We are now in Seoul, South Korea waiting for our plane to take off about 4 hours from now.
Yesterday was an amazing day! This trip has been incredible and it has been so cool to see the things that God has orchestrated while we have been here!
Kim, a missionary to the Vietnamese, spent the entire day with us. She picked us up at the guest house early Sunday morning. First, we went to Saigon 2 church in one of the Vietnamese villages. We got there early so we stopped across the street from the church for some rice and bbq pork at a little roadside "restaurant." After we finished eating, we asked Kim if it would be okay if we walked around the village a little bit before church started. She said she would meet us back at church. We walked to the end of the street and turned the corner. When we turned the corner, there was Srun Lay, one of the Vietnamese boys we met last year at English Camp! We couldn't believe it! In this large village of shacks we saw someone we knew. All week long, Tom has wanted to go find him. He wasn't at English Camp because he quit school and is now helping his mom with her sugar cane juice stand in the market. When we saw him, he noticed us right away and Tom ran up and gave him a hug. I don't think he was planning on going to church but when he heard we were he went in to his one room house, grabbed a shirt and came with us. He hasn't been going to church but we will be praying that now that he went back with us he will continue to go. That was just one of the totally amazing things God has done on this trip!
At Saigon 2 church, we were able to be a part of praying for the Drummond's as they are leaving the work they started there with New Hope Schools and the Vietnamese kids to retire. More recently, they have been working in Siem Reap with the Vietnamese people there. Kim Ngoc Bui will be going up there to help since they will be leaving. We also had the opportunity to pray for her throughout the day yesterday as she makes this transition.
We went to lunch with Kim and then in the afternoon we went to Kilometer 11 Church. That was really neat! Bun Thoeun, one of the boys we got to know last year at English Camp, taught our family a Vietnamese worship song. He really wanted us to sing it at Kilometer 11 church, so he played the guitar and our family sang it in Vietnamese! He was so happy that we did that! After the church service, we ate dinner with several people from the church. 2 girls in the church have just finished cooking school and wanted to make something for Kim before she moved to Siem Reap. They made breaded chicken strips, breaded shrimp and pizza. They did a great job! We prayed with the pastor of the church and all that he has going on in the Vietnamese village there and we prayed for Kim as she is getting ready to leave in about a week for Siem Reap. It was an amazing day!
We are looking forward to getting home! We really appreciate the prayers too!
Becky
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009 (Phnom Penh Airport)
Yesterday was the last day of English Camp. It was a half day. Yet, the whole day was still fun. At English Camp, we sang some songs, two teachers shared their testimonies, and we gave the kids certificates for completing English Camp. It was pretty fun.
However, I want to talk about the party we had with the Vietnamese kids after English Camp. It was a going away party for Kim (Vietnamese missionary moving to Siem Reap). First, we all sang a bunch of songs from English Camp (Every Move I Make, Walk by Faith, Shout to the Lord, and many others). For the songs that we could, we (Tommy, the Vietnamese students, and I) all did the motions. Then, while we were there, the students had their small group. It was neat. Jonathan (an intern) taught them a song, King Jesus Is All. We had fun with that. Then, the students were split up into three groups for a sushi-making contests. Kim, Jonathan, mom, dad, Tommy, and me were the judges. We had to judge them on cleanliness, taste, appearance, and speed. I enjoyed it. Plus, the sushi was actually pretty good. After the contest, Kim gave Jonathan, mom, dad, Tommy, a Vietnamese intern, and me t-shirts. Then, all of the students signed them.
Lastly, as we were about to leave, someone came up with the idea of going to an ice cream store in a nearby mall with the students who were still at Kim's. So, we went to eat ice cream. On the way to the ice cream place, as well as to Kim's house, I got to ride on two different motos. The moto rides are cool. But, anyway, I enjoyed that day.
