Yesterday was out last day in Cambodia. We went to a Vietnamese church around 9:00 for a youth service. That was pretty cool. I talked with a friend who was there and he told me some words I wanted to know in Viet., i.e. "poop," "throw up," and "fart." You know, stuff like that... important words. The whole service was cool, and just hanging out with old friends was awesome. Eating lunch was fun too. I joked with some friends in Vietamese. We just said stuff like, "Chi la qui Sa-tan," or, "Em khung." One kid from last year asked me, "Anh co nguoi yeu chua?" I answered, "Co roi. Co mot nghin ban gai xung quanh the gioi." Sorry if you don't know what that means.
After that, dad and I met a friend (Sandy) at like 5:00. We got dinner with him and hung out until we left for the airport. He stayed and talked with us at the airport a while. That was cool. We just joked around together one last time before I went back home. It was fun to actually be with him, hanging out like real friends, instead of being confined to Skype chats (not that those aren't good). One thing was cool though. Instead of saying, "Goodbye. See you next year," as most of the kids told us when leaving, he simply said, "See you in two weeks."
Now comes the hardest part: returning to the normal, the mundane, the average. After a week like this, how can what I go through everday in the US be satisfying? After a man eats delicacies from the king's table, how can he go back to enjoying his old, bland pheasant food? But going back and eating the pheasant's food isn't the worst part. What's worse is that a man will come to enjoy the pheasant's food. After some time of his senses being numbed by the bland flavors and consistency, he will forget how good the king's food was. The man will be satisfied with eating trash and leftovers with no variation in taste. He will come to think that his dumpster heap of tasteless goods is a gourmet feast. He will forget the joy of eating with the king, and thus desire it no longer. That is a far worse crime. There is nothing wrong with the man eating the same leftovers day in and day out, it is even alright if he sees the leftovers as better than having no food at all. But, the moment he thinks that the leftovers are a delicacy, that those are as good as it gets, then he is to be pitied. He has forgotten the glory of dining with the king.
So, maybe returning to the everyday routine isn't the worst thing in the world (as terrible and horrifying as it is!). As long as I don't forget the splendor of a week like this, the joy brought by friends, the pay-off of studying a language no one at "home" speaks; as long as the man doesn't forget the taste of the delicacies offered by the king, maybe returing to the bland, everday existence isn't the worst thing in the world (as terrible as it is).
In the end, I wouldn't trade this week for anything in the world.
"Toi se lay gi bao dap Duc Gie-ho-va Ve cac on-lanh ma Ngai da lam cho toi?"
- Thi-thien 116:12
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Thursday, July 21
It is now 10:24pm in Cambodia. Today was pretty cool. English Camp itself was nice. As usual though, it's the stuff outside of the camp which makes it even better.
During the first singing time, I noticed Chomneas had come. He was sitting by Jake and Ty. I went back and said hi. During the teaching time, Jake and I again had the Vietnamese kids in our teaching group. Since they already know a fair amount of English. We worked on how to say things properly instead of with the typical foreign choppy english. I had them talk in english but Jake had to speak in Vietnamese. They all enjoyed it.
After lunch, we went to an orphanage. This was a different one than we had been to over the past 3 years. Each color group took some of the orphans and taught them a song. Afterwards, we sang that song for the entire group. Some people in our grop knew a song cvalled, "The Moose Song". It was a lot of fun and the kids kept singing it afterwards.
For dinner, all of the Vietnamese students went to eat pizza with us. Some of the students from past years also met us there. There wre over 20 Vietnamese students there! Who would have ever thought that we would have friendships with so many people in Cambodia? I truly feel blessed.
Some of the kids arrived separately. When Thavy and Thy came in, the yelled, "Tom!"and gave me a big hug. Then they saw Jake and did the same thing with him. Song Ty and Song Ho walked in with smiles and we hugged as well. It felt like a family reunion! We ate pizza and joked around. The kids got free ballons from the hostess and started beating each other with them. Too funny!
