More Cambodia Randomness

Good morning! :)

Well, yesterday (Wednesday) was a random day indeed. Joci and Eric were with the BB3 orphanage directors all day, so I decided to go to a Cambodian wedding with Jill. We went by moto and it was a beautiful drive. Like I said previously, the farther out of Battambang you get, the more jungle-like and green it gets. Most of the roads are dirt and it's just a beautiful site to behold. 

It took about 30 minutes or so to get there (to the wedding reception). We had a map, however, most Khmer people can't read maps, so if you get lost, you're in trouble. Jill and I went to the reception and it was quite the thing to experience. We had an 8-course meal consisting of spring rolls, duck, pork, 2 kids of rice, fish soup, chicken, shrimp, and dessert. I had an older asian lady next to me who kept putting food in my bowl and making me eat it! HA. One thing I learned here- do NOT under any circumstance cross an asian woman. I will tell you more about the Khmer weddings on Sunday.. I have another one to go to on Saturday with Jill. 

Last night, Joci, Eric, the Kane's, and I all took the Battambang 3 directors and their 3 children out to eat at The Bungalow. The Biddle's and I were supposed to go to a YWAM service but it wa too hard to fit everything in before they left today. In Cambodia, you have to learn to roll with the punches-- that happens almost on a daily basis. If you have a plan for the day, expect it to change 3 or 4 times throughout the day. The directors wanted to try american food so we got french fries, hamburgers, and spaghetti. It was so funny. The love french fries!!  People after my own heart! Because this outdoor restaurant is new and they only had one stove, it took about 2 hours to get all of the food for 10 people.  It was a long evening for sure. But we had a great time talking and enjoying one anothers cultures. 

This morning the Biddle's (Joci and Eric) left to go to Phnom Penh. I will leave the TEO Hotel because the Kane's have graciously opened up their home to me and are allowing me to stay with them while I am in Battambang the next 10 days or so. 

How many kids can you fit in a tuk-tuk?

[Blogger's note: Joci got some great pictures of us playing with the kids at the park.. I will upload soon... The pictures will answer my question to this blog's title.]

Yesterday (Tuesday), I got quite a feel for the city of Cambodia. After a late breakfast, Eric, Joci, and I walked around the city. Battambang isn't like Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh (the capital) would remind you of a typical city- tall (well, tall for Cambodia) buildings, no greenery, congested traffic. But here in Battambang, it's different. It almost reminds me of the city of Wooster (where I'm from). There is a lot of greenery still, things are spread out, of course you have a few blocks of buildings close together. The more you leave the city and head toward the outskirts, the more rural and green the land gets. 

After our walk, Jill Kane allowed me to sit in on her daily Khmer language lesson. She takes lessons 5 days a week for an hour at a time. Khmer is one of the most complicated languages I have ever seen. There are 23 vowels alone!! Plus it's not your normal A,B,C's. There are funky swirls, twirls, and squiggles for letters. It's hard to explain how the language works. Speaking is a little easier than writing. I am very intrigued by this culture!

After the lesson, it was time to relax from the extreme heat and watch another old movie. Jill and I watched a Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis film while making homemade salsa. It only cost $.60 for fresh tomatos, lettuce, a green pepper, onion, and garlic from the market. We made a very large serving size bowl of salsa. More than enough to fit 2 or 3 large jars in the grocery stores! In the evening, I went back to English lessons with Jill and sat with the talkative girls so they would be quiet and listen to her! Teenage girls are the same in every culture! ;) When the lesson is over, Jill typically goes to excersise at the park with a few of the the lady students. They have aerobics and dancing in the park. Many ladies and a few men participate in this nightly event every weekday.  I was going to excercise, however, we ran into Joci, Eric, and the kids from Battambang 3 so I decided to play and spend time with them. We played games, ate popcorn and mangos, and just enjoyed seeing the kids smile and have a great time. My heart becomes overjoyed when I spend time with them. I am never out of love when I am with those kids!! After a very long evening at the park, Eric, Joci, and myself went back to the Kane's house. Jill made us an excellent mexican dinner- homemade tortillas, grilled chicken, beans, salsa= incredible tacos!!  She aslo made extrodinary flan (Kurty boy- I thought of you as I ate that yummy dessert).  We (Jill, Eric, Joci, and I) all talked until 11pm or so and then it was time to crash back here at the TEO Hotel. What a fun day!

Monday in Cambodia

Monday was quite the day. First, it was breakfast at the TEO restaurant (also the hotel we're staying at) and we had to say goodbye to Pastor Bob. He and Kevin Kane went to Siem Reip to see Angkor Wat and then Pastor Bob and Dr. John will head to Thailand to see the Doi Saket orphanages. It was hard to say goodbye to him because I see both him and Roxanne as another set of parental figures in my life! They are very dear people to me. 