However, I want to talk about the party we had with the Vietnamese kids after English Camp. It was a going away party for Kim (Vietnamese missionary moving to Siem Reap). First, we all sang a bunch of songs from English Camp (Every Move I Make, Walk by Faith, Shout to the Lord, and many others). For the songs that we could, we (Tommy, the Vietnamese students, and I) all did the motions. Then, while we were there, the students had their small group. It was neat. Jonathan (an intern) taught them a song, King Jesus Is All. We had fun with that. Then, the students were split up into three groups for a sushi-making contests. Kim, Jonathan, mom, dad, Tommy, and me were the judges. We had to judge them on cleanliness, taste, appearance, and speed. I enjoyed it. Plus, the sushi was actually pretty good. After the contest, Kim gave Jonathan, mom, dad, Tommy, a Vietnamese intern, and me t-shirts. Then, all of the students signed them.
Lastly, as we were about to leave, someone came up with the idea of going to an ice cream store in a nearby mall with the students who were still at Kim's. So, we went to eat ice cream. On the way to the ice cream place, as well as to Kim's house, I got to ride on two different motos. The moto rides are cool. But, anyway, I enjoyed that day.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Friday July 10
So yesterday was a blast! We went to the zoo and I saw an elephant and its baby dance to music like 5 feet from me. If you were handing it money it would grab the money and do a gesture of saying thank you. It was really cool. Then we came back and our family took all the Vietnamese students and Sokha with us out for pizza. We got to the pizza place and we ordered a ton of pizza. The kids were goofing around and everyone was having a good time signing shirts. We all ate 6 pizzas then dad ordered 3 more pizzas. When the students saw the 3 pizzas they all were like "WHAT!?!?!?" They were already full. Chhan Tou challenged me to an eating contest. So him and I decided to see who could eat one piece the fastest. I barely won. Then I put two slices on my parents plate and they tried to get out of it but everyone was chanting eat really loud! All the waiters were smiling though so it was all good! So mom and dad agreed to the eating contest. Mom won, well she didn't actually win but she did. So the losers, dad and Chhan Tou had to dance around the table at the restraunt. The idea was Chhan Thy's, Chann Tou's sister. It was hilarious.
Then we all were signing shirts and saying goodbye and then we left. Sokha took mom and dad back to the guest house and was coming back for me. Chhan Tou, Chhan Thy, Sarorn, and his sister were waiting for Sokha to come back so I would have someone to be with. Sokha came and I said bye to the other guys. Bun Thoeun had alreeady taken Jake back. So Sokha took me back and then he and Bun Thoeun took the four of us to the Dorms. Then we walked to Bill's, the missionary, new house for debriefing.
Thanks for reading,
Tom Jr.
Then we all were signing shirts and saying goodbye and then we left. Sokha took mom and dad back to the guest house and was coming back for me. Chhan Tou, Chhan Thy, Sarorn, and his sister were waiting for Sokha to come back so I would have someone to be with. Sokha came and I said bye to the other guys. Bun Thoeun had alreeady taken Jake back. So Sokha took me back and then he and Bun Thoeun took the four of us to the Dorms. Then we walked to Bill's, the missionary, new house for debriefing.
Thanks for reading,
Tom Jr.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Thursday, July 9
Hello, this is Tom Sr. This week has been nothing short of amazing so far. I thought it would be tough to top last year, but God did it..in so many ways. Let me give you a couple of them.
First, the missionaries have said several times that our goal here is not direct conversions. Our goal is relationship building and reinforcing the work the missionaries have done over the years. So, we have been focusing, like we did last year, on getting to know the kids and having fun with them.
During the teaching times in the morning, I have been working with a smaller group of kids, Srey Leak, Ty, Chanraksmey, and PongLoan (yes I spelled those correctly). I have taught them some English even though they know quite a bit already. I have built the closest relationships with Ty and Srey Leak. We talked a little about God yesterday looking at John 1 and John 3:3.
In the afternoon, we do one main activity each day. Yesterday we went to the orphanage. It was a different one than we went to last year. It was really cool. I will share more of the details in our journal. However, the funny thing was that although we went to a different orphanage, the same thing happened...one of the buses broke down!!!!
Last year we tried to push start the bus (a coach bus at that!). This year, the coach bus got stuck in the mud. The rear tires sank in while we were touring the orphanage. People were standing around wondering what to do and the drivers weren't doing anything!!! Honestly, I am telling the truth. So I asked the people running the orphanage if they had any shovels. They did so we started digging. A few of the Khmer boys and I were digging under the tires to try to get us out of this predicament. No lie. I have video and pictures to prove it! It was actually fun. Once we dug the dirt out from in front of the tires, we placed 2 big pieces of wood in front of them to try to get some traction. I looked around for the bus driver. The missionary said he is sitting on the side of the road smoking and won't come over here.
