight, let alone unattended. One toddler was just crying loud and long, as 4 women sat beside her and played cards, completely ignoring her. Hey, I remember ignoring my kids sometimes when the crying was for ridiculous reasons. This too could have been the case. Or not.

So, the girls got an eye full that afternoon. Maya was stuck like glue to one of the MEI boys (she always picks a favorite and won’t let them go!), Julia kept saying she wanted to get out of there (it was hot, very hot, and one of the MEI girls was not feeling well and had to be attended to.) Steph held some babies and could talk a bit. Dean and Joel Reimer, Henry and some of the New Life Khmer people talked with the people. Basically, what more could we do? Finally, the MEI team put out a brand new tarp, kids from everywhere came out to watch them sing and do a drime (A play to music without words to share the gosopel) and it was complete chaos! I laughed thinking of how these priveledged MEI kids had probably practiced this drime many times over in the comfortable, spacious settings of a gym or large classroom, with the sound systems of the future—here, Henry was prantically trying to get batteries that wouldn’t drain out after one song before we got to the slum. The tarp that was set out, was probably supposed to be for the team to act on, but as soon as something that clean and nice was set up, whoa, the kids flocked to it, and then you couldn’t get them off if you tried. The kids doing the acting were squeezed into this tiny little muddy lane, maybe 2 metres wide, nothing but filth to bend their knee too. It was certainly surreal, that’s for sure. Couple that with wailing children, the khmer team leader yelling over a mega phone, people trying to get around the crowd, walking in and out of houses, mothers showing up with their babies (they would get a small food bag if they watched the show) and even one woman coming to make collections for who knows what, striking off a name and an amount as one lady paid up.

All I could think of was the scripture about God is not a God of chaos , but of peace, order, sanity. Insanity was what this little visit felt like. Truly, it was a step in time that is comparable to very little. I’d never experienced anything like it. We left after about an hour in the heat, saying goodbye to little kids running after us. Back out onto the nice street, into our air coned vans, and headed to Logos for a tour.

It was a great day, really. The MEI kids were able to jump into our pool at school, I headed home first to make some small preparations, as Sokhom had cooked for the better part of the day to feed all the kids, her famour chicken/pork curry! Henry and Joel got a tour of our great new facility and both were considerably impressed. Seriously, the new Logos is not something you see everyday in PP. We again, are so thankful to have it and be a part of it there.

Supper came and went. The kids were very thirsty and we really enjoyed some great time getting to know them. Dean had only taught one of the kids, so it was a new crop for us. The team was 10 kids, 2 leaders, them we had Joel and his coworker Candy, and another Khmer friend. All in all, the whole group thankfully polished off 16 ripe, juicy mangos! Tis the Season.

After supper, we worshiped. What better thing to do? Joel and Dean played some guitar, and it was such a blessing to sing along, send these beautiful sounds up to heaven, out our doors, hopefully through the gates and around to the people close by. It was truly spirit filled, and wouldn’t you know, in the middle of worship, we hear something outside—starting soft, then louder and heavy: RAIN! The heavens opened up in the middle of our worship time! We haven’t seen rain, significant rain like that, in months! What a miracle it felt like. Some of the kids ran outside, it was so warm. We just couldn’t believe what it felt like, seriously, like a cool down, a bit of manna from heaven.

What a time to refocus on our purpose out here in Cambodia. I get way to easily caught up in the planning for the next school break, deciding what we’re going to do on the weekend, you know , those day to day things, the immediacy of life. This was good for me, very good, to reflect on the days events, be thankful for food and a clean house and a floor and a roof, and to remember the cry for the heart of the nations.

Wed, we rested a bit and regrouped a bit from the intensity of the past days. The lost dog, the trip, the babysitting, the team visit, the slum. And the list doesn’t end there. When we saw Sokhom on Tuesday morning, she was telling us of a huge fire close to her house, that had consumed many houses that past night, and that she was so afraid her house would get caught on fire too! Can you imagine that kind of fear?

We investigated further. Something like 150 homes (if you want to call them that, the wood, shack-like homes along the railroad, the kind we see off our roof, behind our house) burned to the ground, leaving many homeless, just the night before. This area is very close to Sokhom’s house, in our area of the city but not close to us. I haven’t been to the sight, but other friends of ours have. They went the day after to hand out waters, and it’s complete devastation.

There is more news on that though. Our friends who speak Khmer and have been here for years, say it was most likely in intentionally set fire, to clear the squatters off the land to be developed. Nobody died in the fire, meaning everyone knew it was coming. They’d probably been told to get out and hadn’t moved yet . and apparently the fire started in the head area guy’s house, meaning he’d been bought off to let his fire get out of control. It’s so sad. Not a decent thing seems to happen here sometimes. So, they’ve set up camp where they can, those who lost homes. There’s been fencing put up already to clear the land, and we’ll see what starts to go up. The city has also closed up on of the only optional ways out of Toul Kork to the rest of PP, but putting up a median, so now there are only 2 ways out of our section of the city to the rest of the city, (think Vancouver and 2 bridges!) and the traffic is UNBELIEVABLEY bad. It’s honestly a good thing we’re not still at the old Logos, cuz it’s quite close to the main traffic circle that gets backed up. Parents would have even a harder time coming in and out now. Just crazy stuff.

Finally, we head back to school today, Thursday. Back to the priviledged kids, yet Cambodian kids all the same. Similar faces to what we saw in the slum, but these kids are clean, well fed, getting an education. The exact opposite of the sadness over there. Time to refocus again. Reflect and remember what the purpose of all this is.

Tomorrow is Friday! I checked the long term weather for PP, and for the next 2 weeks, the highs in the afternoon are varying from 38 to 40 celcius, with lows in the evening anywhere from 24 to 28. And yes, we might get more rain! Otherwise, hot and sunny!

Well, I’d better run, but hope to post a few picts soon. Please keep us in your prayers, but keep Cambodia in your prayers, and pray for the poor, the lost, the destitute. There are so many people here living like that. God have mercy.

Hot Season with a vengence...

2010-03-04T04:23:00.000-08:00

Hello love ones.

Just a very short hello here from Lesley. We are doing well and hope the rest of you are well also.

Hot season has arrived here, without much to speak of for a cool season, so it sure is going to be interesting. Regular highs are hitting 37 already, and that's in the shade at the heat of the day. In the sun, at the peak of the afternoon, I tell ya, this whole country just literally bakes! Thankful that we do not have to work out in the direct sun, as many, many do. Monday at school, we ended up losing power, which not only means no occassional air con, but also no computers and NO FANS! That's the worst part. Anyways, Tuesday was OK, but often we're still losing it frequently at the late part of the day when it's hottest, and people are using alot of energy. You can pray for us and our school, as the kids are hot and it's hard to be energetic in those circumstances. Also, we are expecting (have ordered) a transformer which is going to bring more power into the school, but the ETA for that is end of March.

However, it's heating up now. Thanks for the swimming pool that can cool us down after school, or just head home to a long shower, sit in front of a fan, and maybe pump the air con for a few minutes. Whatever it takes to cool off.

Last weekend, Dean and I were priviledged to attend a marriage enrichment weekend (actually one overnight) through ICA church. 8 or so couples attended, and it was a really nice getaway, where we had a rare chance to refocus on the things that are important. We watched a Christian film called "Fireproof" which is about a couple whose marriage was failing, and the sessions revolved around the issues that arose. It was just the right thing for us, not too heavy, we got to go with some other friends we know, and just enjoyed a bit of a change. Very positive, and the kids were well cared for, S & M sleeping over at our friends the Friedbergs, and Julia had a birthday party sleepoever.

Today is Thursday for us, and here's the plan for the weekend: Dean and I are going to Singapore, a seat sale we booked months ago, that is arriving this weekend. We're leaving Friday and will be back monday. VERY excited, as times away are very much appreciated. We're planning for a teacher friend Miss Erin to spend the weekend with the girls, but she's gone home sick today (very sick) so we may have to change plans at the last minute, but we hope she will just be better soon.We'll leave right after school Friday.

Then, Tuesday and Wed we have no school. This is perfect timing, as we will be hosting the MEI Missions team on Tuesday. We're going to hang out with their ministry at a khmer school in PP, and then tour them at our school, and have supper. This is such a big deal for us, as we always look forward to them coming! Yay! They are spending the rest of their time with Joel in Poipet so big hello's will be passed on to him.

Wed, the girls have a morning soccer practice for their game the next day, and otherwise, we'll just regroup and get ready for the 2 day week! It sure is nice to have a bit of a break.

