LEAVING KONA FOR CAMBODIA

Well, I'd like to say our team was travelling to Cambodia on this ship, but that is not the case. This is just a photo of the cruise ship that arrives here every Wednesday and the passengers disembark and shop in Kona for the day. After 2 1/2 months here, I feel like I'm a "local" and they are the visitors to "my island". Funny how our perspective changes in such a short time.

As mentioned in my last update, we fly from Kona on June 29 at 6:15 am, which means leaving the campus at 4:00am. There are 26 of us flying together (including 4 children) - I'm going to leave it to your imagination as to the logistics of all of us being ready to go by 4:00am. We have had to pack up all of the clothing and supplies that we use here in Kona (it will be stored here while we are gone) and then pack our gear for 2 months in Cambodia. There are several restrictions on what we can wear there, some of which are: high necklines (for modesty especially when you bend over), sleeves on all shirts (long enough that when you lift your arm you cannot see your underarm), skirts/capris that are below the knee (no shorts), nothing tight-fitting or see-through. So although it will be even hotter in Cambodia than it is in Hawaii, we will wear more clothing.

As I write this entry, I am sitting outside in my sleeveless tank top and shorts enjoying the 28 degree sunshine and have just checked the weather in Cambodia where it is 31 degrees and raining (and apparently WILL rain every day for at least 2 hours). None of this is a complaint, by the way, I just thought you'd be interested in some of the conditions. I have no point of reference for our accommodations when we get there. All I know is that it is called a "guest house" and that there will be two of us to each room (which is less than the 4 roommates I've had for the past 2 1/2 months). I don't know what my internet access will be like there. I hope to do a post from Phnom Penh, which is where we land on June 30 and stay for a few days of orientation before the team splits into 2 groups and my group heads north to Kompong Thom.

We are looking forward to immersing ourselves in the Cambodian culture and being a light of hope. As a result of the genocide that took place in the late 70's, 80% of the population is under the age of 30 and 50% of them are children. There is such a lack of older generation wisdom that, because the average age of my class is 48, we will be an attraction to them on the sheer basis of our age. We often think of orphanages as a place to do mission work, and Cambodia is a COUNTRY of young adult orphans. Our team is prepared to do whatever will provide the most help to them, ready to be spontaneous to the needs we see there.

This past week, our speaker was Gord Whyte who spoke on the Holy Spirit, giving me a new appreciation and understanding of the power of first inviting and then being filled with the Spirit. As well, he did some healing and deliverance within our group. This is one of those topics best left for one-on-one discussions when I am home. It was a pretty amazing week, in many ways!

David came to Kona for a week (his first time in Hawaii). He stayed in the "GO Centre", which is where our speakers and guests stay. We had some time on the weekend to see a little bit of the island, went to a Luau and I got to eat off campus a few times (thanks David!). He had his first Hawaiian "shave ice" - see photo to the right.

As well, he took me out for my birthday and sat in on some of my classes.

We had our "Love Feast" last weekend, which was a banquet put on by our school leaders for the class, and the food was prepared by a local chef who donates his time. Some of the class did skits, songs and recitations.

Here is a photo of the Korean's skit (it surprised all of us to see our two Korean men in dresses - we never would have imagined them doing that!!)

The campus is clearing out every day as teams depart for their Outreach, and by July 3, all students will be gone.

Last night, we had the special treat of watching the Performing Arts class do their show, which they will be doing on Outreach in Japan and Korea. It was absolutely breathtaking to see the talent of these young people! Tonight is the premiere of the Media Arts mini-clips. There are 17 short movies of a variety of topics (I'll know more after I've seen it). For both classes, it is such a great opportunity to affirm them for all of their hard work and preparation over the last almost 3 months.

This is a really cool video one of our speakers showed about a fellow (Matt) who decided he wanted to dance around the world in many nations. Enjoy!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWUrj22pRD0

I must run; I will post when I can, but I don't think it will be as regular as I have been doing. I will do my best though!

Thank you again for your love and support! Until next time!

Blessings, love & hugs!

June