A mass of kids

On our first day in Cambodia we drove through the city and coutry side taking in the sights of a family of four on a motorcycle, cars weaving in and out of traffic, people peeing on the side of the road, 150 cc motorcycles pulling a cart of twelve people, cows wandering on the streets, monks walking along side of the road, and lotus plants in bloom - we are in Camboida.

We were headed to Unit 1 to help with a children's camp in progress. Right when we got there we walked in and 105 kids were sitting on the ground patiently as Sareth said to me as he handed me the mic, "Are you ready to do your program." Actually I wasn't but had an idea of what we were going to do and just flew with it.

Our time there was composed of teaching english to kids, sharing a gospel bracelet with them, and teaching them some baseball. We called it a Cambodian version of baseball for you hit the baserunner with this softer version of a baseball. They loved it for they could hit the ball and pelt people with a ball - they were actually pretty good at it. Some on our team have theories that they have planted a seed for baseball that will spread through the country. We would also play games, teach them children's songs which we had to reach back in the recesses of our minds for ('Hokie Pokie', 'Head shoulders, knees and toes'), and do a skit of the prodigal son. Within all this stuff our prayer was that we would just "be" with these kids. It is so easy to fall back into the western mindset of 'doing.' And with our lack of Khmer (Cambodian language), it sometimes feels like we are not doing much.

We have been spending out time in 1 John as we are here and it is striking that a big part of the message is fellowship with others - just being there. I think about love and how love can easily be communicated by a laugh or a smile. And that is what we can do. To say to the many that white foreigners from half way around the world would come and just "be" with them. To just come and love them. As we were having lunch there was a separate group of kids off to the side eating. We later found out that they are muslim so they can not eat pork and want to respect their beliefs. That was incredible to think of the many different stories of these kids and how all of them were here and from the efforts of the local pastor and community planting a seed of light and life into their life.

As we left it was quite the contrast to enter into this community of kids and at first feel so awkward but then leave with many good byes and hugs. Just the sight of kids smiling and waving as we headed off is a sight to remember - it felt like we were loved and we had loved.

Getting to Cambodia

After flying from Denver to LA to Hong Kong to Phnom Penh, we have finally made it - and that even includes our bags. I do have to admit that my 6'6" frame was not meant for these planes. The team composes of (clockwise) Adam Long, Matt Eyser, Tammy Gavi, David Hendricks, Bryce Shaffer, and Christina Rollins. We met up with David DeJong from Moody Bible Institute and Paul Bradley our host with Cadence International. After I unfolded myself out of the plane we got through customs and met up with Paul and David. In the comatose state of jetlag, we kept ourselves awake through the afternoon with food, a little nap, going to a market, and more food. The food is great hear - very Asian which I love. Tomorrow we are headed to military camp unit 1 where we will be hanging with about 100 kids. This will be the first of two days at unit 1. I guess that will keep us awake. These camps are more like villages. The exciting part is that as we talked to Paul and Saeret (Cambodia contact), they have not done too much children outreach. So the children are really excited for us to come.

Prayer request:

- Good night sleep and fast adjustment

- Being Christ as we spend time with the kids

- Safety in heath and as we travel

Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos

May 27— June 17: I am leading a team of six Young Adults from LMCC to Cambodia. We are teaming up with a ministry called Cadence International that reaches out to Cambodian military and police. We will be working our way up north from the capital city of Phnom Penh to different military camps where we will be involved in medical outreach, children programs, and teaching English. We are excited to be a part of the incredible healing God is doing in Cambodia, a nation which has experienced horrific pain and loss.

Another exciting element of this trip is that I will be meeting up with Angie in Chiang Mai, Thailand at the end. We will be visiting different OMF ministries in Thailand and Laos. Our hope is to explore different possibilities where God might be leading us in the future.

The wedding and honeymoon

The wedding is over and the marriage has begun. The wedding ceremony was incredible as we celebrated with over 400 of our friends and family. Many people told us it was one of the most worshipful weddings they have attended which was so encouraging to us, considering our thankfulness that God finally answered our long awaited prayers for a mate! God has been a source of grace to us as we have been getting to know each other more, and working through the moments when we have two different schedules and personalities coming together.. As many mentors have shared, marriage is sanctifying. I would agree, but it has been a joy for us to talk together at night about the day, pray together, and serve together.

The Honeymoon: Kauai...well what can you say, it was beautiful. And even better to enjoy it with my new bride, Angie. We ate, relaxed, visited waterfalls, kayaked, ATVed, hiked along the Nepali Coast (below), flew in a motorized hang glider, and other good stuff.