Monday in Cambodia...

Welcome to our first full day in Cambodia... Monday... the elevator rug in our hotel never failed to greet us every morning with a reminder of what day it was...

Here is our team... oh what wonderful women... here we are ready at the school for the first day... the children will soon arrive but before we do that lets take a group picture (before we are exhausted)... here we are in the shape of a "J" for Jesus... a song that we taught them...

We were ready for the days ahead for 150+ children, 4 days of VBS, 2 sessions/2 groups of children each day, the young ones in the morning and the older in the afternoon. VBS consisted of songs of praise first thing, then a lesson through puppets, games, activities and more songs... then at night two ladies did the ESL for the teachers and then around 7pm we called it a night... so here we go...

When we first got to the school (the outdoor pavilion) we set up some of our props and this week we were focusing the children "THE TEN COMMANDMENTS"... it was reported to us that before we came that we needed to instill in the children right and wrong and that even God gives us "rules" to live by... so what better than to start with the Ten Commandments...  Before school we saw this little kid sitting down really analyzing the picture... so precious... this is going to be a good week.

Then the kids started coming and I am not sure who was more excited... us or them... I had to grab my camera to remember these little faces... some so curious and others just happy..

One of my favorite pics... here is one of the school teachers bringing his family members to school...


The next three photos are my favorites... it really captured there sweet eyes (like you can see just how gentle their hearts are)... and sweet sweet faces...



It was not long until the kids started warming up to us... we could not talk to each other but everyone understands a little horse play... this boy was so much fun and wanted to play constantly...

Rock Paper Scissors anyone... this truly is an international game...

There were times where I was just amazed at how much fun these kids would have while I know some were in so much pain (those teeth have to hurt right?)...

Any everyday occurrence... walking to school...



Here is the pavilion that we lived in... the school building was off in the distance with desk and teachers... and we stayed here under this thatch roof waiting for our turn to love on the kids... this is where dancing, singing, lessons, plays, and games took place...and lots of laughter and even some tears...

A beautiful view from the porch...


Adele in white was our IBC lead... and the lady in Black was one of the teachers... she was learning English and loved to talk to us.

Here is one of the activities... coloring pages... the teachers would sit the children in circles and talk with them (translate what we were saying).

A great first day... I can already tell I am growing to love Cambodia and the children of Andong...

Cambodia... Day One!

Have you ever done anything in life where you intended to be a blessing and you were the one blessed... well if not sign up for the next mission trip that comes your way...Living in Singapore has opened up so many doors to serve internationally and this was only the second time where God was telling me GO... GO... so I went... Join me for the next couple of blog post where I show you just a few pics of our Phnom Phen, Cambodia Mission team and our 4 day trip that changed our lives.

I love God, love to serve, love kids and love the mission leader who asked me to go... so it was an easy yes... but I really had no idea what I was getting into.  I knew we were going to work with a village school that funded by Vision Trust (very similar to Compassion) and do a mini VBS during the day for the children (that knew little to no English) and then ESL for the teachers at night.  This was not the first time a team from IBC went to this school and everyone that I spoke with said how wonderful the trip was and that I would come back a changed person but I had no idea... I should know better to never limit our God... He is mighty, powerful and He brought each of us (on the team) to our knees in different ways in Awe of Him... I will forever remember just how God met each and everyone of us individually and just made our FAITH that much stronger.  My prayer is that the children and teachers of Andong Village came face to face with God and encountered the love that He has for each and everyone of them... I just love how He knows each of us individually and meets us exactly where we are.

So welcome to Sunday night... the night we arrived... we went straight to the hotel and we were met at the elevator with a carpet that reminded us the day of the week.. another reminder each day to dedicate this entire day to HIM and HIS works in the country so I of course had to take a picture of the carpet (yes every day)...

Just some of our team at the airport... we were meeting two others there... some incredible women...

Our Team... a Group of ladies that will forever be dear to my heart and be a part of memories for a lifetime.

I had no idea that our first night at dinner (our kick off rally) would be a great French restaurant... in Cambodia... who would have thought... it was yummy and got us well feed for the week.

Then there just happen to be a shop next door... we of course had to do a little shopping before the work began... I just love this picture of the bag that I got with my purchase... made out of pages in a book... with a cord at the top... amazing...

Come back to see Monday... the day it all began... see you then...