English Camp was only a half day. We handed out certificates of competion to the students and then each of the teachers was given a gift, a Cambodian scarf.
Today Jake gave his testimony along with one of the other teachers. He shared how he came to Christ at a young age and then recommited his life to the Lord as a freshamn in high school at one of the church concerts. I know I'm his Dad, but I was moved by it. I had never heard his full testimony so it was nice to hear him share it with everyone.
At the end, the teachers were called to the front, and the Khmer students sang a goodbye song to us. All of us were touched by it. I looked out into the sea of faces singing to us and saw Song Ty, Chomeas, Sarorn, Bun Ra, Ho, Vanny, and others. Buntheoun was standing on a chair so he could see us over the other students heads as he sang.
One of the teachers from Canada turned to me and handed me a small business card she printed up with her picture and e-mail address on it. She said she really wants to come back again next year but doesn't know if her church will send a group again or not. I told we would definitely be coming again, and I would keep in touch with her. She said that would be great and maybe she could come along with us next time.
After the song, everyone went outside while they set up for lunch (we ate in the same area where we taught). We had gotten markers so we could sign each other's shirts. Becky, Jake, and I made sure all of the Vietnamese students signed our shirts. A number of my students signed my shirt and wanted me to sign theirs as well. Buntheoun wrote a message in Vietnamese on my shirt. He said now I have to learn Vietnamese. He wrote something about next year's Youth Camp for the Vietnamese students. He really wants us to come to that. We will have to see. I know both Jake and I would love to do that in addition to English Camp.
After we ate lucnh and said goodbye to everyone, Buntheoun took us to see his church, meet with his pastor, and walk to one of the Vietnamese villages. He arranged for a tuk tuk to take us there while he followed behind on his moto (motorbike).
When we got to the church, his pastor had an area for us to sit and visit with him. The pastors wife, Ngoc, prounced like "now", spoke a little english. Buntheoun translated mostly for us. What a great opportunity to hear his story and how he became a pastor in Cambodia. Ask Becky Jake, Lisa Herdt, or myself sometime and we can share with you about it.
Then the pastor took us to one of the villages along the river. A new bridge is being built nearby and the government will force the Vietnamese to move somewhere else once the bridge is finished. The Vietnamese are illegal aliens in Cambodia and only barely tolerated. They are not allowed to own land and restricted in other ways as well. This is one of the many reasons they are involved in the sex trade. Such a sad situation. While in the village, we saw one of the girls from english camp. She lives on a boat in the village. We could have gone on the boat. However, the only way on the boat was by traversing a narrow board suspended over the water by branches adn other not so safe pieces of wood. It was made to hold their body weight, not the fat Americans standing on the shore looking at their houses.
By the way, did I tell you I am now officially fat and old? While we were visiting the floating Vientamese village in Siem Reap last week, several children in the church got a kick out of patting me on the belly and laughing. I am the fat Amnerican. Then during english camp, one of the kids referred to my grey hair, and another one also patted me on the belly. I have got to lose some weight!
After visiting the Vietnamese village, we left the pastor there because he was going to deliver some medicine to a villager. Buntheoun took us to the Russian market where he helped us negotiate cheap prices on local goods. Then we ate dinner with him. I'll admit it was hard saying goodbye to Buntheoun. He such an amzing kid in such a tough environment. God is raising up this young man to do some great work in Cambodia.
Right now, we are sitting in the Seoul, South Korea airport waiting for our flight to Chicago. Now we are trying to adjust back to Wisconsin time.
This has been a great opportunity to serve God and hope other people will come with us next year to make a difference halfway around the world. It will chenge your life forever. It has mine.
Blessings
Tom
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Day 5 of English Camp (Friday)
Today was our last full day of English Camp. Instead of teaching in the morning and going on a field trip in the afternoon, we went on a field trip all day to the zoo. Like the waterpark earlier in the week, the zoo always is an experience. Monkey's running around everywhere. The monkeys especially like to sneak up from behind and steal lunches. Having three years experience in this, I knew better than to sit down and eat my lunch where they could get to me.