We've got another couple weeks ahead. I'm preparing for some concerts at the end of April, Dean is busy with Dan hiring for next year, and again, we keep dealing with the day in and day out of the considerations of working in this country. The girls are really well, running and playing soccer (in this heat--yikes!) Maya has been doing alot of testing for the next upcoming report card, and she is really doing a good job at reading. It's so much fun to see her moving ahead and learning like she is.

We enjoyed as much of the olympics as South East Asia could offer us. Dean can download specific events off the internet, so just last night (I know, a few days late, but who really cares?) a bunch of us sat around and watched the gold medal hockey game. (Yes, even me!--It was very entertaining!!!!) Half of us canadians, have americans (or half married to americans!) It was fun. Just the day before, the two of us watched the opening ceremonies that Dean downloaded, and it was awesome! Can't wait to see the closing. We will soon, I hope.
Thanks to so many of you that sent links, updates and information in e-mail.

Finally, Happy 85th Birthday to my Grandma, Gladys Papson. My mom sent me pictures of her and their celebrations. They were just so lovely--she's such a beautiful woman, still and always. We all wish her the best.

Love to all, and would always love to hear a word via e-mail. Take care and God Bless!

Carnival, Bible Camp, Exploding Wieners and Jog-a-thon, Falling off my Moto

2010-02-19T18:15:00.000-08:00

Greetings to all of you. Wow, this last little while has been a very busy stretch. It’s been fun but it’s been busy. In the last 2 weeks we have had the Big School Carnival, I have gone to Bible Camp for the week, hosted Jim and Carrie Williams at our house for a quick visit, and ended it all off with the big school fundraiser “Jog-a-thon”.

From carnival2010

It all started off a couple of weekends ago with the local school Carnival. The carnival is a great event for the school community where all the classroom students in their respective grades design games or events for Logos and community kids to play or participate in. Some of the games are as simple as a bean bag throw or a face painting station. Some other grades create games that involve sheriff stations and placing people in jail or games like ”Are you smarter than a 7th grader?”. At any rate, Dan Hein and I were BBQing hotdogs for the crowd – the REAL fan favorite! Ok maybe not, but we actually used a real North American bbq grill that someone brought into the country and borrowed to us for the event.

From Carnival2010

The bottom of the bbq is missing so all the drippings land on the propane tank. So noticing the front door of the bbq was broken, I placed that on top of the tank and protected the tank. Anyways we had a fun time with that event. The girls had fun playing and participating at the event. Julia’s grade 6ers made mango blended drinks, and Steph’s grade 8s had a wet sponge station. Les helped out putting tattoos on kids at the tattoo station. (You know, the great Canadian dollar store kind that don't exist out here!) The whole carnival was a great success!

From Carnival2010

At the carnival I actually had no voice and I could not talk. Do I hear an AMEN from the crowd! This has never happened to me before (although has been wished upon me numerous times I am sure). The day before I got some sort of frog in the throat and by the next day I had no voice at all. Les made me a sign tag to pin to the front of my shirt that said, “Sorry I have lost my voice and I can’t talk”. This tag really did help, however, there were many people who thought it was some sort of “silent game” at the carnival. When they realized that I was not joking – they were a bit more understanding and I appreciated not having to try to explain my situation. My real concern was that I was suppose to go to Bible camp in a couple of days and lead and speak at the first session for the camp. I had a couple of people pray for me the next day at church and my voice was restored later that day- although I didn’t really try to use it until I needed it. Praise God!
So on the Monday I was off for the week to the Cambodian Jungle for the High School Bible Camp along with 8 other teachers and all the high school students. We all travel about 5 hours north of Phnom Penh to a very rustic camp area.
At the camp we try to scare the students about the malaria, tigers, cobras and other poisonous snakes in the area but it is more to keep them close to the camp rather than any real danger. Everyone had a great time going through many of the challenging small and large group activities and also taking part in the learning sessions each morning and evening. This year’s camp theme was “Service and Sacrifice” and was based out of the Bible’s Mark 10:43-45.
“But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45 (New Living Translation)

From bible camp

I think what I really liked about this year’s camp is the opportunity to place the above scripture into action by sending out a group of students and teachers each morning into some of the poorest areas of Cambodia. Each morning a group of students built 5 latrines and as a school we completed 15 latrines for families in the area. For many of the students this was an opportunity to serve and sacrifice for those less fortunate in a very real, practical and physically exhausting way. One of our Cambodian staff members, Mr. Sokcha, was amazed at how poor some families in Cambodia live and he estimated that these families live on approximately $100 USD annually. Yet even with such poverty, these families are so appreciative of our help that they offer to climb up their trees to give us fresh coconut milk from their trees. I really appreciated and needed the coconut milk myself because my water bottle had some bad water in it and I couldn’t drink all morning- so I was hot and very thirsty and very ready to drink what I could.

From bible camp

A new thing that was added to the camp this year was a compass walk. This was a bit of an orienteering aspect to the scheduled activities at the camp. I really liked it but it meant going through some of the thinned out jungle area. The premise of the walk is to navigate to a number of key points and once locating the particular marker that has a certain picture on it, draw the picture on a sheet of paper before moving to the next point. The first team to complete the walk in the fastest time wins the event. It was great. There was one point in the walk when one of the markers was to be located in a bomb crater! After really thinking about that, there were many bomb craters around that area. As I was walking I was also thinking things like “I sure hope there are no landmines in the area” and thoughts like, “I sure don’t want me or anyone else to lose their legs today”. Not really valid positive thoughts, but it made for an interesting compass walk.
At the end of the camp and during our last teaching session, the staff challenged the students to live a life that serves others and to be a living sacrifice to the Lord. And more importantly, to do this service with a heart of Love, just as Christ loved us and sacrificed His life for us out of a heart of love.

Jim and Carrie come to visit

I returned on Friday and the next day Jim Williams and his lovely new bride Carrie came to visit us for a few days on the last leg of their holidays. It was great to talk and have visitors with us – we really enjoyed their company. Wish they could have stayed longer but they were off to the Cambodian beach for a couple of days and then back to China. Les and I did have a chance to show the two of them around the new school. They were both surprised at the quality of the new school and called it an “Oasis in the Desert”. I thought that the comment seemed very appropriate for the setting. Well the visit was short and sweet and they took off on Thursday morning.
During this past week we have been preparing for the school fund raiser, “Jog-a-thon” that ran this past Friday. This is a chance for our school to raise funds to help get our playground in a bit better shape. However, the real immediate need is that our school does not have enough electricity and so we need to buy a transformer. (Something we did not anticipate). We have been told that the price is $40,000 and heading into the hot season with no power will be very difficult. The school raised $12,000 with most of the money coming from North American sources. This is a good help but we still need some help getting that transformer.

The jog-a-thon ran well and we had the older kids ran outside around the community while the young kids ran inside the school grounds. We ran the whole thing first thing in the morning before it gets too hot for everyone. As part of the fun we also agreed to give all the students in the school free hot dogs. Well for some reason I agreed to get the hotdog wieners at one of the expat type stores. What I really didn’t think about was the fact that, in my mind, I thought I was getting a few hotdog wieners like I did for the carnival (around 200), but in actuality, I was buying almost 700 wieners for the whole school! This enlightenment didn’t really hit me until I got to the closest thing we have to a grocery store and started to pile in all the wieners in a cart.

From Maya Running Hard at Jog-a-thon

What made this whole idea challenging was that I had purchased them all and now realized that I had to somehow bring them back to the school (some 6 km away)- on my moto- through busy traffic! Well, I thought I was up for the challenge. (I have seen all sorts of Cambodians take absurd things on a moto, [3 large pigs, 50 live chickens, 6 people] so I thought I could do a few wieners.) After taking nearly 10 minutes to figure out how to pack these packages of wieners in every possible place; I had wieners under my motoseat, hanging off my mirrors, in my bag, pockets. However, I had most of them secured against my left leg piled in front of my lap. I was ready and I set off for Logos. Needless to say, I was getting some stares from some people. Some large white guy with a whole lot of bags piled everywhere is not a sight you see every day here.

From Grade winners for Jog-a-thon Race

I got about 1 km away when I suddenly realized I forgot my Helmet. The idea of going back almost made me say I should forget about it and I could buy another helmet. However, if I continued on towards the school, the likelihood that I would get stopped by one of the many cops along the route made me quickly reconsider. So I slowly meandered back to my starting point. My helmet was on a guard’s side table waiting for me. The Cambodian guard chuckled at the sight of me with those wieners everywhere. He gave me my helmet and I quickly left the mocking area.
So off I tried again, I got about half way through all the hot busy traffic when I suddenly felt one of the bags resting on my left leg was slipping. I quickly went to the side of the road to try and pull up the bag. When I stopped, I looked down and noticed the bag upside down. I quickly grabbed the bag and noticed only one package of wieners in the grocery bag. I had a bad feeling as I notice the top of the grocery bag had ripped. I looked back into traffic to see if maybe I had lost some of the wieners and sure enough, saw two packages (20 wieners each) laying in the traffic. One package was already squished and wieners were everywhere. As I watched the other package still intact, I was trying to figure out how I could turn around to save them. As I was trying to maneuver the moto around against the raging traffic, a car ran over the package and wieners went everywhere. In the mad scramble and chaos, Cambodians were trying to go into traffic and pick up some of the squished wieners. I left the area in utter disappointment.

