Stars Can't Shine Without Darkness

To all our friends and family and prayer partners, I'll try to give you an update of whats been happening in the last couple months, hard to realize how fast the time has gone! but a lot has been happening, and God is Alive and doing amazing things here in Cambodia :) 

As you have probably noticed I snuck away for a quick trip home the end of August.. I apologize of not making it known that was in the plan, ( it was kinda last minute) but we were trying to surprise the Grandkids, at least the ones old enough to appreciate a surprise! :) 

But I'll save that for later... 

I want to Introduce to you Reaksaa, she adopted us as "Mom & Dad and she has been a joy for us to get to know, a young lady with a passion for Jesus, and a over a year ago, she was invited to go to Thailand to the Khmer Surin area, not to far from the border of Cambodia, to work with missionaries there for a short mission trip. 

Afterwards she felt a strong calling to go back as a full-time missionary, As a Cambodian, this is still a very new thing for them to do! She went to Pioneers Mission organization, training in Singapore, then she had to raise Support, ( for a single poor Cambodian with no family to back her this is challenging in this country) but God provided for her! thru the Christian family. On September 14th she embarked on her Missionary journey, first going to Ubon Thailand to learn language for 6 months. Then she will move out the Surin Province to live in the village. They call the area Khmer Surin, because there are many Khmer people who live there who fled Cambodia during the war & Khmer Rouge time. 

Sending her off in Prayer

    Reaksaa and her friend Channy, decided they wanted to come over and cook together teaching me Cambodian Papaya Salad and soup. It was a fun evening together cooking and laughing, then Pichit and 4 guys from the Assembly of God church, came and enjoyed the food with us. ( Pray for Channy she is a new believer and the family isn't  happy about it.

ReakSaa teaching our kids at the farm

Reaksaa asked about coming to the farm, to see what it was like,  and help with the kids, my last trip there before heading to US. She is gifted teacher with the kids! She was concerned for Stan and Pichit & making sure the kids were being taught, while I was gone, so she offered to go back up with them and teach and cook for them. :) She had a little incident with the Large toad giving her a fright, :) but she was a blessing to them up there! 

Here are a few pictures of our little class at the farm, we have ages from infant to teens.... I think maybe only about 3 of them have had any experience with school or some type of education. 

It is a challenge, making sure the quick learners are being taught while the littlest are being occupied, sometimes.......its not possible to keep them occupied and quiet....we have grown to 15, a couple come from the neighboring houses! 

Chasing me to make sure we would have "school " that day:)

Welcome home Central Oregon Sunset! 

Welcome home committee! what a Surprise ! 

A few highlights from my trip home, I do feel a little guilty Stan didn't get to come enjoy the kids with me...  I came to help Jana out with the kids at the fair, Jaxon's first year, he did real good showing his pig, taking his barn duties seriously! ( so did Paige:) )

Jaxon showing Charlotte He did great!! 

Taytum and Grant having fun at the rodeo together

Jaxon with his quilt, finished it just before I had to leave..

 Then the next week, was school starting and Grant's trip to the hospital, sooooo thankful we have a mighty GOD!! who loves us and answers our prayers!
   Janessa and her kids, came for visit and then she went off to a Doterra convention and the 3 little guys stayed with me, it was a first time for them to be away from momma for so many days, but they did good and we had a good time!

6 of the Grandkids enjoying staying at our "Fort" with me :)

Gunnar, busy helping Jaxon and Paige put hay in the barn, He loves having a Job!

Odin enjoying a horse ride!

Odin after a "Treat"

 While in Lakeview at the fair, I got to meet Parker Jacob and Bria's little guy, we had a nice time visiting and catching up.

Taytum getting to know "Parker "
Jacob Adams son

 my last few days in the States,  I spent visiting Japhe and his family and my mom, and my sister came down to mom's so we could catch up also! It was really nice to see everyone, making memories!!

Little Isaiah with his puppy, they are great buddies already

Sadie trying out her new raincoat!

  I arrived back in Cambodia late Sunday night, It was good trip without any issues or long layovers! 

The Monday morning after getting back to Cambodia, Chansamone from Thailand, was in Siem Reap with 3 men, from Tennessee, they were holding a Bible Seminar. Three of the Pastors that we have worked with quite bit with the NTC Sacha Inchi project, had organized it,  So we attended, the Seminar it was a good way to stay connected with them. Also we needed to visited Chansamone about the Sacha Inchi project, and take care of some business things with him. It was a 2 day event. by the end of Tuesday afternoon, I was exhausted, all my travels had caught up with me, so I told Stan I need to rest, I can't go to the evening meeting with them. Felt bad but sleep seemed more important at the time... I guess I do have a limit!! 

