Back Blogging 2

Hey F&F!! (Friends & Family)

Michael here. I hope you are all doing well, I know I am doing great out here! It's about 12:30 PM which means that it is 10:30 PM your time, my yesterday. O.o

Well, I hope that this blog can catch you up on most of what's been going on as we've been here one week!!

Since we've been at Siem Reap, my team and I have been getting adjusted to life here. We've been trying to get a schedule down for our ministry(s) and as of now, it looks like we are making progress. (Khmer culture is very different, and their agendas are rather unorganized from what we are used to). Many of the mornings have left some of us free to do what we like. Some of the activities have been going to the market and shopping, enjoying cold beverages in different cafes, and just hanging out.

But all of us have different schedules. I now teach a photoshop class at 5pm, while three other team members teach an English class - all varying in their skill level from very basic to advanced.

A few days ago, we all went prayer walking through a part of the city, and walked past a park. At the park were various buddhist alter where we saw people offering their prayers. God spoke to many of us as we walked. He gave me four words to continously pray for the Khmer people: Peace, Grace, Love and Joy. I believe that much of the healing that must come for them (from the recent genocide) can come from showing them these things. Please continue to pray for them in this light!

Last week we worked with Justin, a member of the YWAM staff and our "house father" (or just the guy who stays in the same guest house for maintenance and safety). He took us to a village he ministers to, which is about 1/2 an hour out of Siem Reap. We got the chance to play with all the children (about 12 or so) and just interact with the women, as the men are all out working.

After playing games like Duck-Duck-Goose, and a Khmer version of tug-o-war, we got all the kids together and washed their hair. Some of them have lice, so we were able to use a special shampoo to help them.

The weekend consisted of some relaxation time, laundry and minsitry. Saturday was our fun day and we started by eating at a great bakery for breakfast. We then dropped our laundry off at a laundry mat (more like a home that offers to wash clothes for a price). Afterwards, we had a treat as we took tuktuks to a small hotel resort and got to swim in their salt pool for free! It was beautiful and to bless us even more, IT RAINED as we swam! It was so fun. Dinner was at a restaurant called Le Tigre de pa Pier (I think they meant to say papier, which would make some sense as "the paper tiger"). We had pizzas, some were a little odd, but all were tasty!

Sunday we had church at the YWAM base. After lunch we went to the Rafa house, which is another house like White Doves for girls who've been caught up in the sex trafficking industry. The girls on the team got to hang out and have fun, painting nails, doing hair, dancing and playing games. It was a great time of establishing relationship as many of us have not been there before. The night consisted of us all preparing for the week to come - one that will be rather busy and hard.

Please continue to pray for us! We need prayer for strength, motivation, encouragement, and that God's truth will always shine through the lies that present themselves to us!

Love you all!
Michael