From Jog-a-thon2010

I drove slowly to school and was exhausted, hot, and disappointed. I got to the school and one of the Khmer teacher assistants, who saw all the stuff hanging from my moto, said “wow, you are as good as a Cambodian woman!” She was referring to my ability to get all that stuff packed on my moto. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I lost 2 packages- something a Cambodian woman would never have let happen.
Take care and I hope you are having as much fun as we are!
Dean

P.S. Just to let you all know I had a spill on my moto this past week too. While Dan and I were running around trying to figure out the route for the middle and high school jog-a-thon I ended up hitting a patch of soft road. Well with Dan Hein on the back of my moto, I took a tumble off the moto and onto the road. Don’t worry, Dan and the moto landed on me – so they were all safe. Thankfully we were not going very fast, so outside of some road rash and bruises I am OK. Dan had a bit of skin loss too but seemed OK. Actually, my pride was hurt more than anything else.
When we got back to the school one of the guards saw me all dusted up, bloody and with ripped pants and shirt. His eyes were big with questions and I tried to tell him I got hit by a cow on my moto. It seemed like a good answer at the time and certainly a better reason than hitting a depression of soft dirt. He seemed to really like my answer and his reaction was very accepting- like “getting hit by cows on motos” happens every day. I only let that answer stay for a moment and then I told him the truth- he looked at me with disappointment. Like I said, my pride hurt more than anything else. Sorry no pics of that. Below is a list of lots of different pics from the events I talked about.

jogathon2010-our family pics

Carnival2010-our pics

Scylla and Charybdis

2010-02-07T00:40:00.000-08:00

HI all. Well, I'm going to get all "heady" on you. I had to look up the title of this blog on google, as I had no idea what it meant, but wanted to use it. Here's what I found out, they are the names of Sea Monsters from greek mythology:

"The myth has Charybdis, lying on one side of a blue, narrow channel of water. On the other side of the strait was Scylla, another sea-monster. The two sides of the strait are within an arrow's range of each other, so close that sailors attempting to avoid Charybdis will pass too close to Scylla and vice versa. The phrase "between Scylla and Charybdis" has come to mean being in a state where one is between two dangers and moving away from one will cause you to come closer to the other. "Between Scylla and Charybdis" is the origin of the phrase "between the rock and the whirlpool" (the rock upon which Scylla dwelt and the whirlpool of Charybdis) and may also be the genesis of the phrase "between a rock and a hard place."

All that just to quote Elisabeth Elliot from a book of hers that I read recently, that I could NOT put down, "The Savage, My Kinsman," where she tells the story of going into the jungle, her and her 3 year old daughter, to live alongside the Auca people, the very same who murdered her husband and 4 other men, 3 years prior. Just a fasciniting read, I recommend it.

However, in her epilogue, she comments on the writing of the book, and of telling her missionary (or any) missionary story:

"We must recognize the treacherous Scylla and Charybdis of missionary reporting--not telling enough of the story, and telling altogether too much. The first temptation is to minimize what is great. The second is to magnify what is trivial."

Hmm.

I haven't written for a little while, and when I read that I thought, maybe I haven't written because there's been nothing trivial to magnify? Things have been just going along lately, without anything too sensational to write about! I certainly have been guilty of that error on this blog at times. Or, perhaps, I am simply minimizing the astonishing greatness of our Father, by not writing enough about who He is and what I see of Him here! When I think of it, It's a tough situation to be in really. So, I apologize for the extremes. When I write, I know there are trivial things I want to say, but I hope I can tell enough of the story, that God gets the Glory.

If you want trivial details, there are certainly many to share. We have been well. Dean is sick right now with a nice bout of laringitis, but he's feeling Ok. As nice as that may sound for US, that he doesn't have his voice, (haha) he still continues to try to whisper and communicate with actions, so it's actually worse than when he's talking too much!

Dean and many other staff members and all the high school students are headed off to camp this week, so he needs to get better quick. Dean went as a supervisor last year, and it's an adventure camp, so they have alot of fun, great teaching times, and I know he's looking forward to it.

That leaves Monday to Friday as "girls" week for the rest of us. (Who am I kidding--it's always "girls week" around here! haha) Anyways, we'll try to get to school on time without him, which should be interesting.

Steph's had alot of homework and was pretty choked about things earlier this week. When it slowed down a bit, that helped, but it sort of feels like nothing has been "fun" lately at school--just getting down to the nitty gritty of class after class, assignment after test, and although this is normal for this time of year, it can get wearisome for a kid who cares and wants to do well at things.

So, we solved the lack of "fun" problem this Saturday, as it was the Logos Carnival, where the school puts on a fun fair, complete with food, games, tickets, prizes, tables with sales, face painting--did I mentions food?--hot dogs, drinks, Korean food, indian food. and all the grades put on games where kids can win prizes. Alot of school and non-Logos kids show up for this and it was really a fun day for everyone. Maya's arms are covered in transfer tattoos, Julia got soaked in the "Throw a water balloon at your favorite Gr. 6er" game, and Steph hung out with friends, put a few people in "jail" (that was one of the games--a highlight, as you apy to get someone "Arrested" then they have to get bailed out! Quite a hoot.) and Steph also watched Ally Hein a bit, for some babysitting. All in all, a really fun day. What made it even more enjoyable, is that when all was said and done (it went from 10-2 Saturday) we took our swim suits and jumped into the pool and cooled off. Lovely.

Yes, the Logos pool is really lovely, pretty much exclusively designed by Dean, so he's pleased as punch with it. It's a full size, 25m laps pool, saltwater, so it's really, really nice. There is a small kid pool for little ones, that you can see easily from the main pool. So, I now have found probably my perfect exercise regime for cambodia! Getting up at 5 am to run when it's not hot and still have people staring at you was difficult. Running any other time of the day, and where--was always an issue. Walking is ok, but there's no park close by to do so and still people stare (I could just get over that, but when you're trying to get some exercise, it's a good excuse to avoid going out!) So now, After a long, hot day at school, when most of the kids are gone home, I can jump into the pool, do a few laps, let Maya and any of the other kids swim too, (I can watch Maya in the small pool WHILE exercising, now that's a miracle) AND it's lovely, refreshing, the water is a perfectly warm enough temp that I'm never cold, and my goodness, doesn't that sound nice for those of you who are freezing cold in Canada right now? I'm sorry, not bragging, but boy am I enjoying the swimming, and making the most of a win win situation. It is good and I'm thankful.

I guess we did have a little fun also the Friday before carnival, as it was High school/middle school chapel, and the Gr. 12's did a pie in the face ufndraiser. Dean was of course, on the list, along with a number of other favorite teachers, and he paid his dues. Unfortunately for me, another staff member grabbed our camera while Dean was covered in whip cream, and Dean planted a big ol' kiss on my face, so I had whipping cream up my nose for the rest of the day! Gross. However, the kids enjoyed the bidding, and boy, if Julia only had remembered to bring money!!! She was so into it. Too bad there's not alot of forethought in all that enthusiasm!

Weekends lately have been filled with trying to rest. Been so tired, it seems. The power coming into the school building is still not enough for half of the classrooms to run even one aircon for part of the day, so we are always blowing the system, and shutting off breakers. What this means is that while we are technically still in "cool" season (I prefer to call it "Not roasting hot season,") we are teaching in some very warm classrooms, and it is a fair amount tougher than I thought it would be. You just eventually overheat, and it tires you out.

Last Sunday, on the invite of Bill Lobezoo our neighbor and CMA missionary, we went to church at David and Patti's TNT, Khmer church on the other side of the city. Any gals from my old missions team, you were there, and maybe some of you SOAers know that they are currently building a new building on the same property, and we wanted to see how it was going. In a word, unbelievable! It is HUGE, gorgeous, and really like David said, Taj Mahal--ish! Really, we took pictures and hopefully they will be up for you to see. What a blessing for this community. Alot of the money has been fundraised from the West (which is a good and bad thing, because dependency on the rich West is such a struggle Cambodia in general out here) but it is really a nice space and the people are very happy.

