Picture Slam!

Whirlwind

That's the only way to describe these past 2 days. Yesterday we hung out w/ the kids most of the day. We taught them a Bible story and did skits to drive home the purpose; we decorated pillowcases, began our "Olympic" tournament, and gave (and received) TONS of hugs. The best part, for me at least, was at the end of the day, when one of the kids asked, in English, if we were coming back later. Vannak, the orphanage director said, “Yes!” and the kids all went wild. They always say, “See you tomorrow” REPEATEDLY as we leave each day; but as soon as they found out we were coming back, they started saying, “See you tonight.” What a cool moment.

So after dinner and showers, we came back to the orphanage and set up “movie night.” The kids all got cracker jacks, glow necklaces & bracelets, and glow-in-the-dark “Kanye” shutter shades. They had an absolute blast. We watched “The Incredibles,” sitting on the floor together in a big pile. The kids laughed hysterically at all the right parts. They really seemed to enjoy the movie even while not understanding the slower dialogue parts. The funniest part of the night was all of us adults falling asleep. The kids kept bringing us pillows, and once when Joe tried to sit up, the kids around him pushed him back down and told him to sleep.

Today we did more Bible stories, more Olympic relays, made LOTS of jewelry, and did LOTS of playing. At the orphanage, no one really makes jewelry for themselves, but everyone ends the day weighted down by beads and lanyards. The kids rarely wear something they’ve made themselves. Pretty much everything they make is given to one of us. So we try as best we can to return the favor so they have gifts to remember us by.

Right now everyone’s enjoying a bit of free time in the city. Tomorrow we’ll spend literally the entire day w/ the kids. We’re taking them to dinner at “Lucky Seven,” a fast food place in the city. They have no idea; we’re going to make it a surprise! I can’t wait to see their reaction when, instead of leaving at the end of the day, they get in the vans w/ us to go to dinner! I hope we can do it justice when we tell those stories later. 

We’re having a blast!

We have had SUCH a great time these past two days. Yesterday (Saturday) the team had the opportunity to pay respect to those who lost their lives during a very dark period in Cambodian history. We visited the killing fields and S-21, which is a school that was taken over by the Khmer Rouge and turned into a concentration camp. Needless to say, that was quite an emotional experience. But amazing still to witness it all in light of God’s grace and all of the wonderful things that have come as a result of those 5 horrific years of genocide.

Our day took a lighter turn when we headed to the “Russian” market to do a little shopping. We relaxed for a bit before heading to dinner and then planning our Sunday.

Today we went to church bright and early at 7 am. A few of the kids, the ones who aren’t sick or getting over a sickness, met us there and we sat w/ them in balcony. Three of the kids (Hieng, Kim, and Picching) sang in the children’s choir. Little Kim spotted Dominick in the balcony, and the smile on her face lit up the room. She kept glancing up at him during the entire song. After the Hieng, Kim and Picching sang, they joined us in the balcony just in time for communion. What an amazing experience, getting to take communion w/ those kids. Alex graciously gave up his seat so Hieng could sit next to Mike and me. He was so fascinated by our sermon notes and got excited every time he saw a word he recognized.

After pictures at the church and breakfast back at the hotel, we headed straight to the orphanage. The campus was a lot quieter than usual, as most of the kids are getting over a cold and stomach bug that was passed around last week. The highlight of my day was when someone came and got me and told me Samnang (big) was inside and wanted to see me. I hadn’t seen him yet since he’s still sick and had been in bed when we arrived. A little back story on Samnang: about a month and a half ago, Samnang ran away from the orphanage. I’ve always thought there were internal emotional battles going on inside Samnang’s heart, but the language barrier and pre-teen boyhood have prevented me from knowing what exactly is troubling him. Long story short, he was found after a day and half of being gone, and needless to say, relieved doesn’t begin to describe how we felt. (If you want the long story, Alex does a great job of chronicling it here: http://riskandthenarrowlittleroad.wordpress.com/2010/10/22/we-found-him/)

Anyway, as soon as I walked into the room and made eye contact w/ Samnang, he burst into tears and came running at me w/ his arms stretched out. Of course, I too burst into tears and just grabbed him as best I could. We didn’t let go for a good couple of minutes, and then quickly went outside to find Mike. Words can’t describe our love for this particular kid. Of course we love all the kids deeply, but there is a special connection b/t us and a few of them, Samnang being one.

Thanks for reading, and thank you so much for supporting our team on this journey. More updates and lots more pictures to come!

Brunch is where we get wi fi

Erin is sad cuz we ate all her mango. -Elloa

Dom and his bling!

We made it!! Breakfast in Cambodia!!