Today is our last day in Siem Reap! Tonight we're taking an overnight "sleeping" bus to Sihanoukville for two days of debrief. Then Wednesday it's back to Phnom Penh, and we head to the airport that night!
We'll spend all day on Thursday in Seoul, leaving late that night, but gaining most of a day back when we cross the date line, so we land Thursday night at 9:00pm in LA. If you're picking a team member up from LAX, try to be there by 9:30, as customs and baggage claim typically moves fairly quickly for US citizens, in my experience.
The last of our ministry finished up well! Friday we had a party at the village, playing some outdoor team games and serving a meal to the kids and some of their mothers. Some of our girls painted a mural on one of the walls at the preschool, which turned out great. We've been saying goodbye to all of the amazing friends we've made here, and now we're heading out. See you all in a few days!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
White Doves
Today we finally had the opportunity to go to White Doves, a safe house for women rescued from sex trafficking and prostitution. The girls practiced beauty salon skills they have been learning by giving our team manicures and pedicures! We were also able to purchase some hand-made items from the girls such as cards, bookmarks and wallets. What an incredible day it was to be able to encourage these women and witness such a beautiful transformation of their lives. White Doves currently houses about 40 women rescued from many different situations from all over Cambodia and neighboring countries. Recently, 7 new women were brought to the safe house and as you can imagine, they are having difficulty adjusting. Please pray for these women to be open to receiving care and experiencing God's redeeming love.
With Love,
Natalie
ps- we come home in exactly one week!:)
With Love,
Natalie
ps- we come home in exactly one week!:)
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
A quick journey in pictures
After 30 minutes of fiddling, I'm giving up and letting the pictures remain in no sensible order, since Blogger won't let me move them without ruining everything. Enjoy!
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| Teaching at the preschool |
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| At the drug rehab center celebration |
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| With some of the kids in the village |
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| The team right before departure for LAX |
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| Natalie, Kaylin, and Grace in the rain at our house |
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Health Update
Hello sweet friends and family!
For those of you who were aware of my poor health, thank you so much for your prayers! I would like everyone to know that I am recovering well and finally out and about today.
To make a long story short, Friday afternoon I began to feel ill but wrote it off as cramps and went to my ministry site anyway. I didn't have the energy I usually have with the kids, so I knew something was off. When we returned back to YWAM that evening I was really nauseous and decided top skip dinner and go straight to bed. I slept for maybe an hour and woke up feeling worse than before. My sickness escalated pretty quickly, I was shaking, freezing cold, my body ached, my stomach was upset and vomiting and diarrhea was inevitable. There was a celebration (music, food, dancing, laughing) going on outside of my room in honor of the two other teams staying at YWAM who were leaving the next morning to go home, so I was alone in my room for a while until Kaylin found me and I told her I needed to see a doctor. I tried to fight the pain and sickness as much as I could and contemplated in my head the pros and cons of going to a hospital in a foreign country. When my temperature reached 101 and I could hardly move, I knew I was desperate for medical help. I ended up going to an international clinic and having to stay overnight because I was severely dehydrated, and my temperature had risen to 102. The doctor who took my in also said that he thought I had some type of bacterial infection. Corinne stayed the night with me in the hospital and it was so comforting to have her there with me every step of the way. It took a lot of trust for me to surrender my helpless body over to the doctors and nurses here, and overall it was such a humbling experience. I was definitely in good hands. By morning my blood results showed low calcium and potassium and my stool sample indicated that I have Entamoeba histolytica, which is a parasitic digestive infection. I was able to return to YWAM by noon and I was given a number of medications to take. Since being released, I have been able to rest and recovery quite quickly.
Many of my closest friends and family know that I have a weak digestive system, and I have had a parasitic bacterial infection before, so I can only be thankful to have gone through this once before and know what my body needs to recover. It was definitely a hard experience to be struck with sickness again, but the Lord has spoken to me time and time again that in my weakness He is made strong, and like the apostle Paul, I will boast about my weaknesses if it means bringing glory to my God.
2 Corinthians 4:9 says, "We are struck down, but not destroyed." This is one of my favorite passages, and I continue to have the faith to believe that my weak body means only that the strength of the Lord is stronger and He is at work in me. I have been struck down again, but I'm not destroyed.
Thank you for your prayers of healing.
With Love,
Natalie
For those of you who were aware of my poor health, thank you so much for your prayers! I would like everyone to know that I am recovering well and finally out and about today.