Name dropping time. We heard from Ange Booy in an e-mail last week, that she was in and out of town within about 12 hours total, coming from Siem Riep and on to India, where she will be doing the rest of her YWAM. I think she comes back for a few days in March, then home, so we will see her then. But, this is the culmination of her time out here, to head to India, so be praying for her. And the big news is that she has done something to her back, and was on complete bedrest for like 3 weeks in Siem Riep. She was hoping to get some medical attention on that short stay here, and has been very immobile. Not able to do stuff with her team, and it's been good and bad in many ways. Making her spend time with God. So, I dont' know how much we're going to get to hear from her while in india, but that's the scoop on her. Please pray!

Next, we're going to host Jim Williams next weekend, while he's doing some touring of SE Asia on his school break. He'll be here with his significant other (I'm sorry, I've forgotten her name) and they'll stay with us a few days over valentines day.) looking very much forward to some COMPANY! Stew and Sue McKercher with Ratanak (some of you know them) are out again, and we've invited them to see our new school. (We're always trying to give tours!) Hopefully that will take place next week. And finally, the MEI missions team, headed by Henry Zukowski and Maryanne Quiring will be showing up on our doorstep for supper March 8th, around there, as they get in that weekend. (Due to the Olympics, everyone has different spring break schedules in BC? IS this true?? Sounds interesting.) So, we hope to spend some time with their ministry on the Tuesday at New Life school, and then we can sup together and they can tour our new school. Looking forward to all of this.

So, Olympic news?? We hear none of it. Someone fill us in. All I've heard is from a few e-mails about the snow transfers, the bills running up--anyone with insider info can write us and let us know how things are turning. We're very interested, but this side of the world doesn't know anything about winter or olympics, so we're not getting much!

Well, that's the "trivial" list. The "great" list? God is always good. We had a student run away from home a few weeks ago and he was prayed for so much by the school. He has returned safely and I cannot comment on his current home life, but sure hope and keep praying that things will improve. Our staff continues to meet each morning for devotions, and you know, I look forward to these mornings all the time. It's sometimes a challenge to get there early enough, but each morning, we hear God's word together, pray for our students and whatever needs arise. It is good to be part of a staff like this, very good. Comforting when you're the one who is down and need the prayer, and to have people cover you like that.

The House of Smiles kids were able to come to Carnival! We gave them everything free, and I think they had a great time--what a jolt out of their quiet reality, of day after day, in their house, having school and the basic structure that they have, to getting such a noisy, unusual outing! They seemed to enjoy themselves, and the workers did, so that was nice.

And, it's staffing, recruiting and hiring time for Logos. Teachers have to decide (if their contracts are finished) if they're staying or going. Dan spends alot of time answering e-mails, phone calls and other inquiries about working at Logos. There are usually alot of unanswered questions beginning at this time of year, but in every year, Dan will really attest to how God has filled the gaps, brought the right people out for the jobs, and it's been really an amazing testament to his Will for this school, to watch how things have fallen into place over the years. However, there is still much footwork to be done, and now is the time of year when it starts to get busy.

Our own thankfully great news. We were waiting to hear back from Action, that they would agree to extend our 2 year short term missionary status to 3 years, and they did! We heard that this past week, and are very excited about officially planning to come back to Logos for a third year. Unfortunately, that news came back to back with hearing news of difficult health issues with some of our close relatives. It's so tough, some of these situations. I just keep praying...

Thank you for your continued following of our blog, despite the trivialization of the important, or the magnification of the mundane! Thanks and blessing to those of you who support us in the ways you can, prayer, funding, love, reading the blog. We appreciate you.

God Bless. I shall leave you with one last comment/story just cuz if I write about it, it gives me some clarity on what to do. Hope to hear from some of you soon.

A comment about the dogs, then I go. Julia loves dogs. All the girls love dogs! The dogs out here are quite frankly, gross. Dogs are not taken care of here, they are treated very low and frankly, when so many people are poor and hungry in this nation, why does anyone have a dog and have to feed it? Oh, no one really buys dog food, they just feed them scraps, or they scavenge on their own for food, but really, they are awful looking creatures, they are loaded with ticks, worms, scabies, no one cleans them. Regardless, Julia loves the dogs, especially our landlord's dogs Lilly and Rosy. Lilly has always been Julia's favorite, however, Lilly is not a smart dog, and with no training, she's learned some horrible habits. She tears at Rosy, the younger (and nicer and smarter)when they are fed, and fights for her food too. She barks and chases at motos when she's let out of the gate. Currenly, our landlords are building another home somewhere out of town, so they are RARELY home, which means if it wasn't for us (well, Julia) taking care of these poor creatures, they'd almost never get fed. It's so annoying. Anyways, long story short, Lilly's been really nipping at Julia, she seems to have crossed some play boundary to a point where I don't feel it's safe for Julia to have interaction with her. I really want her to back off with her contact with this dog, but it lives in our yard and it's really hard to do cuz Julia's so attached. This is all quite hard for Jubes, and I hope things can be resolved soon. The landlords keep talking about taking Lilly out to this "farm" (their new house) and leaving her there, and I sure wish they would, cuz I can't stand having this animal around much longer. She licks us non stop the second we get out the door, they try to get into our house, I keep kicking her to stop her from coming close and again, I'm concerned about this biting issue. Anyways, I'll let you know what comes of this, but it's quite an irritating situation right now. Poor Jubes, all she wants is a nice dog for a pet. Maybe one day.

What we now See on the Way to Work

2010-01-26T03:41:00.000-08:00

I thought I would let you all see some of the everyday things we now see on the way to work to the New Logos school. It is a bit different than the drive you might be use to. It is all fascinating to me to see everyday movement and life in Cambodia. These pics are not all in the correct order but consist of some of the typical things we encounter to and from work.
I will post a few of them here, but the whole album is at the bottom of this post.

From The dusty way to work

From Neighborhood Kids

From dumping garbage in water to create fill and property

Click here to see all 80 pics

Happy Birthday Mom

2010-01-25T05:27:00.000-08:00

For some people, the idea of leaving the comfort of Canada and moving out to Cambodia is difficult or even seems impossible. For some people, this loss of comfort is too big a sacrifice and they feel they can't do it. Although we have been challenged through this process, we certainly know that God has blessed and made that path possible for us and we are thankful that the sacrifice has not seemed overwhelmingly difficult.
Yet there are those moments when we are out here and it feels like a sacrifice to be here. For me, those moments happen when I get my heart string pulled toward home. Those moments are those special times. You know what I am talking about, Christmas is a top contender, but special birthdays are also high ranking.
Today is my Mom's 60th birthday. All of my brothers and sisters will be flying into Winnipeg to celebrate this day. You got it -- except us. Gulp....
We really do love it here, but I really would like to be there in Winterpeg to be with the whole clan and celebrate Mom's big day. It is not possible - we are too far away and it is too expensive. Today it feels like a sacrifice to be here in Cambodia.
The question is, "is the sacrifice worth it?" The answer is still "Yes!"
Still, I think to myself, "This too shall pass" as a means to comfort myself.

At any rate, just wanted to wish my Mom (AKA Oma) a happy 29th birthday for the 32nd time!
Here is a little clip from us to you.

From Happy 60th Oma from all of us in Cambodia- click to see video

Blessings,
Dean
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”- Philippians 4:8

...Just another story for the blog...

2010-01-15T05:12:00.000-08:00

a blown power box at the new school...the consistent running out of water in the building...girls covered in cement dust after volleyball practice....Dean turning 41...Maya getting her first stitches...

Could all this happen in just one short week in our time here in Cambodia? Yes it can and yes it did!

From mayainjured

First week at the new Logos! Truly it went really well, despite some predicted setbacks. The traffic was OK, as parents had to park a ways out and walk to drop off and pick up kids. Not everyone was happy about that, but you can't please everyone. There is a PA system installed for names to be called at the end of the day to come to the gate for their ride home. Complete garble on the first day, so by Wed, it was replaced with our very efficient, well working and loud old system that we had at the old Logos. SO, by mid week, everyone could actually hear their names being called and report to go home! Improvement.

Power, that powerful word. We expected some troubles, and all day Monday, the power was on and off. (Sucks when using computers, cuz you can lose stuff.) By Tues, it went off late morning and stayed off for the rest of the day. The prob was not the limited power in the area, but rather, we blew the main power breaker coming into the school. By Wed, the powers that be (note the pun) declared almost an all out ban on air con use, which was draining the most energy, and asked us to use none or just one per room. This worked much better, and we had power all day for the rest of the week. The school is located outside the city, so there's lots of wind and airflow, and the design is such that if windows are open, the breeze is quite cooling and not as much air con is needed. It also cooled off a bit by the end of the week, so that has helped too. However, with the breeze comes the dirt, and that is coating everything, but at least it's better than no air flow and no air con, and a cookery. So, we learned as we went, that's for sure.

