Tuesday, June 9, 2009
My Thoughts of Cambodia...Ashley Grace
I realized how fortunate I am from Cambodia. It really opened my eyes. I had heard about human trafficking, but once you see the faces of girls that have actually been exposed, you never forget it...especially since I am a girl. Yes, it is a lot to take in for a 16 year old, but I'm glad I went and I would do it again in a heart beat. My fam and friends were worried about me, but I knew God was with me. What really touched me was just the desperation for food. Also, the girls that had been exposed probably had more faith than I did, they were so dedicated and they had been hurt more than I had. I live in such a protected world and stepping outside the box has really changed my life. I still am in shock of how sick some people can be. I didn't expect what I saw. I did not expect so many poor people and the houses there made me feel so sorry. Everytime I complained and I have so much...they have literally the clothes on their back and the dirt on the ground. When I was young I always wanted to be a teacher. I think my views may have slightly changed after this trip. I realized that God can use someone as young as me to make in impact and do his work in this world. Before I felt like I couldn't do anything and I wasn't really needed, but I was and it was part of his plan to show me. I really feel that God could be calling me...maybe to become an English teacher, since I love English, and maybe become a missionary in somewhere like Cambodia. Ya....you might say that would be risking a lot, but wouldn't it be soo worth it to see some little kids knowing Jesus just because you helped share the gospel. So my thought for today is ASAP-Always Say A Prayer....and Please if nothing else....Remember the Girls at Ralpha House and the children in Cambodia. It is a corrupt place and if the Christians stand up then maybe one by one God can use them to show Cambodia God's love. Just remember to be thankful for what you have and best of all learn the concept of patience....because if they have, then certainly we can! I've seen a lot and yes it was a lot to digest, but I know God sent me there for a purpose and I think that purpose was fulfilled. God's Daughter--Ashley Grace
Adventures of Ashley in Airports Day 10-12
Day 10-12
These were the days that I was travelling home. I was really anxious to get home and see everyone. The first morning we got up and went to the airport in Phnom Penh. Then we had a flight to China. We had an 8 hour layover in China and spent the time walking around the streets of Hong Kong. Then we got lost after we took the ferry and finally we found a bus to take us back to the metro. Then it was our 13 hour flight to Los Angeles. I couldn't get comfortable, until I laid on David Frye's shoulder...lol!!! It was the longest 13 hours of my life. Most of the time I was watching movies, or trying to sleep. When we arrived in Los Angeles it was later. Then we flew to Dallas and from Dallas to Fayetville. Our last flight was fun...Randa and I were really hyper, so we were singing and laughing. I'm sure the whole plane was probably annoyed with us, because we were really loud. When we got there I was suprised by my parents being at the airport. I was sooo happy. Then we went out to eat. That day I went and saw some friends then I went and hung out at Chance's house. That night he came over and we swam in our pool. By this time I was extremely exhausted and ended up sleeping 14 hours the next day and I still was tired.
These were the days that I was travelling home. I was really anxious to get home and see everyone. The first morning we got up and went to the airport in Phnom Penh. Then we had a flight to China. We had an 8 hour layover in China and spent the time walking around the streets of Hong Kong. Then we got lost after we took the ferry and finally we found a bus to take us back to the metro. Then it was our 13 hour flight to Los Angeles. I couldn't get comfortable, until I laid on David Frye's shoulder...lol!!! It was the longest 13 hours of my life. Most of the time I was watching movies, or trying to sleep. When we arrived in Los Angeles it was later. Then we flew to Dallas and from Dallas to Fayetville. Our last flight was fun...Randa and I were really hyper, so we were singing and laughing. I'm sure the whole plane was probably annoyed with us, because we were really loud. When we got there I was suprised by my parents being at the airport. I was sooo happy. Then we went out to eat. That day I went and saw some friends then I went and hung out at Chance's house. That night he came over and we swam in our pool. By this time I was extremely exhausted and ended up sleeping 14 hours the next day and I still was tired.
Adventures of Ashley in Cambodia Day 9
Day 9
So today we rode the bus back to Phnom Penh. It was a five or six hour ride. It seemed really long. This morning for breakfast we had loaves of bread. The bus ride seemed like it took forever. I read my book and tried to sleep. Then I listened to my CD player until it died. After arriving in Phnom Penh we went to our hotel. Then we went to the Russian Market. It had more of our clothes than Asian style clothes. There were clothes from Aeropostale, American Eagle, and Hollister. I bought my brother and Chance some shirts from American Eagle. Then we went back to our hotel and I quickly changed. The market was really hot! Later we went to the mall and ate pizza. It was some of the best pizza I have had. Then I bought some coffee cups for dad, since that is one of the only gifts I can think to get him besides an I LOVE CAMBODIA shirt. We also got ice cream at the mall. Then we went back to our hotel. Randa didn't feel too good, so she stayed in the room while some of us went swimming in the pool. The water was salty and it made me float some of the time. It just so happened that they were having a party next door too and the bass was turned up when I was trying to sleep, but at least it was songs I knew. Then I was saying how annoying it was and it shut off....it was so weird.