I walked over to him intent on getting him to try again. I walked up to him and was very polite. I said "Jumreepsoua" which is a very polite way of asking "How are you?"I smiled and said the same thing back. Long story short, I got him to come over and try. Unfortunately, all our efforts didn't work.
So we finally piled into the one available bus and left the other one at the orphanage. We had about 100 people in a single coach bus for the hour ride back to the English Camp. I sand many others stood the whole way back.
I cold hear Tommy and jake singing songs with their Khmer and Vietnamese friends. It was great!
By the way, on the way to the orphanage, I sang songs with Bon Theoun, a Vietnamese boy. He played the guitar we brought with us. He taught me how to sing a worship song in Vietnamese a few days ago. The Vietnamese kids love hearing Becky and I sing it while he plays the guitar. On the way there, we sang while he played. Then Chum Neh, another Vietnamese boy, suggested they sing the "hallelujah"part during the song. So we sang it again and they did the Hallelujahs. It was loud, fun, and very exciting. We were all laughing and singing the whole time.
What a blessing to be here being used by God. It says in Romans 6 that I no longer live but Christ lives in me. So here I am, Christ is doing all this neat stuff in my life and I am able to feel the joy and blessings of that life. God is doing it all and still blesses me for it. How cool is that?!
Tomorrow Tommy writes so he will talk to you then.
In Him,
Tom Sr
First, the missionaries have said several times that our goal here is not direct conversions. Our goal is relationship building and reinforcing the work the missionaries have done over the years. So, we have been focusing, like we did last year, on getting to know the kids and having fun with them.
During the teaching times in the morning, I have been working with a smaller group of kids, Srey Leak, Ty, Chanraksmey, and PongLoan (yes I spelled those correctly). I have taught them some English even though they know quite a bit already. I have built the closest relationships with Ty and Srey Leak. We talked a little about God yesterday looking at John 1 and John 3:3.
In the afternoon, we do one main activity each day. Yesterday we went to the orphanage. It was a different one than we went to last year. It was really cool. I will share more of the details in our journal. However, the funny thing was that although we went to a different orphanage, the same thing happened...one of the buses broke down!!!!
Last year we tried to push start the bus (a coach bus at that!). This year, the coach bus got stuck in the mud. The rear tires sank in while we were touring the orphanage. People were standing around wondering what to do and the drivers weren't doing anything!!! Honestly, I am telling the truth. So I asked the people running the orphanage if they had any shovels. They did so we started digging. A few of the Khmer boys and I were digging under the tires to try to get us out of this predicament. No lie. I have video and pictures to prove it! It was actually fun. Once we dug the dirt out from in front of the tires, we placed 2 big pieces of wood in front of them to try to get some traction. I looked around for the bus driver. The missionary said he is sitting on the side of the road smoking and won't come over here.
I walked over to him intent on getting him to try again. I walked up to him and was very polite. I said "Jumreepsoua" which is a very polite way of asking "How are you?"I smiled and said the same thing back. Long story short, I got him to come over and try. Unfortunately, all our efforts didn't work.
So we finally piled into the one available bus and left the other one at the orphanage. We had about 100 people in a single coach bus for the hour ride back to the English Camp. I sand many others stood the whole way back.
I cold hear Tommy and jake singing songs with their Khmer and Vietnamese friends. It was great!
By the way, on the way to the orphanage, I sang songs with Bon Theoun, a Vietnamese boy. He played the guitar we brought with us. He taught me how to sing a worship song in Vietnamese a few days ago. The Vietnamese kids love hearing Becky and I sing it while he plays the guitar. On the way there, we sang while he played. Then Chum Neh, another Vietnamese boy, suggested they sing the "hallelujah"part during the song. So we sang it again and they did the Hallelujahs. It was loud, fun, and very exciting. We were all laughing and singing the whole time.
