Rainy season has arrived, as they say in Cambodia Big Rain, after 3 days I now want it to leave.
Our son has gone back to the UK for 3 weeks and we are missing him, the apartment is so quiet. Adam is not noisy, but you definitely know when he is not around. He will spend time seeing his friends and doing a little bit of work.
We recently had a child off sick with a very swollen hand. The staff told me to have a look and I was horrified. It looks like an insect had laid eggs in his finger. I was in a panic. The father had no money to take him to the doctor, so we gave him a little money to take him.
It turned out that the hard-crusty swelling in his hand was a poultice made out of seeds!!!
Ok I admit it, I am a white person who knows nothing about home-remedies used in the Far East!
The children are doing well and are sleeping better as with the rain comes lower temperatures.
Mark and I had to attend a funeral recently. The mother of a young man we know well, was run over on her moto by a cement lorry. He lived with his mother and is an only child. When I spoke to him he asked me “Mum how long does it take for my heart to Heal?” I told him it will not heal fully as you want to remember her, but the memories you have will become nice ones and not what has happened in the past few days. He is not a Christian, but I sent him a Christian song, I am hoping he will find comfort and Jesus through it.
The staff attended a 2-day training programme, held by our good friends at REECH Cambodia. These ladies are Christian teachers from Australia who give up their time to come and teach the teachers. This time the theme was about Child Behaviour and Dealing with Trauma. The staff each got a certificate to take home. REECH also visited our day care and spent a third day supporting our staff and answering questions. We thank them for their incredible commitment to Cambodia.
My trip to the UK, dates and venues.
Sun’ 8th September:
– Carrowdore and Millisle Churches of Ireland. 10am and 11.30am
– Willowfield Parish Church, Belfast. 7pm
Mon’ 9th September:
– Lowe Memorial Ladies, Belfast. 2pm
Fri’ 13th September:
– Eggshell Cambodia AGM. 7:30pm
Sun’ 15th September:
– Braniel Community Church, Belfast. 11am
Sun’ 22nd September:
– Penninghame Parish, Scotland. 10:30am
I’m up for a coffee as neither Mark nor Sokheng will be with me this time. If not, I hope to see you at one of the venues.
I told you a few newsletters back about the gym that was offering free eggs if you join, well I have an update for you, the take up must have been poor as they are now offering a free coconut along with the free eggs, I don’t know about you, but I know this would tempt me!
We have been providing food to a few more families this month, shoes, clothing and support. As a result, two of the families have started attending the local church, we thank Jesus that we are able to see progress and hope in their lives.
We know that there is a fine line between us helping people as a follower of Jesus and them depending on us and not helping themselves to get out of their situation or helping others who may be going through the same things. With God’s grace, wisdom and discernment, we will be able to walk that line.
Bible Study Group are continuing to learn about Jesus and that he is all they need. It is hard for the people not to think that they will not have hardship by knowing him, but Sokheng and the leaders are doing a great job of letting them understand he doesn’t give them everything they ask for but He walks beside them when times are hard for them and their families.
This morning the children were happy as their snack was bread and sweet condensed milk poured on top. I was watching some of them focusing and enjoying it and I was thinking about Jesus being the Bread of Heaven and how we should be as happy and enjoy feeding on his word just as the children were at eating their bread and sweet milk. Maybe I need to focus more on finding happiness and nourishment in God’s word.
Until next time.
Liz and Mark x