I was talking to Than Than, Thavy, and Ty. I asked them what they want to do when they finish high school. All 3 girls are approx 20 years old and in 11th grade. Than Than would like to go to university to become a lawyer. I asked Bopha, who is also 20years old but in 9th grade, what she would like to do and she said she would like to be an accountant. I hoped these girls would be able to acheive some of their dreams to get out of the desparate cycle of poverty they live in. Some of these girls were at one point at risk of being sold be their parents into the sex trade when they were younger. However, the missionaries worked hard to keep this from happening and to give them a future through schooling.
After pizza, we went to the riverfront. I had ot go back to the guest house to pick up my wallet. So, Buntheoun gave me a ride there on the back of his moto(motorbike). Jake rode on the back of Sarorn's. I haven't talked to Jake yet about it since he and Sandy Khun, a boy he knows from past years, are hanging out in the room. However, if his ride was anything like mine, I'd say it had to be really cool. Now, driving in Camboida is örganized chaos". "There are rules. However, those rules would get you arrested or in a serious accident in the US.
Starting out, Buntheoun said I am "so heavy!" Then he is weaving in and out of traffic. He drives down the wrong way of streets (which is allowed in Cambodia). As I see traffic coming at us, he is answering his cell phone and then placing it backin his pocket as he is breaking. It was so much fun!
At the riverfront, Jake was dancing with the kids, break dancing, moon walking, and other moves he has learned. I was pretty impressed! The kids were getting into it as well. While we were at the riverfront, I gave the kids the crosses we brought along. Tammy Bunting and James Jensen, from LifeTree Church where I pastor, make them using nails and colored wire. The kids loved them and really appreciated the gift.
Just being able to be a part of these kids lives is a huge blessing and just flat out amazing!
During the first singing time, I noticed Chomneas had come. He was sitting by Jake and Ty. I went back and said hi. During the teaching time, Jake and I again had the Vietnamese kids in our teaching group. Since they already know a fair amount of English. We worked on how to say things properly instead of with the typical foreign choppy english. I had them talk in english but Jake had to speak in Vietnamese. They all enjoyed it.
After lunch, we went to an orphanage. This was a different one than we had been to over the past 3 years. Each color group took some of the orphans and taught them a song. Afterwards, we sang that song for the entire group. Some people in our grop knew a song cvalled, "The Moose Song". It was a lot of fun and the kids kept singing it afterwards.
For dinner, all of the Vietnamese students went to eat pizza with us. Some of the students from past years also met us there. There wre over 20 Vietnamese students there! Who would have ever thought that we would have friendships with so many people in Cambodia? I truly feel blessed.
Some of the kids arrived separately. When Thavy and Thy came in, the yelled, "Tom!"and gave me a big hug. Then they saw Jake and did the same thing with him. Song Ty and Song Ho walked in with smiles and we hugged as well. It felt like a family reunion! We ate pizza and joked around. The kids got free ballons from the hostess and started beating each other with them. Too funny!
I was talking to Than Than, Thavy, and Ty. I asked them what they want to do when they finish high school. All 3 girls are approx 20 years old and in 11th grade. Than Than would like to go to university to become a lawyer. I asked Bopha, who is also 20years old but in 9th grade, what she would like to do and she said she would like to be an accountant. I hoped these girls would be able to acheive some of their dreams to get out of the desparate cycle of poverty they live in. Some of these girls were at one point at risk of being sold be their parents into the sex trade when they were younger. However, the missionaries worked hard to keep this from happening and to give them a future through schooling.
After pizza, we went to the riverfront. I had ot go back to the guest house to pick up my wallet. So, Buntheoun gave me a ride there on the back of his moto(motorbike). Jake rode on the back of Sarorn's. I haven't talked to Jake yet about it since he and Sandy Khun, a boy he knows from past years, are hanging out in the room. However, if his ride was anything like mine, I'd say it had to be really cool. Now, driving in Camboida is örganized chaos". "There are rules. However, those rules would get you arrested or in a serious accident in the US.
Starting out, Buntheoun said I am "so heavy!" Then he is weaving in and out of traffic. He drives down the wrong way of streets (which is allowed in Cambodia). As I see traffic coming at us, he is answering his cell phone and then placing it backin his pocket as he is breaking. It was so much fun!