The bus rides to and from the field trips have been very quiet on my bus. We haven't had any dancing or singing happening on my bus. On the bus Tom, Jake and Lisa are on, there is much more activity. But the rides have been really fun in that I have gotten to sit with one of the dorm students, Sokkun, every day. The dorn students stay at the CMA dorm for $2.50/month while they are studying at the University. They have Bible studies together, which is a great way for them to grow closer to God and have encouragement from each other. Sokkun is studying IT at the University and would like to teach computers at the University when he graduates. He said the job that he has when he graduates isn't as important as having the opportunity to tell others about Jesus. He said he can do anything as long as he can share Jesus. That was so cool to hear!!! What a testimony many of these English Camp steudnets are to me. They face very difficult situations on a regular basis and continually keep focused and relying on God!
Sokkun has taught me to count in Khmer (but I can only count to 5). He has shared with me about his family. His Dad is a corn farmer just outside of Battambang. His Mom, brother and sister are Christians, but his Dad is not. His Dad gets angry if he brings it up around him. I hope to keep in contact with Sokkun once we leave, as he is able to access his email at the University.
At night, we went with a few of the Canadians, Jake's friend Sandy and his brother and another Khmer girl named, Lina to The Pizza Company. That was a fun time of visiting.
Tomorrow, is graduation day at English Camp. We will end at noon and then go with Bun Thoeun to his Vietnamese Village, Kilometer 11. Late tomorrow we head home.
Thanks for the prayers,
Becky
The bus rides to and from the field trips have been very quiet on my bus. We haven't had any dancing or singing happening on my bus. On the bus Tom, Jake and Lisa are on, there is much more activity. But the rides have been really fun in that I have gotten to sit with one of the dorm students, Sokkun, every day. The dorn students stay at the CMA dorm for $2.50/month while they are studying at the University. They have Bible studies together, which is a great way for them to grow closer to God and have encouragement from each other. Sokkun is studying IT at the University and would like to teach computers at the University when he graduates. He said the job that he has when he graduates isn't as important as having the opportunity to tell others about Jesus. He said he can do anything as long as he can share Jesus. That was so cool to hear!!! What a testimony many of these English Camp steudnets are to me. They face very difficult situations on a regular basis and continually keep focused and relying on God!
Sokkun has taught me to count in Khmer (but I can only count to 5). He has shared with me about his family. His Dad is a corn farmer just outside of Battambang. His Mom, brother and sister are Christians, but his Dad is not. His Dad gets angry if he brings it up around him. I hope to keep in contact with Sokkun once we leave, as he is able to access his email at the University.
At night, we went with a few of the Canadians, Jake's friend Sandy and his brother and another Khmer girl named, Lina to The Pizza Company. That was a fun time of visiting.
Tomorrow, is graduation day at English Camp. We will end at noon and then go with Bun Thoeun to his Vietnamese Village, Kilometer 11. Late tomorrow we head home.
Thanks for the prayers,
Becky
Thursday, July 22, 2010
July 22
Chao... Toi ten la Jake.
Today, yet again, was fun.
I enjoyed hanging out with my friends... even though some of them got there late because they had something at school.
We went to the orphanage in the afternoon. Even though we went there for the past few times, this was the best. On the bus ride there, I sat in the back with Saroeun, Chomneas, and Ty. We goofed around with my camera, and Saroeun and my listened to some songs on my iPod. But, throughout the bus ride, we played Korean songs on Chomneas' phone. While we played them, we would joke around by singing along or doing the dances. We listened to Ring Ding Dong, Wedding Dress, Man Man Ha Ni,Gara Gara Go, and dome others (not that you know what those are...). Near the end of the ride, Narin (Sitha) played some songs on her phone. The four of us then danced to them and sang along. It was good.
