The Music of Banteay Meanchey

Before this trip, I was told that Banteay Meanchey kids did not like to dance. However the kids I met this week loved to dance. Here's a little bit of our playlist:

1. Cupid Shuffle

2. The Electric Slide

3. Big & Chunky

4. Call Me Maybe

5. I've Got a Feeling

6. Gang am Style

7. Can't Touch This

8. Beautiful - One Direction

9. Because We Can

10. I'm Turnt

Dancing with kids for HOURS at time was one of my favorite memories from this trip. 

Ye of little faith

I first want to tell you that we had an awesome day with the kids! It was truly amazing as we wrapped up the weeks lesson and had a chance to speak God's word over them specifically as it relates to what scriputre says about their identity. The whole week has been awesome and the entire team feels like we are right where we are supposed to be with the message we are supposed to have!

I don't want this post to be an update on the day though, as much as I want to highlight one specific part of the day - our dinner...

So it all starts with Max. He was an awesome guy I met on tue plane over here, who was raised in an orphanage in South Korea. After a long conversation, Max told me that the Lord had a miricle for us in Cambodia and we should be praying about it. Well today it showed up.

We got back from lunch and running some errands for our dinner when we found out that our dinner was starting in 2 hours - not 4 as we had planned. So the entire team jumped into get it done mode and just started making it happen. Well nothing was going as planned and on top of it - rain was on the horizon. Litterally, big dark looming clouds. The weather channel app said 80% chance.. I'm now nervous. I suggest to our translator that we should make plans for indoor eating (we wanted a picnic). He promptly said - "no rain". Tobwhich I promtly said - Phillip (our translator), "clouds".  So Philip says, "I check, but no rain". Then 3 minutes later we were setting up outside. 15 minties later, we hear rain on the tin roof! To which I promtly (and franticly I may add) run outside and say to Philip, "what happened to your, "no rain!".... Then 3 minites later the rain stops. Yep, it just stopped.

Now I feelt like an idiot for not listening or trusting Philip. So I swallowed my pride, turn around and appologize to Philip for not listening well. Phillips response, "it's ok. No rain, we have God!". Ot litterally took me back - they never even considered their would be rain because they knew this dinner would be blessing to the lids and the church and of course God would take car of us! Oh ye of little faith is what I felt! Well it only gets better...

At dinner, I appologized Phillip again for being anxious about the rain and he says, "Joel, you were vevery worried about the rain." I told him that I was and just wanted tonight to be great. This is first amazing because culturally, they never would let someone loose face (about worrying), but Phillip had a greater purpose thane saving face. He said, "when you came out about the rain, I prayed for you. That God would take the rain away." He went on to say thst God has a great love for us and that he wanted to stop the rain so that I would know God was in Control. He told me that the clouds looked like Gods hands moving the rain out of our way (the team later commented on how awesome the clouds were). Phillip the told me that God wants to move the clouds from our heart too. At this point, tears are streaming down my face - he is right! On so many levels! I never even thought to pray- I never even considered it. But Philip wasn't specificially talking about that - he was pointing out there was something in my heart that was holding me back... Something that didn't trust God with the same unrelenting faith of the Cambodians we came to serve. And He is right. I don't trust in God in the same way they do....

We went on to have the most wonderful, encouraging and soul nurturing convsation I have had in a while... Truly awesome. Tonight was a God appointment and it was amazing! I so greatful for all that God is doing in my heart and for loving me enough to bring me all the way to Cambodia to hear that. Grace is amazing! Thank you Jesus!!!

So here's a few pics from dinner. It was epic! We could have never pulled it off, this has God written all over it!

PS - sorry for typos its 1:30 am here :)






And after dinner - it turned into a dance party. Great times, lots of laughs and lifetime memories!

What happens when you leave Jason alone after lunch...

He helps the kids create their own Rock Band! This was just
One of the amazingly awesome moments of this trip! They were
Rock'n the Northpoint praise and worship CD - watch out NPM Praise
And worship - these kids have you beat :)

There was so much joy and laughter in the room - it was truly a wonderful moment
Yesterday!

Ps - please note the bottle of rocks that are maracas and the microphone is a hairbrush = priceless!

What An Awesome Day!!!!