What a blessing to be here being used by God. It says in Romans 6 that I no longer live but Christ lives in me. So here I am, Christ is doing all this neat stuff in my life and I am able to feel the joy and blessings of that life. God is doing it all and still blesses me for it. How cool is that?!
Tomorrow Tommy writes so he will talk to you then.
In Him,
Tom Sr
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Wednesday, July 8 (Evening)
Today we had a full, fun day at English Camp. We spent the morning teaching English. Most of the students speak it really well so there isn't too much to teach but it has been really neat to get to know them. In the afternoon (and the pouring down rain!) we went to the Russian Market for a scavenger hunt. That was a lot of fun, but the most fun I had there was hanging out with Bun Theoun at the market after the scavenger hunt was over. He is an amazing vietnamese kid that we met last year at English Camp. It is neat to see how God is working in his life. Then on the bus ride back to English Camp, Tom, Sr. sang a song in vietnamese that Bun Theoun taught him. Bun Theoun is trying to get us all to learn it so that we can all sing at his church in the vietnamese village on Sunday! Once again I had to eat durian (the most disgusting fruit ever!) in an eating contest at the end of English Camp today. Tom Sr. and Tom Jr. also ate it. (Tom, Jr. said that he actually liked it!) Right now we are with the 3 interns, Pharom (the assistant to the missionary who coordinates the English Camp), and a student from the English Camp. We took a tuk-tuk down to the Mekong Riverfront area and stopped at an ice cream shop. We need to head back to the guest house now and get some sleep for tomorrow!
Becky
Becky
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
July 8, 2009 (Morning)
Yesterday, we went to the water park (it's called the Garden of Water Peace). That was fun. For most of the time, I played with the Vietnamese students, dad and Tommy. However, I did go down one of the water slides twice. The first time, I was pondering whether or not I actually wanted to go down. Then, some students (one from last year) started calling my name. They wanted me to go down with them. So, I did. It was fun. Due to this, I decided to go back down the slide. When I got to the top, a student from last year, Sandy, was sitting at the top. He was watching people go down. I motioned for him to go down. But, he shook his head. Then, when I was almost about to go down, I motioned him again. So, I went down with him.
After that, I played with the Vietnamese students in the pool. We played football, wrestled, and went down a zip line into the pool. There was also a smaller slide that I went down with the Vietnamese students and two other students. Altogether, it was pretty fun.
Then, on the bus ride to and from the water park, I played a dot game and tic-tac-toe with a student (his name is Visal). We had also done that Monday on the bus. He won the dot game. We both won some games of tic-tac-toe. I enjoyed it. It was pretty fun. Plus, he bought me a Khmer candy bar and sucker. So, we both ate those while we played. The candy bar and sucker were actually pretty good.
Jake
After that, I played with the Vietnamese students in the pool. We played football, wrestled, and went down a zip line into the pool. There was also a smaller slide that I went down with the Vietnamese students and two other students. Altogether, it was pretty fun.
Then, on the bus ride to and from the water park, I played a dot game and tic-tac-toe with a student (his name is Visal). We had also done that Monday on the bus. He won the dot game. We both won some games of tic-tac-toe. I enjoyed it. It was pretty fun. Plus, he bought me a Khmer candy bar and sucker. So, we both ate those while we played. The candy bar and sucker were actually pretty good.
Jake
Monday, July 6, 2009
July 6, 2009
Hey Hey this is Tom, Jr! Yeah so today we went to the english camp early. It was sweet cause a bunch of the kids were already there. So we played sai with them (hackysack with a birdie). It was fun. Then we went and ate breakfast. Then the kids came in and I saw Kim and I was happy cause that means that the Vietnamese kids were there. So I went out and saw Sarorn! Sarorn was one of my favorite kids from last year. I also was good friends with Bun Theoun but I didn't see him there yet. I asked Sarorn which group he was in and he said blue. That was my group! I was so pumped. Later Bun Theoun came and I found out he was in a different group. But whatever cause we still hung out whenever we got the chance. Then we played catch with them. That was fun! We learned everyone's names and then we taught them how to greet each other and how to tell each other about their families. Then we taught them different worship songs. It was a good english camp! Bun Theoun took me on his moto (like motorbike, not a motorcycle) and Sarorn rode on the back too. They took me to their school during their free time. It was really cool looking. Then we went to the palace and that was ok but it was kinda boring. I'm not all into history, Buddhism, and the king of Cambodia. But whatever. The kids here really like Wrestling (WWE) so now I'm called Tom Cena (after the wrestler John Cena). Hahaha why don't you guys call me a respectable name like that?
