Time in another favorite place (part 1)

From Thailand, we went to Cambodia for another 10 days. We have lots more pictures because we were with others who took them or suggested that we did😄

We had a very full planned schedule, as our intention was to show the kids a number of different ministries a bit more hands on as well as try to catch up with old friends. We think it was a grand success on both counts, but we do wish we'd had more time with friends as there is always more you wish to say and do than there is time with old friends!

tuktuk transport - with e-hailing!

We got to reminisce about our time living there, sharing then now with kids old enough to remember! Grace doesn't remember anything (she was 2 when we left) but somehow the taste of the food was familiar to her. 

Cambodian version of halo-halo (Philippines) or cendol (Malaysia).
Shaved ice with mixed toppings and condensed milk.

Inside a market stall looking at scarves and shawls

We were humbled, honored, and encouraged to see what God has done with the little time, effort, and love we were able to give during our short time here 15 years ago. Dad was asked to share with a youth Bible study. We were welcomed with a large bouquet of flowers that made our hotel room smell lovely and feel more homey our whole stay!

Grace particularly enjoyed this night, even being asked on the spot to sing a song of hers and play the piano leading singing.

 As usual, we ate together afterwards, a wonderful feast! And there was lovely impromptu worship and an easy comradery among the youth that opened their arms for Grace and mom to join in. Unfortunately, Mom's Khmer wasn't up to coming up with songs on the spot, nor fully following and translating the flowing banter for Grace.

On Sunday, at our old church, all the kids did something new on the spot! Jasmin taught her first every violin lesson (we worked out she's been learning for 10 years now, so...)

Grace preached her first sermon - with about 5 minutes of preparation!

And Aiden... kicked his sandal onto the roof...

.. but it was an easy rescue by some willing church members!

 ...And managed to stack 4 water bottles!                                                              He got good at entertaining himself while the rest of us listened to presentations or caught up with old friends. 😉 And there was lots of time for this as we met with, toured, learned about 10 different ministries during our week in Phnom Penh!

Being remembered so well after 15 years was a welcome surprise. Hearing stories of God at work since we lived there and seeing the fruit of it in the lives of old friends was so encouraging. Being asked by nearly everyone when/if we were coming back to live was rather a surprise too... we'll see what God does. 

It was a fantastic week and felt too short! But, next on our list was a quick trip (3 days: travel up, spend a day, travel back) to Monolkiri to visit a translation project....