Kevin and Jill Kane, Pastor Bob.

Kevin, Jill, Pastor Bob, and myself. 

Dr. John with the Kane's. 

The Kane's with Joci and Eric Biddle.

Eric, Joci (both from Mansfield, Ohio), and me. 

After all the goodbyes, Eric, Joci, and I  had the morning to catch up on journaling and some reading.  We went out to lunch at The Bungalow with Dr. John. We're still trying to figure out what nick-name to call it. It's a beautiful outdoor restaurant that would remind you of something that has a South Pacific or a Havana Nights feel to it. I went with Jill later on to see where she teaches. She teaches between 50-60 kids (ages middle school- college age) English, Monday through Friday. This class was a treat because they wanted to get better at their conversational English so they asked me many questions for an hour! All the older boys kept asking me "Are you married?".. "Do you have a boyfriend?".. "Do you have a man in your life?" "Do you want to stay in Cambodia forever?".  HA! Oh goodness! It was a hoot. They are all great people and love to learn.  It rained extremely hard on Monday night, so Jill made grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup! We also watched an old Cary Grant movie!! For those of you who don't know, I LOVE old movies. My best friend Alyssa and I watch them all the time at home.  It was the perfect way to end the day.

I forgot to mention this... Sunday morning we all woke up to sirens at 4am. Just down the street from where we're staying was a fire. Jill got more details from the locals and found out that it was 4 girls (ages 17-21) and 1 boy (the lanlord's son) were killed in the blaze.  It's very common to have locks on the outside of your doors.. and they were locked in. They all were karaoke girls which means they serve drinks and give massages. It's supposed to be a safer nightlife job. 

We drove by the scene and this is what was left from the fire... absolutely nothing. The building behind it is a separate building, I think. 

I love the flowers here. The plant life, palm trees, and fruit are all so colorful and vibrant! So here are some of the exotic flowers to give you an idea of what I see every day. 

I will try and keep the blog updated as much as I can. I know I am a few days behind, but will try to catch up soon! Have a great day/evening everyone!

Love, 

K-

Afternoon at the Orphanage

On Sunday, we all went to church at the orphanages. It was quite the cross-cultural experience! I love hearing people pray in any language. How cool is it that we have a God that knows every languauge and can hear all of our prayers!? Pastor Bob spoke on Queen Esther, which is very dear to me because Roxanne and I journaled the book of Esther right before I came here! I never knew that Esther was an orphan!! God raised her up for such a time as this to save the entire jewish people--what faith she had! I hope this bible story was an encouragement to the kids, because God has a plan for them and it doesn't matter where they have come from as long as they know that He can do BIG things through us. 

After church, we had a meeting with Savorn and then played with the kids at Grace Place. Here are some pictures that I caputured through all the fun!

Eric, Dr. John, Pastor Bob, me and Josie with the BB4- Grace Place kids.

Dr. John and I with the Grace Place kids. 

Grace Place's Director's wife and their little baby.

Somphors-the little girl that Jes Rehm and I sponsor. 

Eric being attacked by the boys! (I love that the girls are posing in the front)!

beautiful.

Find Eric! ;)

The kids love to give massages!! And we all enjoy every moment of them. I think Bob is enjoying the fan too!!

Joci braiding the girl's hair. 

Sweet picture. Eric was playing some sort of hand slapping game with the boys in this shot. 

The little girl that my momma sponsors.

Massage train. 

What a great group of kids!

The kids waving goodbye to Pastor Bob! :(

Cambodians know how to party!

On Saturday night after the Inaugration Ceremony of Grace Place, all 5 orphanages got together and we had a dance party!! And let me tell you that these people know how to dance!! :)

One thing that is the same with the Khmer culture and the american culture is that teenage boys love to play with fire and make music as loud as they can with big speakers! I am amazed at how much these teen kids know about technology already! 

Here are some dancing pics with the kids:

 These little girls loved to follow me around and they were so fun to watch! They know how to break it down!!

 

Josie and the kiddos having fun!

Eric and the boys being goofballs.

The little girl that Jes and I sponsor from Grace Place.. so precious!

 

I can't get enough hugs!! 

They love to pose and make peace signs in every picture...

Pastor Bob refusing to dance and just chilling with the kids.  

Somehow, after some arm-pulling.. the kids got Pastor Bob out of his chair and out to dance with everyone else!!! 

Eric holding a very sleepy little girl.