At the riverfront, Jake was dancing with the kids, break dancing, moon walking, and other moves he has learned. I was pretty impressed! The kids were getting into it as well. While we were at the riverfront, I gave the kids the crosses we brought along. Tammy Bunting and James Jensen, from LifeTree Church where I pastor, make them using nails and colored wire. The kids loved them and really appreciated the gift.
Just being able to be a part of these kids lives is a huge blessing and just flat out amazing!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Yesterday- Wednesday
So, yeah, yesterday we went to EC. During the day, I talked with this one girl in Vietnamese again (Thanh Thanh). I just sat and talked with her. We said stuff like "Chi di ve tai vi khong co ai muon chi o day." She then told me to leave. I told her, ""Neu toi di ve, thi moi nguoi khoc nhieu. Cac nuoc mat chay nhu mua.. nhu bao." I would write what else we said, but no one would probably know what it means... I had fun though.
After EC at night, Sandy (a student) came to the hotel to hang out. We went to Lucky Burger and tlaked (dad wanted to go there). Then, we came back and hung out in the room. We just sat and talked a little bit. It was fun.
Something funny happened as he was leaving. We both went to get on the elevator (as my room's on the 5th floor). As we were waiting, a guesthouse employee walked over with like four girls. We all got on the elevator. Sandy and I were huddled in one corner, the girls in the other. We pressed the "Ground floor" button, the employee pressed the "Floor 1" button (we found out earlier never to go to 1st floor, as "massages" occur there). The girls got off onto floor 1, and we saw like ten or twenty girls lining the floor's hall. When the girls were gone, and the door closed, I looked at Sandy and said, "awkward..." He just nodded his head. When we got into the lobby, I told Phillip (Sandy's brother) what happened. He laughed. It was interesting... and awkward.
After EC at night, Sandy (a student) came to the hotel to hang out. We went to Lucky Burger and tlaked (dad wanted to go there). Then, we came back and hung out in the room. We just sat and talked a little bit. It was fun.
Something funny happened as he was leaving. We both went to get on the elevator (as my room's on the 5th floor). As we were waiting, a guesthouse employee walked over with like four girls. We all got on the elevator. Sandy and I were huddled in one corner, the girls in the other. We pressed the "Ground floor" button, the employee pressed the "Floor 1" button (we found out earlier never to go to 1st floor, as "massages" occur there). The girls got off onto floor 1, and we saw like ten or twenty girls lining the floor's hall. When the girls were gone, and the door closed, I looked at Sandy and said, "awkward..." He just nodded his head. When we got into the lobby, I told Phillip (Sandy's brother) what happened. He laughed. It was interesting... and awkward.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Tuesday, July 19 2011
It is 9:00pm now in Cambodia. We just got back to the guest house from a long day. I woke up at 5am and Jake got going not much after I got out of the shower. I did my devotions and looked on the computer they have in the lobby for guests.
We went to camp at 7am. We went to the upsatirs and I saw they were serving porridge for breakfast. I knew from last year that I don't like that stuff, so I decided to get something to eat from a street-side vendor. I walked up to one which had some bread-like stuff in it. I would have eaten that but didn't know how many days ago they made it. I then saw a guy making some kind of meat over a fire and remembered one of the missionaries from a few years ago (Kim Bui) saying that iuf they make it right in front of you, you usually can trust it. So I did and had a nice conversation with an older man sitting nearby. I had the cook take a picturre of me :-)
We sang songs as a big group and 2 people gave their testimonies and another guy taught a lesson. Then we broke into small groups. Jake and I got the 4 Vietnamese students in our small group. We went around asking each other questions so they could practice asking and answering questions. They know quite a bit of english but not enough to speak it real clearly. This was good practice for them.
When they asked Jake questions, I said they had to ask him in Vietnamese so he could practice using the language as well. They enjoyed that. I think he did too.
This afternoon's trip was to the waterpark. As we have mentioned in past years, a waterpark in Cambodia is not much like a US waterpark. Pretty rugged and loose on the rules. Jake played and swam with Sarorn and Ty. I didn't swim because my luggage still isn't here. I took pictures, talked with Bopha, Than Than, and some other kids who didn't swim. It was good but very warm.