It's 11:42 PM, I'm supposed to be asleep, but I'm not I'm down stairs awake, because today is just too awesome to already be over. I wish I had a real computer so I could type what an amazing day this was, but it might have to wait until I return home. My heart is too full to get it all out.

I know very well that God really answers prayers!

Wini 

Barriers to Entry

Khmer is not the easiest of languages to read, write or speak. My Khmer is not so good. In fact, the best Khmer speaker in our group is Kristie Pole. However, this language barrier doesn't prevent understanding. As a team, we've wrestled with do the kids really understand us. However, in 1 John 3:19-22 we are told:

We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. (1 John 3:19-22 NASB)

I believe in the deepest place in my heart that our kids received the message regarding their identity in Christ.

More soon!

Wini

Falling in Love

Truth be told, I haven't slept all that much on this trip. Even with a sleep aid, I probably get 6 to 7 hours at best, but that's okay. I'm in love with this country and even better I'm falling in love with these wonderful kids and I don't want to miss a minute of it.

When I'm hanging out with them, I forget to be my "normal" self - poised, driven, focused and on top of my game. Instead, I'm laughing and playing and dancing. I've been in more tickle fights over the last two days than in all of my adult life. 

I think we are often closer to the person that God designed us to be as children than we are as adults. The cares of this life rob us of the pure unadulterated joy we experience as children. I love what Jesus said about children:

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. (Matthew 18:1-6 NIV)

I love that Jesus was such a defender of children and valued them so much in God's kingdom. These kids are major to my heaven father. He cares for them so fiercely. 

I'm looking forward to another day!

Wini

School, No School, Cornhole and So Much More...

School, No School, Cornhole and So Much More...

Today was our first full day with kids. What is so awesome and frustrating about this trip is having an amazing plan and having to change the minute you get started. That is what our Monday team (Maureen, Katie, Jason and Howie) experienced. Initially we thought the kids were going to be off for the school. Then we learned upon arrival that the kids were going to school but would ask for permission to take a half day. That threw the plan way off, but I'm so thankful that our Monday team was aptly able to change the agenda. We spent the morning playing Cornhole, cards and just hanging out. Kudos to Kelly for rocking it out in a game of slap jack. 

Before lunch, the team kicked of our theme of identity with a personality test. A lot of the kids had a green personality; green personalities are characterized by calmness and are easy going. We had one blue personality which is characterized by being organized and detail oriented. Even at an early age we had a few red personalities which are the natural leaders. Last but not least, we had one yellow who is the life of the party. The kids took a wood puzzle piece and painted the piece the color of there personality. This puzzle piece is a part of a much bigger story (more coming this week, I don't want to spoil the surprise).

After we finished the personality test, the kids and the team had lunch at the orphanage. The lunch was a lovely Khmer lunch of fries chicken (fresh from the farm), fried rice that was out of this world and braised bok choy. After lunch, Jason put together the NLO North Point band. Jason got the kids rocking out on brooms and buckets. After lunch, while the Monday team touched up some the puzzle pieces, the rest of us just hung out and got to know the kids better. During this time, Joel and Kristie went to the market. While they were gone, we split the group between boys and the girls. 

God Moment - Remember our team is comprised on non-Khmer speakers. As such, translators are a huge part of making this trip successful. Well, the boys had a translator and the girls did not. While the team was contemplating what to do, Sheryl (the guest pastor's niece) came to the orphanage with a translator. 

So crisis averted. Both discussions went really well. After the girls were treated to a spa day. They were treated to hair, nails, massages and a hand and foot sugar scrub. During our spa treatments, the boys finished their small group and the girls day in became coed. Some of the guys put glitter in their hair and painted their nails. It was fun for all of us. 

Later in afternoon, Kristie and Joel returned with pastries and soda for all. It was an ideal situation - 15 Kids hopped up on cake and soda. To burn some of it off, we played Cornhole. Some team members were not keen on playing more lively music. While attention was diverted, iPods were switched and a dance party broke out. The electric slide and the Cupid shuffle were an epic hit. We ended the day with Rock with You by MJ. 

In summary, the day was awesome but bittersweet. One day is already done.

For those of you back home reading this blog please pray for our kids. We love them all so much and our hearts break for the hard and difficult things they shared with us today. I know many of you are praying; so please keep it up. Your prayers, love and support are so evident in the great things God is doing for our team and our kids.

