Sharing and Sugar Cookies

Today I was invited by one of our Vietnamese missionaries to help with a youth meeting by teaching them how to bake sugar cookies using a recipe in English. Since today is a holiday (no classes) I agreed. These youth speak both Vietnamese and Khmer and some of them speak a little English. First I shared my testimony and since I am still working on it in Khmer I shared in English and Kim translated into Vietnamese for them. When we baked cookies I got to use a lot more Khmer since most of them do not know English. It was somewhat a challege trying to give directions but most of the batches turned out good. I also was able to speak Khmer with a few girls over lunch. It was a nice day. This was the first time since I have been here that I was able to do this kind of ministry it was a joy.

The Rabbit

I found out the other day that the rabbit is a symbol of wisdom. Made me think of King Solomon. Then I read a fable about a rabbit and discovered that the rabbit maybe smart but doesn't always use it for good. The fable did not end well - there was no moral lesson. The rabbit gets caught in a trap. Along comes a toad and the rabbit convinces the toad that if he helps him out of the trap he can cure the toads skin problem. Well once the toad helps the rabbit the rabbit tells the toad that he will always have the skin problem and hops away.
I was a little confused about this kind of story. It makes me think that there is kind of a lesson -but the lesson is be careful who you help they might turn their back on you. Well I read this but did not have a great feeling about this story. Is this insight into the way Cambodians think?

Sudy Subjects

At the University I am studying about letter writing. I am not sure when I will ever need to write a letter in Khmer language, but in case I ever do I now know how. We not only studied how to write a letter but in our book is a sample 3 page sample letter for us to study. The subject of the letter is the benefits of breast feeding a baby. A great comfortable subject in which to study in class and words that are really useful for us in every day life (not really). Well I just find this a tidbit of Cambodian culture that I find interesting.

City Company

Rachael moved and has been gone for almost a week - an adjustment for me not having this friend close by. Today I connected with one of the young ladies from the church-we spent the day together. She is Khmer but speaks good english but we spoke most of the time in Khmer. We walked around the market and then went for a drive and had lunch together. We talked about lots of life things - I hope to continue to develop this relationship on a regular basis(mentoring her). Although she is busy. I prayed for the first time with someone besides my tutor even though it was only a short prayer over our lunch. It was an encouraging day for me.

Singles Retreat

There are 7 single ladies ministering in Cambodia through the C&MA so we got together for a 4 day retreat. We got away from where we live and minister to a nice quiet location in Cambodia. The quiet was refreshing for those of us who live in Phnom Penh especially - we were able to really think and listen with out a lot of distracting noise. We had beautiful surroundings - flowers and manicured gardens. We went on a hike one day through the forest (there was a path) it had the camp feel. The hike led to a nice waterfall. Us ladies spent time sharing what God has been doing in our lives this past year and how to pray for one another. We spent a lot of time in pray for each other which was a blessing and encouragement. We also played games together. It was defenitely a retreat and we enjoyed one anothers company. Go to my picture page to see some of the pictures of this retreat.

Mid-term exam

Tomorrow morning I have a mid-term test in my university class. This is a written test and the teacher says it should take us 1 1/2 hours to complete. He did not give us much details regarding what type of things are on the test so I have been reviewing all of the things we have studied thus far. Please pray for me as I take this test I am sure that this test will be somewhat exhausting.

Traveling

today my roomate Rachael left to move to a village. Today I drove the car around town. I had some business to take care of about 3 miles or so from my house and need to make a few stops so I took the car. While I was out it downpoured making it hard to see and traffic was at a standstill. It ended up taking me over two hours to get back to my house so it was like going 1 mile every 40 minutes. I learned my lesson not to stay out in the car after 4pm unless coming back around 8pm. I know now that I can pretty much manage any thing in traffic. Pray for me as I drive around town.

Cambodia Visitors

This past week Dave and Maryanne came from Thailand to Cambodia for an International Pastors Conference. This was held in PP and so I had the opportunity to spend some time with them. They took me out to eat (what a nice treat) and we talked and talked. I went with the group as they did some touring of the city to spend more time with them. They left on Friday so I went to the airport to see them off and we had ice cream. I thank God to be able to spend time with these good friends-what a blessing.

Khmer New Year

Khmer New Year is the 15th of this month. Many Cambodians travel to the province where they have relatives to spend the week there. I have the week off from my university class as well as from tutoring. I am not sure what I will be doing - Rachael and I may just hang out at the house most of the time. Some of my Khmer friends are not going to the province so I hope to be able to spend some time with them. On the 15th I will avoid going to Wat Phnom because I hear that they through powder and water - we would call this paste! Does not sound too fun to me. I guess for those in the city it is a big thing to watch tv because they show traditional celebrations of Khmer New Year on the tv.

Language Eval 2

I had my second language evaluation today. I had to hold two converstions in Khmer lasting around 5 minutes each. I had to tell a 5 minute story and recite 2 verses of scripture. I also had to read a selected paragraph as well as do dictation of that paragraph. I wrote two papers in Khmer and turned them in at the eval too.
I have received good feedback from this evaluation. I am continuing to improve in the language especially in my speaking ability, but they said I was doing well in every thing. There are some grammar issues that I need to work on, but I think that they will be worked on at the university class because that is the main focus of the 3rd level which I just began.
Thank you for your continued prayers that I would be come fluent in the Khmer language.