The best part of the day came at teh end. I used Bopha's phone to call Buntheoun. He is a boy who has been at English Camp each ofthe past 3 years but didn't come this year. I arranged to meet him at Savonna Mall (a shopping area) at 7pm. Bopha, Sarorn, and Ty also met us there. We ate at Lucky Burger, had ice cream, and had a nice time visiting. Buntheoun looks so much older. He has grown into a godly young man!
The funniest part was right when I saw him, I said that he looked so much bigger! He patted my stomach and said, "Tom, you have gotten bigger too!"I laughed and cringed at the same time. After Lucky Burger, we were walking to the ice cream and he askëd,""How do I get fat? I eat a lot and everyone says I not fat. How do you get fat?" I pushed him on the shoulder and we both laughed. I said, "You go eat ice cream...that's how you get fat."I love their honesty!
On that note, this post is ending. Despite the crazy stuff which happened, God is awesome and this is a grteat trip!
We went to camp at 7am. We went to the upsatirs and I saw they were serving porridge for breakfast. I knew from last year that I don't like that stuff, so I decided to get something to eat from a street-side vendor. I walked up to one which had some bread-like stuff in it. I would have eaten that but didn't know how many days ago they made it. I then saw a guy making some kind of meat over a fire and remembered one of the missionaries from a few years ago (Kim Bui) saying that iuf they make it right in front of you, you usually can trust it. So I did and had a nice conversation with an older man sitting nearby. I had the cook take a picturre of me :-)
We sang songs as a big group and 2 people gave their testimonies and another guy taught a lesson. Then we broke into small groups. Jake and I got the 4 Vietnamese students in our small group. We went around asking each other questions so they could practice asking and answering questions. They know quite a bit of english but not enough to speak it real clearly. This was good practice for them.
When they asked Jake questions, I said they had to ask him in Vietnamese so he could practice using the language as well. They enjoyed that. I think he did too.
This afternoon's trip was to the waterpark. As we have mentioned in past years, a waterpark in Cambodia is not much like a US waterpark. Pretty rugged and loose on the rules. Jake played and swam with Sarorn and Ty. I didn't swim because my luggage still isn't here. I took pictures, talked with Bopha, Than Than, and some other kids who didn't swim. It was good but very warm.
The best part of the day came at teh end. I used Bopha's phone to call Buntheoun. He is a boy who has been at English Camp each ofthe past 3 years but didn't come this year. I arranged to meet him at Savonna Mall (a shopping area) at 7pm. Bopha, Sarorn, and Ty also met us there. We ate at Lucky Burger, had ice cream, and had a nice time visiting. Buntheoun looks so much older. He has grown into a godly young man!
The funniest part was right when I saw him, I said that he looked so much bigger! He patted my stomach and said, "Tom, you have gotten bigger too!"I laughed and cringed at the same time. After Lucky Burger, we were walking to the ice cream and he askëd,""How do I get fat? I eat a lot and everyone says I not fat. How do you get fat?" I pushed him on the shoulder and we both laughed. I said, "You go eat ice cream...that's how you get fat."I love their honesty!
On that note, this post is ending. Despite the crazy stuff which happened, God is awesome and this is a grteat trip!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Tuesday
Yesterday, we got at English Camp right after lunch. While I ate, sopme students came over to talk to me. Their names are Bopha, Sarorn, and Ty. They talked to me while I ate. I talked with thema little in Vietnamese. That was fun.
After lunch, they took everyone to the Palace for a field trip. So we walked around the Palace... again. I kind of didn't even pay attention to the tour guide. Onec I found a friend of mine (Sandy) we then just left both our groups and went ahead to the end so we could sit and wait for everyone else. He's seen the palace a lot, I've seen it a lot... we figured sitting and talking would be more fun.
When we first got to the Palace though, everyone was just standing outside waiting to get in. There was a girl there from previous years standing by herself (her name is Thanh Thanh). So, I talked with her in Vietnamese. It was fun. We just joked around saying stuff like,"dep hon em," or,""toi buon tai vi em o day." If you don't know what that means, sorry.
It was a good day. Oh, and after dinner, dad and I went to the mall to get him clothes as his luggage never arrived. My luggage came, and I guess that is what's important above all else.