I wish I could have captured the excitement in the kids faces when the fireworks went off!!

What a wonderful ending to such a great day!!!

Grace Place Inaugration Ceremony!!

What a BIG day!!!! 

I wish I was able to convey all the emotions that were running through me all of today. 

First, there is nothing like being mauled with hugs by 150 kids! It's one of the best feelings!!

 Second, it was an honor and a privilege to be here for the dedication of "Grace Place" (aka BB4)- the orphanage that my church, Wooster Grace Brethren is sponsoring.  The orphanage directors, their wives, and all the kids have been decorating and preparing for the past 2 days to lead up to today's events.

 

The morning started with the official ceremony that lasted almost 2 hours. Honestly, despite the heat.. it didn't feel all that long! All of the orphanges had a special part in the ceremony. The kids danced traditional dances, sang both Khmer and English songs, Pastor Bob spoke on Jeremiah 29:11 to the kids while Savorn (Cambodia's Asia's Hope director) translated. Some of the kids were dressed up in special Khmer cosutmes. They looked fantastic! It would remind you of a scene from 'The King and I'. The directors and their wives sang a hymn for us. We even had praise and worship time!! :) Lots of singing and dancing today... right up my alley! Gifts were given to Vannack and his wife (the directors/ "parents" of Grace Place).

About 200 of us gathered around Grace Place and prayed for the kids and staff, then it was time to cut the ribbon! Pastor Bob, Dr. John Campbell, and Savorn cut the red ribbon to the orphanage together.

 

After the ceremony, we ate lunch- chicken, whole fish (scales, head, eyeballs and all), chicken soup (with the chicken feet in it!), a beef/veggie dish, rice (naturally), and lots of bananas and mangos! It was a very good meal all in all. 

Tonight we went back to the orphanage and just enjoyed time with all 150 kids! We had a dance party and also had fireworks. These kids a SUCH great dancers!! The little girls flocked to me and whatever I did, they did.... hahaha. Those poor girls, little do they know that I can't dance! I may have taken ballet for 12 years, but that is MUCH different that "feeling the music" and just groovin'. But it was a blast. Pastor Bob said he wasn't going to dance, but those little kids made him!! And as soon as he started dancing, the generator broke and all the power went out! HA! So he's claiming that his dancing broke the machine. Since it was officially dark, the teenage boys set off the fireworks. The children's faces were hilarious to watch when the fireworks went off!! :) Priceless... simply Priceless!

[Blogger's note: pictures of the dance party are on a seperate blog post.]

I love their smiles, their love, their hearts, their thankfulness. I've said it time and time again- these kids truly are Asia's Hope. 

Battambang.. city of the lost stick.

Good morning ya'll! 

After a 5 hour journey yesterday, we made it to Battambang.

Pictured left is the main statue that gives Battambang it's meaning.... which is.. are you ready for this? "Lost Stick."  It refers to a legend of one of the kings a long time ago. I tried to find the story to share it with you and google just can't seem to pull through this morning! ha. 

Well I have learned so much about Cambodia the past 24 hours. We met with the Kane's last night who are from my hometown of Wooster and are serving here in Battambang for 12 years. They've been here for 3 years and 4 months. They have quite the story and I'm elated to be here and spend time with them for a week!! :)

Here are some funny tidbits I learned the past few days in Cambodia:

1. Potato ice cream is purple and is really good! It doesn't taste like potatoes. 

2. Even in nice hotels, ants are common.

3. Jill was telling us about the Khmer language lessons she's been learning lately and the Cambodian people love to translate and compare many things to poop. ha. For instance-

-moles on your skin= fly poop (literal translation in the Cambodian language)

-ear wax= ear poop

-those "sleepies" in your eyes when you wake up in the morning= eye poop

-salt and pepper hair= tiger poop ... please explain that one to me!?

-and the best one... shooting star= star poop!

ahaha. Too funny!

4. Honking the horn while driving is a very common thing. It lets people know where you're at on the road.

5. Speaking of roads and road rules.. here in Cambodia double yellow lines, staying on the right side of the road and waiting at red lights are all suggestions..... No one follows the rules here!!

6. When you use a toothpick, cover your mouth. But you are allowed to pick your teeth at the table (as long as you cover your mouth).

7. You can pick your nose anywhere here.. it's a normal public thing!

8. The way they prepare fish is different-- they buy the fish still alive, hit it over the head, then put it in the skillet to fry up (scales, head, everything) and then serve the whole fish. You have to peel back all the skin etc. and make sure you don't eat the little bones!

I'm sure there will be many more tidbits along the way! I hope you enjoy them!