Wow. Lazy Beach certainly was a tropical paradise. Lazy Beach is a stretch of beach, maybe half a mile long with 10 bungalows and then a big patio which is a lounge area and restaurant. There is no internet, no television, no telephones, so you almost have no choice but to just relax. There are even hammocks on the porches of the bungalows. The Holbeches, Josh and I had such a good time. One of my favourite things was the Tucay geckos, which are large blue lizards with orange spots. They eat insects and small rodents, which is definitely a handy quality on a tropical island which is full of tropical little creatures. One of the Tucay geckos stayed in our bungalow where he happily stuck to a post near our bed. We were hoping that he would snack on the rat that was living under the second bed.

  The island is now just a fond memory as we find ourselves back in the hustle and bustle of city life in Phnom Penh. The island did host a great moment of refreshment between me and the Lord, which is still warming me on the inside, even as I type this.

Jason and Kellie Holbeche just left yesterday, and Josh and I are back full-swing, teaching in the school to the children and the young adults. For the time being, we are the only missionaries at New Life in Christ Church (a team just left) and there is much to be done in one day. But His love drives us, and His presence keeps us going strong. We pray for more and more love...more love for Him, more revelation of His love for us and more love for His precious people. It is not the need that energizes us, but it is His love that He has lit aflame in our hearts. Where else can we go? What else can we do but just surrender our lives and small ambitions to serve Him?

Our stay in Sihanoukville has been a fantastic vacation, and a nice break from the busy city life of Phnom Penh. I think Josh and I have soaked up more than enough sun; our peeling sunburns are proof of that. The Holbeches are an awesome couple, who are completely sold out to Jesus. Even as we spend each day with them, I try not to take it for granted, because I think Christians like them are a rare find.
Tomorrow, we leave Sihanoukville and go to an Island called Koh Rong Saloem. The boat ride to the island is about 2 hours long. We will spend 3 nights at a vacation spot called Lazy Beach, which offers bungalows right along the beach. I think our time on the island is going to be really special because it is going to be so low-key. There wont be internet, so that alone cuts out a lot of distraction. I can see our time on the island being filled with a lot of one-on-one time with God. I think our days in Sihanoukville have been the part of our vacation that has been relaxing, and I think our time on the island will be a time of refreshing with Holy Spirit (although it will of course be relaxing as well). I'm delighted to spend more and more time with Josh. I just can't seem to get enough of him!
After the Lazy Beach, we will return to New Life Christ Church in Phnom Penh. Jason and Kellie will be with us for about 5 more days,

      We have been in Sihanoukville and already it has been such a good time of rest. It is also great to spend so much time with the Holbeches, and to even feed off their hunger and passion for God. Coming up, we have some meetings with NGOs and we are also going to attend a conference for married couples in the ministry. Keat Kove is actually putting on this conference, and it will take place next week.

      I do have the worst blistering sun burn that I have ever had. I wasn’t trying to tan or anything like that, but I obviously spent too much time hanging out under the sun. It looks like someone took a red paint brush to my body. I’ve been lathering myself in some ‘after sun’ lotion which has Aloe Vera in it. It will be okay. If I want to see some people with actual real problems, I don’t have far to go.

      The children are relentless in trying to sell souvenirs to the mass amount of foreigners lounging at Serendipity beach. It is highly doubted that most of these kids even attend school, though they say that they do. Girls as young as fourteen years old are approached for sex by old men.
     Today I saw one of the most disturbing sights in Cambodia that I have seen so far. A frail, trembling woman carried a stick-thin man who looked like he could die any moment because he was so small and so sick looking. She walked him along in front of her as she staggered along the beach, begging. I find that it’s not so black and white when it comes to responding to beggars. Of course, our first thought is that we should give money, but is that really the right way to help them? Are we just contributing to a ‘begging mentality’ that helps the Cambodians stay bound to the idea of the white man coming and solving all of their problems with money? It is a difficult situation. I would like to learn more Khmer so that I can talk more to the beggars and listen to their stories and ask them what they need.
    
     Love and compassion is needed, but not a kind that we try to formulate. We need the very burning love of God who sent His only dear son to a people full of sin and hatred toward Him. I think that as we spend time in His presence and as we surrender our plans to the desires of the Holy Spirit, we can be led by love and everything we do can be for the benefit of others. I don’t imagine too many Christians venture into Sihanoukville, and so I pray that we will continue to make the most out of our time here.

The children try to talk the Holbeches into buying fruit salad and bracelets.

After receiving many drawings, little gifts and teary good-byes from some of our New Hope School students, Josh and I have arrived in Sihanoukville with Jason and Kellie Holbech. Jason and Kellie are a married couple from Ireland, who are founders of a new non-profit organization called The Mission World Wide. The focus of The Mission World Wide, is to rescue children from the awful sex trade. Sihanoukville is a small town, yet it is the tourist hot spot of Cambodia, thanks to its many sandy beaches. Being such a tourist attraction, the town of Sihanoukville is an infamous area for prostitution and child trafficking, drawing in many foreigners to partake of this almost-secret industry.
Although there will be times of leisure in our 2 week stay in Sihanoukville, it is also very much a business trip. We will be meeting with NGOs who are already working to help children, so that we can make connections and receive advice.
Today was only our 2nd day in Sihanoukville. We checked out the market, lounged at the beach, swam in the water and chatted with the children on the beach. The children on the beach sell bracelets, necklaces, scarves, fruit salad, etc. The older girls along with the older women do services like manicures, pedicures,massages and hair removal (threading and waxing). Although, I frequently disappoint the children by declining their pleas for me to buy from them, I have enjoyed talking with them and I hope to get to know as many of them as I can on a first name basis. Talking with the children is a great opportunity to show them love and talk to them about Jesus, rather than just shooing them away.
My heart's desire is for God to do whatever He wants with our stay in Sihanoukville. I want to be led by His love and saturated with His presence. I expect that during this visit, we will gain a little more insight into the reality of prostitution, receive valuable counsel from NGOs and continue the relationships with Jason and Kellie have already established with them, and hang out with some awesome kids. I also pray that this will be a time of great rest and refreshing for me and Josh, and that the Holy Spirit will fire us up and revive us as much as we can take. I remember the time, when I knew nothing and yet scoffed at the idea of ministers taking vacation. I am definitely seeing a different perspective now! Holy Spirit, come rock us!

Josh first met with Holbechs at the Holy Given missions school in Mozambique, Africa. Josh and Jason also went to Russia together to help staff the first Holy Given Russia school.