To make a long story short, Friday afternoon I began to feel ill but wrote it off as cramps and went to my ministry site anyway. I didn't have the energy I usually have with the kids, so I knew something was off. When we returned back to YWAM that evening I was really nauseous and decided top skip dinner and go straight to bed. I slept for maybe an hour and woke up feeling worse than before. My sickness escalated pretty quickly, I was shaking, freezing cold, my body ached, my stomach was upset and vomiting and diarrhea was inevitable. There was a celebration (music, food, dancing, laughing) going on outside of my room in honor of the two other teams staying at YWAM who were leaving the next morning to go home, so I was alone in my room for a while until Kaylin found me and I told her I needed to see a doctor. I tried to fight the pain and sickness as much as I could and contemplated in my head the pros and cons of going to a hospital in a foreign country. When my temperature reached 101 and I could hardly move, I knew I was desperate for medical help. I ended up going to an international clinic and having to stay overnight because I was severely dehydrated, and my temperature had risen to 102. The doctor who took my in also said that he thought I had some type of bacterial infection. Corinne stayed the night with me in the hospital and it was so comforting to have her there with me every step of the way. It took a lot of trust for me to surrender my helpless body over to the doctors and nurses here, and overall it was such a humbling experience. I was definitely in good hands. By morning my blood results showed low calcium and potassium and my stool sample indicated that I have Entamoeba histolytica, which is a parasitic digestive infection. I was able to return to YWAM by noon and I was given a number of medications to take. Since being released, I have been able to rest and recovery quite quickly.
Many of my closest friends and family know that I have a weak digestive system, and I have had a parasitic bacterial infection before, so I can only be thankful to have gone through this once before and know what my body needs to recover. It was definitely a hard experience to be struck with sickness again, but the Lord has spoken to me time and time again that in my weakness He is made strong, and like the apostle Paul, I will boast about my weaknesses if it means bringing glory to my God.
2 Corinthians 4:9 says, "We are struck down, but not destroyed." This is one of my favorite passages, and I continue to have the faith to believe that my weak body means only that the strength of the Lord is stronger and He is at work in me. I have been struck down again, but I'm not destroyed.
Thank you for your prayers of healing.
With Love,
Natalie
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Checking In
Everything is going well here! Sunday we went to church at the Siem Reap Christian Fellowship, which is an international church that meets in the afternoons since a lot of the members are missionaries, involved elsewhere Sunday mornings. Lindsey, Robin, Jonny, and I led worship with the help of Noel and Fe (the missionaries we're working with), which was a blast. Four of the girls led Sunday School for the 3-5 year old kids, which was...trying, I heard haha.
After church, we went to Noel and Fe's favorite spot to eat, a Khmer food buffet with traditional live music and a traditional dance show, which was fantastic.
Ministry this week has been preschool every morning, a few girls also coming to the preschool in the afternoon, and the rest of us going to the village every afternoon. I taught the village kids prepositions of place this week: on, in, under, next to, behind, and in front of. They picked it up really quickly! Yesterday a baby peed on Kathy's shirt.
Tuesday night we went out to the carnival with the team from Florida that's also staying at the YWAM team house. It's a local Cambodian hangout, off the tourist path, so we definitely stood out as we rode the FAST ferris wheel, the tiny rollercoaster than went through a cloud of bugs on each pass, and played a game of throwing darts at balloons to win prizes.
Yesterday I helped an Australian missionary who's been working with Noel and Fe, named Glen, start her blog so that she can share stories and pictures that way with her friends and supporters back home. I'm still plugging along on the website for Noel and Fe's ministry, and today I'm starting a blog for the preschool! I hadn't predicted my work here involving so much web help, but I'm glad to get to share a bit of expertise in that way.
After church, we went to Noel and Fe's favorite spot to eat, a Khmer food buffet with traditional live music and a traditional dance show, which was fantastic.
Ministry this week has been preschool every morning, a few girls also coming to the preschool in the afternoon, and the rest of us going to the village every afternoon. I taught the village kids prepositions of place this week: on, in, under, next to, behind, and in front of. They picked it up really quickly! Yesterday a baby peed on Kathy's shirt.
Tuesday night we went out to the carnival with the team from Florida that's also staying at the YWAM team house. It's a local Cambodian hangout, off the tourist path, so we definitely stood out as we rode the FAST ferris wheel, the tiny rollercoaster than went through a cloud of bugs on each pass, and played a game of throwing darts at balloons to win prizes.
