Sometimes the things we need most are the things we don't really want. I would have been quite happy to carry on working right through the weekend - but greater minds thought otherwise.
After the joy of ARC /New Song on Friday, the horrors of Choeng Ek, the normality of dinner in a Cambodian home, we were treated to another glimpse of God's Kingdom with a visit to Marie Ens and a Place of Rescue. This is an orphanage for children and families with AIDS, and orphaned grandmothers from PolPot's regime. One would think that this would be another downer - but not so AT ALL!
From the moment we turned off the main road, there was a noticable difference. People smiled and waved all along the way. It might have been the sight of 3 tuk-tuks in a convoy - but I think it was the edges of God's Kingdom spreading outward - the yeast in Marty's blog.
After greeting Marie, she took us on a tour of her little piece of heaven. And it truly is. The smiling, happy faces of ALL the residents reveal the peace and joy of the place. They are truly blessed to be in a place like that and they are equally grateful.
By the end of the afternoon, we all had a number of kids hanging off our arms as if they were begging us to
stay with them in heaven.
One little boy ( about 2 1/2 yrs) grabbed my hand as soon as he saw me and asked to be picked up. He put his head on my shoulder and would not let me put him back down. He never said a word and it was only later that I found out his story. He had been at Rescue since he was 1 day old.
It was very hard to leave that wonderful place - so different from Svay Pak. But at the same time I was anxious to get back there. I missed those little urchins (as Kit calls them) and was eager to see them again and give them the toys we had bought at the market.
The work was drudgery - but we were all happy to do it after our break. We have seen the effect of what a little yeast can do and want to get kneading.
The second highlight of the day was almost back at the hotel, we pulled up behind an elephant plodding down the middle of the road. Of course we had to stop to get pictures.
After the joy of ARC /New Song on Friday, the horrors of Choeng Ek, the normality of dinner in a Cambodian home, we were treated to another glimpse of God's Kingdom with a visit to Marie Ens and a Place of Rescue. This is an orphanage for children and families with AIDS, and orphaned grandmothers from PolPot's regime. One would think that this would be another downer - but not so AT ALL!
From the moment we turned off the main road, there was a noticable difference. People smiled and waved all along the way. It might have been the sight of 3 tuk-tuks in a convoy - but I think it was the edges of God's Kingdom spreading outward - the yeast in Marty's blog.
After greeting Marie, she took us on a tour of her little piece of heaven. And it truly is. The smiling, happy faces of ALL the residents reveal the peace and joy of the place. They are truly blessed to be in a place like that and they are equally grateful.
By the end of the afternoon, we all had a number of kids hanging off our arms as if they were begging us to
stay with them in heaven.One little boy ( about 2 1/2 yrs) grabbed my hand as soon as he saw me and asked to be picked up. He put his head on my shoulder and would not let me put him back down. He never said a word and it was only later that I found out his story. He had been at Rescue since he was 1 day old.
It was very hard to leave that wonderful place - so different from Svay Pak. But at the same time I was anxious to get back there. I missed those little urchins (as Kit calls them) and was eager to see them again and give them the toys we had bought at the market.
The work was drudgery - but we were all happy to do it after our break. We have seen the effect of what a little yeast can do and want to get kneading.
The second highlight of the day was almost back at the hotel, we pulled up behind an elephant plodding down the middle of the road. Of course we had to stop to get pictures.
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