The Long weeks and great Weekends

Hi all. Lesley here writing again to say hello and update you on our lives. Last week was so very long and seemed quite difficult. We all have weeks like that, don't we? Especially in the teaching field. However, I certainly sensed alot of resistance, heaviness and even opposition towards alot of things going on at Logos, so it was especially tough this last week. Things are tough sometimes. We keep finding out things about kids that you just want to fix or change and you just can't. The staff all go through their own difficulties, some more openly than others, and then there are people away, extra practices, trying to organize schedules that suit everyone. You know, it's just work, and it is all good in the long run. But, as I said, some weeks are longer than others.

Unfortunately, a long week here also consists of situations like what happened to our friends Karie and Brian. He's the one that had the verbal threat when reffing the basketball games. Anyways, this week, they heard someone on their communal staircase at their home, drop something--they head out to look, and find out that what has been dropped is jewelry from their home, that had been stolen! The theif was a newly hired young girl, apparently an orphan, who was working for the landlords. They were informed, Karie looked for all the stuff that was taken, and there was more of it, then the young girl was physically slapped numerous times, infront of everyone, during the discussion, and now the landlords have apparently taken her to jail. Jail here, means she could be there for the rest of her life. This was just a horrific ending to something that Karie is sick about being part of.

Also, a tough week consists of having to drive by a new "massage" parlor just down the street from the school, which is really a brothel. It was brought to my attention that that is what it was, and the number of times I've passed there during the day, it almost is enough to make you yell and scream. The girls sit outside, eating, hanging out, waiting for the evening, looking like they've been literally beat up. It's terrible. Our children don't notice, but once you know and you see the house and the girls, it just makes you feel ill for them. Why does their life have to be like that?

To top it off, if there is one thing the enemy would really like to see, is our marriage broken apart, so staying on the same team and fighting for each other takes alot of energy, stamina, prayer and faith that we can see through the desert times to who we really are as individuals, and who we really are as a couple, a team. So, pray for us, but also for many missionaries or overseas workers who get to their jobs and posts, and find there is very little resources or they didn't prepare for things to hit their relationships so hard. Our marriage out here has never been stronger, but it has also been difficult to maintain.

With all these things, I just couldn't help it. I wept and wept on Friday night, like I have never cried for so long. There is so much sorrow, it was overwhelming.

But God sees us through and gives us reprive, called WEEKENDS, and chances to do things like we did this Saturday. At 9 am, a group of staff from Logos all piled into vans and drove out to the new school building. The building is well into the final, 4th floor, and rooms are shaping up, and it is looking great. We went out to worship, dedicate the school to the Lord in prayer and with scripture reading (as has been done previous as well) and to SPRAY PAINT on the walls before they are finished and painted--bible verses, quotes, and many good things--written on the walls at the new Logos school building! Just wait until Dean puts up the pictures. It was a great morning. Very emotional, as I and I'm sure many of us were thinking--this is what we came out to Cambodia for--to build on what has been started. Especially Dan, our principal--he has been the driving force behind this for so long, and to see it getting so close, must be such a thrill! So, it was wonderful and great, rewarding and refreshing.

Saturday night, I was asked to be a judge at the Logos Talent show. What a treat. It was fun, hilarious, excellent, all at the same time. I had a blast and really enjoyed every single kid who put their talent on the line. Mostly middle and high school students, Singing, dancing, choreography, musical playing, skits... it was sure fun. One little Gr 2 student got up there and did a magic show. This little boy is very special in many ways, God has his eye on him. He had the most cheers, he was so cute and bold to go up there in front of that huge audience. He won "most original act" and was so thrilled to get a prize. As he was leaving, he appeared to be with a bunch of students, so I asked him where his parents were, and he said they were home, working on the house. I watched them pick him up in their expensive 4 by 4 luxury vehicle. Some things just make me so mad out here, and see what I mean about sorrow? My heart just ached for the little guy. He seemed oblivious, so I guess that's a good thing.

Today, I got exceptionally angry, and not sure if it was appropriate, but I got pulled over by the cops, (again) this time for making a u turn where there was a no u turn sign. I was following Dean, which would be nice to blame him, but it was me who made the decision to ignore the sign. I tried to avoid the cop, ( they walk out on the street, and wave you over..I tried to drive around, but he had me blocked). They tried to charge me for disobeying the traffic sign. I was so mad--I did everything I have been told to do, to try to get out of this fine. None of this is legit, and I let them have it. "I've come all this way to your country to help you, and this is what you do? Try to rip me off? There is no way I'm paying..." blah blah blah.. rule number one, pretend you don't know any Khmer, and talk alot of english. (I know this is sounding awful, but this is how it works out here.) They wanted to charge me what I at first thought was $5, but then sounded more like 5000 riel, which is $1.25. No way--fine, I say, you write me a ticket, and I'll pay. They motion to another cop with a receipt book, "sure, you pay, you get a receipt!" NO, you write me a ticket, then I pay! They kept repeating 5000 riel, and I'm shaking my head no. Finally I say, "2000 riel" in Khmer, and I kept repeating it, that's all I would pay. Finally, one cop says, "ok, for you lady, 2000 riel." fine, I get up off the moto to get the money out of my purse which is locked inside my seat, (Julia's on the back this whole time freaking out because I'm yelling at policemen!!!) and I even had the money out, and the other cop says, "lady, you go!" and waved me on. Fine, I get on my moto and speed away, ticked off. Dean gets and earful cuz I told him we couldn't make that u turn, and I really have no idea how I got off without paying anything, cuz I really did disobey the sign. The only thing I can think of is they figured out I knew the game, and didn't want to put up with me? Anyways, doesn't all of that sound horrible? I just think it's criminal that I got so angry, and didn't want to pay, and all over $.50??? IT's the principal behind it all. This is how they make their money, illegally pulling people over for whatever they want, and charging and taking the money for themselves.

AAAk. ANyways, maybe I'm sounding too negative. Some positive for you. It looks like my plea for instruments for the music classroom, may have been answered, as a school in the states is willing to donate us money from their read-a-thon! I am thrilled, and will give you more information when I get it, as I still have to respond to the teacher, but it looks like the students would like to raise money for our music program! Great news.

And, we have company from Manitoba, friends of the Plett's, who some of you know were a family that taught out here a couple years ago, similar to us, who are currently here visiting. They are staying at another family's home, and we are hosting their friends, the Brandt family. Well, this wonderful family shows up and we knew that Dean's mom (HI OMA!) was sending some stuff for us in a rubbermaid container. So, Betsy Brandt starts to unload a rubbermaid with goodies like granola bars, chocolate chips, CHEESE, tons of stuff, and proceeds to inform us, that this is all from them!!! It was so much, we thought it was all the stuff from Dean's mom!!!! Later, the Plett's show up with an ENTIRE rubbermaid full of MORE stuff from Dean's family back home! What a windfall! we were amazed at all the useful treats and those that will just put calories into our bodies! We are so thankful, especially for the pictures from our nephews! Thanks everyone.

So, there is a snippit of the ups and downs that are plaguing... no, that's too negative a word. ... that we are "enduring" right now. Two more weeks of school, including a big spring concert, then a holiday, then the visit from the ACSI team that will be huge for Dean and Dan. Then it's all downhill from there! This week, all the elem and middler kids are writing aptitude tests, so Julia's not too happy, but Steph is ok about it. Every morning for an hour or so will be testing. More rehearsals for the Easter presentation, and visits with the Manitobans.

We hope you all have a blessed week, and continue to tarry, as do we, in the work you are called to do.
Lots of love, Les
:)