So today we rode the bus back to Phnom Penh. It was a five or six hour ride. It seemed really long. This morning for breakfast we had loaves of bread. The bus ride seemed like it took forever. I read my book and tried to sleep. Then I listened to my CD player until it died. After arriving in Phnom Penh we went to our hotel. Then we went to the Russian Market. It had more of our clothes than Asian style clothes. There were clothes from Aeropostale, American Eagle, and Hollister. I bought my brother and Chance some shirts from American Eagle. Then we went back to our hotel and I quickly changed. The market was really hot! Later we went to the mall and ate pizza. It was some of the best pizza I have had. Then I bought some coffee cups for dad, since that is one of the only gifts I can think to get him besides an I LOVE CAMBODIA shirt. We also got ice cream at the mall. Then we went back to our hotel. Randa didn't feel too good, so she stayed in the room while some of us went swimming in the pool. The water was salty and it made me float some of the time. It just so happened that they were having a party next door too and the bass was turned up when I was trying to sleep, but at least it was songs I knew. Then I was saying how annoying it was and it shut off....it was so weird.
Adventures of Ashley in Cambodia Day 8
Day 8
Today was sight seeing day in Siem Reap at Angkor Watt. We got up at 4 am to go see the sunrise at the temples. I was extremely tired!!! I just wanted to go back to bed. The sunrise was beautiful and another reminder of God's creation. Then we went inside the temples. I was amazed and wondered how humans could build these. I will have to post pics of them sometime, because they were undescribeable. Ty, Josh, and Brandon decided to go exploring at the first temple and we were waiting on them. They had found a monkey and had a run in with it. I think Ty made it a little mad. Later on we went to the Jungle Temple. The roots of the tree built into the sides of the temple were HUGE. It just left me in awe. Randa and I decided to go exploring and got lost. Everywhere we turned the places were blocked off and it was dark and creepy. We both started to panic. Then we found a window out. Turns out the area we were at was a danger area and we weren't supposed to be in there. I bought some drawings from a man that was selling them from the orphans. Then we went back to the hotel and Randa and I both had a short nap. We got to visit the new Rapha House in Siem Reap, which was really cool to see how God is expanding the work in Cambodia. It was really neat!! Then we went to a very small mall and I had American food at the Lucky Burger...chicken nuggets never tasted better!!!! I also had some ice cream too. That night we went to the night market and I got some more stuff. I also got a fish massage..which sounds really gross. We put our feet in a tank with fish and they ate off our dead skin. It tickled my feet and the first 10 minutes I jumped and screamed the whole time. It was soo ticklish. It may seem gross, but it did make my feet softer. After that I got a leg massage and it was amazing. The lady did an awesome job and even put me to sleep. It was very relaxing. Then we went back to the hotel and went to bed.
Today was sight seeing day in Siem Reap at Angkor Watt. We got up at 4 am to go see the sunrise at the temples. I was extremely tired!!! I just wanted to go back to bed. The sunrise was beautiful and another reminder of God's creation. Then we went inside the temples. I was amazed and wondered how humans could build these. I will have to post pics of them sometime, because they were undescribeable. Ty, Josh, and Brandon decided to go exploring at the first temple and we were waiting on them. They had found a monkey and had a run in with it. I think Ty made it a little mad. Later on we went to the Jungle Temple. The roots of the tree built into the sides of the temple were HUGE. It just left me in awe. Randa and I decided to go exploring and got lost. Everywhere we turned the places were blocked off and it was dark and creepy. We both started to panic. Then we found a window out. Turns out the area we were at was a danger area and we weren't supposed to be in there. I bought some drawings from a man that was selling them from the orphans. Then we went back to the hotel and Randa and I both had a short nap. We got to visit the new Rapha House in Siem Reap, which was really cool to see how God is expanding the work in Cambodia. It was really neat!! Then we went to a very small mall and I had American food at the Lucky Burger...chicken nuggets never tasted better!!!! I also had some ice cream too. That night we went to the night market and I got some more stuff. I also got a fish massage..which sounds really gross. We put our feet in a tank with fish and they ate off our dead skin. It tickled my feet and the first 10 minutes I jumped and screamed the whole time. It was soo ticklish. It may seem gross, but it did make my feet softer. After that I got a leg massage and it was amazing. The lady did an awesome job and even put me to sleep. It was very relaxing. Then we went back to the hotel and went to bed.
