A Cambodian Christmas for the newly Engaged

Chris' older brother Paul, and his fiance Brooke came to town last month.  These two wonderful people got engaged last August and both made the awesome decision (we think so) to come and spend their first Christmas together with us in Cambodia.  We were elated to find out that they would be arriving on December 23rd and not leaving until the first week of January.

Christmas is different in Cambodia, the list can go on but I think we have done that before, so we will just skip to why it was so wonderful this year...

1.) Being with family

Spending time with your family is what we all cherish about the holidays and this year was special for us because we had the unique opportunity to meet our new soon-to-be sister-in-law, Brooke, in Cambodia.  We got to learn about one another's childhood, their traditions, the stories of theirs days in high school and college, and their first jobs after grad school.  We are very thankful for the vast amount of time we got to spend with Brooke and being able to know her so well so early on.

2.) Sharing a meal together

We had our Christmas meal on Christmas Eve this year.  While Chris took Paul and Brooke out to the two genocide museums in the city (I know, fun on Christmas Eve, right?) I stayed home and got our final preparations done for our meal.  Once everyone got home we all finished cooking together, and sat to enjoy our meal together.  We swapped funny travel stories, as they as well love to go see the world (hence coming to Cambodia) and have been a major role in our lives in encouraging us to go and learn and explore.

3.) Being a part of new traditions

Christmas as good as it is, always feels a little off.  This year Paul got a Cambodian Krama, a traditional Khmer clothe that for men is worn as a "skirt" and for women as a head wrap.  However, everyone can use them as a dust face mask, head cover, and shawl.  We knew Paul needed one.  We woke up on Christmas morning and opened gifts with one another and then spent some time Skyping with both Leanne's and Chris' families back in the States. After we were all finished with gifts, eating chocolate and left over pumpkin cheesecake for breakfast (some traditions will never change) we packed our bags, and headed to Laos via Siem Reap.

For the next week of our Christmas break we were in Laos with Paul and Brooke and got to travel with them for the first time.  As odd as it sounds this was the first time for Chris and Paul to be on a plane together, despite the millions of miles they have traveled individually.  Again, it was a rich time of learning about one another, reconnecting, and enjoying each other's company. 

After Laos we headed back to Cambodia for 3 days and we had the chance to show them Logos and 2Five2, and how we spend our days in Phnom Penh.  Some days were coffee shops, and some days were walking through the fish market in Prek Pneu and trying only God knows what "fish patty."  It was great for them to have a first hand experience in learning about what makes our heart beat out here. 

(Chris and I outside our building in Prek Pneu.)

On Friday we said good-bye, exchanged hugs and farewells and sent them off to America.  At 18 months, we have become pros at the airport good-bye but it doesn't make it any easier.  The only saving grace this time was that we will see them this summer in 5 short months.



Christmas Program for 2Five2

I know it has been over a week since Christmas but we wanted to share about the excitement of the Christmas program we had for 2Five2 last December 23rd.  All month the kids in the catch-up school were learning the story of the birth of Jesus through stories being read to them by their teachers, and a daily coloring book of all the characters from the story.  Being that this was the first time they have ever been told about Mary, Joseph, the angel, and of course the all important baby Jesus they were in awe of the importance of the story.  Decorations were hung, and coloring pages adorned our walls and our staff was excited to see in culminate to our celebration on the 23rd.

Each class sung (well, really just yelled) a song they had been learning all month, and got to watch the other classes perform as well.  We read the full story from Luke, and played a question game after complete with prizes to see how much the kids had learned throughout December, and even watched a Khmer kids Christmas film.  The celebration ended with a meal for everyone and a gift bag for each kid containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap.  (The demonstration on how to brush your teeth was also a cultural experience that was hilarious to watch.)

However, my favorite part of the whole day was talking with an older 14 year old student about what he liked most about the Christmas story and then told us, "the part I like the most is that my teacher told us that God sent Jesus to be with us because He loves us so much.  I like the idea that He loves us a lot."

If each of us could only walk away with that piece of truth at the end of each Christmas season then I think we would all enter our New Year with a true since of peace.

Pictured above: Opening prayer time, Grade 1 singing their song, the question game, eating lunch on the floor.

'Tis the Season

Here we are again, Christmas time.  The season of advent.  The season of celebrating the birth of Christ Jesus.  Last year, was a series of ups and downs as we missed snow, family, and our traditional Christmas parties with friends, however, we quickly learned that Christmas in Cambodia is a wonderful time to celebrate the birth of Jesus and be with those you love dearly without the huss and fuss of everything in the West.  So once again we are celebrating in Cambodia, and once again it has been nothing shy of joy-filled, fun, and authentic.  Below is us decorating our little tree, a real pine is not even a thinkable option, so we are just happy to be able to have a tree as the price tag on these puppies will make anyone gulp.  We still need to work on our skills for putting on the lights, every year we have to do it like 5 times before it is "good enough."  Any tips?

We have also made a tradition of going on a special Christmas date every year.  We have gone to plays, concerts, and stayed in fancy hotels.  Here is Cambodia we opted for a night on Street 240.  This boutique filled street that gives their best attempt at a Christmas-y environment.  We had a wonderful dinner out, a special trip to Gloria Jeans Coffee (closest thing we have to Starbucks) for Peppermint Lattes, and then out to go shopping.  Below is me with the Khmer Santa and his tuk tuk sleigh, --again their best attempt.  Love it.

