Jan. 25

We went to a wedding. One of Marie Ens' team members had a daughter being married and she invited Susan and I and Cheryl ( from Airdrie, teaching English at Marie's ) to go to the reception. Not to be outdone we dressed in our best Cambodian clothes and away we went.  Got slightly lost on the way and arrived at the wrong end of a LONG tent affair on the street where the reception was being held.  SO we didn't come right to the reception line- No, we entered at the other end, plodded through all the people already eating, went through the reception line the wrong way while each one of the wedding party said,  "Au cun, au cun" (thinking we were leaving),  turned around ,re-entered,  the bride and groom and attendants were some puzzled at us white people, but as gracious hosts began to welcome us by sompeahing and saying, "Chum reap sua" the formal welcome, hello.  Once in the eating area you sit at a table for 10 people.  When the table is full you are served the 7 or 8 course meal.  When you are finished up you get and go home.  The table is then cleaned off and 10 more people sit down and the process is repeated. There were probably 60 or so tables at this reception.  Once all the guests are served the wedding party can then come in and eat.  We had a wonderful meal,  found our way home, no problem.
The other day we took a couple from Manitoba to some of the Ratanak projects. First we went to a school for handicapped children. The man in charge introduced us to " Chanda" and said she would show us around. Chanda looked about 14 years old, was a wisp of a thing at about 80 pounds. My first impression of her was that she was one of the handicapped children's little sister. Not so. She was a Khmer jewel. Her sparkling eyes, flawless English and knowledge of the children was amazing. Chanda was a trained physiotherapist and had just returned from additional special training in Singapore. She had been at this facility for several years. This country may be downtrodden and poor but it is has lots of young, smart, hard working people. Meeting and listening to her I thought " maybe there is hope for Cambodia ".

The next project was a drug rehabilitation program. We went out into a low population density area where Ratanak rents a small property. On the property was a small building which had 3 classrooms and a toilet. Out back was another shelter?? where cooking was done. The surrounding area is mainly Muslim. The people who operated the rehabilitation program went into the area and encouraged young people ( mainly boys ) to come and have some literacy training, eat a meal AND play soccer. Most Khmers are small and slightly built. Let me tell you about the Khmer man who did the phys-ed for the project ( mainly soccer ). He was about 6 feet tall, about 200 pounds and all muscle. He spoke excellent English and was SO enthusiastic about helping these boys. Most of the boys turn to drugs because they are constantly hungry and the drugs make them forget their hunger. This small project helps about 80 boys from the surrounding area. Maybe there is hope for Cambodia.

In the afternoon we went to a house operated by Prison Fellowship Cambodia (PFC ), which is funded by Ratanak. This is a house where released prisoners can come to. The staff help them prepare to reintegrate into society. Many of these released prisoners have not had contact with their families for many years. For example, the last time we were in Cambodia we went to a high security prison on the Vietnam border. While there, a prisoner was released. This means he is pushed out the gates with no money, only a krahma to cover himself and no knowledge of where he is. This man had been in prison for 18 years. For these 18 years he has been confined to a small cell except for 1 or 2 hours a week. He has had no contact with anyone he knew before entering prison.  PFC picked him up, took him to Phnom Penh,  helped him find his family, clothed him, gave him some skill training and looked after him until he could function outside of prison. Yiii, what a challenge! Again, the man who showed us around the facility was young, spoke English and was truly devoted to helping these released prisoners.

A short story to end today's posting. The other day Kate ( the lady from Manitaba ) was looking for walnuts in a grocery store. She couldn't find them and stopped one of the young men stocking Kate asked " do you have walnuts?". Well, she might just as well have asked the cow out in the back 40 if it would like to dance. However, Kate is not one to give up easily. After much discussion and much gesturing the young man scurried away and returned with a candy bar that had a picture of a --------------------- walnut!!!!. Kate did several heel clicks, clapped her hands and vigorously nodded her head up and down. The young man rushed away and returned with 1 (ONE ) walnut between his thumb and index finger. Kate was ecstatic-- YES, YES, that's it. The young man said      " no have ".  Kate, frothing at the mouth, says " where did you get that one"? He took her over to the fancy cakes. He had taken one off a cake. Only in Cambodia.  Talk to you in a week or so.  

