Phnom Penh--a city of contrasts!

I've been here close to a week and the thing that has been most firmly impressed upon me is the stark contrasts here in Phnom Penh. If I can ever get Facebook to work I'll upload some pics so you can all see what I mean. There are huge ornate houses, new malls and banks right next to shacks up on stilts and motorcycle-drawn carts with people riding on them, 20 plus people piled into the back of a truck, people wearing fancy clothes, monks, nuns, homeless kids begging, trash on the side of the road, pollution enough to make you sick, literally. It's quite incredible. I've heard that outside of Phnom Penh they're just mostly poor and there isn't the contrast of western society mixed with a third world country. I look forward to seeing what it's like in other areas.

We've been doing some language study, just some basics for introductions and getting around, going to the market, that kind of stuff. You can't get very far in 5 weeks when you're doing lots of other stuff. We've been around the city to see some different things, an old prison/torture camp in the city that has been turned into a memorial museum, a temple, the new mall they just built last year, which is very impressive and we've hung out with some Kamai (Cambodians) several times, they all go to CMA churches here in Phnom Penh. We've had some great exposure to the culture and I have really appreciated the times when we've been able to go out with the Kamai because you get an inside perspective on stuff. I have always thought that the best way to learn about a country is from a national, and it rings true here, of course!

There will be a team arriving from Canada on Friday to help with the English camp that starts a week from today. We will be in charge of leading the teams and helping teach at the English camp. The week of the 14th we will be going down to the gulf of Thailand for Field Forum, all the CMA missionaries come together for an annual conference. Apparently I'll be working with the kids from 6-12ish I think, in the afternoons at least, I'm not sure what we're doing in the mornings. Then the week before I come home, so about July 26th through August 2nd we will be up in Siem Reap doing an english camp there. I'm not sure if we'll be going to visit any other missionaries while we're here, or not, I hope we'll get a bit of a chance to see some ministries outside of the city, we'll see.

We went to a CMA church in Phnom Penh yesterday, which was neat, they have a Kamai pastor and a decent sized congregation, I think there were close to 50 people, that's just a guess though, they also have a great youth/young people's group on Sunday afternoon that we went to and I was impressed especially by how many guys were there, it was very encouraging.

The Lobbezoos are coming back today and we're having dinner with them this evening, so I'm hopeful I'll find out some more stuff soon. I get along pretty well with Jackie and Caitlin, they are the two girls that I'm with, Jackie is the other GVer and Caity is an intern here for the summer. I have realized though that, other than being within a few years age wise, worshiping the same God and having a heart for missions, I don't have much in common with them. It's not a bad thing, it's just a bit hard. I had gotten used to being a bit alone in Greece and then I had this burst of kindreds in the Philippines and it's kinda hard to go back to being a bit alone again, but it's ok, I need to remember that God is enough.

Please pray for my health, I'm having some irritated skin issues, some eczema and rashing on my arms, I'm not sure if the rash is from sweating in the heat and chafing or what. My digestive system isn't very happy with me either, but I think it's just the massive amounts of MSG that I'm never quite sure is in something or not. Other than that I'm doing fine physically, just a little tired from time to time, but I'm not dealing with jet lag or anything, so that's nice.

The people here are very warm and friendly, easy to fall in love with. I know I will enjoy being here and it will be a bit hard to leave for the love of the Kamai, but I also know I will be very ready to come home!

I got my birthday package from home the day I arrived here, there was a pack of over 125 Encouragement card from my church and a few b-day cards as well. I did the math and decided to read 6 each day until my birthday and it has been so uplifting each evening to read notes from home, so thanks to everyone who sent something, it's been a huge blessing.

Please pray for endurance, and that I would lean on the Lord for my strength. Please pray that my eczema and rashes would clear up and that I would be able to eat things that won't irritate my digestive system. Pray for my growth, that I would learn what God has for me to learn here. And please continue to pray for my finances. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Blessings,
Naomi