On to Another

Well, I have been in Cambodia for nearly a month, and today is my last day! It's crazy how fast it all flew by. I have grown so much, and I was able to experience so much. Today, my parents and I are headed to Hanoi, Vietnam. In Vietnam, we are going to visit the family of the boy I have been sponsoring through world vision for 6 years. I can not even express with words how thrilling it is going to be to be in Nam's (the boy) village, with his family. Surreal. This whole trip is surreal!

I am blessed beyond compare, and excited to share my journey with others when I come home.
I am ready to see my friends, relax in the comfort of my own home, and sleep in my own bed.

Thank you, to all who kept me in your thoughts and prayers. In 6 days, I will be back in California, and able to tell stories :)

River

Siem Reap

I feel spoiled. I'm staying in an extravagant hotel, AND my parents are here. I'm having an amazing time. Yesterday, we took a boat ride (on a very secure, steady boat...not) on the Tonle Sab River. It was incredible. Making our way down the river we were surrounded by river villages, and the scurrying of Tuk Tuks and Moto's was replaced by the steady drifting of hand-crafted boats. The markets and venders I was used to passing on the sides of roads, were now in boats, making their way from house boat to house boat, offering supplies and produce. It was remarkable to see how the people created an entire community, and that the majority of them had lived that way their entire life.
Today we worked at a school and family encouragement center. We helped garden, paint, and build a mushroom house. What a character building day! I am exhausted and the day is only half way done! I miss my friends, and I am excited to see good old Lodi again, but I am enjoying myself SO much. Cambodia has proved to be an excellent growing experience for me.

Kep

My mom has been here for two days, now, and it has been so nice to have her here with me. Upon her arrival, I could sense the excitement that radiated from both of us, and the excitement grew and grew as she was introduced to more and more that I had been experiencing. I took her to S.21 and The Killing Fields, where, as I described in previous blogs, action was taken in regards to the Khmer Rouge. She was affected similarly to me; it is a truly upsetting experience.

Today however, her third day, has proved most interesting. We thought that we would take an excursion to the coast, about 5 hours away. We found what seemed to be a reliable company that would be able to guide us along the way, even stopping at tour hot spots. We stopped at a mountain about two hours away from Phnom Penh, and climbed high to an old Buddhist temple that had been destroyed by war bombs. The history of the temple is incredible, but it was hard to discern between myth and reality. My mom and I enjoyed standing in the same spot the old King would have stood, looking over at the valley below, and the river where he would have watched boat races. A long, stone staircase, now crumbling, stretched its long arm down the mountain and into the valley, disappearing into separating roads. As we climbed down the mountain with our guide, I could sense that both my mom and I, were getting an uneasy feeling. I don’t think there was a definite reason why we were both suddenly tensing...we just felt uneasy and no peace. After leaving the temple and driving another hour away from Phnom Penh, we stopped for lunch. At this point the balance due for the trip got confusing and sketchy. The communications we had made with the company previously to setting out on the journey were seemingly misunderstood, and now we were asked to pay cash for a trip that we thought we had already paid for, and now, that we were entirely unsure about completing. We left lunch, after a long discussion with our guides about the destination, towards the coast. Ten minutes into the drive, however, we decided that our spirits both felt very heavy about the trip. We told the driver that I am very tired, which I am, and that we think it best if we made our way BACK to Phnom Penh.

I write this in the back of the car, silently, with my ipod in ear. I’m listening to my favorite worship music, and finally, for the first time today, I am feeling peace.

I have no idea why my mother and I, both, felt uneasy. I have no idea why our spirits were so heavy. Perhaps it was the Holy Spirit. Perhaps we were not destined to be in Kep, the coastal city tonight for reasons we will never know. And perhaps there is no reason at all, no explanation at all. All I know is that I thank God for directing us on a path where, now, I feel peaceful and safe. I am also glad that my mom is here with me.

A weird day! Hard to explain the feeling thoroughly. I would say there is something we can all learn from this, though. Sometimes in life, stuff happens; we get stuck, or uncomfortable, and we don’t know why. We just have to rely on God turning us back around and helping us find peace. He does bring peace that surpasses all understanding, safety, and joy.

With my spirits lifted, and my mom by my side, I am ready to take on another day….No matter how weird. : )

Pictures

Scroll all the way down :)

I don't want to live a normal life.

I don’t want to live a normal life; I don’t want to blend in with the crowd! I want to stand out. It’s ironic, because here in Cambodia, everywhere I go, I am the odd one out. I am stared at, smiled to, and in some cases misunderstood. People are curious about me. They recognize my different nature, and it arouses questions and curiosities.