Water. There is one tiny little hose that brings water into the entire school building. It is then pumped into tanks on the roof, which then flow down. I'm not sure of the exact physics, but the tiny little hose could not filter enough water into the tanks for the use required on Monday. That meant we ran out of water from the taps and to flush toilets by mid day. It didn't help that when the guards outside shut off a certain tap, it actually turned off ALL the water flow into the school (they thought it was just their own hoses or something!) Kind of funny, but that got remedied quickly. Tuesday, they started to put in anther pipe to pump more water in, and it definitely improved throughout the week, but occasionally there would be no water on the top floor, but flowing freely on the main! Still working on that a bit, but as with the other issues, things improved throughout the week.

From Shalom Church has first service at New Logos. Pastor BJ from Action International leads worship

What else? The gym floor that got grinded/sanded down for a smoother surface caused the girls first volleyball practice on Tuesday afterschool, to be "dust"ball! With every step, jump and landing, the dust rose up and covered the girls. Not great for lungs. Dean asked for the floor to be power washed to clean it off, and found to his amusement that the "powerwash" was nothing more than a garden hose and a few guys with brooms! ( I couldn't help but think of my mother "hosing!") But still, this week saw the following: a roof put up to shade the playground, computer desks installed, internet up and running, more tables for the library, the small kid's pool up and running, the large pool getting less and less green every day, photocopiers working and the laminator found... I mean, does it get any better than this??? Things really were coming together while classes resumed as much like normal as they could.

So, Dean turned 41 on Thursday, and it was not quite the party it was last year, but he got a lovely "cambodian" birthday present from his family of kettle chips, Starbucks coffee (purchased by our friends who just came back from KL) and a toblerone! (Western treats!) He spent the better part of the day with a "birthday boy" badge pinned on the front of his shirt, and when so many kids were wishing him happy birthday and asking him is he really was a "birthday boy," he thought he'd remove it! Dean and Dan ran most of this week, like crazy, trying to keep staff happy, parents and carpools running smoothly and the pick up at the end of the day as practical as the mayhem could allow. Lots of parking lot attending, dealing with workers and running around to classrooms, asking if everyone was OK. Needless to say, they're pretty beat today (Friday) and will need a good rest this weekend. I guess Dean will rest after hosting a volleyball tournament tomorrow, where S & J will play their last tournament on the same middle school team.

And finally, probably the story you've all been waiting for... poor Maya. That little sweetheart had her birthday last weekend, but I'd promised her she could take a cake in on Friday of the first week of school, to share with the class and have a little celebration. Thurs night it was whipped up, and Friday, she carried it into the school, placed in on the wood coffee table in the office until time to go to class. Now, Maya's mother, who is also on staff :) was on duty Friday morning, chatting with another teacher, when she started to hear her name being called loudly by other students, from the office. There stood Maya with blood all over her mouth and shirt, crying and screaming.

I ran to see her. She was apparently running to see her cake and tripped, landing with her mouth on the corner of the wood table. As the blood got washed off, it was apparent that her bottom lip was split open pretty good, and I was sure some stitches would be needed to close it up. Found Dean, he took one look and agreed, so maya and mom were off to the hospital, at 8 in the morning, during rush hour traffic. I won't go into the details about the trip there, as May was really ok, she'd settled down a bit, had a cloth on her lip, and actually fell asleep a bit in the car from the shock. But it took me nearly an hour to get across town, when the return trip took about 20 or so minutes!

Aside: Our car actually got hit twice in that trip, if you can believe it. First time, I felt such a small nudge from behind, that I thought, "did I just get hit?" Waved to the guy behind me and he gave me the sorry wave! Then, I got wedged between two cars and one of them slightly sideswiped the side of our car trying to get past me. Hard to believe, eh?

So, we went for the first time to SOS, an international hospital with foreign doctors, a very safe bet for good care out here, and I didn't care what the cost would be, as we have good insurance. I just thought with her face and her lip, I wanted a good clean stitching, for future healing. As she fell asleep in the car, I could see more closely that there was actually a large laceration on the inside of her mouth, too! Her teeth must have gone right through her lip. It looked pretty nasty.

The care at SOS was great, we got in right away (which I have noticed is what happens when you're actually paying for medical care out here! No waiting!) and the doctor agreed that stitches were necessary. Options: local anasthetic or the "woozy" drink that would knock her out a bit, then the local anasthetic. Either way, there was a needle involved and we decided to go for it and just "help" Maya deal with the stingy pricks of the needle. Help in this situation, meant calm her down as much as possible, then hold her as still as possible while the medicine was administered.

From Maya falls at Logos and splits her Lip. Les takes her to SOS hospital

She screamed blue murder. It wasn't fun, but we all stayed calm, and I think she will forgive me one day! I was like 4 inches from her face holding her arms down while another nurse was holding her head still, while I watched the doctor insert a long needle into the open wound. Reason #476 that I am a teacher and not a nurse! Then the fish hook to pull two stiches through the flesh. Reason #477. The anasthetic didn't seem to make too much difference, as Maya was pretty upset during the stitching too, and she had to be very still (which she wasn't) so it was pretty tricky. As soon as it was over, she just wanted to get out of there and go back to school. She stopped crying quite quickly and was up and ready to leave. ? You see, birthday cake was waiting for her at school. This was the motivating factor, and by around 11 am, we were back at school, I was getting ready for my next class and she was participating fairly happily in her class.

She was still a bit out of it, I could tell, for most of the day. She couldn't use her bottom lip really, so was sucking up spit. It was swollen (still is, of course) and just looked sore. But she was so brave, and we all told her so, and in 5 or 6 days we'll have to do it all again to have the stitches removed! haha. The doctor did not stitch up the cut on the inside of the lip, as she said it would heal perfectly fine inside the mouth. I asked a couple times and she was confident, and even by the end of today, it was looking better.

I tell ya, it's a good thing I've been there, done that with two other kids already! So officially, all our kids have had stitches somewhere on their face! I was there for Stephi's two, and Dean took care of Julia's lip stitch when she was about 4. SO, now Maya's joined the party! All of our girls have also had general anasthetic for some kind of surgery or test AND they've all had head lice, ALL when they were in their first year of schooling. Weird, hey? Well, at least they all haven't had emergency, life-saving laparotomies! One is all I can hand of that..

So, there's something to be said for experience...

Our plan for the weekend is to R E S T. I hope this happens. The week, although it was nothing of the physical stress for me (Lesley) that it was for Dean, was still tough for me mentally. I think just the whole getting back to school after a break (you know, getting into routine)was tiring, but the expectation that the school would be "done" by now and there's still so much that needs "doing" was hard for me to get my head around. Just a bit of a loss of enthusiasm, although I can sense that rallying again. I just have to be PATIENT and not forget the positive side of all this. I have very much enjoyed having a humungus music room (4X the size it was in the old school!) where was can sit a whole class in a circle and still have room to move around and play games. It was a fun week that way.

From Trying to make a kid's ride work in Cambodia. Dan Hein pushes the unit.

ANyways, thanks for listening, and thanks for your prayers for us and the new school. Please keep praying. The school is a building, and yes, it's nice and there is still lots to do, but all in all, it's still a building. There are so many students, and staff serving there, that prayers for the hearts and lives of those kids and the staff are still coveted. Our school also sits at the end of a road where we see alot of people living very basic lives and small local children often gather outside the school gates to play. There's a tremendous opportunity to make a difference even in small ways, just outside our gates!

PS And yes, there are even what we all think are Maya's "teeth marks," indented in the wood of the table in the office where she fell! She was complaining that her top tooth hurt, and we'll have to monitor it. It didn't feel too loose, but it was definitely her top teeth that broke her fall. Ouch! Good thing they're all babies and are eventually coming out anyways. :)

See all Pics

Bye for now, all.

Maya really is 6, Grand Opening, Signs and Guns

2010-01-10T05:03:00.000-08:00

Well, I thought I would try and write today. It has been such a busy time that I have found it difficult to sit down a write a comment on the blog.

From logosgrandopening

First things first, Maya of course celebrated her 6th birthday on Saturday. The one comment I will say about that is -at around 4pm when I got back from work -I asked her what it felt like to be 6? She answered me very quickly and announced she was in fact, not yet 6! I was taken aback and asked her to qualify why she was not yet 6 on her birthday? She clearly stated that she had not yet had any birthday cake, therefore, she was not yet 6! Needless to say we had cake later on in the evening so she is safely 6 years old.

