We had a great few days. We went to the city of Kampot, about 4 hours away (possibly 3, depending on your driver :-) We had a lot of fun and got some good work done. Kampot is much more rural and prettier than Phnom Penh. It was nice to be out of they city for a few days. While we were there Pat and Matt were able to meet with some different groups to discuss the possibility of doing some HIV work there. We hope to work alongside a clinic and provide them with a case worker for HIV patients. The case worker would make home visits, take people to their Dr. appointments, make sure they are properly medicated, and support each patient spiritually. The husband of the Cambodian family who is interested in HIV adoption (that we told you about in an earlier post) is interested in doing this. We are really thankful to the ministry donors that are helping to make all this happen! THANK YOU!

Below are some photos from an orphanage we visited. The kids were so sweet. 16 of the 22 orphans there had parents who died of AIDS. Fortunately, they are not positive themselves. The orphanage started because the missionary there got a call from a friend about 8 years ago. His friend told him there was a little girl that was about to be sold by her grandmother to a man. He told his friend to stall them and he would be there shortly. I don't know exactly how the rest of the story goes, but this missionary ended up adopting this girl and started an orphanage. We met the girl and she is an absolute JOY!!! She is 20 years old now, loves the Lord and is serving in the orphanage. Such an amazing story of God's grace.

Tomorrow is our last full day here. Pat is going to the Embassy to see what is going on with adoptions from Cambodia. Then we have the day off! We are going shopping at the Russian Market, Trent, Didi and I are getting foot massages, we might go on a short river cruise, and then we have a double date with Scott and Andrea! Matt and Lois will watch the kids for us.

We have had a blessed trip. We truly appreciate your love, support and prayers. Love you all!

While we played at the orphanage, pat did about 25 physicals.

Visiting an HIV Group Home... This place was amazing. We only got to spend a few minutes there, but from what we saw, it was so clean and the girls all looked great! We had enough time to color and paint nails.

Sights from Kep (ocean town) and Kampot

Our friends, the missionaries we work with here, Matt and Lois Kuffel. What a blessing to serve alongside them.

Carnival Tonight

Tonight we went to a carnival with 2 sisters from church.... Pov and Tearoth. They are wonderful! Both work for World Vision. Pov is a secretary and Tearoth translates letters for and from sponsors. Getting a job with World Vision is very hard here.

We had a lot of fun tonight. Tomorrow we leave for Kompot to look into some orphan/HIV work. Tomorrow, before we leave, we will be visiting and HIV orphanage. Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures from tonight!!!

Today we had lunch with our Tuk Tuk driver and his kids, Rattanak's family and Matt/Lois. It was a lot of fun!!!Rattanak and his family.
Tan's Family. His wife owns a shop.

Today, we walked out of our hotel to a fun surprise! We had invited Tan and his family to church a few days ago. We didn't think he would come, but this morning, he showed up at our hotel with his kids all dressed and ready for church! Pat was able to share our testimony with him at lunch today. We have been so blessed by him this week. We are thankful we were able to share a piece of our lives with him. Please pray for this family. They are truly wonderful people and we adore them!

The kids at church.

Tan and his daughter during singing.

On Saturday, Trent, Didi and I went to the village again. Honestly, we were all tired and didn't really feel like going. It is about 45 minutes each way in a Tuk Tuk and it was hot. But we went, and I am SO glad we did! We got to be a part of Samaritan's Purse and pass out Christmas gifts to the village! It was sooooo fun to watch the kids open their boxes. It was the first time they have received gifts from Samaritan's Purse, so it might be one of the first gifts many children have received. I am thinking that on my kids' birthdays and at Christmas, I will give them their gifts, plus $20 so that they can go out and fill a box for a child. You can do this through organizations like World Vision and Samaritan's Purse. If you want more info, let me know!!! It was really neat for Trent and Diana to experience as well.

While we were there, we also told the story of The Prodigal Son and that God loves us no matter how far we stray. We painted nails... even the men wanted their nails painted! Too funny!!!

Painting nails...

Bible Story and coloring.

Didi coloring on Tan's lap!

Each child received a yellow ticket: Good for one shoe box of gifts!

Thanking God for the gifts they received!

Some of the villages chew on this root/bean thing. I can't remember the name. It gives them some sort of high and turns their teeth red and rots them.