Cambodia

Joum Reap Su'er! Sok Sobai Dtey? (Hello! How's everybody? - Khmer)

I'm back from Cambodia! Once again! This ends my 5th trip to Cambodia! And I must say this is the most adventurous (according to my experience) trip that I had. Had earlier flew in into Ho Chi Minh with Daniel on 6 Dec. This is my first time flying out of Singapore for a holiday trip on my own with a friend (those trips to Malaysia, no count). And really blessed! Known Daniel for so many years, we never got to go travelling together. Even for Mission trips, we've nvr been on the same trip. The year when we were supposed to go on the same trip, he had to 'cripple' himself. Haha! And indeed it's such a joy and blessing to travel with him.
When we were in HCM, we met up with Claudia. Really thank God for Claudia because she really took the effort to arrange for our accomodation and our MUST have FOOD! By God's love and grace, one of Claudia's colleague was back hometown and we got to stay at the colleague's apartment. Woo hoo! Daniel and I kinda roam the streets and tried some local delights (hmmm... delights??) And Claudia during her free time would bring us to places with wonder food. Haha! So for those who are concern and been praying for her, trust me, she is doing so well over here, but please do not stop praying for her! : )
As for me, I found this food that I cannot resist in HCM. The roadside "Subway". Woo hoo! It's basically, baguette with fillings. They had some meat fillings or egg. I personally love the egg. I think during my stay there, I ate about 4 1/2. And it's cheap! About 50 cents for a 5 feet. My goodness! : ) Well! I will update more on the trip with photos on a later postings.
So after my 3 days stay in HCM, my real adventure was about to start. My lone journey to Cambodia. I've nvr done such things before. I've always wanted to but I nvr got the chance and my parents will surely be nagging at me. Haha! I'm 26 and I'm a guy! Let me live wild! Hehehe! Even as I sat on the coach, I was filled with mixed feelings. The excitement, the joy, the enthusiasim of the journey and going to Cambodia were clouded with the anxiety of worries (most of them are silly). What if I took the wrong coach? What if this coach is a 'black' coach? What if the coach was a tool of the terrorists or rebels? (bus-bomb) What if this what if that? Ai yoh! I must be too 'koo koo' in my mind alreadi lah! Haha!
Well the 6 hours ride was pretty smooth sailing! Before I knew it, I was in Cambodia! The next thing was to get to church compound. So I got a BMW Motordob and tried my best means to show him where I want to go. Without fail, they never know the Street Number. And my best recognition of the Church was the Goldengate Hotel and it was something that they knew. So after another 5min of ride, I was in CCOP! Sorsal Preyong M'cha! (Praise the Lord! - Khmer)
So proud of myself! I, by myself, make it to Phnom Pehn, alive. Hehehe!
And during my 16 days stay in PP, it was such a blessings. I was so well taken care of. Everybody was treating me so nice, like I am part of their family. I felt as if I was really a Khmer! Yes! OK FINE! A KHMER WHO CAN'T SPEAK KHMER! I'm learning ok! I had been to Cambodia so many times but I nvr got a chance to get to know the CCOP staff. I can't even remember some of their names. Now I do! And really have to thank Kareng Bulu for her good care of me this little brother. And also these trips, I get to know a few more new friends from S'pore! Got to know the COGs Team! Interesting bunch of pple! Especially the Team Leader! Uncle Pak Chi (hope i spell it correctly) Serious and stern looking but can be very easy going and funneh! His 'China thermometer'! Joke of the the week! Will take more on next postings. Then also got a chance to know Shuling and Shirley, 2 young fine ladies who have great love and passion for the Khmers! Then I also get to meet the SJSM Team! Had the chance to work with them a fair bit. High powered pple but yet with humility to serve the pple of Khmer! Indeed this trip had been so fruitful! So fruitful, my tiny winy brain cannot contain them! : p
One thing for sure, nothing is going to stop me from visitng Cambodia! Next year! Siem Reap and PKH! Would want to go in April or slightly later but den horh, it is the hottest period! Wait later! I get heat stroke again! Haha! Well! See how! Anybody keen to join me! Pls don't hesitate!

Preyong srorline Kampuchea! (God loves Cambodia)