After lunch, they took everyone to the Palace for a field trip. So we walked around the Palace... again. I kind of didn't even pay attention to the tour guide. Onec I found a friend of mine (Sandy) we then just left both our groups and went ahead to the end so we could sit and wait for everyone else. He's seen the palace a lot, I've seen it a lot... we figured sitting and talking would be more fun.
When we first got to the Palace though, everyone was just standing outside waiting to get in. There was a girl there from previous years standing by herself (her name is Thanh Thanh). So, I talked with her in Vietnamese. It was fun. We just joked around saying stuff like,"dep hon em," or,""toi buon tai vi em o day." If you don't know what that means, sorry.
It was a good day. Oh, and after dinner, dad and I went to the mall to get him clothes as his luggage never arrived. My luggage came, and I guess that is what's important above all else.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Saturday/Sunday July 16/17
We made it to the Minneapolis airport, got through security, and to the gate. At the gate, the announcement was made there would be a 2 hour delay in our flight. Haha! Not again! We only had a 1 hour scheduled layover in Tokyo which meant we would be missing our connecting flight...2 days in a row! Tom Sr checked at the gate counter about our situation. They said we wold have to wait until we get to Tokyo to sort it out. Not that great of a plan, but God is in control so we went with it (and we didn't have any other choice :-))
Well, we arrived in Tokyo a half hour late but they held the plane for us so we were able to board and fly to Singapore. It is currently 2:30am Monday morning in Singapore which means it is 2:30pm Sunday afternoon in Buffalo, Minnesota. Buffalo is 12 hours behind us.
Our flight to Phnom Penh is boarding at 7:15am Monday morning (Singapore time, which is 7:15pm Sunday night Minnesota time).
Everything is workign out. Jake and I get to settle in at the airport for a few hours adn then off to Cambodia!! When we get there, English Camp will have already started so we will be meeting everyone in the flow of activity. Really looking forward to seeing the kids there!
Keep praying for us!!
Blessings!
Tom Sr
Well, we arrived in Tokyo a half hour late but they held the plane for us so we were able to board and fly to Singapore. It is currently 2:30am Monday morning in Singapore which means it is 2:30pm Sunday afternoon in Buffalo, Minnesota. Buffalo is 12 hours behind us.
Our flight to Phnom Penh is boarding at 7:15am Monday morning (Singapore time, which is 7:15pm Sunday night Minnesota time).
Everything is workign out. Jake and I get to settle in at the airport for a few hours adn then off to Cambodia!! When we get there, English Camp will have already started so we will be meeting everyone in the flow of activity. Really looking forward to seeing the kids there!
Keep praying for us!!
Blessings!
Tom Sr
Friday, July 15, 2011
Friday, July 15 - Ready to Go! Well, not quite...
I can safely say I have never experienced a day like this before...
Jake and I got to the airport and to the gate by 6:45am. We sat down at the gate, and Jake slept while I read. After a little Bible & prayer time, I decided to go for a walk. I got back by 8:30am, and jake was waking up. He said it is strange because it was now darker than when he fell asleep. I said, "That's not good considering it was early in the morning when you fell asleep and now it is later in the morning. It should be lighter now. Little did we know...
The Delta Airlines plane was late boarding. The plane was supposed to leave by 9:10am but we didn't board until 9:30am. No problem, except we had a 2 hour window from when we were supposed to land in Chicago to when we took off. Any delays in Minneapolis were making this transfer in Chi-town awfully tight!
Well, once we boarded, we sat on the plane on the tarmac for an hour. Did I spell "tarmac" correctly? Anyway, then they pulled onto the runway where we sat for another hour. At 11:45am, we took off. Yeah! I knew we would miss our flight to Seoul but figured something could be worked out.
Once in Chicago, we left Terminal 2, where we landed, to go to Korean Air at Terminal 5. We did miss our connecting flight to Seoul and found out there was only one Korean Air flight tomorrow. It was booked. They sent us back to Delta because they flew us from Minneapolis to Chicago and should help us find another way. So, we went back to the Delta counter in Terminal 2.
At the Delta counter, we saw 2 older men from our Minneapolis flight who also missed the same connecting flight to Seoul. One is an army Chaplain in Korea and the other is a businessman headed to Korea. The 4 of us worked together to have Delta help us out. Fortunately, the Delta rep at the ticket counter was very helpful.