Yesterday I helped an Australian missionary who's been working with Noel and Fe, named Glen, start her blog so that she can share stories and pictures that way with her friends and supporters back home. I'm still plugging along on the website for Noel and Fe's ministry, and today I'm starting a blog for the preschool! I hadn't predicted my work here involving so much web help, but I'm glad to get to share a bit of expertise in that way.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Angkor Wat and International Church
Hello everyone!!
Yesterday we went to Angkor Wat for the day and visited three different temples. If you are not familiar with Angkor Wat, you might recognize these temples from the movie, Tomb Raider with Angelina Jolie! The temples were such a beautiful sight to see, so intricately made with amazing architecture. Look forward to seeing some incredible pictures! It was a hot day to be outside, but it was definitely worth it. Steven and Corinne have been to Siem Reap twice before and had not seen Angkor Wat, so it was a great experience for everyone.
Last night we went to our first American restaurant, called the Red Piano, and ate AMERICAN food! It was a nice break from noodles, fried rice, vegetables and curry. I think everyone finished every last bit of their food :)
Today, our team has the privilege of leading worship for an international church with a congregation of about 150 people! Steven, Robin, Lindsey and Jonny will be leading worship tonight and Kaylin, Grace, Kathy and I (Natalie) will be teaching Sunday school for 3-5 year olds. We have never been to this church before and have no idea what to expect, so pray for us as we take on these responsibilities.
Thank you again and again for your prayers and for staying updated with us. Even though we are finally settling in here in Cambodia, friends and family from home are constantly on our mind and we eagerly wait for the day we return home and can tell all of you personally how the Lord is SO alive here.
With Love,
Natalie
Yesterday we went to Angkor Wat for the day and visited three different temples. If you are not familiar with Angkor Wat, you might recognize these temples from the movie, Tomb Raider with Angelina Jolie! The temples were such a beautiful sight to see, so intricately made with amazing architecture. Look forward to seeing some incredible pictures! It was a hot day to be outside, but it was definitely worth it. Steven and Corinne have been to Siem Reap twice before and had not seen Angkor Wat, so it was a great experience for everyone.
Last night we went to our first American restaurant, called the Red Piano, and ate AMERICAN food! It was a nice break from noodles, fried rice, vegetables and curry. I think everyone finished every last bit of their food :)
Today, our team has the privilege of leading worship for an international church with a congregation of about 150 people! Steven, Robin, Lindsey and Jonny will be leading worship tonight and Kaylin, Grace, Kathy and I (Natalie) will be teaching Sunday school for 3-5 year olds. We have never been to this church before and have no idea what to expect, so pray for us as we take on these responsibilities.
Thank you again and again for your prayers and for staying updated with us. Even though we are finally settling in here in Cambodia, friends and family from home are constantly on our mind and we eagerly wait for the day we return home and can tell all of you personally how the Lord is SO alive here.
With Love,
Natalie
Friday, July 15, 2011
It's the little things
Hi friends and family! Or should I say "Sus dei!" (Hello in Khmer)
I just wanted to give a little big of what God's been showing me here in this amazing country.
I've been blessed to be able to go to the market and make friends during the time between ministries. One place most of us have come to love is The Blue Pumpkin. It's an amazing lounge where you can get delicious western food, fruit shakes, and Cambodian pastries. It's in Äircon, which is the cool way of saying air conditioning here. haha. I met a girl that works there and just started talking with her. She was super smiley and I just love making friends. She is Cambodian, and as I talked with her I found out she speaks four languages!!! Khmer (Cambodian), English, Spanish, and French!! I was soo impressed. Now, being at home in Southern California, I get super embarassed to try speaking in Spanish, especially since I'm half Mexican... it's just rather sad. haha. But here, I have NO understanding of Khmer; so to hear that someone can speak Spanish got me SUPER excited. I started trying to speak to her in Spanish, and found that bewteen English and Spanish I could have a pretty comprehensive conversation! I came to find out that she wants to move out of Camobodia, get a job, save money, and then return to help her family. My heart went out to her! I also felt like I really need to learn at least ONE other language. I think Spanish would be a good start. I'm pretty sure ministry in California has BIG use for that. ;)
To keep this story short... I came to find out that she is a Christian! She found Jesus because a foreigner ministered to her sister and then her sister told her. It made me SOOO happy. I have plans to hang out with her soon. :) She said she has questions and wants to sit by the river and talk. I'm so excited. Hearing that she found Jesus that way was such an encouragement to see the harvest of other believers who have been here before. Not only that, but I had such an increased realization of the affect of ministering to just one friend and the impact that has on the people in their sphere of influence.
