I've been back to Siem Reap, for almost 3 weeks, been on the go since I arrived!! the day after getting back Stan and I went shopping! , time to get a few things we needed for the apartment., so it was a bit more functional. Also Chris and Phally and 5 more family members were coming to spend Christmas here, so I wanted to make sure they had something to sleep on etc.
2 days later, we went off to Somlot ( west of Battambang near Thai border ) to buy second batch of seed they had picked, over 2 ton! and they had hand cracked over 1 1/2 ton by hand while watching tv, impressive since this seed is hard to crack!
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| Put to work by not long after arriving back! |
and gospel message is shared! they were very thankful for the generosity of the friends back home who so blessed them. So they could put on this program and help the local people who have special needs in many ways, they are extremely grateful and send there heart felt thanks back to you all!!
Soon as we got back from buying seed, we were off to the farm to pay workers, and fuel etc. and see how its going, make plans on how to attack grass better so workers could actually get into the field to pick!
To update those of you praying about the decision of us taking over managing the general fields, yes they came to agreement, that we will take over his sacha inchi fields.
and then take a "short cut" over 2hrs on horrible dirt road to the farm to get some work done, we had a laugh on the way, seeing a Moto with cart selling "hotdogs" we slowed down , he was hoping for a sale;) we were hungry, but not that hungry! Just struck us funny how out in the middle of know where there is a hotdog cart!
On to the farm to settle up on paying the workers and expenses. and get back to Siem reap on the 24th to host our Battambang family for Christmas, before they arrived! I made the guys get up and going early so we could shop for our food for the weekend in Trapang Prasat market since its smaller and easier to park the pickup, compared to the big market in Siem Reap. Christmas Eve dinner I cooked Beef Curry, and chicken kabobs, w/rice, egg nog, no bake cookies ( 2 kinds:) ) banana nuggets with caramel sauce. yumm ! On Christmas eve we all went out and looked at Christmas light, the big hotels actually put up some pretty amazing christmas light displays, and the khmer people turn the street in front into almost a carnival atmosphere with food vendors and toy sellers etc.loud music and everyone taking pictures of each other in front of the displays of decorations and light! sadly there was no nativity,
on Christmas day they took us to see a lake/reservoir that is close by, you can buy bbq fish, and chicken and they serve you in this hut with mats and they have hammock hanging in there so everyone lays around on the mats after eating and lounging in hammocks resting up, Stan and Chris worked with Pitchit trying to teach him how to swim. water was nice and warm.
On the 26th, the family headed back to Battambang and Stan & I headed that direction also, we had to stop in Sisophon Banteay Meachey to attend a Cambodian wedding, the father of the bride is the Pastor that travels with us showing us where the farms are when we've gone on trips to check farms. It was interesting like all weddings here are! We met a guy who had a team here in Cambodia from Kona Hawaii, his name is Hongly he and his wife were Cambodian refugees during PolPot and were sent to the USA from refugee camp in Thailand. He, I believe works in the Ywam administration office there, he brings teams every Christmas to Cambodia to encourage and spread the gospel. going to the prisons and children's homes, and churches. He invited us to join them, but we already have a full schedule.
After the wedding we sped off to Vondy's in Battambang to help with the preparations for the Christmas Program, stayed in their home, so we were available early in the morning to help with the food preparations also. It was an exciting time, kids wander over, from all over the place to see and help all with decorations or just excited to be apart of the excitement,
2 huge pots of chicken curry, and 400 baquettes " french bread" sliced up. we actually ran out!! 
committee meeting, In 3 languages... hopefully no misinterpretations
seed cracking machine
on Christmas day they took us to see a lake/reservoir that is close by, you can buy bbq fish, and chicken and they serve you in this hut with mats and they have hammock hanging in there so everyone lays around on the mats after eating and lounging in hammocks resting up, Stan and Chris worked with Pitchit trying to teach him how to swim. water was nice and warm.
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| little Mie Mie , so cute! she is Rajana baby she adopted, turned 1yr old end of Nov. |
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| Christmas Day BBQ lunch |
After the wedding we sped off to Vondy's in Battambang to help with the preparations for the Christmas Program, stayed in their home, so we were available early in the morning to help with the food preparations also. It was an exciting time, kids wander over, from all over the place to see and help all with decorations or just excited to be apart of the excitement,
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| Practicing for the big day! |
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| GUYS TRYING TO FIgure OUT HOW TO HANG THE BANNER |
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| PRACTICE MAKE PERFECT:) |
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| Always a cute face to take pictures of! the kids loved hanging out in the back of our pickup, while the others were practicing |
2 huge pots of chicken curry, and 400 baquettes " french bread" sliced up. we actually ran out!! making paper decorations to hang
girls did a great job with their khmer dance:) i have video if you want to see it:)
lots of songs with motions :)
the littlest ones doing khmer dance
we had over 200 kids plus lots of parents & family close to 400 people !!! Vondy was thrilled with the turn-out!
Stan had a friend:)
special moments
Vondy shared the gospel message, and we were asked to share, Stan did a great job:) with Srey noit translating for him.
lots of kids & families enjoying a meal together
ladies dishing up curry, yes, we ran out!
I wish you all could have been here with us!!!
We found a grass cutter :) so off to the farm to try it out!
it worked great! so people can get in the rows to pick , fertilize, & water more efficiently, Next challenge water pumps... they constantly break down "chinese junk" Stan says,
we've been talking to well drillers hoping to get a test well drilled soon,
this Monday we held a meeting with NTC Committee to work on structure of sacha inchi project in Cambodia, and learn more ourselves, since we've just learned lately that we, ( Planting for Harvest) is managing cambodia .
today we have been on phone with Thailand, and head of department of Ag here in Cambodia to figure out all the documents so we can ship our first shipmeny of seed out to Thailand. we will meet, Nisa NTC thailand at the border, with it, in preparation we had to re-bag the seed into 40 kilo bags for a total of 2136 kilo.a lot of bags to lift & then sew shut.,,I'm sure as we learn the processes we will figure out ways to stream line things a bit.
The exciting thing is they are bringing 2 cracking machines for us.! Stan will be figuring out how to make at least one of them mobile. lots to figure out , where to crack seeds, etc. we kinda doubt they want us doing it at our apartment:/
Stan figured out today that in the past 6 weeks we have driven over 3200 miles, many more to come in the near future!!!
Sorry its been so long between updates, my computer is giving me issues, I had more pictures but computer doesn't want to upload to blog.. weird so your stuck with whats on my phone:) also simply overwhelmed with catching up on bookwork from being gone, and all the new responsibilities to learn..,,yikes!! God promises us that where we are weak He will make strong! we depend on Him every hour to teach us and guide us thru each obstacle!!
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| Farm workers kids, this little girls job is to watch her little brother |
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