A few weekends back we had our Asian Hope staff Christmas party at one of our favorite restaurants.  This evening is always a treat when we all gather together from 6 different ministries and celebrate with one another.  Below is me with Chenda Ban, (who Chris and I work with daily).  Love her.  Chris also was lucky enough to win a prize from the Lucky Draw at the end of the night.  Lucky Draws are incredibly popular here in Cambodia, and everyone waits anxiously to see if they won.  Two of my staff won, which made the crowd around me and Chris buzz with excitement.  Then when his name was drawn the uproar begun as he claimed his prize.  The excitement of the Lucky Draw as said by one of the teachers for 2Five2, "was so exciting he could barely keep his heart in his chest when I knew 3 of the winners."

Now to last Saturday, we hosted our Annual Christmas Cookie Decorating and Beverage party in our little apartment.  We celebrated, decorated, ate, and enjoyed the festivities with some of our dear friends.  We love when people gather together - laugh, tell stories, and enjoying the season.  It was great to have little kiddos running around and decorating cookies.  The only problem was when the 1 1/2 year old locked herself into our bedroom and we had to get the landlord to help us get her out.  This party has become a fun way for us to usher in Christmas Day.

And finally our Christmas church service, we attended the large joint Christmas service last Sunday as we got to spend the morning singing carols of the birth of Jesus, and hear of the goodness of God and the gift of His perfect Son.  If you are a Christmas card photo kind of person, here is ours...

An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).  -- Matthew 1:20-23

Leanne's Dance Skills

We have another video to post (guess we really got into the video thing)... the catch-up school for 2Five2 is in full swing now, but this video is taken in the first couple of days when we just started.  The little First Graders are learning a fun Khmer song that is similar to our American version of "Singing in the Rain" (you know...I'm singing in the rain, with my knees together, butt out, head up, tongue out...singing in the rain).  Now the kids love the song, and sing and participate in all the motions every morning and afternoon. 

Kids in this community before coming to school were usually at home working, they helped cook, clean, watch other children, or for the older ones worked selling goods or fishing.  Songs like these are the first time they have just played and enjoyed singing and dancing like all children deserve to do.  I love watching them sing this song together.

Now that is is Advent season and we are celebrating Christmas, the kids are preparing songs, and coloring pictures of the story of Jesus' birth to be ready for our "Christmas Program" on the 23rd.  Please be praying for these children during this special Christmas season, as this is the first time they have ever heard the story of Jesus' birth and what that means for their life!

Angkor Wat 10k and Half Marathon

About a week ago, Leanne and I both ran a race through the Angkor Wat temples in Siem Reap. Leanne ran a 10k race through the 1200 year old ruins and I completed the half marathon.

The race itself was fantastic and memorable though, for both of us, very difficult. Leanne had been fighting a lingering cough and chest cold while I, devoid of excuses, suffered through a substantial part of the race. Leanne entered the race knowing that she would likely have to stop, cough, drink water and move on. She was a champ and finished the race with a smile on her face, knowing that her health had indeed got the best of her on that particular day.

I had trained, prepped, read, planned and envisioned and I still finished the race like a wobbly-kneed baby deer. I ran the first 17km strong, on my goal pace and with confidence. The last 4k seemed as long as the first 17 and probably took just as long. Like the Powerbar commercial warns of; I bonked. I had to keep my feet turning and many times through the race, I cursed my decision and foolishness for wanting to run a half marathon in Cambodia. Though painful at the end, I finished and once I got my clear vision back, I was very satisfied with my decision to train and run the race.

We had a wonderful time with the group we went to Siem Reap with and being able to relax for a full day outside of the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh. Overall, it was a great weekend and a fine accomplishment for both of us. Now neither of us have to run for at least two weeks; that is the best part of finishing the race.

2Five2 Video

Below is a video for one of our ministries, 2Five2, the program that Leanne works with in the village of Prek Pneu.  Check out what we are doing with this amazing community...

"And Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man." - Luke 2:52

A visit from the Williams

Our brave buddies Sky and Kristin Williams came out to visit Leanne and I in Asia and, as expected from all of us, our time together was nothing but fun, laughs and rejuvenation.

We met them in Bali, Indonesia and spent the better part of a week navigating the mountains and beaches in Ubud, Nusa Lembongan and Kuta, three idyllic vacation destinations.

We wandered the cities, went on bike rides, enjoyed the coastal waters, Bintang beer and the only mellow surf we could find on the entire island.

After our time in Indonesia, we travelled back to Phnom Penh with them. They were able to see, experience and learn about our projects and life in Cambodia as well as take in the history and social issues that are currently plaguing the nation.

Their time in Cambodia with us was such a gift on so many levels. We were able to spend time hearing their wedding stories since we missed the ceremony after moving to Cambodia. We shared our common and not-so-common experiences of the last 16 months apart and were able to share with them the highs and lows of living in Cambodia.

 Our time with them was a blessing. We so appreciated their willingness to visit, travel with and experience our lives in Cambodia. Just like the old friends we are, regardless of time and distance apart, we were able to pick up and continue our relationship in the same place we left it many months ago. Happy, simple and abundant.

                                      

Pictured above: Shopping at Central Market, Tuk Tuk rides, getting ice cream on the riverfront, Sky's thoughts on Khmer noodles for breakfast, leaving Russian Market, riding on the moto, breakfast at our house, walking through Prek Pneu, and helping in the classroom at the catch-up school.