Another friend that I made works in the Old Market. There you can barter and get all kinds of great Cambodian attire, paintings, and jewelry for very cheap. Our team has come to love their signature phrases. Anyways, with this one friend, I got to know her from purchasing some bags from her. I love returning to her every time I go and talking about her culture and what she believes. She asks questions about "my country"too. Hére's what I realized: Cambodians do not separate their culture from their religion. When I asked to learn about "Cambodian god", she began to tell me about times with her family and things they do together. She told me about celebrations and rituals and how she lives her daily life. It was difficult to explain to her that not everyone in America is Christian. I thought about it... and well, I feel like Cambodia just might be one step ahead in faith integration. Of course their faith isn't in Jesus, but I can't help but think how short I fall personally in integrating God in every aspect of my life. What does Christian culture even look like? Maybe I'll know when I begin by telling someone about Christianity by how I live more than the words I say. I've been taught this concept many times - to not be of the world - but I feel now more than ever I have a deeper understanding of what that might actually look like.
All that to say, I am being filled so much by the little encounters with the people God loves so much. Next blog I'll have to talk about all my thoughts on working with the kids. THEY are just as great. I know God is using our team to making lasting impressions on everyone, Cambodians, foreigners, and missionaries here alike! It's such a blessing to work with everyone on this team!
Thank you for your prayers and support!!
Until next time,
Robin
I just wanted to give a little big of what God's been showing me here in this amazing country.
I've been blessed to be able to go to the market and make friends during the time between ministries. One place most of us have come to love is The Blue Pumpkin. It's an amazing lounge where you can get delicious western food, fruit shakes, and Cambodian pastries. It's in Äircon, which is the cool way of saying air conditioning here. haha. I met a girl that works there and just started talking with her. She was super smiley and I just love making friends. She is Cambodian, and as I talked with her I found out she speaks four languages!!! Khmer (Cambodian), English, Spanish, and French!! I was soo impressed. Now, being at home in Southern California, I get super embarassed to try speaking in Spanish, especially since I'm half Mexican... it's just rather sad. haha. But here, I have NO understanding of Khmer; so to hear that someone can speak Spanish got me SUPER excited. I started trying to speak to her in Spanish, and found that bewteen English and Spanish I could have a pretty comprehensive conversation! I came to find out that she wants to move out of Camobodia, get a job, save money, and then return to help her family. My heart went out to her! I also felt like I really need to learn at least ONE other language. I think Spanish would be a good start. I'm pretty sure ministry in California has BIG use for that. ;)
To keep this story short... I came to find out that she is a Christian! She found Jesus because a foreigner ministered to her sister and then her sister told her. It made me SOOO happy. I have plans to hang out with her soon. :) She said she has questions and wants to sit by the river and talk. I'm so excited. Hearing that she found Jesus that way was such an encouragement to see the harvest of other believers who have been here before. Not only that, but I had such an increased realization of the affect of ministering to just one friend and the impact that has on the people in their sphere of influence.
Another friend that I made works in the Old Market. There you can barter and get all kinds of great Cambodian attire, paintings, and jewelry for very cheap. Our team has come to love their signature phrases. Anyways, with this one friend, I got to know her from purchasing some bags from her. I love returning to her every time I go and talking about her culture and what she believes. She asks questions about "my country"too. Hére's what I realized: Cambodians do not separate their culture from their religion. When I asked to learn about "Cambodian god", she began to tell me about times with her family and things they do together. She told me about celebrations and rituals and how she lives her daily life. It was difficult to explain to her that not everyone in America is Christian. I thought about it... and well, I feel like Cambodia just might be one step ahead in faith integration. Of course their faith isn't in Jesus, but I can't help but think how short I fall personally in integrating God in every aspect of my life. What does Christian culture even look like? Maybe I'll know when I begin by telling someone about Christianity by how I live more than the words I say. I've been taught this concept many times - to not be of the world - but I feel now more than ever I have a deeper understanding of what that might actually look like.
All that to say, I am being filled so much by the little encounters with the people God loves so much. Next blog I'll have to talk about all my thoughts on working with the kids. THEY are just as great. I know God is using our team to making lasting impressions on everyone, Cambodians, foreigners, and missionaries here alike! It's such a blessing to work with everyone on this team!
Thank you for your prayers and support!!
Until next time,
Robin
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