Monday PM, Cambodia

Poipet roads

Our Poipet Casino (Hotel)

The Thai-Cambodia border is similar in ways to Tijuana, except both sides have the feel of Tijuana without the wealth of the U.S. Oddly placed are these massive casinos in between the two border crossings, designed to get around the legal issues of NO-gambling in each country. Someone is cashing in big…and it is not the customers or the locals. This area is full of At-Risk kids and ladies.

From the moments we hit Poipet, we quickly saw the economic situation deteriorate to 2nd or 3rd world standards. The roads were giant mud puddles and goop…with hundreds of motorcycles swerving in between old and dirty cars and trucks…with everyone beeping when they planned to turn or pass.

Because it was evening when we arrived Monday, we dealt with the visas and passport issues, and then checked into our hotel…it actually is one of the casinos. The team is getting along very well, even though we started as mostly strangers.

About the team: Jacinta is a great encouragement for all of us, sort of like having a loving mom or older mentor on the team. She is not from Northshore, but is from World Concern in Seattle…but she fits in great. The "4 girls," Beth, Lisa, Julie, and Kiersten, are the energy for the team…and they bring an added joy to those of us who are older (this is the first time I have felt like part of the older crowd on a non-youth trip). Each of them is different, but they really compliment the others and are thrilled to be here. Keirstin, as the only experienced team member in Cambodia, is a great help, but also funny as she tries to help us. For example, her language is really good (for being here 10 months), but in the process of ordering Lemonade, she ordered orange juice the first time and lime juice the second time. It took someone else to get the order right. Ray is also so full of joy, and he is happy with any situation. For example, at the gas station he got so excited for the lady and her strange broom, sweeping the pavement…he had to get a picture. He reminds me of my dad, talkative and excited about most things, sometimes unintentionally saying things that sound a little out of place – but coming from him they are either funny or nice. He also instantly has compassion for everyone. Daren and Tamara are also really nice, committed in their marriage to making the most of their days, not squandering it away on selfish matters. They have a real heart for being God's vessels of good, and are a joy to the team. Everyone is being so selfless, even when the work got very hard and the cleanliness of the first few days evaporated.

I spent last night (LATE!!) preparing for an all day teaching to locals on how to reach and grow youth. I expected to have a few days to learn the culture and get a grip of what the needs and focus should be, but upon arrival, I learned that first thing in the morning, 11 men and women from the surrounding areas would be here for my training. I slept really bad thinking about what to say and how to make the most of the 6 hours of training. I was feeling very inadequate!