As you may have read earlier with Les, we had the Logos Grand Opening. I think it went well but I am glad it is finished. It took quite a fury to get everything looking good for that morning. You know, asking workers to take down their sleeping hammocks out of the gym, workers to hide their drying laundry off of the trees, and trying to hide all construction type messes and equipment. It worked well- we fooled em all! (2 hours later after everyone left it went back to a construction zone! Fixing aircons, grinding the cement in the gym, placing up metal shade covers recovered from the old school, getting the pool less green- you get the picture).

Actually the Grand Opening all went smoothly. I felt very honored, along with Dan Hein, to be part of and make the final cut on the Grand Opening Ribbon in front of the school. There are quite the emotions that run through me as I look at the new school building. I am so thankful to have been, and continue to be, part of the process and I feel very blessed to watch how God has used so many people and miracles to make this place a reality. Truly- I am so amazed.

From logosgrandopening

As much as there is a building for tomorrow's first day of classes, there are still many things to deal with. As we have been in the building for a short time we have noticed a few things that will need to be addressed. We are not sure we have enough power from the road at this point to run the whole school. We were unable to fill the pool with our water supply and we ran out of water 5 days in a row. (Thankfully we had about 12 water pumper trucks come in to fill the pool. Unfortunately the pool was still green for Grand Opening. However, each day the water is less green!) We paid to have the gravel road in front of the school repaired and flattened again from all the damage of the rainy season. We used it for the move and only about 3 days later, the municipality tore it up and started to place drainage pipes in the side of the road (Good). The bad part is they have left the job and the road for about 2 weeks and the road is impassible for our parents and cars to drop off their kids at the school (Bad). So we will pray that the road gets fixed again and we can have a reasonable way of getting kids to and from the property. As it stands now, most kids will walk about .5 km to get from a main road to the school gates. Doable, just nice and hot and not in the original plan!

One last comment I will leave you with today. Our school is a bit hard to find and so we have made some signs to place on the main roads to help point people in the right direction. We need to get permission from the local authorities and make the appropriate payments to place our sign on the road. We tried to get our one sign standing and cemented in by the side of the road on the Friday evening before Grand Opening. Well, Dan and I were called out to the location where one of the local authorities said we were unable to place our sign in the particular location we had been given previous permission. Part of his argument stands in that he wanted us to pay him $20/month to place our sign on HIS property. Anyways, we said we were going to stick with our plan to place the sign across the road away from his property so we would not need to pay him anything at all. He left at that point. We told our sign guy to start digging and not to stop for any reason and get the sign in before dark as it was already 5 pm. Well as it turns out, within 15 minutes of our leaving a gentleman came back (not sure if it was the same guy) with a number of military police and they all pointed machine guns at the sign-guy and told him to stop or they would "shoot him dead"! Needless to say, we did not get our sign in that night. So on Monday, that sign issue will be one of the many things that will have to be addressed and taken care of. Cambodia is never boring!

Blessings to you all,
Deano

PS Our internet is finally working again after a 2 week series of problems where everything cut in and out. I finally downloaded the Canadian Football Grey Cup Game onto my computer. I have just finished the 1st quarter of the game. It looks like a good one. Not much of a Grey Cup party- just me and an electric fan watching it on a laptop! Woo HOO! Can't really get many people around here to be excited about it. They haven't started living yet!

See all 72 pictures of Maya's birthday, Logos Grand Opening

Happy Birthday Maya, and Happy Opening Ceremonies Logos!

2010-01-09T06:17:00.000-08:00

Greetings again, loved ones.

Today was a very special day in two ways, it was Maya's 6th birthday and it was also the official Opening Ceremonies for the new Logos International School Campus.

From logosgrandopening

Last night before going to bed, Lesley made up a bunch of Happy Birthday signs, so when we hauled Maya out of bed this morning, she was very excited to see the well wishes all over the walls. Also, yesterday, we went to the best toy store in PP, and spent some of her "birthday" money to buy a special toy. As much as I pulled her to the barbie section, she was pretty fascinated with these action figure toys and watches. It's from an asian cartoon out here called Ben 10--very popular. The character Ben can turn into 10 different aliens-cool. So, we wrapped those up for this morning, and had her "open" them over a quick breakfast of nutella and yoghurt!

THANKS, X-Stream! Quick interjection: The XStream group from SOA sent us a Christmas package that was full of licorice and Tim's and NUTELLA for Julia and the girls. So, Nutella is being consumed at an alarming rate both morning and night here at our house. Who invented that stuff? I mean, it's basically cake icing that you can smear all over toast and claim it to be a meal??? I don't get it, but the kids sure do and they're loving it! Thanks guys, we appreciate it a ton!

From logosgrandopening

Out the door we whipped to get to Logos for a 9 am Opening ceremonies program. Lesley had to direct the elementary choir with 2 worship songs (15 kids out of all the Gr 3-6's showed up to practice, which was a poor turn out, but if Jesus can feed 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish, why can't we make beautiful music with just 15 kids?) Dean was the MC and host for the event, so he was up late last night putting the finishing touches on his speeches. He did a great job and the event was really nice, and very touching actually. Khmer dancers, Korean dance, high school choir. Very nice.

From logosgrandopening

We had the head of Asian Hope fly out for the event, and when he saw the school driving up, he said he had tears in his eyes. It really is a sight to see, especially when you've been on the end of working toward it and waiting for it for so long. The builders were honored, the education minister was there and lots of parents, staff, students and general interested ex-pat community. A Special thanks to Dan was expressed for the vision and tenacity to see this through. Food was also baked up by the Asian Hope girls home (dozens and dozens of cookies) and was free refreshments for all. (That was quite a highlight.) All said and done, it was over at 11:30 and all the staff headed for a meeting, to prepare as best we can for the traffic mayhem that is going to ensue on Monday morning! :)

From logosgrandopening

We then had an impromtu birthday party for May. We nabbed Sophie and Tabby to come over after the ceremonies, and they had lunch with us (Kraft dinner, big treat) and played for the afternoon (sometimes more with Julia than Maya!). After a bit of down time with Tom and Jerry, we headed off to Pizza company for a birthday supper. Maya was quite happy with the day, although it was pretty low key for her, but kept asking if she was already 6. Yes. Then she would say, "next is 7, then 8, then 9..." SLow down, May, not too fast, ok? 6 is enough for now!

We took lots of pictures of today, so they should be posted some day soon. Just a quick entry today. More to tell you after this week, maybe after Monday, to depict some tales of complete mayhem, or a rather smooth transition! Time will tell which it will be. We're already expecting the power to fall short, once all the kids get in there, and all the air cons are turned on! And hopefully the pool will be ready to use--it's currently losing some of it's green color, as it's being treated! :) Should be interesting. We're all pretty excited, though.

From First Staff Meetingg at the New School

Ok, lots of love to all, and will talk soon!

See all 37 pics here

Logos Building Update and Greg Sreys Wedding

2010-01-07T06:27:00.000-08:00

From Family Pic from Greg and Sreys Wedding

If you would like to see more pics

What a Day

2010-01-05T07:18:00.000-08:00

Today was the reason why God invented holidays, for those of us who are rich enough to be able to take them!

Dean and I went furniture shopping this morning before heading to Logos, in order to get a few things for the new school. the X-Stream group from Seven Oaks in Abbotsford has fundraised some money for us, and I was hoping to use some of it on library furniture, Dean needed something for the office.

High: We went to the "furniture street" and looked around a bit--I found good seating at a shop and was elated when the deal was settled. Low: When Dean and I parted ways, (we were each going to run separate errands on our motos before going back to school), I headed down the street, only to be pulled over by my favorite people, the Cambodian traffic police. Not again.

Turns out, the street we were on, that starts out as a normal, two way street, suddenly turns mid stream into a one way, and the cops sit about 50 metres past the well hidden "do not enter" sign, and pull people over. I was shocked, had no idea that this street was like this, and apparently, neither did Dean! There he was on his moto, we had said goodbye not 1 minute before, and he'd been caught too. He, however, had called "the powers that be," some of his "connections" and apparently had got the fine down to $2.50. So, I jabbered on and on in english about how unfair this was and "you shouldn't treat foreigners who come to your country to help this way" kind of yada yada, and dug out my $2.50 to pay.

I pay, and peel out of there as fast as I can, only to get another 50 metres, turn right, where the arrow said I could go, and another cop comes off the sidewalk to pull me over! I was shocked and really ticked, and tried to avoid him. He got hold of my moto and I stopped, but then I just gave it the gas and pulled off. He hit the back of my bike with his baton, but missed me. Others we know have been hit by the baton that they all carry (if you try to run, some of them try to hit you) and others I know have had their car hit.

