Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Photos


A family of four on a moto


Independence Monument



The Royal Palace Buddhist Temple



Traditional Khmer dance performed at the opening of the new Logos campus
The traffic and streets of Phnom Penh...new and old!






Tuesday, January 26, 2010

A Glimpse into Phnom Penh

This past month I (Leanne) had the opportunity to visit Phnom Penh for one week to get a glimpse into what our life will look like when we move to Cambodia. I couldn’t have asked for more out of this short trip, as it was extremely helpful in preparing for our move. Phnom Penh is a city filled with motos, Buddhist temples, noodle shops, and road-side selling carts, but still lacks simple things like stop lights, fly swatters, and flood control abilities. The city was constantly active with families commuting to local markets, (where we would use mini-vans, there mothers and fathers with three kids all pile onto one moto or scooter), children trying to get the next tourist's dollar, and a few cows grazing in the grass nearby, yet it is still somewhat peaceful and charming. I was pleasantly surprised by how clean, quite, and organized the city was. However, wherever you look you can still find a child without food, clothes, or shoes; a dirt road scattered with trash; and most of the population trying to make it by on their small incomes and lack of education.

I spent most of my time meeting with staff at Asian Hope and hearing about the specific ministries they were involved in, and then also having the chance to talk with other organizations who are working in anti-trafficking. I was able to gain a lot of information and knowledge on what our day to day will look like both in work and in free-time.

The rest of the time was spent looking at some housing options that might work for us, getting an orientation on they city, and enjoying the much-anticipated Khmer food. Overall, the trip was a huge success, and we can’t wait to start this new chapter in Cambodia! The new Logos campus where Chris will be teaching



The neighborhoods around Logos


Sunset over Phnom Penh