At the orphanage, I spent the time with Ty, Thy, Chomneas, and Saroeun. We goofed off again. We would joke around in Vietnamese. As they showed me some words, I also joked with Tha Vy and In Thy too. As most people were playing games with the orphans, I hung out with Saroeun, Ty, and Thy. I even talked with another friend in Vietnamese, Thanh Thanh (I knew her solely because she emailed me before english camp). Like my other friends, she's pretty cool.
Then, on the bus ride back, I listened to music and watched videos on Saroeun's phone with him and Ty. Chomnea had fallen sleep with my iPod. Bunthoeun fell asleep too. So, Saroeun took pictures of them with my camera. Then, Saroeun, Ty, and me posed for different pictures. That was also fun.
Today, yet again, was fun.
I enjoyed hanging out with my friends... even though some of them got there late because they had something at school.
We went to the orphanage in the afternoon. Even though we went there for the past few times, this was the best. On the bus ride there, I sat in the back with Saroeun, Chomneas, and Ty. We goofed around with my camera, and Saroeun and my listened to some songs on my iPod. But, throughout the bus ride, we played Korean songs on Chomneas' phone. While we played them, we would joke around by singing along or doing the dances. We listened to Ring Ding Dong, Wedding Dress, Man Man Ha Ni,Gara Gara Go, and dome others (not that you know what those are...). Near the end of the ride, Narin (Sitha) played some songs on her phone. The four of us then danced to them and sang along. It was good.
At the orphanage, I spent the time with Ty, Thy, Chomneas, and Saroeun. We goofed off again. We would joke around in Vietnamese. As they showed me some words, I also joked with Tha Vy and In Thy too. As most people were playing games with the orphans, I hung out with Saroeun, Ty, and Thy. I even talked with another friend in Vietnamese, Thanh Thanh (I knew her solely because she emailed me before english camp). Like my other friends, she's pretty cool.
Then, on the bus ride back, I listened to music and watched videos on Saroeun's phone with him and Ty. Chomnea had fallen sleep with my iPod. Bunthoeun fell asleep too. So, Saroeun took pictures of them with my camera. Then, Saroeun, Ty, and me posed for different pictures. That was also fun.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Day 6 (day 3 of english camp)
Hi everyone, it's Lisa again.... wow! what a day! All in all this has been such an amazing experience.
Today we started the morning meeting the vietnamese students early, played a little volleyball,(I was told by one of the kids that I'm not bad for being an "older" lady... ouch.) the vietamese kids always get to camp a little early so it's nice to really connect with them.
Songs and testimonies first, then we break in our groups. I'm on the chocolate team, we happen to be in first place (yeah!!), there's 5 teams total. We have different competitions everyday. Today our competition was sooo fun, we went to the "russian" market, each team had $20 and a list of things to buy (backpack, school uniform, mosquito net, etc). The team that bought all the items first and spent the least amount of money won. We won!! Go chocolate team!!
Day 3 of getting to know the kids... we're all really connecting, building relationships, sharing faith stories, talking about our families, really opening up. It's awesome. I've already exchanged email addresses with many students and I know I'll stay connected with them when I get home.
When english camp was over, Tom, Becky, Jake and I took the vietnamese kids (there's 18 total) to Pizza Company for dinner, yummy. Had so much fun, singing Justin Bieber songs (baby, baby,baby, ohhhh...), making fun of Tom, because he's smelly (inside joke) and watching Jake break dance with the kids (he's a great dancer). They appreciated us buying them dinner so much. Such genuine, happy kids. Really puts your life into perspective.
Anyway.....back to the dorm for a shower (I've never sweat so much, and drank so much water, someone said it was 112 degrees today, I think at least 150% humidity, too) feeling pretty sticky, gross. More later.....God Bless
Today we started the morning meeting the vietnamese students early, played a little volleyball,(I was told by one of the kids that I'm not bad for being an "older" lady... ouch.) the vietamese kids always get to camp a little early so it's nice to really connect with them.