Adventures of Ashley in Cambodia Day 7
Day 7
So as you know yesterday was a hard day for everyone. It was honestly one of the hardest things I've had to do in my life. This morning we rode tuk-tuk's to the river and got on a boat. It was like the boat we took to the island. It was a 6 hour ride. Most of the time I was jammin out to my CD player or hangin out outside the boat. It had rails that you could hold on to and you could stand on the sides. Everytime it turned one side would go up or down and it made us a little nervous. As we were riding the boat I noticed several things, first-there was a man brushing his teeth in the brown muddy water, second-the houses I saw were made out of straw, or were on stilts, third-some houses were portable on water, and fourth-there was a lot of poverty down the river banks. I got sun burnt because I stood outside holding on to the rails and I didn't wear any sun block...silly me! When we got there I think everyone was just ready to get off the boat. The ramp we had to climb up was impossible. It was a steep ramp and it had nothing to grip onto with your shoes, just a rail on the side, and it was raining, so it was slick. We got in the bus and travelled to our hotel. It was pretty nice. The beds were comfy and we did have a shower, but it didn't have a door, but still it was a shower. Then we ate at Molly Malone's and it was somewhat American food....I was sooo excited and my garlic bread was tasty. Then we went to the day market. I think I bought out the place. I bought like 15 t-shirts and other stuff for my fam and friends back home. The hanging meat in the market smelled so bad that it made me gag several times. That night we went to the night market and I got more stuff. One of the staff at Rapha House helped me bargain with the shop owners . That night I couldn't sleep, because next door they were having a party and all I could hear was ..... BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM....the bass was boosted sooooo loud. Today was basically a day to shop.
So as you know yesterday was a hard day for everyone. It was honestly one of the hardest things I've had to do in my life. This morning we rode tuk-tuk's to the river and got on a boat. It was like the boat we took to the island. It was a 6 hour ride. Most of the time I was jammin out to my CD player or hangin out outside the boat. It had rails that you could hold on to and you could stand on the sides. Everytime it turned one side would go up or down and it made us a little nervous. As we were riding the boat I noticed several things, first-there was a man brushing his teeth in the brown muddy water, second-the houses I saw were made out of straw, or were on stilts, third-some houses were portable on water, and fourth-there was a lot of poverty down the river banks. I got sun burnt because I stood outside holding on to the rails and I didn't wear any sun block...silly me! When we got there I think everyone was just ready to get off the boat. The ramp we had to climb up was impossible. It was a steep ramp and it had nothing to grip onto with your shoes, just a rail on the side, and it was raining, so it was slick. We got in the bus and travelled to our hotel. It was pretty nice. The beds were comfy and we did have a shower, but it didn't have a door, but still it was a shower. Then we ate at Molly Malone's and it was somewhat American food....I was sooo excited and my garlic bread was tasty. Then we went to the day market. I think I bought out the place. I bought like 15 t-shirts and other stuff for my fam and friends back home. The hanging meat in the market smelled so bad that it made me gag several times. That night we went to the night market and I got more stuff. One of the staff at Rapha House helped me bargain with the shop owners . That night I couldn't sleep, because next door they were having a party and all I could hear was ..... BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM....the bass was boosted sooooo loud. Today was basically a day to shop.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Adventures of Ashley in Cambodia Day 6
The heart-breaking day!!! Today was the day we left the girls. I had prayed for God to give me strength the night before. This morning we got up and I had lemon ice cream for breakfast, because I was afraid to try any other foods. Then we went to the Rapha House to have staff devos. After that I played with my six year old friend. She is adorable and very cute. Her laugh is soo sweet and innocent and when she smiles, she makes me smile. She wanted to take lots of pics then see herself in them. Then we went out to the counseling boat and make baskets with goodies for the new girls that would come in. It would make it easier on some of the people at Rapha House. After that we went and helped the girls shell some peanuts and played on their playground with them. Then we went to white rose and I had bread with peanut butter, which was really fantastic. Then we went to the salon. I had my hair colored, which was supposed to turn out black, but ended up being auburn. I like it a lot any way!!! Randa will have to tell about her highlights she got. I also got a manicure and a pedicure. It added up to $7. I was sooo shocked!!! After that we went back to the Rapha House. I gave my girls a bracelet. They gave me a bracelet, bow, and earrings. We had ice cream that was provided by one of the team members. Then our group performed our skit. It was really touching I believe. When Jesus saved the girl being torn apart by things of the world they all started clapping. Then some people gave testimonies and it really touched the girls. Some of the girls were touched emotionally. The girl next to me was crying and I just held her in my arms. After that we went to play with them, but mainly took pics. Then it was time to leave. I got on the bus and they were waving at us. After we pulled out I immediately started crying...I didn't want to say goodbye. I was attached. That night everyone was just in shock I think. We had devos then went to bed. We were also afraid of a guy in our hotel, so Randa and I padded our door with tissue paper, so the door wouldn't rattle and make us scared. Then we went to bed.
