May has been very hot in Cambodia, Laos and Thailand temperatures were the hottest they have been for 170 years. Some days we reached 41 degrees but with the humidity on top it felt more like 47. The air was so hot we had to keep the windows in day care closed. Cooling off involved lots of cold showers and a swim if possible.
We have had Clare Harrison from Northern Ireland at day care for 3 weeks. She worked along with the staff looking after the pre-schoolers and the babies. This is her second visit as she came in November 2018 when we first opened. I am going to let her tell you a little bit about her time here with us.
“I have loved being back in Cambodia with Eggshell Cambodia. There is a lot that has changed about Phnom Penh since my last trip in 2018. My drive out to Day-care is no longer as flat as it once was, boreys (housing developments) are being built, and a lot of the land is in development.
One thing that has not changed is how much light and hope I see in the people here. They are beautiful and generous, and I admire their joy and strength.
Day-care is just as amazing as I remember. I have spent lots of time encouraging the children in their English lessons, teaching English class with the staff and playing with the babies. Although my Khmer is very minimal, the kids don’t care – all they want is love and hugs, to be silly and laugh. The staff too! They are so special, and it is a privilege to get to invest in them for any time at all, even if it is just a few weeks. It has been such a blessing to see the growth of Eggshell in person and the impact it has had on 50 children from the village, as well as all of the ripple effects I remember praying about when it was first started.
There is a lot to thank God for and a lot more to come. I pray I get back to the kingdom of Cambodia soon!”
Clare raised funds before coming to Cambodia and we were able to buy some ride-on toys, give out food packs and treat the children to a special lunch. Thank you, Clare.
We know that the staff and children would love Clare to come back again, she has bonded well with everyone, and we will miss her.
We also want to thank Lorraine Brown and Karen Kane for raising money for us and the Northern Ireland Forest School Association by recently running as part of a relay team in the Belfast Marathon. Well, done everyone!!!
When we started daycare we put a policy in place to only take two children per family so that we can help as many families as we can. Recently we took a third child part-time from the same family as her father is left on his own with her and due to a stroke cannot react quick enough to keep her safe. She was running about the village on her own and going to the lake by herself. After a long discussion with staff and the family, we decided to take her each day in the mornings until her siblings come back from school. She is 3 years old and doesn’t talk. Please pray for this family, their home situation is not good. Day care children are doing well, they come with their problems but when in day care are able to relax and forget what is happening elsewhere. One child went to sleep at 10.30am and we had to wake them to go home at 3.30pm, the child felt safe enough to get a good sleep and we are thankful for that.
Sickness continues to be a problem with the children, they are often sick with fevers and sore tummies. We show them how to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before eating so our hope is that they will do the same when they are at home.
God is always faithful, and we see his blessings every day, he is breaking through the darkness, and we can see the people within the village change. When we first came to the village, the villagers were very suspicious of us, now they come and talk to us, share a joke and even dance when. we are playing Happy Birthday for a child’s birthday. The Bible Study Group are enjoying the word of God and come faithfully every week. We are seeing them helping others in need around the village, praying for the sick and for each other.
Mark and I have now been in Cambodia 6 years, we thank Jesus for his provision, his love and for the work he brought us here to do, we pray that our work will continue for many more years.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”. Galatians 6:9.”
Until next time. God bless…
Mark & Liz…