O side note! So Abby I didn't see just one monk this time but 10!
We saw a guy riding an elephant down the middle of the street. so cool! and then we came back. Now I'm here writing this message to yall!
O side note! So Abby I didn't see just one monk this time but 10!
We saw a guy riding an elephant down the middle of the street. so cool! and then we came back. Now I'm here writing this message to yall!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Sunday, July 5th
We landed in Phnom Penh last night at 10pm. We got to our room and crashed...very tired.
This morning we walked around the streets by our guest house and threw the football a little. One of the helpers at the guest house joined in with us after a little prodding. Then we went to New Jerusalem Church for Sunday morning services. I had to remind myself that there are no "weekends"in Cambodia like we have in the states. People work everyday. So the people who came to church were there at the sacrifice of working at their jobs and earning an income.
We met the other people who are here for the English Camp. There is a group of 13 people from Canada, 3 interns and the four of us. I guess there will be almost 80 kids at the camp this year. They could have used more workers.
We did meet some people from last year at church and ate with Khmer (pronounced Ka-mi) students from the dorm ministry and will be meeting in a couple of hours for orientation.
That is all for now. The first day is always a little slow. Tomorrow, Tom Jr will be posting the blog.
Thanks for your comments! We appreciate hearing from you.
Tom
This morning we walked around the streets by our guest house and threw the football a little. One of the helpers at the guest house joined in with us after a little prodding. Then we went to New Jerusalem Church for Sunday morning services. I had to remind myself that there are no "weekends"in Cambodia like we have in the states. People work everyday. So the people who came to church were there at the sacrifice of working at their jobs and earning an income.
We met the other people who are here for the English Camp. There is a group of 13 people from Canada, 3 interns and the four of us. I guess there will be almost 80 kids at the camp this year. They could have used more workers.
We did meet some people from last year at church and ate with Khmer (pronounced Ka-mi) students from the dorm ministry and will be meeting in a couple of hours for orientation.
That is all for now. The first day is always a little slow. Tomorrow, Tom Jr will be posting the blog.
Thanks for your comments! We appreciate hearing from you.
Tom
Saturday, July 4, 2009
In Seoul South Korea
Right now we are in Seoul waiting for our flight to Phnom Penh. We have been up for 22 hours. The four of us haven't really slept on any of the flights so far. That is okay though because when we arrive in Phnom Penh it will be 10 PM Saturday, July 4 and we will all be ready for some sleep. We will try to send a blog again tomorrow and hopefully by then there will be more interesting things to share with you!
Thanks for keeping us in your prayers!
Becky
Thanks for keeping us in your prayers!
Becky
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Getting Ready To Go!
Friends & Family,
We are getting prepared to leave this Friday, July 3rd for Cambodia and are very excited to see some of the kids from last year and meet new friends as well. We have heard from the missionaries that some of the Vietnamese kids we met last year will be there again! We are so excited to reconnect with them!
As we did last year, we have a blog site set up so you can follow daily with our trip. Here is the link:
http://cambodiaenglishcamp.blogspot.com
The blog page we set up will keep you updated while we are gone. Each of us will take turns (hopefully each day), typing what has happened the previous day on the blog site. You can make comments as well! We would enjoy hearing from you either on the blog itself or via e-mail. The blog site is best, but we will try to check our email account every couple of days.
Please pray for the following:
* That we would be open to whatever God has for us and not have expectations from what we experienced last year.
* That we would have the opportunity to share Christ with those we encounter.
* That we would be changed individually and as a family by this trip.
* That all four of us would stay healthy throughout the trip.
* That we would listen to the missionaries there and help in whatever ways they ask of us.
* That we would be kept safe throughout our travels en-route and while we are there.
Thanks so much for being a part of this through your prayers!
In Him
Tom Sr, Becky, Tom Jr, and Jake
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