Saturday, February 4, 2012

Home again, Oskaloosa, Iowa

Ok so it has taken a few days, to post that we are actually home. Tara was there at the airport to meet us it was so good to see her, each of us so much to tell since being gone for a month, a lot happens in everyone's world.

We had been on the go for 48 hours, we did actually calculate that as we hit the bed about 5:30pm! We both slept a good 14 hours the first night! After a cup of coffee some catching up on things we went to the Elementary School to join Gus as he was "Star of the Week" this past week! Gus is in Kindergarden so we visited his class a bit and sat with him at lunch! Then we ventured to Nicole's third grade classroom where she teaches, and it was a lively question and answer session on Cambodia for a good half hour, that was fun the kids had great questions!

On to the Ray's for lunch good old American food, Ham and Beans with Cornbread! Tara came and joined in later, so good to see the family again. We had errands to run, pick up the mail, stop at the bank, pick up a few supplies.

Then home we were both ready to hit the bed but did refrain until 7pm to go to sleep. Even tho tired our bodies kept waking up saying we should be up, I did finally get up at 1am and did admit on facebook where I had told many from the Iowa Team that all you need to do is take Tylenol PM and you will sleep, yah, I was wrong, not that simple! But also messaged Laura, who told me to stay up later, get up on time and eventually we will adjust, she also prayed for me to sleep and her prayers were answered I did sleep until 5am! Much appreciated!

This morning we are waiting for the McFarlands to arrive! Need to go back to the post office to bring mail that folks sent with us! It all will be delivered!!

Ok so we have to adjust to new hours big deal, it is so worth the gift of being able to be Jesus hands and feet, arms and hearts to those in Cambodia! Thank you to all who prayed for our Journey, when one does such a journey we do hope to be a blessing to those whose lives we touch; but we receive so much more than we give.

God bless each of you, we are all on our journey on this earth may each of us be conscious of God's command for us to "go ye into all the world"; where have you been called?
Ed and Mary

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Goodbye Cambodia, we are at the Seoul,Korea Airport

We tried to post last night while we were at the Siem Reap Airport but connections were not the greatest so our blog just disappeared. Well we have 3 hours before boarding for Chicago! We both feel refreshed we slept probably 2-3 hours on the flight from Siem Reap, and now just showered so that helps a ton before we face the 14 hour flight across the tundra!!

Well, our month in Cambodia is over and history, but the memories will last forever! We could never sum it up in a few words... but this would be the best summary "God is at work in Cambodia!" we praise His name for all the dedicated people at YWAM in Battambang, for their hearts for God and the people of Cambodia! We thank the YWAM people for their amazing hospitality, their friendship, their fellowship, their dedication! We were blessed with continuing old friendships and making many new friends from all over the world.

The people of Cambodia stole our hearts, especially the children! I believe one of the hardest goodbye's was at the Slum Village, praying at the entrance as we left the tears flowed. We praise God for the many dedicated people who serve there continually, Laura, Emmanuel, Therea from Jeevit's House; Channouen , Kovonne and Chhea with the Village Church. Thank you so much for touching the lives of those whose need is great! Our greatest need whether rich or poor is knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour! No need is greater than that and your status makes absolutely no difference, nor does your past, it is level at the cross. "For by grace are you saved, thru faith that not of yourselves it is the free gift of Jesus Christ"

The young people of Cambodia also stole our hearts, the new christians with their fervor and dedication to serving their Lord and Savior puts those of us who have known HIM all our lives to shame! They trust in HIM for everything, everything! some are orphans, some who choose Jesus; deal with family rejection as the rest of the family worships Budda, but many are from families who barely have enough to survive on their own...so these Cambodian young people who want to serve Jesus have no support, so we who have so much need to help carry the load! If you have questions on that let us know as we will gladly elaborate!

We bid goodbye most of the day, packing didn't take too long! Then at 5pm we loaded into the taxi for a quick trip to Siem Reap, he did get us there safely for that we are thankful!

Thank you for your prayers for us while we are on our journey, they are much appreciated! You may now pray for extra room on the flight so we can stretch out a bit, kinda seems crazy but oh, it would be a huge blessing!!!!!

Ed and Mary