And the work begins.....

Yesterday, the whole reason for our mission trip finally got underway. We started working on the sidewalks that connect the boys & girls dorms with the cafeteria and classroom building…and I use the word “cafeteria” very loosely - it’s actually an open air pavilion with a few metal picnic tables, an open fire and a drain & garden hose to wash the pots & pans. We started by pulling up the old brick pavers which bordered the dirt walkways, running string where the new sidewalks would go and cementing the new brick borders. Actually, though, the kids did just as much work as we did - and seemed to enjoy it even more! Everyone on our team was so impressed with their willingness and even their joy in helping out. We were also amazed at their discipline and work ethic – they saw what we were doing and jumped right it, they even made a game of it. In fact, we took periodic breaks every hour or so because of the heat, but the kids kept right on going. They made us look bad; in fact, Chhaya would always ask Scott with a puzzled look on his face, “Another break, Scott.”

Just before lunch, Pastor Vek’s wife, Samoeun, arrived to thank us. It was an honor and very humbling to meet her after reading about her & Pastor Vek’s inspiring courage and faith in God to guide and protect them during their four-year ordeal under the Khmer Rouge’s savage reign.

During yet afternoon break, Keea brought everyone fresh coconut milk for refreshment – and when I say fresh, we literally drank it through a straw. One of the kids there developed a blister that got a little infected, so Lori quickly jumped into action and put her nursing skills to use.

At the end of the day, the girls all treated us to a free massage to relax our sore muscles and some of the kids began teaching us to count in Khmer: moi(1), pe’(2), boi(3), boon(4), praan(5), praan moi(6), praan pe’(7), praan boi(8), praan boon(9), dop(10).

We had hoped to complete the cement brick borders so that they could cure overnight and we could start on the tile work but we didn’t quite manage, so today we’ll finish that.