Sorry no pictures yet

This is good for a laugh… Right now, it’s just after 4 in the morning and Dad and I are ready for the day. Already we’ve probably been up for a couple hours and figured we’d get productive! (Got to take advantage of every moment right? Especially when you‘ve travelled this far and you don‘t have to many of them). Unfortunately I wasted a bunch of time trying to connect to the internet. Yesterday we had a strong signal for wireless internet (which we were blown away by) but today it seems to have faded. Instead I’ll type out a little bit to upload at a late time.
The past couple days have been a real blessing. We very had a smooth trip - although we were a little nervous in Minneapolis when we heard rumour that the flight was over booked by 33 seats. When we checked in at Grand Forks they told us that they couldn’t give us our seat assignments for that flight but we would get them when we got to Minneapolis. I guess what they really meant was that they needed a little more time to figure out how to get everyone on the plane. With just a few minutes to spare they finally called our name to board the plane (after pretty much all the other 400 passengers got on… I couldn’t believe there were still seats left… and I was very grateful for who ever opted for the $750 travel voucher that they were offering for those who were willing to be bumped.)
After spending the night in a hotel in Bangkok we jumped in a taxi and made our way to the border. It seemed that our driver was too familiar with the route or area because I think we were kind of lost a couple times. However, when we arrived there were lots of people willing to help… but you got the faint impression that the info was not going to be free… and it wasn’t. While I had been told you didn’t need the help of an “agent” we reluctantly accepted the help of some very friendly guys who help us get our details in order to cross the border. It’d would be kind of nice to figure out what the real story behind these guys was. We did appreciate their help… and it might have even been worth what it cost… but I know that not everyone’s story aligned. Luckily I didn’t get us in too much trouble by trying to figure out the process (the solution seems to be give everyone money and they go away.) I was very glad to have Kalyan’s (our Cambodian director) phone number and she was able to translate via some guys cell phone and clarify why I owed each person what I did… it seems there was many hard working people behind the scenes making our border crossing simple and safe. It certainly is good for a laugh now… but I know someone out there is making VERY good money off Joes like us and unfortunately I don’t even think it was any of the guys who were helping us.
How to describe what we’ve seen so far… I know Dad has mentioned many times he wishes that he could take some video with his eyes to share with everyone back home. But then we realize it’s the sounds and smells and every that really paints the picture. It’s been so good to see it in person. As we drove I couldn’t help but imagine people walking down the road to “retreat locations” under the Khmer Rouge in the 70’s. Seeing the landscape really brings the stories alive. Certainly you can see the effects of the atrocity all around in the culture and in the eyes of people. You wonder how a beautiful country like this could be so far behind but when you think of a whole generation of intellectuals and business people being wiped out it sort of makes sense.
There’s some light in the midst of this darkness and it was certainly present at the 5 follow-up programs we visited on Sunday. How incredible! On our way home Ray simply said, “I so glad I came.” Me too! I also remember him leaning over and saying this is what we’ve worked so hard for and immediately I got a little sweaty in the eye balls. Sometimes it’s kind of discouraging to do behind the scenes work for what you know is a very effective effort but WHAT A BLESSING to see what your team members are doing on the front lines. It’s so refreshing to see first hand what so many of you have invested in. God is truly blessing and multiplying it.
The day a little adventure, which I really love! A flat tire! Of course in the mid of no where on a dusty village road. Dad, the crazy joker, pulls out his CAA card and offers it to Kalyan in case they have need. While a flat tire isn’t a big deal… not being able to get it off became a bit of a bigger deal. But while we were in the middle of nowhere we weren’t half a kilometer from the nearest tire repair shop. God always provides… and that was good for a laugh.
But what can I say about the follow-up programs. Words can’t really express… they were fantastic!!! We really had a great time (but wished we could have stayed a bit longer). Some we small gatherings beside a house or church while other’s we huge gatherings under the palm trees. But to see hope being given to those most willing to accept it was indescribable. It was a good day!
I spent some of my time interviewing pastors and getting their stories on video tape so that we can share them more effectively with everyone back home. I’m looking forward to putting some of these projects together… maybe it will help you all share in some of the blessing.
Well, I should probably get prepped for the day (or take a nap).
It's 12 hours later and I finally got a working internet connection. Today's pastor's meeting went great and I even got to meet the pastor that my small group at youth is sponsoring. So it was a great day... I'll write more about it tomorrow at 4 am. ha ha