Shouldn’t this be how we live as Christians? We should be recognizable. Maybe not so much by the way we look, but by the way we act. If our hearts are in the right place, people should be able to set us apart. I think that too often, we attempt to blend in with the crowd, so that we are socially acceptable and “normal.” Was Jesus socially acceptable? Was He normal? Um….no…he definitely wasn’t. I think if we simply practice integrity, others, whom are not Christians will see us, and become curious. Just as I am asked the questions daily, “Where do you come from?” or “What do you do?” People will ask us, as Christians, “Why are you different?” or they will simply recognize the difference. When we spark others attention about what our “difference” is, we give God the opportunity to water that seed.

I constantly lack the integrity that should be radiating from me. I want people to see what God’s love does to people. I want to be that example. I encourage you too, believers, to take a stand! Just for one day, practice integrity; be intentional about doing good, and praising God with the way you act, think, and live.

The perfect love is Gods love...so share it :)

Now as for CAMBODIA!!! I am still thoroughly enjoying my time here. Although I miss people back home, I am learning so much and experiencing so much. I love the Khmer culture, and I am even learning a little bit of the language. I think that some day I would like to come back to this beautiful place. (But I am sure to think that about every place I visit)

This trip is producing a girl who now wants to travel her whole life. I love the feeling of being away from my comfortable American life…with so much unknown and waiting for exploration. Daily, my eyes are being opened to new and exciting experiences. Back home, people get so (too) comfortable with the way they are living, that the simple idea of going abroad is frightening and just too big of an idea. But there is so much work that can be done overseas! There are so many people that need help, and so many jobs that need educated minds to operate.

To experience a new culture is the largest adrenaline rush for me, satisfying in every way. I am so blessed to be here and share love with anyone I come into contact with.

Ah…now that I am tired and hot and sweaty (because the humidity here is literally worse than a sauna)…I think I will eat some delicious Khmer food, and sleep. Love you all!

Always on the go!

I miss home! I miss my friends! I miss my famillyyyy. BUT, I am enjoying this country SO much. I am trying new things, daily. I cannot get enough of the food here. Thats DEFINITELY not a good thing, seeing as though im getting little to no exercise...
I am enjoying the markets, especially, because I love walking through and seeing all the fresh produce and meats. (and buying delicious fruit that I have never seen before) AMERICA HAS NO IDEA what it is missing out on. The flavors here are UNREAL.
I took a Khmer cooking class, and BOY did I learn a lot. I can't wait to make some "fish amok" for friends and family when I return home!!

Well, as I do everyday, I must go teach some english to some adorable children!

I Eat Bugs

Today was insane!! In a good way!!! I went to the “Russian Market,” I ate frog, quail egg, beetle, and cricket, and I even chased after an elephant with a complete stranger down the street dodging cars and mottos. Talk about a DAY!!! I ate some of the most amazing food I’ve had. Incredible Greek and Incomparable Indian. I’m soooo tired!!

My time here in Cambodia is exciting, every second I look forward to what will happen next. Those of you who know me well, know that I seek adventure and I thrive off of trying new things. Today was definitely an adrenaline pumper for me!! I got to spend some time alone as well, walking around a bit and looking in some shops. I stopped by a Khmer coffee shop just expecting to get an iced coffee, but they sat me down on cushion seating, brought me iced tea to start me off, followed by the best iced latte of my entire life, all for $1.50….. WHAT? Starbucks officially went down 20 notches in my book!

Phnom Penh is truly an amazing city. It’s the capital of Cambodia, so it’s pretty happening. Tonight, I went to the night market, and boy is it busy!! Near the palace and independence building there are people that come out and dance and play music. The dancing is kinda corny, but its cool that they all know the same steps, and that random locals will just join in! No wonder they always seem to be so good at Dance Dance Revolution at the arcade!

I am so exhausted, and I need to get up early for a Khmer cooking class that I am taking, so I am logging off! If you have any questions about ANYthing.. email me! Ready181jump@aol.com. Can’t wait to hear from you!! Ps: don’t eat bugs… they’re literally the worst thing I have ever put in my mouth. Frogs ok though. J

Kids Glorious Kids

Today was my first day working with some kids at the ABC school. It was really fun. We sang and danced to ring around the rosy, row row row your boat, and we even played some Simon says. I went through an animal book with them, I colored with them, and I enjoyed just watching them play and goof around.
I also went to an authentic Khmer restaurant with Kalia, Mrs. Lo. It was delicious. We had three different dishes to try, and even a dessert. We had chicken curry, fish amok, and authentic spring rolls. For dessert we had banana in a hot coconut and sugar soup. Not TOO sweet, surprisingly, and so delicious. It is only one in the afternoon, so I am headed back to the school shortly to work with the children. I am excited to be a big sister role model for them, one that loves Jesus and can be a good example.
I definitely wish I had my family or a friend with me, because it gets lonely experiencing this all on my own, but I am excited to tell the tale, and try all sorts of new things!
Keep me in your prayers! I'm tired! Love you all so much, thanks for reading and keeping updated!