We ended up spending 3-4 hours standing at the ticket desk while she tried to work out other options for us. The chaplain got his stuff and left. The other man was next and he was giving her some grief about the whole situation. I kept telling her how much I appreciated her effort because she was really trying to work things out for us. The guy was bouncing back and forth from being a nice guy to riding her about how this whole thing is Delta's fault. He was also being a little fussy about his seating. So I just said that I am happy with whatever she gets us at this point. He backed off and let her do her thing.
The final result? She got us a ticket back to Minneapolis where we will fly out at 3pm Saturday to Tokyo, then to Singapore, then to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I have to laugh! We left this morning only to fly back tonight so we can leave tomorrow.
Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor?
Jake and I got to the airport and to the gate by 6:45am. We sat down at the gate, and Jake slept while I read. After a little Bible & prayer time, I decided to go for a walk. I got back by 8:30am, and jake was waking up. He said it is strange because it was now darker than when he fell asleep. I said, "That's not good considering it was early in the morning when you fell asleep and now it is later in the morning. It should be lighter now. Little did we know...
The Delta Airlines plane was late boarding. The plane was supposed to leave by 9:10am but we didn't board until 9:30am. No problem, except we had a 2 hour window from when we were supposed to land in Chicago to when we took off. Any delays in Minneapolis were making this transfer in Chi-town awfully tight!
Well, once we boarded, we sat on the plane on the tarmac for an hour. Did I spell "tarmac" correctly? Anyway, then they pulled onto the runway where we sat for another hour. At 11:45am, we took off. Yeah! I knew we would miss our flight to Seoul but figured something could be worked out.
Once in Chicago, we left Terminal 2, where we landed, to go to Korean Air at Terminal 5. We did miss our connecting flight to Seoul and found out there was only one Korean Air flight tomorrow. It was booked. They sent us back to Delta because they flew us from Minneapolis to Chicago and should help us find another way. So, we went back to the Delta counter in Terminal 2.
At the Delta counter, we saw 2 older men from our Minneapolis flight who also missed the same connecting flight to Seoul. One is an army Chaplain in Korea and the other is a businessman headed to Korea. The 4 of us worked together to have Delta help us out. Fortunately, the Delta rep at the ticket counter was very helpful.
We ended up spending 3-4 hours standing at the ticket desk while she tried to work out other options for us. The chaplain got his stuff and left. The other man was next and he was giving her some grief about the whole situation. I kept telling her how much I appreciated her effort because she was really trying to work things out for us. The guy was bouncing back and forth from being a nice guy to riding her about how this whole thing is Delta's fault. He was also being a little fussy about his seating. So I just said that I am happy with whatever she gets us at this point. He backed off and let her do her thing.
The final result? She got us a ticket back to Minneapolis where we will fly out at 3pm Saturday to Tokyo, then to Singapore, then to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I have to laugh! We left this morning only to fly back tonight so we can leave tomorrow.
Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor?
Monday, July 11, 2011
Getting Ready To Go! - Cambodia English Camp 2011
Friends & Family,
Tom Sr and Jake are getting prepared to leave on Friday, July 15th for Cambodia. We are very excited to see some of the kids from last year and meet new friends as well. Some of the Vietnamese kids (not all) we’ve seen the last couple of years will be there again! We are so excited to reconnect with them! We wish Becky and Tom Jr. could join us this year, however, finances and responsibilities wouldn’t allow them to come.
Just like we have done the last several years, 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 will keep you updated while we are gone. We 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 accounts 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 by this trip.
* That both 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. & Jake Murel
Tom Sr and Jake are getting prepared to leave on Friday, July 15th for Cambodia. We are very excited to see some of the kids from last year and meet new friends as well. Some of the Vietnamese kids (not all) we’ve seen the last couple of years will be there again! We are so excited to reconnect with them! We wish Becky and Tom Jr. could join us this year, however, finances and responsibilities wouldn’t allow them to come.
Just like we have done the last several years, 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 will keep you updated while we are gone. We 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 accounts 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 by this trip.
* That both 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. & Jake Murel
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Last Day In Cambodia
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
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
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
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