Songs and testimonies first, then we break in our groups. I'm on the chocolate team, we happen to be in first place (yeah!!), there's 5 teams total. We have different competitions everyday. Today our competition was sooo fun, we went to the "russian" market, each team had $20 and a list of things to buy (backpack, school uniform, mosquito net, etc). The team that bought all the items first and spent the least amount of money won. We won!! Go chocolate team!!
Day 3 of getting to know the kids... we're all really connecting, building relationships, sharing faith stories, talking about our families, really opening up. It's awesome. I've already exchanged email addresses with many students and I know I'll stay connected with them when I get home.
When english camp was over, Tom, Becky, Jake and I took the vietnamese kids (there's 18 total) to Pizza Company for dinner, yummy. Had so much fun, singing Justin Bieber songs (baby, baby,baby, ohhhh...), making fun of Tom, because he's smelly (inside joke) and watching Jake break dance with the kids (he's a great dancer). They appreciated us buying them dinner so much. Such genuine, happy kids. Really puts your life into perspective.
Anyway.....back to the dorm for a shower (I've never sweat so much, and drank so much water, someone said it was 112 degrees today, I think at least 150% humidity, too) feeling pretty sticky, gross. More later.....God Bless
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
English Camp - Day 2 The Waterpark
Today we got up early again and walked to the english camp location by 7am. The Vietnamese kids were already there as usual. That is one o the highlights of the trip because we play with the kids, sit and talk with them, and just hang out. It isn't extremeley hot yet at that time of the day (I said "extremely", it is still very hot) so the kids are interested in playing games. This morning I saw the boys throwing around a football. It looked familiar. It was the ball we brought last year and Tommy gave to Sarorn! He brought it so we could throw the football. That was fun to see.
This year the color group teachers are more serious about meeting to discuss the lesson plans. Quite a few of them are teachers. That works well because the class time is more meaningful. The focus is still on making everything fun. My group is the green team (Go Green!). During the large group times we sing, some teachers share their testimonies, a Bible lesson is given (today was Moses), and then we have a game. Last year, my team won the full week of games...not the case this year. We very bad...very bad. Still, it is a lot of fun and is good bonding time.
We broke up into our color groups and had group games and lessons. I taught about north and south by drawing a map on a white board one of the teachers brought with them (only a teacher would think of bringing a white board! haha). I drew a map of Cambodia and then added Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and China. Good thing I know my geography. All those times as a nerdy kid growing up staring at maps is paying off right now! Then I used a balloon and drew the same map on there along with the US and Canada because some of our teachers are from Canada. Then we broke up into smaller teaching groups. I lead my teaching group and taught them how to give directions. That worked out well.
By the way, did I mentioned Becky and I were given a surprise when we got here? No?
Well, we were told there are no interns this year to lead the color groups. So, because we have been here before, we were each assigned as leaders of a color group (What? Noooo!) It has worked out well despite us not being prepared for it. The teachers in our groups are great to work with and the camp leader, Scott Weaver, is doing a great job despite subbing in for the normal missionary who leads the camp. Scott is not a missionary and doesn't speak the language...and everything is going great!
We went to the waterpark and played on the slides. As always, it was a good time. The rides there I got everyone in the bus singing songs. Buntheoun and another Khmer student play the guitar and we had 2 guitars. So we sang almost the whole way to the water park. On the way back, the bus driver had Khmer music playing and we danced to the music. We had too many people in the bus so myself and several others were dancing up and down the aisle to the Khmer music. Everyone was laughing. Then they yelled, "Jake! Jake! Jake dance now!" So Jake got up and danced with them up and down the bus. What a blast!
We went to the Khmer mall last night after camp.
Well, it is 8:20am and camp starts in 10 minutes so I better go. Tonight is pizza with the Vietnamese students. Did I mention many of the kids asked why Tommy is not with us? And they talk about Tom and Abby as well. They really bond to everyone that comes here and remember us from year to year. It is so cool.
Blessings to everyone.