Shoppers

Talk about busy. From 6 in the morning to 6 at night, I’m on the go! It’s hot and humid, but manageable. I have been spending a lot of time with Aurora. She lives here, so she knows her way around really well.

Today she took me to the Central Market. We walked through the branched market, getting lost numerous times. She, herself, even though she lives there, still gets lost in the huge market. When we walked in, all I could see were shimmering “diamonds” in large cases all around a large hall. I’m assuming little to none of them were real. As we passed through the “diamond hall” we were given the option of many different paths through different clothing, shoes, electronics, bag, and fabric stalls. We wandered through looking and purchasing. There are many clothes from sweatshops in there. I was walking around seeing name brand clothing, being sold for less than five dollars. Aurora told me that every month, the sweatshops give about 1% of the clothes or bags being made to be sold on the streets…and I saw a LOT of clothes. Lacoste, American Eagle, Coach, Louie and Vuiton, etc. TOO MANY.

After we looked around a bit, and even purchased a couple items I noticed the market was transitioning from materials to food. She explained the live market and how fresh all the food was. She didn’t have to prove anything. I was awed walking through. Fresh fish and crustations of every kind. I’m talking salmon, squid, stingray, lobster, crab, mussels, oysters, YOU NAME IT, it was there, it was fresh, and it was HUGE. A lot of the seafood was kept alive in big tubs with filtering water systems. Others were already dead, on ice, ready to be bought. There were some already cooked, seasoned and ready to eat! We passed through fruit and vegetable markets. I bought a bag of fruit (I have no idea what it is) I cannot explain how good it was. There was so much fruit there, most of it nothing I had ever seen before, and almost ALL delicious. There was a meat “department” that stunned me! We walked through looking at all the different selections of meat, so fresh! Right past the food market there were little booths all around where venders not only had the fresh produce, but also had cooking supplies and tools, to make food dishes to sell. There were plates of meals, soups, shakes, and more. It smelled divine, and I’m sure it tasted better than it smelled.

After visiting the market, and being thoroughly impressed, I made my way back to the church office. I visited two schools with Mrs. Lo and Aurora. ABC School and Wisdom School. These are the two schools I will be working at for the next two weeks. I will be working with the kids doing a variety of things. I am beyond excited to spend time there.

I miss my friends! And I really miss my family! I think I miss them all so much because I wish they were here with me, experiencing all of this with me step by step. I am learning so much about the country and the people. I am learning what it means to have no expectations and to forget how I lived and to live in a new way. It’s exciting and hard. I am so blessed to have this opportunity, and I cannot wait to utilize every second I have here to the best of my ability.

Go Phnom Penh!!!

Moto Moto Moto

One, Two, Three, Overwhelmed!

When I set out on this journey, I knew it was inevitable that culture shock would hit me sooner or later. I think that my last summers experience in prepared me thoroughly, but it is impossible to ignore and be unmoved by the intense changes in the way life will be for the next month.
This afternoon, though a bit tired from my travels, toured through parts of Phnom Penh, both on foot and by Tuk Tuk. I met an American, Aora, in her mid twenties, who guided me through the streets of the city. First, she wanted to "show me something." We set out of the air conditioned Lutheran Church Office, onto the trash covered streets. The humidity took over, as I assumed it would, and my clothes immediately felt damp; as if i had run a 5k in the middle of the summer in the US. We skipped around street venders, ignored male propositions, and nearly grazed passing vehicles and cyclists. The streets are bombarded clothing, food, automotive, and furniture sales. People stare as you walk by, wave, smile, etc. Buses and motorcycles spew exhaust into your face. Chickens and dogs scramble for food all around your feet. What a rush! Ten minutes of walking brought us to a large, fenced in community of old buildings. I was unsure of what it was until I read the large banner above that read:

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

"I think this is important for people to see. Haunting, but important." Aora escorted me through the gates and payed our tourist fees. She had brought me to one of the main site set ups during the Khmer Rouge. If you are unsure of what the Khmer Rouge is, here is a brief synopsis. Pol Plot tricked many Cambodians into thinking he was bringing peace, they even celebrated his entry into the country with a parade. Unfortunately, the afternoon he entered, everything turned upside down. He told everyone to leave the country. Through the Khmer Rouge, he captured millions of people. He set rules that people were to follow, including: no talking, no smiling, certain haircuts, only the uniform he assigned to them, no crying, and many more. If they broke those rules, he had them killed. Men, women, children, and infants were brought to "cites" such as the one i was now standing in, to be interrogate, tortured, and executed. There were thousands of others sent to another place in Phnom Penh, called "The killing field" (where I also visited today).
So as I stood in the courtyard of a devestating community of torture chambers, holding rooms, and cells, I felt sick. I asked questions. I walked into room, after room, after room; where men women, and children were kept. At one point i walked into the cell where a prisoner would have been held. I stood at the bar window, the chain tickling the side of my foot. I peered through the bars, outside at the courtyard, where they were bound to watch and listen to the torture of others; friends, family, or even complete strangers. Human. From there, we took a Tuk Tuk to the killing field where, not only is there a large glass building full of bones of victims, but fields and fields of graves. Aora and I walked through the fields haunted by the thoughts of what had happened here. I coouldn't help to notice the bones, still lying on the ground, or the items of clothes that half stuck out of the dirt, trying to escape, or the teeth either. It was if even the ground was repulsed by this mass genocide of over three million people. The ground even, with the rain, told the story. What a moving experience.


ON ANOTHER NOTE!!

Driving in the Tuk Tuk is pretty fun :)
It's an open walled vehicle, so you can see everything around you, and everything around you can see you too!!!
It was amazing to see all that goes on during the day. Sowing, welding, lots of driving, heavy lifting, and a LOT of sweat shops. It wasn't until about 5 in the evening that I saw many women, because most were in the sweat shops during the day.
I also saw some pretty cool cultural surprises I wasn't expecting! We drove past a wedding party, and Aora told me that many families actually go BANKRUPT because they spend so much money on the party! It looked elegant, but it wasn't until she told me that I would have believed it to be so detailed! Over 36 dishes served! Over 8 garments must be worn! It's crazy!

Also, while driving down the scurrying streets, I saw a HAMMOCK set up and hanging from the bottom of a TRUCK.....there was somebody in it!

Oh and one more thing. Don't buy the yellow soda bottles on the side of the road if your thirsty....it;s definitely gasoline.

Well, that is all for now! I am going to go enjoy more DELICIOUS Cambodian fruits and dishes with the wonderful Lo family!

Phnom Penh Arriva

As I expected, when I arrived in Phnom Penh, I was overwhelmed with the new world around me. Just as last summer, I am to expect the unexpected. In getting off of the plane, I was immediately struck with the dense humidity and hotness of the country. I got lost in the airport, as I always do, but made it through!
Once I was through my visa checkpoint, I wheeled my overweight, obnoxious luggage toward the woman standing outside the door holding a yellow piece of paper reading, "Welcome Leslie." From there, my host, Mrs. Lo, called her Tuk Tuk driver. (Tuk Tuk, pronounced took took, is an open motor vehicle that hold 4-5 people. It's carried by a motorcyclist.) We drove 15 minutes to their house, all the while I stared and smelled, taking in my new environment. Many memories from Africa came back as I looked around. There are numerous street venders and many of the foods being sold on the side of the road smelled similar to the foods in Africa I had passed.
I noticed that there are fewer cars than bikers, cyclists, and small motor vehicles. Mrs. Lo told me on the way to her house that "filling in the space on the road is the primary law."And boy is that so. People drive so fast and so precisely! They whip around each other, they honk, and they zoom! It's remarkable to see!
I am off to lunch with some Mrs. Lo and some friends, so I have to resume my writing later, but HOW EXCITING.
The days of waiting to arrive are over, I'M HERE...and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Transfering Over

I'm lost. In an airport. And I can't read anything...

So the fun begins!!!

My 12 hour flight to Tai Pei seemed to fly by. (pun intended) I slept for approx. 10 of the 12 hours, and the other two were spent dozing in and out of a movie. Now I'm here! To be honest, I have NO idea what time it is, what terminal I am in, where I am supposed to go, or how I am supposed to get there. What I do know is that I WILL get there... somehoooowww.

So here I go! Wish me luck.

Setting Out

Tonight is the night I head out to embark on my adventure over seas. With ready hands, I will land in a foreign country, to work for a month with a medical team assisting street children. It's surreal to think that it's finally here.
I am excited, and nervous! Last summer's experience in Africa was much different than the work I will be doing this summer, so I really can't have any expectations.
I know that God is going to move in ways that I would have never dreamed, and many hearts, including my own, will be changed. I discovered last year, that the power of the Lord is overwhelming and awing.. and I can only imagine that this year will be no different; I will be put beside myself in the midst of a remarkable Father.
Not only am I excited to go overseas and help share the love, but I am also excited to see the country, experience the culture, and truly get to know the people. I know that it will be a process, but I am determined on leaving a mark on the hearts of the people I meet there, as I am beyond sure they will leave a mark on mine. I know, already, that the country and scenery will be absolutely breathtaking, and I will be documenting as much as the country and culture as I possibly can while there.
I will be sure to keep everyone updated as much as possible.

Wish me luck!!

Les