More exciting travels with the traveling circus

Next day we went back to Phnom Penh.
From Kep we zoomed to Sihanoukville ( famous tourist beach ). On the way we passed over a new bridge. I remember one and a half years ago having to detour around the old bridge.It had fallen down when a loaded truck tried to cross it. Seems the locals had been stripping as much iron and steel from the bridge as they could ( nuts,bolts, struts, support pieces ). These article would be sold for recycle. Voila- the bridge fell down.. DUH, let me think, why would this bridge fail?

We arrived in Sihanoukville to find no reservation for " The Fords ". This is between Christmas and New Years days when all unreserved rooms are booked. Search, search, ponder, ponder, suddenly my brain experienced a great flash of insight- could the reservation be listed under " Heather "? Yes it was, all is well. We had lots of fun at the beach.

One night we decided to go to Mick and Craig's restaurant. Looking at the map I knew it was very close to our hotel, but not being sure I decided we'd best take a tt. The guy wanted $5- no, no tylie nah ( too much )- finally we agreed on $4. I knew this was too much but wanted to eat, I was hungry. Well, we did a perfect square and came right back to within 200 yards of where we started. The tt driver took my $4 and laughed and laughed. We saw him several times again and each time we both laughed. I think it is the first time I've really been gyped in Cambodia.

We were to come home on Dec. 31st but decided to see if we could stay one more night and come home on Jan. 1st. The receptionist checked her computer and said " yes, but you will have to move rooms for the extra day". Wade and Heather and family could stay in their same room. Wouldn't you know it, come the afternoon of the 31st we ask which room we are moving to- there is no room for us! I tell them that I have paid for a room and it was reserved for me. They say " we will get back to you". A couple of hours later they tell us they have one (1) big room for all of us- both families. They will put in 2 cots in addition to the 2 large beds that are already in the room. We agree. 3 trips later to the desk we finally get our 2 cots. Many phone calls to the desk to get 5 more towels results in3 small hand towels coming up. We just get settled in the room and BANG, BANG, SMOKE, the power goes off in our room.God is surely punishing us for some previous act. I begin to plan how we can get light and air into the room. I'm sure there is no way this problem will be fixed at 5 P.M. New Years Eve. Up comes a maintenance man, he opens a little container on the wall, flips a few switched and MAGIC the power goes on. I mutter to myself " Oh you of little faith ". That night we went out for New Years dinner, came home and tried to sleep as 150 decibell music pounded up from the courtyard below our window.   
What else did we eat? Think. Think. Uhhuh, your on the right track- yes, YES your right       RICE
While at Rabbit island Sotheary bought crab right out of the crab pots in the ocean. We had the crab cooked ( shrimp also ) right on the beach. A culinary delight.
Kep is an old French resort area. Rich French colonists built huge house and came the for holidays. The houses were all destroyed during Pol Pot times.The beach on the ocean is not great, but for $20 you can rent a boat and go to Rabbit island, about 25 mins. This island is a tropical paradise.
After arriving in Kep Susan, Stewart, Blair and I were dumped off in the middle of a street. I knew that our final destination was a fair distance away. O.K. what now, here we go again, what to do? 4 people, 4 large suitcases and no knowledge of the area. I don't know why but the song " you picked a fine time to leave me Lucille, 3 hungary children and a crop in the field" kept bouncing around in my brain. However, as often happens in Cambodia, no problem. Within mins. a tt came to pick up a couple from. K Switzerland who were on their way to about the same place as we were going. Six of us with all our luggage piled into the tt and away we went. Dropped the couple off and carried on to our place ( Vanna Bungalows ). When we got there, because we were so heavy, we couldn't get up the hill-komprouey ( don't worry ), out we get and haul stuff up. It was worth the trouble, Vanna is beautiful and peaceful.

On the way down Heather wrote the following:

While driving to Kep we saw this family harvesting rice so we stopped and since we had Sotheary with us ( who is Cambodian and spent her 4 years during the Khmer Rouge working in the rice fields- beginning when she was 6 years old) -she asked if we could come over and watch them cut and bundle the rice.