Tom
This year the color group teachers are more serious about meeting to discuss the lesson plans. Quite a few of them are teachers. That works well because the class time is more meaningful. The focus is still on making everything fun. My group is the green team (Go Green!). During the large group times we sing, some teachers share their testimonies, a Bible lesson is given (today was Moses), and then we have a game. Last year, my team won the full week of games...not the case this year. We very bad...very bad. Still, it is a lot of fun and is good bonding time.
We broke up into our color groups and had group games and lessons. I taught about north and south by drawing a map on a white board one of the teachers brought with them (only a teacher would think of bringing a white board! haha). I drew a map of Cambodia and then added Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and China. Good thing I know my geography. All those times as a nerdy kid growing up staring at maps is paying off right now! Then I used a balloon and drew the same map on there along with the US and Canada because some of our teachers are from Canada. Then we broke up into smaller teaching groups. I lead my teaching group and taught them how to give directions. That worked out well.
By the way, did I mentioned Becky and I were given a surprise when we got here? No?
Well, we were told there are no interns this year to lead the color groups. So, because we have been here before, we were each assigned as leaders of a color group (What? Noooo!) It has worked out well despite us not being prepared for it. The teachers in our groups are great to work with and the camp leader, Scott Weaver, is doing a great job despite subbing in for the normal missionary who leads the camp. Scott is not a missionary and doesn't speak the language...and everything is going great!
We went to the waterpark and played on the slides. As always, it was a good time. The rides there I got everyone in the bus singing songs. Buntheoun and another Khmer student play the guitar and we had 2 guitars. So we sang almost the whole way to the water park. On the way back, the bus driver had Khmer music playing and we danced to the music. We had too many people in the bus so myself and several others were dancing up and down the aisle to the Khmer music. Everyone was laughing. Then they yelled, "Jake! Jake! Jake dance now!" So Jake got up and danced with them up and down the bus. What a blast!
We went to the Khmer mall last night after camp.
Well, it is 8:20am and camp starts in 10 minutes so I better go. Tonight is pizza with the Vietnamese students. Did I mention many of the kids asked why Tommy is not with us? And they talk about Tom and Abby as well. They really bond to everyone that comes here and remember us from year to year. It is so cool.
Blessings to everyone.
Tom
Monday, July 19, 2010
First Day Of English Camp - Monday
Today we started English Camp. Tom, Jake and I went early to meet with Dave Manfred, the field director here. As we walked up at 7 AM, several of the students were already waiting outside of English Camp. English Camp doesn't start until 8:30 AM. As we walked down the street closer to English Camp, several of the students waiting yelled out Jake's name and then some of them recognized Tom as well. We were so excited to see them, as all of them that were there waiting were Vietnamese students. Many of them students we have seen the past two years.
Jake and Lisa are on the brown team, Tom is on the green and I am on the yellow team. We each have a few students we rememeber from last year on our teams. Today we studied English in the morning. Lisa has fit in well, especially for never having done English Camp and not being there for training the day before. Most of the students in my group speak good english. In the afternoon, we went to the Palace in Phnom Penh. I had to stay outside (but didn't mind as I have been to the Palace two years in a row.) because Sorya (one of the Vietnamese girls) wore shorts which aren't allowed. It ended up being a fun time as we were able to visit. We talked about her church, how well she is doing in school, how her English has improved since two years ago when I met her. She also talked about Korean Pop Music and how handsome the guys in Big Bang are.
We appreciate your prayers for safety and good health. Especially as we will be at the water park tomorrow where Tom Jr. has previously injured himself :)
Thanks again for the prayers!
Becky
Jake and Lisa are on the brown team, Tom is on the green and I am on the yellow team. We each have a few students we rememeber from last year on our teams. Today we studied English in the morning. Lisa has fit in well, especially for never having done English Camp and not being there for training the day before. Most of the students in my group speak good english. In the afternoon, we went to the Palace in Phnom Penh. I had to stay outside (but didn't mind as I have been to the Palace two years in a row.) because Sorya (one of the Vietnamese girls) wore shorts which aren't allowed. It ended up being a fun time as we were able to visit. We talked about her church, how well she is doing in school, how her English has improved since two years ago when I met her. She also talked about Korean Pop Music and how handsome the guys in Big Bang are.
