Back from Cambodia (by RR)

Well, I have finally had some time to sit down to think and write about my trip to Cambodia. I mean after all, involuntarily awakened at 7:00 this morning by my messed up internal clock. Thankfully it was not 3 or 4 am. Overall, I have slept well since I have been back.

I got back to Rochester Wednesday at 4pm. Which pretty remarkable since we left Cambodia Tuesday at 11pm. It is confusing, I know, but essentially Cambo is 12 hours ahead of us in the central time zone. So, 6pm Wednesday in Phnom Penh is 6am Wednesday in Rochester. After all of the math, flights and layovers, we traveled a total of 29 hours. It really wasn't too bad though. I do get a little restless by the end of the long haul over the Pacific. This time it was 12 hours. I have to get up and stand or stretch a lot by the end.

We got do do some pretty amazing things while in Cambodia. THe main reason we went was to lead worship for the missionaries at their annual conference. After a couple of speed bumps, that ended up going very well. Imagine not getting to sing worship songs as a group in your native language (English) except only ocassionally. Then someone comes over and starts singing all your favorite worship songs in English. It would be pretty cool. The missionaries are always grateful and sing at the top of their lungs. It is a beautiful sound.

We got to visit an orphanage called Rescue. The lady who runs it is named Marie Ens. When you talk to her, a few thing occur to you. One is that she is so sweet and normal. Kind of like a beloved grandma. Another thing is that occurs to you is that she is so passionate about saving kids from all kinds of horrible situations. She knows all of their stories, and in some cases has fought tooth and nail to rescue them from horrific circumstances. Another thing is that it feels like you are hanging out with Mother Teresa. She is so remarkable, and has sacrificed her life, comfort, and a multitude of other things to fight for theses kids who literally have no one else in their life to do so, who have been cast aside by their society. It was definitely one of the hightlights of the trip.

We also got to visit one of the English Camps put on by the missionaries. English Camps are an opportunity for the Cambodian teenagers and university students to come learn some basic english for free. They also mix the gospel message into the lessons. People from the U.S. fly over and help the missionaries run the camp. Some years there are up to 100 kids who come to learn some e nglish. It lasts about a week. They were having so much fun and singing songs and having a bunch of team competitions and stuff. It would be fun to go and do and E.C. sometime.

Overall the weather was nice. It was pretty warm, but the humidity got out of control a couple of days. It was down right steamy. While we were at the conference it rained everyday except the last one. We did get to go visit the beach on that last day. It turned into a very nice day.

The food in Cambodia is fantastic. It is definitely Asian, kind of a mix of Thai (but without the spicy-ness)and Chinese. THere is always something tasty.

Sorry for the mini-novel. This is the abridged version. I could have kept going. If you have any questions feel free to send one in the comments.

On to the pictures:

In the Roch. Airport

People and Places in Phnom Penh:

Singing at English Camp

Last night in P.P.

I will spend 12 hours in your belly

Genocide Museum

Officer Ponch from CHiP's

Going the wrong way in traffic (very common)

The interseting fruit selection (very tasty)

Me, Martha and Jake walking up the Independence Memorial

The Royal Palace:

The Orhanage:

Marie Ens

Human Jungle Gyms

The Beach:

The toughest part of the trip...but somebody's gotta do it.