A Good Day!

Karol Boschung - March 16th

Today was our second full day of work, and it was a good day. We got a good amount done - we did a lot of priming and almost finished the first coat of paint on some of the classrooms in the Sanctuary. The primer we were using was white, and so it was almost impossible to see what we had already completed (the walls we're painting are covered in white plaster!). However, once the yellow paint started to go on, it gave a much more concrete sense of progress. I spent much of my day on a ladder, which had to be awkwardly roped up the outside of the building, all the way up to the fifth floor, by the Cambodian workers whom we share the building with - it was quite the sight. Despite the language barrier, I feel that they are getting much more comfortable with us being in the building with them, and they are often friendly. Once thing that has struck all of us is that, in Cambodian culture, it must not be rude to stare; the workers have continued to pop in and out, often standing and watching us silently for minutes at a time. Sometimes they even stood directly opposite us on the other side of a window we were working on, which would be quite awkward back at home. Here, we're getting used to it!

Lunch, as expected, was provided in fabulous fashion by Pastor Chanta's wife at Rahab's house, a few doors down. It was delicious!

It was also great to see Brian McConaghy and his family today. They came by to Svay Pak to visit us and take a look at the Sanctuary. I got to do some catching up with Ian and Andrew, their boys, which was great!

However, the absolute highlight of the day was visiting the Svay Pak Kids Club, run twice a week out of Rahab's house. We walked in, and were very happy to see at least 30 little ones there. We watched for a while as Ratanak (the assistant/youth pastor) led them in joyful call-and-response and banter, and then we introduced ourselves. They repeated each of our names, and then greeted us in a joyful cacophony of a greeting song. Soksa bai! Jum reap soo-ah! Grant then told them about us as Ratanak translated, and when asked for a song of our own, we sang "Jesus Loves Me". Soon after, we left to continue our work. This whole joyful scene was made more real, and bittersweet, by the place where it was held. Being in Svay Pak, there was a very real danger that many of these kids (as young as 4 or 5!) would be trafficked that very night. And yet, here they were, greeting us so happily and being taught about Jesus. Just as amazing as the Kids Club itself were the girls who helped Ratanak lead it. They were from NewSong restoration/rehab centre, where children rescued from child prostitution are healed and rehabilitated. All of these girls had been trafficked before and raped thousands of times, very likely in Svay Pak, and yet here they were, smiling and singing and helping teach kids about their Lord. It was stunning, one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Their courage, bravery and love of these girls is something I can't even begin to understand.

In the end, I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve the people of Svay Pak. We are blessed to be able to show them love, kindness, and respect; three things that they never get. This, I've realized, is a profound witness - this, much more than paint, is what it's about.

Anyways, I blabber and drag on, extending this post far past its expiration date. Please pray for:

-NewSong, that they would be able to keep doing the work that they are doing. That the Lord would continue to work powerfully through them.

-Us, that we would make this work and be an effective witness to Jesus' kingdom.

-The Sanctuary and Rahab's house, that God work continue to sustain them and work marvelously though them.

Praise the Lord.

-KB

Mary's Day 2

Hi everybody. Jan, Kit and I have been having huge internet/computer problems as have been unable to blog. We do want you to know that we arrived safely. We are pretty healthy and we are working very hard. We already know more than we ever wanted about primer, sealer, paint, rolling and cutting. We are drinking water literally by the litre each day. Day 1 was off to a frustrating start but today was much more productive. We had a spectular lunch at Rahab's House and then had an opportunity to see the Kid's Club in action this afternoon. The children sang for us and then we were invited to sing for them and what better song than 'Jesus Loves You'. It was really wonderful to see a couple of the older children singing along with us. Your thoughts, prayers and love mean so much to us.

Mary's Day 1

We set off with much anticipation and excitement this morning. Most of us never having seen such poverty on the way out to Svay Pak. When we arrived at The Sanctuary the contractors were still working inside so we were not able to start painting right away. Thus to plan B and we started scraping the grates on the windows. We had a wonderful lunch at Rahab's House then back to the Sanctuary and the painting began. Only 48 rooms with 3 coats of paint. This building is amazing and I can only imagine the lives that it will impact as it ministers in this very dark community. Can't wait for tomorrow.

Day 2 (first full day)

Welcome to Cambodia. I've probably written that line at some point in every blog I've ever kept in Cambodia - it is once again strangely appropriate. The day started at 5:30 am - not a time I generally like to witness. The team was together for devotions led by Kit and then down for breakfast in the hotel. We were in the van just passed 7:30 and in Svay Pak before 8 am.

My impression was that the looks we received were not as cold as they were 22 months ago but there wasn't a lot of warmth in them. The van passed The Sanctuary and pulled up in front of Rahab's House - memories flooded back. Within seconds I was standing just inside the gate at RH looking up at the banner that the kids at Fairview had given to RH. The place looks great. The bright yellow paint has taken a beating and needs some work but so much good has happened there in the last two years it has a bright feel to it - so much different than when we arrived there the first time.

After just a few minutes of joy we headed back to The Sanctuary. There were workers everywhere. The construction was not yet complete - welcome to Cambodia. The place was filled with dust from the two men who were grinding down the rough edges of the concrete stairs. The upper floors, where we were to begin had a number of people doing everything from plastering walls to grouting the floor tiles. Painting wasn't going to happen any time soon by the look of it. We had to start looking at a plan 2. Most of the windows have steel gratings that were covered in plaster and concrete. These all had to be cleaned before they could be painted so we all went at them wire brushes and scrapers and sandpaper in hand.

Don and Bridget Brewster came by mid morning and we got to chat. During the Rahab's House trip the Brewsters were in the States so it was great finally connecting in person. Don made sure that we could get painting after lunch.

We had lunch at Rahab's House - it was WAY different than the meals we'd had in RH before. Fantastic.

After lunch we were able to get to painting. We selected three of the classrooms and went to work with the primer/sealer. It was a good day even though it started with frustration - Welcome to Cambodia.

So far we have not been able to interact much with the kids in SP. We were working up on the 4th floor much of the day and kids have not yet started coming to the Sanctuary. So we'll have to wait for tomorrow.

BTW my gmail account set up for the trip has not worked since the airport in Taipei. So sorry, if you've sent me an email I haven't seen it yet.

Grant