Happy Birthday in Cambodia

Okay I typically blog about what is happening in our ministry here in Cambodia but today I had the wonderful joy of celebrating my birthday in Cambodia. At my age, I would rather not be reminded but my team members had other things in mind as they have been instrumental in encouraging others to wish me a Happy Birthday. It first started last Saturday when we were at the Place of Rescue monthly birthday celebration for the orphans. Char, one of my co-leaders told Marie Ens and within minutes I found myself sitting with a bunch of orphans infront of everyone receiving a gift for my birthday. Talk about one of life's most embarassing moments!

Then this morning as I got off the elevator of our hotel, the front desk staff greated me with birthday wishes. But it was this afternoon when we had all completed or workshops at Daughters that I got another pleasant surprise. It was all couched under the auspice that the girls were waiting for me to begin our usual day end dance ritual by dancing to the song 'No Women, No Cry' by Bob Marley. So as I ran into the room, I was greeted with several smiling faces who had formed a circle as one person held the cake below. These are one of the cake creations that the cake department makes at Daughters.

Stephanie, Vidya and Char handing out cup cakes to the girls

My team members also arranged for cup cakes to be made by the cake group within Daughter which we distributed to all the girls . We all had a wonderful time dancing and enjoying ourselves. Not exactly what people might expect on a mission trip. But that was not the end. One of the girls started putting the icing from the cupcakes on the face of one of my team members and proceeded to do the same to me. So a few of us decided to have an 'icing' fight. I understand this is quite a common thing to do in Cambodia---to put icing on peoples' faces. I am glad the girls feel comfortable enough with us to participate in these culturally acceptable practises! Nonetheless, it is times like this when I believe God begins to bond our hearts together. Tomorrow is our last day at Daughters and it will not be easy saying good bye to the girls. We have gotten to know them all by name and have spent time praying for them, teasing them and hanging out with them. I am preaching a message on God's heart for the oppressed and also using two visuals---a rose and a necklace with one pearl---to symbolize how God views us. More to come but its late and I need to hit the sack.