We appreciate your prayers for safety and good health. Especially as we will be at the water park tomorrow where Tom Jr. has previously injured himself :)
Thanks again for the prayers!
Becky
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Day 3 In Siem Reap
Its Jake...
Today we went with Kim to a Vietnamese church on the water. The whole village is floating on the lake... as the houses are boats. It was good. Attended two both services. The first was a childrens service. There were about 50 little kids there. Kim gave the message. She then had mom give her testimony and had us teach them the song King Jesus Is All.
Almost immediately after, there was the adult/youth service. There were a few more people at this one. Kim gave the same message. However, she had dad then give his testimony. But, she still had us teach them the same song. It was good.
Now, we are going back to Phnom Penh. It was about a one hour drive to the church and a half hour boat ride. So, the trip was invigorating.
See ya soon...
Today we went with Kim to a Vietnamese church on the water. The whole village is floating on the lake... as the houses are boats. It was good. Attended two both services. The first was a childrens service. There were about 50 little kids there. Kim gave the message. She then had mom give her testimony and had us teach them the song King Jesus Is All.
Almost immediately after, there was the adult/youth service. There were a few more people at this one. Kim gave the same message. However, she had dad then give his testimony. But, she still had us teach them the same song. It was good.
Now, we are going back to Phnom Penh. It was about a one hour drive to the church and a half hour boat ride. So, the trip was invigorating.
See ya soon...
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Day 2 in Siem Reap
This is Lisa, by the way....Hi everyone. Got an excellent night sleep, got up and found a great cup of coffee, too. (God is good!) except I found out that sweet milk is evaporated milk, and that's way to sweet in coffee.
We toured Angkor Wat today, an ancient city built between 900 and 1200 AD. One of the 7 wonders of the world, very cool. We were trying to think of the other 6 wonders, can anyone out there help us, we came up with the great wall, pyrimids, the mayan thing, what else??? wow, that's really bad.
The food has been great, thought I'd drop a couple LB's while I was here, looks like that's not happening, we've become experts at finding spring rolls, and swensons ice cream doesn't help either, mango ice cream, yummy!
Tonight we joined Kim at youth group, she asked us to sing a few songs, that was painful (ha ha) just kidding, it must've been okay cause she asked us to sing again tomorrow at church. (an encore performance). Meeting the kids at youth group was fun, you can really see all the work that Kim has done here, it's awesome to see how God is working in their lives.
Well, that's all for now, more tomorrow.
We toured Angkor Wat today, an ancient city built between 900 and 1200 AD. One of the 7 wonders of the world, very cool. We were trying to think of the other 6 wonders, can anyone out there help us, we came up with the great wall, pyrimids, the mayan thing, what else??? wow, that's really bad.
The food has been great, thought I'd drop a couple LB's while I was here, looks like that's not happening, we've become experts at finding spring rolls, and swensons ice cream doesn't help either, mango ice cream, yummy!
Tonight we joined Kim at youth group, she asked us to sing a few songs, that was painful (ha ha) just kidding, it must've been okay cause she asked us to sing again tomorrow at church. (an encore performance). Meeting the kids at youth group was fun, you can really see all the work that Kim has done here, it's awesome to see how God is working in their lives.
Well, that's all for now, more tomorrow.
Friday, July 16, 2010
1st Day in Siem Reap
It is Friday, July 16 at 6pm in Cambodia. The travel time from Wisconsin to Phnom Penh, Cambodia was 27 hours including layovers in LA and Seoul, South Korea. We get in at 10pm Thursday night which was 10am Thursday morning in Wisconsin. We are exactly 12 hours ahead of Wisconsin time. We stayed at a hotel in Phnom Penh and then left at 7am to drive to Siem Reap. We got here at 1pm this afternoon.
