We landed in Cambodia two weeks ago and much has changed in the last 5 months, but there is much the same also. New Hope English School is growing, and the Cambodian Mission Outreach building is within weeks of completion. The children are growing, and the cost of Christianity still remains high. There are still many here who remain sitting on the fence, wondering if this "Jesus" is worth the cost of family and friends. A majority have decided that the cost is indeed, far too high. Such is life in a country that was not founded on Christian principles. The mindset of the American and the Cambodian are strikingly different.
I can imagine the stress of Christmas is starting to weigh heavily on those back home in North America. Here, not so much. There is an idea of Christmas in Cambodia, but it is far removed from what I've grown up with. December 25th is but a shell over here; a hollow thing devoid of actual meaning. I miss driving around a snow-covered PEI in December, feasting on the lights decorating most of the houses. There is none of that in Phnom Penh; only dust, and heat, and trash, and the hope of a better year ahead.
Till then, we teach English, train English teachers, teach children, preach in New Life in Christ Church, and do admin. We really need to start getting out to the World Vision church on Sundays. There is a large contingent of Westerners who assemble there and fellowship. It would be nice to make some friends and see what other people are doing here in Cambodia. At times, it seems we are in a bubble here.
We are well though; no sicknesses yet. Jesus is alive in the hearts of many Cambodians, and it is inspring to connect with those who have deemed Jesus worthy of His high price.