Cambodia

Micah and I could instantly tell we were in a different country.  Walking outside the airport we were greeted with a great wall of heat!  As we climbed into a taxi, we ventured upon the traffic of Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital city.  Unlike Thailand you drive on the right side of the road, but we didn't notice that at first because there was a definite blur of traffic in all directions and on both sides.  Motorcycles filled the streets like a swarm of bees.  Horns are blasting constantly but nobody seems to hear or heed them.  Amazingly enough we saw no collisions, not even our own taxi!  After 5-6  hours, and several stops for the driver to eat, smoke, go to the bathroom, or visit with friends, we arrived in Siem Reap.  In spite of the lateness of the hour, Andrew Sharon spoke on the phone in the Chmer language to the taxi driver to discovered our location.  Very quickly he was there to pick us up.  How nice to see a true friend in the midst of a sticky hot and chaotic city!  Entering the Cambodian Adventist School - Kantrok, we slipped quietly into Andrew's house and slept soundly till morning.A new day helped us see that our surroundings contained neatly painted cinder block buildings organized into a square which composed all the student classrooms. Behind that were 11 orphanage buildings with 20 orphans in each.  I was told that 35 of these orphans are aids patients.  Cambodia is challenged for food, because the soil is sandy and very bad.  Rice has to be imported as well as many fruits and vegetables.  None the less we enjoy really good food here for 50 cents a meal at the school's cafeteria.  There is always a variety of vegetables, rice and 2 types of fruit!  Life here is very easy, the lovely house complete with indoor toilet, the water pump just outside, the brand new studio which they are struggling to complete with the finishing technical touches, furnishes us with free wireless inter net- and air conditioning at times!  These indeed are unheard of luxuries, add to that some lovely teachers that volunteer here and Andrew's borrowed motorbike on which he skillfully drives Micah and I to town occasionally, make us extremely fortunate and grateful.Now, let's back up to the events leading up to this trip.  First of all we were NOT charged a 60,000 baht fine as we were told we'd have to as we left Bangkok.  Praise the Lord!  Secondly we cannot receive the one year visa by mail here.  The rules have changed.  The Thai Embassy is very difficult to deal with in Cambodia and we were told it is better just to take the 2 months offered by the travel agent here in Siem Reap.  If we can renew one time this will give us 4 months to work in BYT, then if it is God's will we will travel to America to receive the cherished one year visa!  To back up a little further, might I add that we had to pay the truck driver from the accident his full estimated amount!  Trully in this old world's end time, Satan is lashing out like fury to keep the workers away from the areas of great need.  I have felt like never before his desperate fury of darkness and oppression in ways too difficult to express.  Certainly we are almost in the world's most darkest hour.  But lo!!  God's voice is made all the sweeter and His hand more precious to hold!!  I wouldn't change the fiery situations allowed by His providence and dishonor Him thereby.  NO.  By His grace and His strength alone I will follow Him. Read this quote sent by Him at the right moment to keep me from doubting during darkness. "God has given the Holy Spirit to those who have opened the door of their hearts to receive the heavenly gift.  But let them not afterward yield to the temptation to believe that they have been deceived.  Let them not say, 'Because I feel darkness and am oppressed with doubt, and never saw Satan's power so manifest as now, therefore I was mistaken.'  I warn you to be careful.  Sow not one expression of doubt.  God has wrought for you, bringing sound doctrines of truth into actual contact with the heart.  Blessing was given you that it might produce fruit in sound practices and upright character."May this blessed quote help to lift you up out of the doubt and oppression that the devil is throwing at you.  Whatever your situation take a short look at the crisis and a long look at Christ!  He is on your side.  It is not life as usual now.  It is not going to be easy, but we are just a few more steps from the promised land.  Work wholeheartedly for the Lord while there is yet a little time.