Kim Bui, who ministers to the Vietnamese here, met us at the van drop location and took us to the hotel. Since Siem Reap is such a tourist destination for people around the world because fo the Angkor Wat Temple (1 of the 7 manmade wonders of the ancient world), we are staying in a really nice hotel. Not by US standards, but by Cambodian standards. So she took us for lunch where we heard here story of ministry here as well as how she got into missions. She was born in Vietnam and was on the last helicopter to fly out of Saigon at the end of the Vitenam war. Great story, ask me sometime and I tell you more in depth about it.
As an adult, she lived in Canada and was an accountant. She decided to come to Cambodia as a missionary just 7 years ago. Amazing person. She gave up here career during the middle of her life to go into ministry. Who says you are too old to serve the Lord and change your career?
After lunch, she took us to the Vietnamese villages in Siem Reap. Some were very small and one was even bigger than any in Phnom Penh. The big one is practically right across from the hotel from us. Hard to see the squalid conditions they live in and the children running around. Broke my heart to see the little girls knowing that they would be sold by their parents. We will be doing more stuff tomorrow with the kids and then going to the church on the lake on Sunday. Really looking forward to it!
Well, it is 6pm right now and we are going to go walk through the market by the hotel and then eat dinner. Then I am going to collapse on the bed.
No question about it, it is great to be here. I missed it.
We'll write more tomorrow.
Blessings to all of you!
Tom Murel
Kim Bui, who ministers to the Vietnamese here, met us at the van drop location and took us to the hotel. Since Siem Reap is such a tourist destination for people around the world because fo the Angkor Wat Temple (1 of the 7 manmade wonders of the ancient world), we are staying in a really nice hotel. Not by US standards, but by Cambodian standards. So she took us for lunch where we heard here story of ministry here as well as how she got into missions. She was born in Vietnam and was on the last helicopter to fly out of Saigon at the end of the Vitenam war. Great story, ask me sometime and I tell you more in depth about it.
As an adult, she lived in Canada and was an accountant. She decided to come to Cambodia as a missionary just 7 years ago. Amazing person. She gave up here career during the middle of her life to go into ministry. Who says you are too old to serve the Lord and change your career?
After lunch, she took us to the Vietnamese villages in Siem Reap. Some were very small and one was even bigger than any in Phnom Penh. The big one is practically right across from the hotel from us. Hard to see the squalid conditions they live in and the children running around. Broke my heart to see the little girls knowing that they would be sold by their parents. We will be doing more stuff tomorrow with the kids and then going to the church on the lake on Sunday. Really looking forward to it!
Well, it is 6pm right now and we are going to go walk through the market by the hotel and then eat dinner. Then I am going to collapse on the bed.
No question about it, it is great to be here. I missed it.
We'll write more tomorrow.
Blessings to all of you!
Tom Murel
Monday, July 5, 2010
Getting Ready To Go!
Friends & Family,
We are getting prepared to leave on Wednesday, July 14th 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’ve seen the last couple of years will be there again! We are so excited to reconnect with them! We wish Tom Jr. could join us this year but he will be in Israel at that time. We are very excited to have a good friend, Lisa Herdt joining us on this trip and know that she will be amazed and impacted by the experience as we have the past several years.
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 our own agenda.
* That we would have the opportunity to share Christ with those we encounter.
* That we would be changed individually and as a group 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 Murel, Sr.,
Becky Murel,
Jake Murel
Lisa Herdt
We are getting prepared to leave on Wednesday, July 14th 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’ve seen the last couple of years will be there again! We are so excited to reconnect with them! We wish Tom Jr. could join us this year but he will be in Israel at that time. We are very excited to have a good friend, Lisa Herdt joining us on this trip and know that she will be amazed and impacted by the experience as we have the past several years.
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 our own agenda.
* That we would have the opportunity to share Christ with those we encounter.
* That we would be changed individually and as a group 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 Murel, Sr.,
Becky Murel,
Jake Murel
Lisa Herdt
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