Kyle cut his own stalks with a sickle. They take a few stalks and wrap them around and make a special tie then put them all together in piles. A wagon picks up the piles of rice stalks, then takes it home where they bang the heads on a tilted board and the rice falls out. To separate the chaff the ladies put the rice in big shallow baskets and throw the rice into the air and catch it. The wind blows the chaff away. The rice is then spread out on bamboo mats and the sun dries it. This is all done on the farm.
During one of the boys first tuk tuk (tt) ride they all waved and yelled hello to everyone that they passed by ( and let me tell you there are a lot of people ). Almost all the Khmer's on the street, on motos, in tt's smiled and waved back. A few looked questionably at them, a few dismissed this group of white folk with no reaction at all. The Khmer people in general are very friendly.

After Christmas away we all went to the southern coast. Paul, Sotheary, Alan, Anika, Wade, Heather, Stewart, Kyle, Blair, Susan and I. Wade and Heather and Kyle travelled with P and S in their SUV. Wade, Heather and Kyle had some problems. Seeing that they might need a fast toilet stop they got the private car ride. Susan, Stewart, Blair and I went on the bus. Our destination ( Kep and Kampot ) was about 4 hours away.
Blair ( our daughter's 4 year old son ) is a hit in Cambodia. Cambodians can't keep their hands off him. they pinch him on the arm, on the cheek, rub his back, smile, stare, laugh and talk to him. Why do they think he is so special? I guess it's the same as looking at a little black haired, dark skinned, beautiful young Khmers and wanting to hug them

OOPS, SORRY!

I don't know what happened but our blog published very weirdly and lost a couple of pictures. So use your agile imaginations to 'see' what everyone was doing as described.  More later.  Susan

THREE CHRISTMASES

First, I want to introduce you to our daughter, Heather, and her family, Wade, Stewart 10, Kyle 8, Blair 4.  The best Christmas gift ever was to have them come to visit us for a month over Christmas.  The 2 girls with them are Eang 11, next to Heather and her sister Eye.  Eang is the family's sponsored child at Place of Rescue.  Eang did not leave Heather's side from the moment she discovered Heather was her "Mom".  Very precious time for Eang.

Now I want to introduce you to our landlords AKA our Cambod

ian family.  Paul is originally from Chicago, but has been in Cambodia for 13 

years; therefore, he qualifies as Khmer to us.  Sotheary is a true blue,born here Khmer.  These are their children, Alan 10 and Anika 3.  They've all taken us into their hearts and made us feel as though we belong in Cambodia.  You'll be hearing a lot about these two families in the Christmas part of our blog.

Our first Christmas was with Daughters of Cambodia.  Ruth, their Director, invited us to share in their "unpolished" (her words) celebration program.  Heather, Blair and I went and were so imp

ressed with these girls who have come so far from their tragic past.  They entertained us with singing, recitation of Scripture, breakdancing - yes! they praised God through their breakdancing!  As they sang Silent Night in Khme

r, one of the girls closed her eyes and sang with such feeling, I had tingles going through me.  It was fun to see them so excited, giggling, twittering and laughing at each other esp

ecially those made up as men for the upcoming pageant.  It was as meaningful to us as any "polished" performance one could see. 

Our second Christmas was at Place of Rescue.  Our family was very excit

ed to go out and meet their sponsored girl, Eang - you've met her at the beginning of the blog.  The 3 hour program began and again all the children, Moms, AIDS moms and staff were so excited.  There were hugs all around for all of us - there's no lack of love from those kids.   

  
First was the beautiful classical Khmer dance of blessing.  The girl in the blue dress on the left is our beautiful Ny whom

 Stew and I have sponsored for about 5 years.  She calls us Mom and Dad and considered Heather's boy's her 'brothers'.

The program ended with the Christmas story done in dance and song format.  It was so beautiful and moving to see all of the children taking part.  It was also very refreshing to see the true meaning of Christmas played out before our eyes.