By now, I'm shook up, and start to crying. I pulled over further on, tried to decide where to go or if I should just go home, but I just could not stop crying! Behind a helmet and a facemask, my eyes just poured tears! It's just not fair--I didn't DO anything wrong!!! (or so I thought.) I finally turned around to head to one last store before going home for lunch, but couldn't even make it there. Decided to stop for "coffee" (an iced coffee, that is,) and try to regroup. Still crying, not sure why.

I sit at the coffee shop, Dean calls and I try to tell him why I'm so upset (he didn't see me get pulled over by the second cop just seconds later) and you're not going to believe what he called my attention to. You know when I left the first cops? Peeled out of there after shoving my money at them? Ya, discombublated BRAINO, took off in EXACTLY THE SAME DIRECTION--AGAINST THE ONE WAY THAT I HAD JUST BEEN PULLED OVER FOR!!! That's why the second cop tried to get me--he saw me coming the wrong way off the one way! What a fool, and an idiot! Even Dean said the cops were waving after me, and he was trying to yell for me to stop but I was gone. I don't know what I was thinking except that I was trying to get to a certain street, and it was that direction and I just went brain dead.

Well, at least the second pull over made sense now, however, I still was feeling a little rough. SO, I sat crying, in the coffee shop, and pulled out my bible. Hey, maybe not reading this little book for a few days has something to do with my state of mind??? Brothers and Sisters, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

What do I open up to? Acts 9, I think, where the Roman Centurian invited Simon Peter to his home, and Peter has the vision of the animals coming down on "what looked like a sheet" and he was told that what you eat doesn't matter, where you go (to a Gentiles home) doesn't matter. Jesus came and died for everyone. And I was so convicted.

You see, it's been crunch time for us. We've made the family decision that we are pursuing a third year at Logos. And now the doubt is creeping in and our enemy is using what he can to disuade us that this is what God wants for us and that staying in Cambodia longer is God's will for us! I mean, in my tears and fury, as I ran away from the authority here in this country, I just swore and said out loud, "I HATE this place!" I mean, that is what Satan wants me to believe!!!

It's so easy to think at this stage of the game, "you know what? I don't HAVE to stay, I could just go back this summer, after enjoying a lovely trip to Australia, then resume "normal," easy life! I've done my share, I've obeyed God, and now I can have my life back" It's easy to slip into this selfish thinking! Even this past Sunday, we heard from one of our favorite guest preachers at ICA (Timothy Paton, a frenchman, with a lovely thick accent when he preaches in English!)) He asked," Are you still passionate about the lost? Do you still see the poverty, the suffering, the need for Good News... are you still passionate about what brought you here?" Yes, it would be easier to just say, "yup, all finished. Boy, wasn't that a great ride!" But God wants us to TRUST him. I've gone the way of trusting myself, and let me tell you, greater things come from the smallest submission to God, than the greatest effort I ever put forth!!!!

Over Christmas, at Stephanie's insistence, I read the book "the Hiding Place," the true story of Corrie Ten Boom, the famous dutch woman who worked for the resistance in WWII, and who helped as many jews as she could, hide from the germans, then was taken to a concentration camp herself. What a great read, if you haven't ever read it, I recommend it, because it is so incredibly faith building. The way Corrie and her sister Betsy, who died in that camp, just kept thanking God for EVERYTHING they had there (including the fleas, amazingly, that kept even the guards away from them, so they could share god's love and hope with everyone there.) I mean, if those ladies could thank God for their situation in a concentrations camp, then couldn't I thank God for the opportunity to stay here (where it's anything but a prison camp--we have so much freedom here, to share God's love, it's amazing!) Can't I be thankful, maybe even for the police???

So, then, I thanked God for the bible reading. I thanked God that he came for everyone, the Jews and the Gentiles. I thanked Him that he died for all the Cambodians, even those sitting right there in that cafe, ignoring me as I cried. And I even thanked him for the police, for making me see my horrible indignity towards them, and my pride and arrogance, and I wondered what Jesus would do to a heart, if the next time I was stopped, if I gave freely, even more than required, and told them that this money was for their children, and that JEsus loves them. Don't you think that's what Jesus would have done? Maybe...

Anyways, I regrouped and saw alot of stuff more clearly, but the day didn't get that much better. Hormones were raging, let me tell you. I went home, had lunch with the girls (I feel guilty for leaving them, especially Maya, but they have some things to do and we're trying to arrange for hanging out with friends.) I got to school and, of course, nothing (and I mean NOTHING) of anything that was supposed to be done, was done. The computer desks being fitted for the library weren't installed (supposed to be done yesterday), the library floors not swept or mopped (swept into piles yesterday, still there), and the music room was untouched, although I had been told yesterday by the head cleaner that it would be cleaned today. It's something that Cambodia can do to you, is to take away your hope sometimes, that something might get done that someone tells you will get done, depending on who that person is. It's like a big, happy surprise when something actually get's done on time, or the way you have asked for it to be.

I swept the rest of the library. Ly helped, bless him. He has so much to do and tomorrow he's even taking a 16 year old girl that his family knows from the province, to the dentist and paying for her to have a whole bunch of her permanent, rotten teeth removed.

I waited for about 2 hours for cleaners to come back from lunch (i'm not exaggerating) and when I did, I begged for the library to be mopped. They continued to sweep the hallway. I took the broom from her hand, and said, no, go mop the library. The poor girl took off like a shot and started mopping the library. I waited outside the library door until she was actually DOING it. I left to start sweeping the music room.

It was not likely that when I went back to check on her work after about 20 minutes, that I would find her mopping. I didn't. The other cleaner was there, telling me something in khmer about going upstairs. I just couldn't take it anymore. I lovingly went to the person in charge of them to ask WHY they REFUSED to clean the floor (that I swept for them, because they didn't do that either!!!) SHe said it wasn't their area! The girl that cleans the library floor didn't come back from lunch, even though she's getting paid and said she would return.

Do you know that on Monday, I asked for cleaners to clean the music room and library, and was told that they wouldn't be coming in until THURSDAY, one of the resons being because they didn't get lunch. Seriously. The school is a MESS, it's still a construction war zone, and there is enough cleaning for our staff, who I must add are being paid to do this job, to clean from today until the very moment that kids arrive on Monday morning (not to mention we're hosting an opening ceremonies on Saturday!)

I guess I finally came to the realization that the buck stops with me. Once I finally accepted what I've known all along to be the inevitable, I just left them not cleaning the library I resolved to clean up the music room myself, and I spent hours today sweeping concrete dust and left over air con garbage into a huge bag. Glad I had a mask. At 5 o'clock, when I left the school, the cleaners were out at the gate just siting around with the guard, one was drinking an iced coffee from a bag. What to do???

ANyways, enjoyed a lovely ordered in supper at our friends the Dedert's place and we all got to hold little Calvine, who by the way, is doing pretty good, gaining weight and reaching some milestones. He's super sweet, STeph can't get enough of him. It was nice to enjoy some company.

For me, today was a reminder of my sinful nature, and evertime I think I'm doing a good job or that I'm "not that bad" of a person, I think all I need to do is remind myself of today. It was a mess, just like my music room. Thank the Lord He came to save me from this wretchedness! However, tonight, I'm going to rest well. That will help a little. And I'm going to give thanks for the cleaners.

2010 with gladness.

2010-01-01T20:35:00.000-08:00

From Vietnam

Happy New Year! 2010 arrived for the Weisses much sooner than it did for most of you! haha We would like to wish you all a Blessed New year, a year filled with health and joy. We also hope your Christmas Season was fun, restful and full of thanksgiving. I would say that was how our was. If you would like to hear about our life for the last two weeks, backtrack with me... It has been interesting, good and different. Here's why:

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Flip back to Dec 21 and 22, Monday and Tuesday of the first week off of school. We had moved everything physically into the new school, but the school was still in a state of disarray in many ways-installing air cons, doors, white boards, meants lots of drilling into concrete and DUST! Messy and bad air for breathing. While most classroom teachers were able to unpack and set up their rooms before Christmas, myself (Lesley) with the library and the music room, found myself just wandering around, measuring things, thinking about what I could do then the dust finally settles. I didn't unpack a single library book box, to save on the dusty mess, and waiting for some counters in the music room did not allow me to unpack, really, anything. My plan was to wait until after Christmas break. I hope this plan does not backfire on me. Tuesday evening, we pack to leave for Vietnam.

