February has been a cool month for us with temperature down to the low 20’s and a lot of cloud and even some rain!
February was a very frustrating month for us at day-care. We had a lovely Valentine’s day with red roses and the next day chaos. After the children had their sleep, one was brought to the office with a high temperature. I took him to the nearest clinic where he was given an injection and sent home. One hour later, back at day care, three more children were sick and two staff members. That evening the sick children tested positive for Covid. In total 4 staff members and 4 children all had Covid by the end of that day, including me. The next 10 days everyone was in isolation. Mark cooked and looked after me very well during that time.
We are all now over it. The staff and children were all tested at day care and tested negative at the end of February – thank you God.
Good news, also in February we started 3 new children and by the end of March will have a further 5 on board. We also recruited a part-time domestic/cook and two trainee day care workers. The place is starting to fill up with children who are settling well but the noise level has gone up by a few decibels. I am now looking for suitable ear plugs.
The children talk a lot while they are eating lunch. Sokheng asked one boy aged 5 what job he wanted to do when he was bigger, he answered “construction worker” Sokheng said do you not want to be a pilot? His answer “Nekru” (teacher) I cannot – I do not have an aeroplane.
One of our new employees lost her father at the end of February to covid. The cremation was held in the carpark of the hospital. In Cambodia the funeral of a loved one is normally held the next day and another ceremony is held after 7 days and again 100 days after the death. Please pray for this lady as she deals with this over the next 100 days.
On a lighter note, or perhaps not. I was driving home and arrived at red traffic lights at a large intersection – I could not believe my eyes when I saw this guy climbing a metal ladder to work at electrical wires, with only his mate holding the rather long ladder! The lights changed so I did not see the outcome, but I am sure it didn’t end well.
The children are starting to practice for their graduation ceremony which will be held later in the year. We need many months to teach them so they will feel comfortable and confident to perform. I can’t wait to see them show off what they have learnt to their families.
Over here, many families do not have access to head-lice treatments. Recently a staff member was looking through a little girl’s hair when another little girl said, “you don’t need the teacher to check your head, you have a sister to do that”. Jealousy over head lice, I love it!
The children have been working on artwork for the walls, we still have a few children to add to this one, but we think it is very pretty and will look amazing on the walls of day care.
An update on our Women’s Bible Study, before covid hit us we had between 10-12 people attending (including 2 men), we restarted on the first Thursday in March and prayers were answered with 10 people at the restart! Please pray that Sokheng can bring them to know Jesus and answer the many questions they ask. People are hungry to hear about Jesus and we hope this new building with be used to help them understand and come to love the one true God.
Meet our Staff – this month is Sophy.
Sophy has been with us for 3 ½ years. She is 64 years old and a mighty prayer warrior. She is one of the few Christians living within the village. She prayed for 10 years for someone to come to the village and do something with the children (then we arrived!). She prayed for a job as her husband had taken ill and could no longer work, (then we gave her a job). Anyway, we will let her tell you a little more about herself, her life and her witness.
My name is UK SOPHY, I am 64 years old. I live in village where the daycare is situated. I have one daughter married and have one grandson named Joshua he is now two years old.
I became Christian in 2002. God has done a lot of healing miracles in my life and my husband.
After I became a Christian I got a huge swelling under my chin (a goiter). The doctors told me at the hospital that I would die very soon. They said even if they operate there was a 97% chance I would die. I started to pray for healing from Jesus. I woke up one morning and went outside. A friend stopped me and said “what has happened to your throat”?, the swelling (goiter) was completely gone. I went back to the doctor and he asked me “What medicine did you take so we can use it to help other people”? I told him, no medicine, I prayed, he did not believe me and said I was lying.
For a number of years before Eggshell Cambodia came to my village, I been praying asked God to have an organization in this village to help with children. I saw many children left alone at home by themselves and I felt so sad and worry about them. So, I thought it would be great if there is an organization here. Then God answered my prayer and Liz, and Mark came to the village. When I prayed this prayer, I did not expect to get a job I just wanted to see children are staying safe and knowing the words of God. But God has blessed me more than what I asked for, I got a job as a cook with daycare I am so happy and feel so blessed by his grace.
I still continue to pray for Eggshell Cambodia to grow bigger and helping more children and God is so faithful now we have beautiful big building which is able to have more children from the village.
I also have prayer to ask God to send more people to share the gospel and God has answered again. I have a friend name Sopheap, she is faithful Christian. Day care started to do a Bible study for people in the village in our new building and some of the people who come are now attending church on Sunday which I am so grateful for and praise God.
Finally, I would like to say thank you to God and thank you to all the people who been so faithful to sponsor this organization to continue to help people and children in Cambodia may the Lord bless you and keep you well. I also would like to say thank you Liz and Mark for being so faithful serving God and love Cambodian people specially children. I pray that God keep them healthy to live long life to serve him and his people.
God bless you all
Sophy
We like many others throughout the world have heard about the situation between Russia and Ukraine and are praying for a peaceful solution to be found soon. We ask for God’s protection for the Christians working on the ground there for the grandmas and grandpas. mums and dads, brothers and sisters who are caught up in this war. God, hear our prayer.
That is us for this month.
Stay safe and well until next time.
Blessings.
Mark & Liz…
