So much to cover....so get ready!!

So we can begin with Friday, keep in mind I am a day ahead of you. At 5 oclock I went to the village church and helped Sadong. This was way more fun then expected. The English class that I will soon be teaching is made up of advanced students, most close to my age. The spent the hour asking me questions, the questions they knew how to ask. I am excited because I can already tell that there are a few students that are really passionate about learning and will really grow from just simple conversation with me. Oh and side note:when you wonder Lord what can I offer your kingdom, I don't lead worship, I can't speak well in front of people, guess what---your English skills are invaluable to your brothers and sisters across the world. Oh and I was hit on my several of the students, this was awkward, 2 got "you are beautiful." However my favorite was from this older overly confident boy he almost took me off my feet with this one, "how you do so petty." Which was an attempt at are pretty! This was hoot! I am talking with Kit and we are brainstorming how to use the bible as a tool to teach English, also we are going to try and put together a youth event. I look forward to making relationships with all my students, sharing love and the gospel with them. Karen I hope to use your bibles in this way..not exactly sure however. Friday night had dinner as usual with the Carson clan, but wanted to mention a pretty funny conversation. There is hardly any dating in Cambodia, mostly an arranged marriage and dowry system. So Ream was explaining this and saying that the rich girls can go for as much as 10,000 dollars, there not being sold I realize it sounds bad its just culture. Then Kit with a grin says, "Yeah I got for only 2 thousand, she was such a deal, sometimes I ask for a refund however." Then Ream says defensively, "that was 10 years ago I would cost more now." Just to clear up that she was not a cheap buy. It was funny maybe you had to be there:)The above pictures are of me, Somerang, and Rachana picking words for the catfish.

Saturday is the kids free day which always proves to be fun. We went to the zoo in the morning which proved to be a great time. It was a pretty decent zoo, looks of different cages with interest animals. My favorite part however, was the fact that deer where on exhibit. Like regular deer were a zoo attraction..funny how that works across boarders. There was also a cage with a squirrel. Umm the monkeys just walk around the zoo, they get shockingly close and the kids hide from them. They are known to steal food right out of your hands, and bite if they need to. There were beautiful peacooks and eagles. They even had a Bengal tiger and several elephants. It was a good time and the kids seemed to really enjoy it. The monkey in the picture was close enough to reach out and touch, he followed us via the fence for awhile.

Later that day I taught them all a new game, to be honest I had been getting tired of "run back and forth" and wanted something new. So I taught them AOSHCA(sp?). It was so fun and they all caught on pretty fast. If you don't know this game its foot tag that we play at Camp Barnabas all the time. The kids got it pretty quickly, so have even gotten good at the fake out. It was so much fun to watch. They are all so nimble they fly all over the place. We played several rounds, had dinner, and then we DANCED! Did we ever dance, Te-a taught me some traditional moves, which I caught on in due time. It was fun, the kids got quite a giggle of watching me learn. Then we turned on this Cambodian dance music, which basically is Cambodia rip offs of American music, like mombo number 5, and that one song.."I want to make love, love love, love, right now, now, now, now. " However, apparently the Cambodia translation is cleaner with, "I want to make up...." The kids were hilarious and a few really had some moves. The older boys were all to cool and a few of the girls were to shy, but it was fun to try and drag all of them out there. Rachana had the moves, she glowed in the limelight, we had such a blast together. On(thats her name) had the wiggles, she would shake her little butt so cute, and Somerang this little feisty boy did some b-boy moves. The night was so fun and everyone was laughing hysterically. I taught them all how to bow like a ballerina and I think Tong got the biggest kick out of this. Oh and before this Kit had caught a lizard, we have the weirdest lizards here, they make a clicking sound and will apparently bite if you give them a chance. We had a wonderful time chasing the kids all around and flinging the lizard at new crowds of screaming children. Lizard took some what of a beating but survived the festivities. This was hilourious because Leam, one of our 16 older boys was terrified. Chennee had him stuck in the corner and all Lean could do was scream and hide behind one of the bikes. We all went to bed exhausted from the dance party but full up from Joy. The picture is of Dad-dy(Kit) looking for the flung lizard.

Sunday! We are just begnning this day. This morning we went to a local cell group which is a small church and helped with the youth program. Leam delivered the message, I don't know what He said, but he looked dashing and confident:) We sang a few songs. Then we headed to the fielded and played a few games. Soccer, frizebe, and tag. The kids ate it up. We had so much, it was great to see the greater hope kids love on other children too. One of the little girls so cute stole my heart, she held my hand the whole time. Then the Lord opened up a door, there was a handicap baby next door that they wanted me to look at. Here in Cambodia if you have any type of medical knowledge you are valuable, so I went to perform a screening, I saw this done twice in observation so in a Cambodian village I am qualified. The girl looked good, needs therapy, but with therapy in my completely unprofessional opinion will improve. I am going to email the pediatric specialist at home and then perform the therapy through here advising. The family seemed so excited about my help, and to my surprise it was the little girls family. The little girl that held my hand the whole time, it was her sister that I helped. The Lord is so good in how he connects:) Ashley this pic is going to be for you! Pray for wisdom on how to help this little baby and that through the Lords grace we can improve her quality of life. Things are good here, very fun weekend for us all! The little girl on the right is one that stole my heart and her baby sister is the one that hopefully will receive therapy.