Greetings from the Other Side of the World

Well I have finally arrived in Cambodia. I find it difficult to put what I have already seen into words but nevertheless I will give it a try because I have heard that first impressions can eventually fade into normalcy unless quickly recorded. So my trip began with a fourteen hour flight to Seoul, South Korea on which I sat next to an elderly Vietnamese lady. She understood very little English so we were not able to converse much. However, by the conclusion of the lengthy flight, she did motion for me to fill out her immigration health form, which had questions in English. I took this as a sign of at least some trust. After arriving at the massive Incheon airport in Seoul, I spent a few hours wondering around before boarding the next flight to Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. Bill Hale, one of the missionaries with whom I am residing while in Cambodia, was waiting patiently for me outside the airport. Because it was late we spent the night in Phnom Penh. In the morning we toured the city and stopped by the main museum for the Khmer rouge genocide. I don't remember the official name of the place but it at one time served as a school before being taken over and transformed into a torture facility. I find it sad that this evil event is what many people generally associate with Cambodia. I got to spend the rest of the day experiencing the joyful aspects of Cambodian life. We arrived in Prek Ambel later than expected because a truck was stuck on a bridge leading from the capital. Prek Ambel, located about an hour south of Phnom Penh, is more rural than the capital. However, among many of the run down houses I was surprised to see monstrous and elaborately detailed Buddhist temples. I don't believe pictures could do the area justice. However, is it not the same for many of God's creations? I spent the rest of the day with the Hales and Nuons, who have been nothing but overly hospitable to me while I am here. Before dark, Mr. Hale and I played volleyball with some Cambodian students. Tomorrow I believe I will have the opportunity to teach a couple English classes to other students here at the Church of Mercy. Also I hear that we are going out early tomorrow morning to share the Gospel. I greatly look forward to this! I believe that pretty well sums up my initial experiences. I want to encourage those who read this post up to this point to pray for the Hale's and Nuon's missionary work here in Cambodia.

"So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe"
Hebrews 12:28