Day Five of Phnom Penh English Camp

M -I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I

First of all, I need to tell a story I missed yesterday. I guess I was just too tired when I blogged last night. While we were at the orphanage, there was a very special moment. We were done practicing our songs and had a few minutes to just play with the kids. We pulled out a couple of the Chinese jump ropes that the Treasure Hunters sent with us. We had used them in our class the day before, and Marti taught the kids a jumping routine to go with the spelling of “Mississippi.” They loved it. I think I mentioned that part before. What was beautiful was that when we pulled out the Chinese jump ropes, one of the girls in our group found a stick and spelled Mississippi in the dirt so the orphans could see it and began teaching them the routine. It was a visual reminder to us that these kids will take with them what we have taught them. What a privilege and a responsibility!

Our cooks

Now, on to today! It is great having Ron here in Cambodia with us. He joined us downstairs and filled us in on his trip. His flight was two hours delayed out of Bangkok, like ours, so we begin to wonder what is up with that flight. But other than that, he said his flight was uneventful. Rick is glad to have another male to deflect the teasing he has been getting, and all of us enjoyed having Ron’s sense of humor in our midst.  Breakfast was not “rice porridge” which we have had every other morning. It was a pastry of some sort surrounding savory goodies. I cannot say what it was called, but I enjoyed it.

Now we are five!

Marti and Liz, sweaty and hot

Friday marked the last day of regular camp, and it wasn’t really a regular day. It was zoo day! We began with some worship time (again with no electricity for fans or microphones) and then headed to the zoo. It was about an hour’s trip, so we all loaded on the buses.  I had the privilege of sitting next to David Ens on the bus and got some insight into his vision for the dorm ministry he and Bill Lobbezoo head up. That was very interesting. It was also just fun to hear him tell stories! We arrived at the zoo just after 11:00. While we were waiting to distribute lunches to all the campers, a couple of our kids purchased a treat from a vendor at the zoo – bags of sugar cane! I tried some, as I had never had it before.  They also purchased whole coconuts do drink, after the vendor cut off the top. We got to taste that as well. I love trying foods I have not tried before! Speaking of loving foods, we all enjoyed our lunch, too – the one we saw getting prepared this morning. It was deliciously spiced meat over rice – simple and wonderful.

Yellow team, in front of the tiger cage.

We had an assignment at the zoo, or rather a competition. We were to get our group together and take a picture in front of as many animal exhibits as possible. First of all, let me mention that this is nothing like the Minnesota Zoo or even Como Zoo. It is, shall we say, rustic. Monkeys know how to get out of their cages and roam free.  There are no tours, as far as I could tell. No maps either; just find your way around as best you can. Maybe that’s why we walked past the snakes three times while trying to get back to the bus. (I knew we shouldn’t have turned right at the crocodile!) We had a very warm and sunny day as we started, which made it exhausting. The rain started and no one ran for cover. It felt good to get wet.

After all the teams returned to the bus, it was time for some games in the open area. Well, it was really time to organize and get on the bus, but Bill and Dave let the kids have some self-organized game time. As Dave reminded us, there aren’t really a lot of open, green spots in Phnom Penh, so when the kids find a spot like that, they will spontaneously organize games. It was fun to watch them and have them explained by Dave.

We returned to the church on our buses and had a worship time together once more. We followed up with a group picture. What a delight it has been to get to know these kids. Tomorrow is graduation! I am so proud of them all.

Praises:

1.       It has been fun having Ron on the ground with us.

2.       This was only the second rain we have had while in Cambodia. It has been nice that the weather has been right for the different activities we had planned.

Prayers:

1.       Please pray for our final day with the kids tomorrow, that we can send them home richer than they began the week.

2.       Keep the rest of the team in your prayers as they make final preparations to leave on Monday morning.

3.       Pray for our decisions on what to do with our free time over the next few days will be just what the Lord would have us do.