Breakfast Cereal

Cereal, something that we took for granted in Australia. But unfortunately not here in Cambodia. When a small box of Special K is $6.80, well, you just don't buy it.

Our cereal of choice is Weet-Bix. The 1 kilo box has 68 'biscuits' in it, rationed to 2 per child and 2.5 per adult a day, a whole box 'should' last a week.

So what's the problem, sourcing it! It is rarely to be found. Never in the main supermarket at all, only in the international ones on the other side of the city. Further there is no consistency in price. A kilo may be $7 one month and then out of stock till 4 months later when it is $4.90.

Needless to say, die hard Aussie's stock up! as you can well see.

You might think it odd to have a blog on breakfast cereal, but that may only be, perhaps, because it is something that you too, have come to take for granted.

Hehe

Fiona

Our Cambodian Journey will Continue.

Cambodia: hot, dusty, smelly, noisy, dirty and busy yet in some respects..home - if home is defined as where God has called you to be at a particular point in time. We did not anticipate as we embarked upon this journey to teach at Hope School for two years, that the path may take a longer than this time-frame to tread. But here we are almost two years down the track, considering the future and we realise that God 'aint' finished with us here just yet.

We will return to Australia for a break between Mid June and August, and then return to Cambodia for the 2010/2011 school year, with a 'final' return to Australia in June 2011.

Naomi and Nathan are so excited, they enjoy the simple life in Cambodia, although it does mean very simple at times. While we do have a television, we do not have the internet at home, nor a dishwasher, microwave oven, food processor (or coffee machine). There are no local grass playing fields, playgrounds, cinema's or attractions to visit. though we do have a local pool. They have become used to simple meals and having to wait for us to afford things."All of which will do them well" I can hear you say. They adore the school here and have many friends who live not too far away. They have developed a deep appreciation for activities such as playing board games, reading, creative arts and playing music.

We will continue to support the mission field in Cambodia through our teaching with Hope International School. (Our school serves families from over 25 countries in their work for the Lord here in Cambodia.) We also will continue our direct involvement through our church's various projects, such as the rubbish dump ministry.

Thank you for your ongoing prayers. Cambodia is a dark country and does present supernatural challenges at times for the believer. It is a reminder to us also, to continue to pray for you. We do hear of some amazing testimonies, and this is a blessing that motivates us all.

I hope to continue to keep you somewhat up to date with life in Cambodia through our blog. We look forward to catching up with many of you in July this year and also welcome you to visit and stay with us in Phnom Penh.

God Bless

Fiona

School Camp - Naomi and Fiona

A couple of weeks ago we held our school camps. The junior students went to a place called Kirriom, Year 8 and 9 to Koh Kong and year 10 and above to Kep. ( Not that those place names mean anything to you.) However it did mean that Naomi and I were on camp together. We even had to share a room, as there were not enough rooms otherwise. Thankfully she was not perturbed by this in the slightest.

I directed this particular camp, which was masses upon masses of work... and that was after Graham (the camps coordinator) had set up the basic outline of the dates and made contact with the venues and service providers. It is very hard to find venues that will fit 40 people, and then even more difficult to afford them. The process involves going around in circles enough times to make you motion sick as you haggle, explain and querying over rooms, water quality, food, transport.... etc etc.

On our camp we visited a small safari world, waterfall, mangroves and the beach. I had organised a sand sculpture competition. In groups the students worked for over an hour on their designs. Naomi's group produced one of the finest entries I have ever seen. And the picture of this is below.

Camp is an important part of Hope School, it strengthens the school community and also gives students opportunities to undertake activities that they do not have access to, or could not usually afford. I really enjoyed seeing many students excited about seeing dolphins for the first time during our visit to the Koh Kong Safari World.

Fiona