   Then it was PhuChuom Bun week, no workers at the farm and lots of rain, Phally called asking us to come to Battambang to join the family for Friday and Saturday, they get together for big family meal together. at Chris and Phally place, We "camped" out there with them, coming back to Siem Reap on Sunday after church, in time for church here... here are a few photo's from our party with the family. Phally's
mom and Vondy showed me how to make these deep fried coconut/banana balls, ( don't know the name) take fresh ground coconut, and a special rolled dried rice and water to make it stick together, you "try" to cover a small piece of banana with it, dip it in tempura batter and deep fry. actually very good! 

I made a black bean salad to add to the party.. See how many foods you recognize:)

  Last week we got to the farm, all the kids were excited to see me, it was a good feeling:) I was bit tired still from my trip home, It seemed to take me awhile to feel rested up, but luckily I didn't get sick! When we arrived, Stan discovered a drowned rat in our "bin of bath water" :(((( along with the rest of the spiders and stuff to clean up, I kinda had a bit of a struggle with my attitude, partly I was still not completely rested and maybe a bit of culture shock, going from one culture straight into another, I don't know, but it took a lot of praying to get excited to be there even though I was excited to be with the kids and see our people there we have been building relationships with...and I was show them the clothes and books, but had to figure out the best way to make sure everyone received something. so Wednesday after class, I handed out new shirts, ( Thank you Cheryl! ) there was enough that each child received 1 new shirt, and the right number of boys and girls and sizes! amazing!! they were so excited, then going thru the clothes that some you of sent, I was able to divide them, so each little girl got a new dress, ( although some a bit big)not surprising since they are so little! and the little guys got something, I still have some little things in reserve. trying to make sure no one is left out. :/  

I forgot to get a picture, until several kids had already left for home... Oops 

   Pichit came to us, saying he felt that we should meet with Buontie and his family and tell them about Jesus. (Picket seems to be sensitive to the heart of the people ) So we told him, to ask them if they would like to get together and learn about Jesus. 

  they wanted to meet on Wednesday night. So last Wednesday eve. we sat together around the picnic table and Stan explained the Gospel message, Starting with Creation, to Sin in the World , Redemption and Plan of Salvation with Pichit translating, It was an incredible evening, they were all very interested even the little girls listened intently! at the end Pichit said they wanted to accept Jesus tonight!. So we all held hands and Stan prayed Pichit translated and they repeated. it was a very special time! afterwards Pichit asked if anyone wanted to share, and the dad Buontie, shared quite a bit about what made him realize that this is the TRUTH. it was simply amazing how God put this together, we were just simple tools, He used..... we are still in amazement, can't wait to take them Bibles, and start a Bible study with them. Our friend Mandy sent me a link to download a Bible Basics for new believers, its 8 Lessons to get them started. it is in English and Khmer :)

This past Friday after returning to Siem Reap, we were able to attend a "Gospel Talk" Seminar put on by Timothy Paton, he has been a missionary in Cambodia since 1999, developed a program to teach people how to present the Gospel so it "grabs" the attention of the audience and keeps it. 

Realizing the need to help educate people in the art of Speaking, It was very helpful ! one of our assignment, we had to prepare to do on the second day was a 3 minute Bible story using the elements he taught the 1st day,  So Stan and I both got up and did that, he then told us what we did right and what to improve on. It was good practice... If you have time, look him up on You Tube, he has some great sermons and teachings there! also his ministry here in Cambodia.

We had the privilege of taking him and his team to the CFSR church on Sunday afternoon, He was the guest speaker, and here him again actually preaching! then we were able to visit afterwards over dinner. A wonderful time fellowshipping together. 

This week we are trying to get seed shipped out, lots of challenges, just when you think you have it figured out you find there is still a missing something........hopefully by this weekend it will be accomplished, Please pray that the officials will be statisfied with all the documents and we won't have problems with truck hauling the seed etc. that it will just go smoothly, today was not a good start😬. 

 Tomorrow we are off to the farm, pray for us as we teach the kids and start disciplining Buontie family. 

    Friday I will be starting my position as " women's coordinator, helping to plan events and things for the women of the church. Pastor Ivor's wife Carol is hosting a lunch meeting for ladies to get together with me to plan and share ideas together. Pray for me that I will be sensitive to the ladies needs here and Gods leading in the best things to do together, encouraging one another.