"Lee-hi"

Wini

New Life Church & Phkay Proek

I feel like everything I've written about so far is related to food; but that's okay. Food is a common denominator globally. Anywho, we are sitting at the Phkay Proek Resturant having brunch together after church.

Church was good. It was conducted in Khmer, but there was a guest pastor who spoke in English. He preached from Matthew 15:22-28. It was the story of the Canaanite woman who asked Jesus to heal her daughter. The pastor's point was that a little faith can go a long way. Also, some of the teens in the orphanage did a special dance and the adults sang a song. North Point and Andy Stanley got a shout out. It is such a humbling experience to be apart of the gospel in another country.

The best part of the morning was seeing the kids at the orphanage. I've never experienced such love. Hugs from kids the kids and the cutest baby that I didn't want to leave. I'm looking forward to seeing the kids later when we visit the orphanage. Breakfast is here.

Nom Nom,

Wini

Killing Caves & Battambang Orphanage

Today was so much fun! After the Green Mango we went to the Killing Caves. It was a 1,000 step hike to the top. Throughout the hike, there were temples and signs in honor if those who died during the Khmet Rouge. I enjoyed the scenery and the history. Hopefully, my photos captured the beauty my eyes beheld.

Next stop was the Battambang orphanage. O. M. G. Those kids were awesome! I haven't had so much fun running around, tickle fights, singing and dancing and laughing. Those kids were so sweet. I'm looking forward to seeing them again on Thursday. 

Finishing up dinner now and we'll head back to Banteay Meanchey soon. Tomorrow is church and our first day with our Banteay Meanchey kids. I'm really looking forward to it.

Best,

Wini

Green Mango

Sipping on coffee with sweet milk at a local restaurant that takes at risk girls and trains them in the food business. Nom Nom

Looks Like We Made It!

Well, we made it safely to Siem Reap without incident. I still can't believe we are here. Months of planning, fundraising and praying and we are finally here. I think it hit me, when we were on the bus to the hotel last night. So much has happened since I first learned that I was going back in May. I'm so thankful to just be here. At times, it seemed like I wasn't going to make it. Even as recently as a week ago. But I'm here. 

Today, we leave Siem Reap for the orphanage. Truth be told, I'm really nervous about meeting the kids. I've never done anything like this before, ever. What if they don't like me is a nagging thought in the back of my head. Well there is no turning back now. So here's praying and hoping for the best. 

Time to start the day and more soon.

-Wini

Layover

First leg done. On our way to Siem Reap.

Last Team Meeting

I just got home from my last Cambodia planning meeting. I'm so excited for this trip, but I am a little sad to have this phase of the trip end. I have loved every minute of getting ready for this trip. Yes, I mean every minute of it, from

• working with all the personalities that make up our group
• going to meetings without agendas,
• going to meetings with agendas,
• sitting in a meeting with dogs running round every where,
• gaining weight from all the amazing food people made,
• driving from Marietta to Dunwoody or Decatur or Atlanta or Alpharetta,
• reengineering an idea for the 3rd time no 4th time,
• praying and going through life,
• watching the laser show at Stone Mountain,
• talking around a fire on a chilly fall night,
• making apple butter,
• working a yard sale,
• stalking my fundraising page for donations,
• writing thank you notes to my contributors,
• watching God touch the hearts of family, friends and strangers to donate, and
• growing spiritually through this process.

Getting ready for this trip has been such an overwhelming, yet fulfilling process. Tonight, I'm just so thankful to have made it this far and to be less than four days away from the trip of a lifetime. I still can't believe that this is actually happening. I'm not sure when it will really hit me, but I'm so thankful in this moment to be at home back from my last team meeting recognizing what God has done with us.

-Wini

Will Cambodia change you...

Our church put together a video a few years ago about the mission trips they were doing in Cambodia. It's a pretty power snapshot of the amazing work God is doing in this country. For those who have never been, but stand by our side in prayer and financial support each year, I want you to know that this change would not be possible without you! My hope and prayer for those at home, as well as those of us on the trip is that God would move in our hearts in amazing, new ways. That we would all experience a renewal of our faith and that our lives would be forever changed! Whether you personally go or support from the front lines at home -  I hope Cambodia  changes you!