This was followed by a huge Cambodian feast - soup, curry, rice (of course), bread, and platters of fruit.  To work off the delicious meal everyone started to dance - Khmer dancing is like line dancing, so it looks easy to do, but do not be deceived - it is not easy to get the rythmn, footwork and handmoves all going the correct way at the same time.  Some pretty funny sights.  Our carload was tired and we left them all happily dancing the night away!

THREE FAMILY CHRISTMAS

Christmas Eve began with Paul and Stew taking 

the kids door to door delivering 

cookies made by Sotheary to wish all of their neighbours a Joyeux Noel.  Our 3 boys had brought mini sticks along hoping to round up enough boys or girls to play a little street hockey so they handed them out as well.  Can you imagine the look on the faces who had NO idea what these sticks were for and 

neither side could speak the other's language.  I am sure the neighbours went inside shaking their heads, but our kids sure had fun.

Following supper, the kids were all allowed to open 1 gift which has been preordained by the parents - always a new pair of pj's!  They quickly got into them and went to bed in great anticipation as to whether Santa would know that they were in Cambodia.  They were not diappointed.  Morning dawned and there were three stockings filled to overflowing.  There were some real surprises for all the boys as is evidenced by Blair's delight at getting an Omnitrix.  Don't ask - it's something to do with Ben Ten, I think.  He loved that huge watch affair that made lots of noise and even found a little boy across the street who had one.  Sotheary let Blair out of our gate and took him over to compare their valued possessions.

After breakfast and prior to opening gifts, Paul played his guitar while we sang Christmas carols.  Each of the older boys read a portion of scripture from Luke and then we sang the carol related to it.  It was so nice.

The only down thing was that first Wade, then Heather followed by Kyle were stricken by the malicious GI problem.  Some meals were missed, but it didn't stop them from doing anything.  Actually, they gained from it.  More on that in the next blog tomorrow.

THREE CHRISTMASES

F

Three Christmases

THE FORD FAMILY ARRIVES!!

Dec. 18th.  Reaksa took us to his projects in Siem Reap which are funded by Ratanak Foundation.  The building shown above is going to be a library and multi-purpose center. In the same area there are some 6000 students in middle schools and high schools. He hopes to get a small percentage (maybe even 10% ) to come to this facility for extra help.  He plans on building a residence for about 30 children who have to travel very far distances to go to school right beside this building. We also visited another school ( it's called " Boys Brigade" ??????).  There are girls attending as well as boys.  Reaksa is doing a great work in Siem Reap.  Hopefully he will get the required funding for these projects. 
Dec. 17th. While in Siem Reap we visited a silkworm farm. Very interesting for the Fords. We were shown the complete process right from the feeding of the worms to the weaving of the beautiful silk scarves, wall hangings, clothing and bedding. Of course when grampa challenged the boys to eat a silk worm, they were not about to let an old man outdo them. They didn't want a second one.
Dec. 16th. No rest for the weary- we all hopped on a bus and drove 5 hours up to Siem Reap where the temples are.  Our friend, Reaksa Himm, a native Cambodian missionary, met us at the bus depot with his extended cab truck. Wade and I had to ride in the box - I told Wade we were just like all the rest of the Cambodians. The next day we went to the temples and saw two before noon, then Susan and I took the boys back to the hotel and left Wade and Heather to look further. The picture above is taken on the causeway to Angkor Wat, the largest religious building in the world. It was built to honor Hindu and Bhuddist gods. The other temple we all saw was one that has huge trees growing out of the walls. It has been partially destroyed by this growth and was featured in the " Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom " movie.
Dec. 14th. Arrival of Heather, Wade, Stewart, Kyle and Blair. Two weeks before their arrival our landlord's dog ( with Christmas collar ) had 9 puppies. What a life saver! Those boys were playing with the puppies every chance they got. Oh yeah, we did clean shoes often as there was much excrement about. The Ford family adjusted quickly to all sleeping in one small bedroom- two beds and the floor.  The drive from the airport to our house was a thrill for Wade and Heather. They may have been tired but the whizzing around of motos, tuk tuks, cars and animals kept them alert. Of course the cars coming in the opposite direction in our lane was an eye opener. I don't think Wade fully adjusted to the driving during the 4 weeks he was here.