January In Battambang

This has been a month full of learning and ministry. This last week my team has been gardening every morning and teaching english every evening. It's been full on and really fullfilling. I have learned so much about tropical agroculture and gardening in a developing nation. My role continues to be more pastoral as a leader however when the Blakelys leave this wednesday it will be a bit more involved. I'm looking forward to what lays ahead. We have several oppurtunities at Battambang, and in Ratanikeri. We have six weeks remaining however we will be taking about 5 days transition from battambang to Ratanikeri. We will hopefully see Angkor Wat and go to Phnom Pehn again to see the holicost museum and the killing feilds and then take the 10 hr bus up to the hills and forests of Ratanikeri. I am enjoying the new challenges and really feel more confident in my role here. This group of students are really going for it! They put so much effort in everything they do! They are mature and kind to everyone and to one another! Thank you so much for your prayers and e-mails! I LOVED my post card Gram y, it's in my journal! The base is slightly annoyed that I'm getting SO much mail! It means the world to me! Loves
laura

hey fROm cambodia

hi eVeryone i'm typing fRom a boy's laptop in a  cafe aboVE the stReets of battambang. it's been a cRazy few weeks of teaching and ministRy. afteR a long pRocess ouR school leadeR and his family aRE going home 4 weeks eaRly due to his health. they will leaVE us on the 4th of febRuary. it's a good decision i think, this place is not much good if you need a quiet place to just be in. things aRE going well heRE, we haVE much oppuRtunity to woRk with the local oRphanage and will be assisting with 4 pROjects to set up gaRdens. VI'm VeRy gREatful foR all the suppoRt we haVE heRe. VJenny's been amazing. RJust a thankyou again foR youR pRAyeRs. it was an amazing week inthat we had 3 days of cool weatheR and RAin. VExtREmly unseasonable, and soREfREshing. we got to see so many pRojects that local NGO"S and woRld Vision aRE doing. oit's inspiRIng. i'm  gReatful foR an exposuRE to all this. it isn't an easy place to liVe. it is hot and dusty. it's easy to get tiRed and discouRAged. some of the long teRm woRkeRs heRE haVE so much joy, it's contagious, but it seems eVeRy day is a battle to choose to hope and choose to loVe. this is a stRuggle. it's also been haRdeR to  REly so heaVily on our contact.

REnoughfoR now
loVe lauRA

Banana Shakes and Bicycles

hey everyone! It's going to be quick. I bought a bike. EC lectures and ministry are going well. Jan 14th to Feb 14 we are still in Battambang. Loves and misses and shout out to Jackie's 21st b-day! all my love
laura

From Depuslar to Phnom Penh and Beyond!

Hey everyone! I've finally got a chance to write to you from Battambang Cambodia. Things are going as well as they could- half the team was down for the last few days with the running poos and chunders. It's hot, but there is relief when the wind blows down from China. Bali was amazing- a true paradise- fruit falls from the trees, mountain streams, friendly people, it was a christian haven in Hindu chaos. In comparison, Cambodia is quite literally a waste land. I have never ever seen such extreme poverty. There is a recession, but it is fast and cheap, no labor laws, no unions. Many sweat shops lined the 5 hr bus ride from the capital of Phnom Penh to Battambang, but they were the nicest looking (and sturdiest) structures around. If you ever wonder again how you got such a good deal on hand crafted furniture, know that it was made on the dirt streets of south east asia. There is always red dust blowing and coating the trees.

However, while I can see hardly any reasons to come to this place besides ankor wat and the delicious and SUPER cheap food- the missionaries here GLOW with the joy of the Lord. There is no other draw to a nation then the heart of the Father for his lost children. Cambodia is primary Buddhist but was founded in Hinduism. the Khmer people are beautiful and polite, we've been to a 4 square orphanage in Battambang and will commit to that one over the next five weeks. The next two weeks will be dedicated to earthcare teachings on how to restore site specific land in Cambodia. We're closely tied to YWAM Battambang and they are off the charts amazing! Our house is secured with  big gate and 2 sets of locks. Despite sickness and heat, our team has done so well and has made a major break through just mid week. I hopefully will be writing regularly now that internet is avalible! All my love
laura