From Vietnam

Dec 23, Wed. We get up at 5:15 in the morning, to get to a 7 am bus ride. It was nice actually, with a bathroom on the bus for emergencies, so after the normal fiasco of mayhem at the Vietnam border (I'll talk more about this coming up) we arrived at our hotel by 2:30 pm. Pretty good time. We walked around the area we were in, checking out the sights. Ho Chi Minh--same, same, but different than Cambodia. A little richer, a little more advanced, but to our dismay, it was no Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. For some reason I expected to come home with a pound of starbucks coffee, or have enjoyed a McDonalds burger and fries--sorry, not in HCM, or at least not where we were. Yes, there are markets )living in PP, been there, done that!), yes, there are some fast food joints, coffee shops (I like vietnamese coffee, not everyone does, but it's good for me) and yummy frozen yogurt shops. Can't complain, but still, we have those in PP. So, it was pretty much a same same, but different sort of trip and experience.

Vietnam is still a socialist republic. You wouldn't notice it really, just with the people, but what was noticably missing from the scenery, were the ginormous, mansions and the lexuses, but pop up and drive all over PP. At least not what we saw, was there any sort of that kind of corruption money there. Millions of motos, driving VERY fast, did I mention millions??? Crossing the street was an action of stepping out into oncoming, speeding traffic (much faster and busier than PP) and edging ever so slowly, until you see motos going around you, and eventually, you make it to the other side! It was even really hard to just walk from place to place in the downtown area that we were in: Motos are parked all over what would be considered the sidewalk, so in order to walk, you have to keep jutting out onto the road, where the traffic is moving. It wasn't easy or pleasant, especially with Maya, so we ended up taking the taxi's alot for safety. They were so cheap, $1 or $2 max got us just about everywhere we needed to go, so it wasn't like it was breaking the bank.

Our Ho Chi Minh hotel was quite nice, with a lovely breakfast buffet included, so it made the Christmas portion of our trip feel a little more fancy. It was nice to have a bit of a special time at this hotel. It had a pool, which was hard to find in the downtown, and it was worth it, as the kids used it everyday. It also had carpeting in the room (nice treat!) AND a bathtub, which we all used at least once. Now you wouldn't think we are hard done by to not have a bathtub in Cambodia, it's not problem really, but when you finally DO have one, it's like, "Alright! A Bathtub!" We all felt it, and used it and enjoyed the hot soak! Funny! You never know how much you miss something til you don't have it!

We also did sight seeing, lots of lovely old buildings, including a cathedral, left by the French (Yes the French inhabited most of Vietnam until they were driven out in the 50's, so there's still alot of french speaking, etc around.) After visiting some war monuments, and reading about the history, I tell you, the Vietnamese have been at war with someone, for most of the 20th century, and it's such a sad history for the people. THey are fervently proud of their country, and appeared to fight to the nose for it. INteresting history if you're interested in that sort of thing.

Anyways, in a nutshell, it was really lovely to see Saigon, the "Paris of the Orient." We enjoyed our time there.

Dec 24, THursday, Christmas Eve: We decided to get tickets for the Water Puppety show in the evening, after a nice supper. IF you're an Amazing Race fan, this is the same exact theatre, (we're pretty sure:)) that was showcased on the show. ANyways, in trying to find a restaurant previous, we thought we'd just go somewhere close to the small theatre, ran around looking, and ended up in the "non-restuarant" part of town, and sort of got frustrated. We tried to head (on foot) to where we remembered seeing a nice one the day before, but when we finally got there, it was CLOSED for the evening. It was right across a park, that was starting to get really filled up with people, celebrating the eveing. As it turns out, as we stood outside this restaurant delibreating what we were going to do now (hungry, and running out of time to see the puppetry show) the waiter motions us to a seat, and says they wil give us a meal, special for us! Turns out as a read a sign later, they were closing at 6:30 and we had arrived at 6:15, or something like that, so whether they felt guilty for trying to close up early, or if they just took pity on us pathetic foreigners, either way, they served us up the best meal we had on our whole trip!!! And, seeing as there was no one else in the whole place (we sat out on the patio on the street) the food came fast, they ended up not even charging us for the drinks, AND we considered this just one glaringly obvious gift from God that night! It was really a cool experience--they didn't have to serve us, but they did, and did so very well, and with a smile and best wishes! It was truly a neat experience.

From Vietnam

So, we were only 5 minutes late for the puppety show, it was cool and the kids really liked it, then we tried to get back to the hotel. Well... Let's just say it was around 8 pm. Every cab we tried to hail was full, and so we just started walking. We were in a long walking distance to our hotel, but it was doable, however, we just kept thinking we would catch a cab sooner than later. I can't beging to tell you about the traffic--basically, what seemed like EVERY citizen on HCM was out that night, because of the celebrations of Christmas eve. As we walked, we had to walk on the roads, as the sidewalks were jammed with people and motos, restuarants, and stuff!!! Little kids dressed up in Santa outfits (this is a favorite thing for asians to do to their children!) it was an absolute zoo! Crossing the street on a normal day is taking your life into your own hands. We had to cross a 6 point corner intersection, that was simply a sea of motos, people. No lights, as it was a round-a-bout, so it was just unbelievable. I didn't think we were going to make it, but slow and steady, it was possible. IT took us about 45 min. of walking through what would be parade-like-traffic (you know, like when you leave a bomber game or the santa claus parade with hundreds of other human beings?) we finally staggared into our hotel. Is this what traffic is always like? I mean really, what did we have to compare? It was only our second night there. However, on talking to another tourist who had been in HCM for 3 christmases now, he said he had never seen anything like the number of people and the traffic as it was that night. Apparently Christmas Eve is a time to get out. THink TIme Square on New Years Eve and you'll get the picture.

From Chi Chu Tunnels

Dec 25, Friday, Christmas morning and day. Uneventful and a little sad, but I think we went to the market. Steph was sad the night before after our harrowing trip home, as the pining for a tradition Christmas was high in her heart, but was ok after a little while.

From Vietnam

Dec 27, sunday morning, we left our lovely hotel, and prepared for a train trip north, to a coastal town called Nha Trang, which is a beach, resort type town. Not sure what to expect, but had heard fairly psitive comments about both the train ride and the beach. The train was anything but what we had expected. It's a funny story, actually. Alot of our friends out here tell us, "just another story for your blog." and they're right. When interesting things happen, it just makes for such great tales on this blog! I write this just as much as a record for our family, as I do for all of you to know, so I hope you don't find me long winded.

From Vietnam

ANyways, the train. We book seats in the regular car, so you're seated like a bus, or airplain. The train arrives at the station with decent looking cars, until we get to the one we're booked in, and it's OLD looking, and fairly gross. The smell inside the car is of old, smelly socks, or something stale. THe seats are old, the paint is scratched up. Ok, well, what did we expect for a Vietnam train? It certainly didn't look like some pictures we saw on the internet.

From Vietnam

Rules: No smoking on the train. Apparently the news that smoking can kill you has not reached any of south east asia. Everyone here smokes, and cigarettes are dirt cheap, and it's bad enough when people smoke in restaurants, or your hotel room smells of smoke--it's one of those things you just chalk up to SE Asia. Part of the experience. But on the train, smoking is allowed "between" the cars, and anyone who went there to smoke, left the door open to the passenger car! So, they may as well have been smoking right in the booth!!! I have to interupt here with the information that I was kind of sick by this point. I started the trip getting a cold, and these days, colds for me turn very quickly into sinusitis, so breathing, clarity of airways, was a challenge even if the air was ocean fresh! I was just struggling. The smoke was not helping. The final straw was the passenger behind me, who at his best looked like he'd been drunk for days, who just simply lit up sitting right in his seat! No concern whatsoever for anyone around him! (The train was packed.) I couldn't believe it, as this seriously broke even the SE Asian rules! I told Dean, he motioned the buy to butt out, finally another Vietnamese passenger told him he couldn't smoke in here, but had to walk 5 feet to the middle of the cars and smoke there, with the door open! It was hillarious!

From Drunk guy behind and a woman and child "sharing" the seat beside Les.

I've got to run now, but when I come back, i'm going to write about the pushing getting on the train and on my seat partner and her little toddler, who, for 6 hours bumped, kicked, elbowed, pushed and finally drove me from my little seat. It was a joy, let me tell you. But seriously, I will keep writing when I have a minute. We're off to a wedding today of two of our teachers, Greg originally from Oregon, and Srey who is Cambodian. They had a heck of a time getting their paperwork ok'd from the cambodian government, so this is truly a day to rejoice! I will take off from where I left when I return. Lots of love to you all!

Pictures from the last little while

2009-12-14T05:16:00.000-08:00

From Julia and Steph are playing volleyball right now and they have a tough coach (errr... me). However, they are doing well and enjoying the competition. 2

From Went with Danielle B, a Logos Teacher, to the Intercon Hotel to watch the high school students perform. That is a ginger bread house! Wow- in Cambodia?

From Lesley's Khmer dress and flowers after Elementary performance.

From Merry Christmas from us to all of you.

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