Visiting Place of Rescue II

This was a day to remember. We started with a little sadness, saying goodbye to friends we have come to know and love. We departed from the hotel and left friends behind (including Bill Lobbezoo and David Ens). Some would be headed home, some back to Phnom Penh, and some off to other adventures in Cambodia and beyond.  We were headed for Place of Rescue II, an orphanage where our church has sponsored some children, to give gifts and to love on the kids there. Some of us had a special mission, as we would be meeting the children we are sponsoring. The van ride to Mongkol Borei from Siem Reap was just over an hour and a half. There were three vans headed there. One was from the Calgary group, which served with us at English Camp. They were planning to pray for the orphanage and then head on to Poipet for the next leg of their mission trip. Our CCC group required two vans, as we would be parting ways after the orphanage. Marti, Sandy, Maxine, Kim, and Abby would be headed on to Poipet to spend time with the Copelands there, while the rest of us would be going back to Siem Reap for one more night before heading back to the good old USA tomorrow.

The kids lined up to sing for us.

The children came right up to us as we got out of our vans at Place of Rescue. It was wonderful. They all wanted to be hugged and loved, and many practiced their English on us. Hey, we’re used to that, after a week of English Camp! One of the older girls walked alongside me as we headed to their “Meeting Room,” which is a nice, open-air shelter from the sun. She greeted me in English and then asked me my name. I did the same, and after I told her my name, I asked hers. She was Syna. Then she asked me the question that the Khmer kid almost always ask next: “How old are you?” I’m used that by now too, so I just answered with a smile on my face. They ask because in their culture, there is a definite system of respect and honor, and the older you are, the more honor they will give you. Our group and the group from Calgary settled into plastic chairs while the kids got in lines, boys on one side, girls on the other, shortest to tallest. It was a very well-coordinated effort!

One young pray-er.

Once we were all seated, the children began to sing us songs. The songs were beautiful and included a Khmer song we had learned at English Camp. How fun is that? The children all did actions while they sang, too. Some of the youngest ones only moved every once in a while (they just stood there looking beautiful), but the rest were active all the time.  After four or five songs, the person in charge spoke, through an interpreter. (Marie was unable to be there for our visit.) He said that they had known about our visit for a month, and the children had been praying for us for that month. They had prayed for us every day, and especially as we traveled from Siem Reap. It stopped me in my tracks to think that *they* had been praying for *us.* They paused right then to join together and pray more for us. I have loved the Khmer way of prayer that I have seen here in Cambodia. Everyone prays at once, raising their voices to God in beautiful chorus of prayer. After the children prayed for us, we were told a list of prayer requests for them, through the interpreter. Our group and the Calgary group circled the children and prayed for them, in the same way they had prayed for us. It was uplifting to be part of the family of God in this way, lifting one another before His throne in prayer! In Jesus Christ, we are one family!

Kim and Abby L. handed out crayons and coloring books.

Marti and the Wagemans with their sponsor child

After we shared that beautiful time of prayer, we began to hand out presents. First we handed out many gifts to the kids, things we had for everyone. Abby H. brought a whole suitcase-full, and others brought little gifts as well. The children enjoyed stuffed animals, balls, balloons, jump ropes, crayons, coloring books, and much, much more. Each one had something to enjoy. In fact, we had so many that the kids’ arms were full. We left a big pile behind for the Rescue people to distribute to the kids at appropriate times (maybe Christmas?) Then we called the names of our sponsor children who had gifts from our congregation. It was delightful to see the kids’ joy as they received the little gifts.  I can’t wait to share all the pictures for all of you who have sponsored children over there. I don’t have the internet speed here in Cambodia to post them, but rest assured, you will get pictures if we have them!

Goodbye!

As we pumped up and handed out volleyballs, kids formed a circle and started hitting the ball around. Ben joined in. All around the place, we were laughing, blowing bubbles, jumping rope, and just visiting, as best we could. The visit came to an end too quickly, as we all climbed back into the vans. We would have loved to have more time to just get to know the children, but it was time for us to move on. We had a final lunch as a group (and with the Calgary group), and then we said goodbye to five of our ladies: Marti, Kim, Abby L., Maxine, and Sandy. Their van headed to Poipet and ours back to Siem Reap. The twelve of us who went back to Siem Reap had a quiet ending to our day, joining together for pizza by the pool at supper time. Some went out to do a bit more shopping, and some will do more shopping  and exploring during the day Thursday.

Abby L., Kim, Maxine, Marti, and Sandy

 Update: The internet did not cooperate last night, so I am posting this on Thursday morning. For the twelve here now, our flight leaves Siem Reap at 8:30 this evening (Thursday). We spend the night in the Bangkok airport, then fly out at 5:40 am. Our next flight leaves Tokyo at 3:55 pm on Friday. The funny thing is that after an eleven-hour flight, we arrive at Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport at 12:55 pm on Friday. Time travel is wonderful! The short flight to Rochester should arrive at about 3:00 pm. I will update as possible, and let you know when we are all safely on the ground.

Praises:

1.       Our time with the children at Place of Rescue II was wonderful.

2.       We are thankful for the safe travel we have had around Cambodia.

3.       We praise God for all He is teaching us, and for all the ways He is teaching us.

Prayer Requests:

1.       Please pray for the children at all the Place of Rescue sites, that they grow in Christ and their physical needs are met each day.

2.       Please pray for the team in Poipet, that they stay strong and healthy to the end of their time here.

3.       Pray for smooth and timely flights for those of us leaving tonight.

4.       Pray that our team will use what we have learned here to further God’s ministries back home.