Remembering Cambodia

It is our last day here in Cambodia.  We leave tonight for Bangkok, Thailand for the 2nd half of our outreach.  Our last days in Sihanoukville were really amazing.  We were able to finish both the inside and outside walls of both the school and the orphanage.  We also developed so many relationships with the orphan children and with the school faculty.  On Wednesday, the school surprised us by having a traditional dance presentation as well as a fruit basket gift for our team.  Also, all of the children from the orphanage were giving gifts to us before we left on Thursday.  One thing I have come to realize from being on two separate outreaches is that it seems as if the most poor people in the world are able to give more of what they have than we can.  They love to give gifts.  Part of me wants them to keep what they have because they don't know how much I already have.  But it would break their heart not to take it so we do.  We accept their gifts gratefully and it is most humbling.  I am reminded of the story in Luke 21 when Jesus comments on the gifts given by the widow versus the rich.  The widow gave out of her poverty and the rich gave out of their surplus.  It truly is much better to give than to receive.  

Once we are in Bangkok, we are spending a few days there for orientation and to have a break.  We have a man named Merv from our base who is coming out to encourage and see how things are going.  We are excited to have him. He is the former base director of the Sunshine Coast YWAM base.  Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support.