Birthday Celebrations

Over the past few years (except for last year) I have had the privilege of celebrating my Birthday in Cambodia. Today it was an extra special day spending it with our Ratanak Cambodia staff who have become dear brothers and sisters to me.

Our Ratanak Cambodia staff!

They know I am not too fond of cakes but love my fruit especially Mangosteen and so they did what my friends in Svay Pak had a did a couple of years ago, bought a whole load of Mangosteen and then a small cake that had a candle on it! I was presented with a bouquet of fresh orchids and a silver fabric that I hope to get made into a dress shortly.

The orchids and the Mangosteen!

After we joked around a bit, Malak our Psychosocial Coordinator prayed on behalf of the team for God's blessing over my life. Each day, I remain grateful and thankful to the Lord for our staff and for our friendship and the way in which we sharpen each other in the Lord! It continues to be an amazing privilege to share

our spiritual journeys together, to learn from each other and to see the incredible spiritual hunger that God has placed in their hearts as we spend time each day studying His word and reflecting on it before we start our work!

In the evening, I invited them out to one of the Pizza restaurants to continue our celebrations. With 50% of the Cambodian population under 25 years old and 90% of the population under 45 years old, this new generation has a thirst for fast foods and they are enjoying some of the Western foods like Pizza!

Sereyrom (Social Worker), Soklin(Counselor) and Sathya (Finance Manager)

All of these celebrations, whether it is the BBQ that we had a few days ago or this birthday celebrations are ways to continue to foster team unity and to knit our hearts together. It was a pure joy watching our Finance manager Sathya with a big grin over his face ---he was like a kid in a candy shop, enjoying the pizza like a little boy! Hanging out with these younger brothers and sisters in Christ, one can't help but feel younger even if I could practically be the age of their mothers! :-).

Romans 12:10 says - Be devoted to one another in love --- this is our desire for our staff as we have these times of fellowship together that the Lord will continue to nurture a deep love and care for each other that will ultimately spillover into the relationships of the young women who will soon be staying at the RAP home!