Adventures of Ashley in Cambodia Day 5
Day 5
This morning we went to Rapha House and we had devos with the staff at Rapha House. They all were really intrigued by us I think. Then all of us girls and Josh plus a few adults went to the market to get stuff to put in the baskets that the girls get when they first come to the house. I can sum up the market in several words....smelly, gross, and basically disgusting, but it is their way of getting what they need. It would be like our Wal-Mart, but not as fancy and Wal-Mart isn't that fancy. Then we were invited to a wedding, which we were not aware of til we got there. The food was really interesting...I just drank my coke. We thought that there was a snake of a head in our food bowl, because it had eyes and looked like a snake....Randa will have to post a pic. It really freaked me out. The bride was extremely pretty, but it was raining and the bride and groom seemed sad, because if guests didn't show up, then their wedding wouldn't be paid for. Then we went to get our photos taken in traditional Khmer clothing. The person that did my hair and make up was a cross dresser, but he/she did a really good job. I don't even look like myself though. They kinda scare me. I took two in Kmer traditional clothing and one in a purple dress I picked out. Then we took a tuk-tuk back to the hotel. It is a form of transportation in Cambodia. I really liked my hair in the photos. We went to White Rose again and I ordered something I didn't like AGAIN...so I decided I am sticking to rice and hot tea. Then we went to Rapha Hoouse. S had just got back from school. She greeted me. Then we performed another one of our skits for the girls. I was the girl with the cell phone that was placing that before God. It was called "idolizer." We would look at Jesus pose him to our idol then he would go back to being on the cross. After that we taught the girls how to dance to Cupid's Shuffle, it was so much fun, we had to do it twice. We laughed the whole time. S and I were laughin when S would turn the wrong way. Then we went back outside and played games with them. One of them was monkey in the middle and I was in the middle for a while. After that I was tired and went and sat on the steps and talked to S and R. I became close to R that night too. She was a sweet girl with an open heart, just like S. They asked me questions and Randa and I told them we would send them some pics of American boys if we could....lol! I knew that the next day we would be leaving and would not see them again until the next time we came...if we did. I was sad after we left that night. We had devos that night and said who we were thankful for then we went to bed.
This morning we went to Rapha House and we had devos with the staff at Rapha House. They all were really intrigued by us I think. Then all of us girls and Josh plus a few adults went to the market to get stuff to put in the baskets that the girls get when they first come to the house. I can sum up the market in several words....smelly, gross, and basically disgusting, but it is their way of getting what they need. It would be like our Wal-Mart, but not as fancy and Wal-Mart isn't that fancy. Then we were invited to a wedding, which we were not aware of til we got there. The food was really interesting...I just drank my coke. We thought that there was a snake of a head in our food bowl, because it had eyes and looked like a snake....Randa will have to post a pic. It really freaked me out. The bride was extremely pretty, but it was raining and the bride and groom seemed sad, because if guests didn't show up, then their wedding wouldn't be paid for. Then we went to get our photos taken in traditional Khmer clothing. The person that did my hair and make up was a cross dresser, but he/she did a really good job. I don't even look like myself though. They kinda scare me. I took two in Kmer traditional clothing and one in a purple dress I picked out. Then we took a tuk-tuk back to the hotel. It is a form of transportation in Cambodia. I really liked my hair in the photos. We went to White Rose again and I ordered something I didn't like AGAIN...so I decided I am sticking to rice and hot tea. Then we went to Rapha Hoouse. S had just got back from school. She greeted me. Then we performed another one of our skits for the girls. I was the girl with the cell phone that was placing that before God. It was called "idolizer." We would look at Jesus pose him to our idol then he would go back to being on the cross. After that we taught the girls how to dance to Cupid's Shuffle, it was so much fun, we had to do it twice. We laughed the whole time. S and I were laughin when S would turn the wrong way. Then we went back outside and played games with them. One of them was monkey in the middle and I was in the middle for a while. After that I was tired and went and sat on the steps and talked to S and R. I became close to R that night too. She was a sweet girl with an open heart, just like S. They asked me questions and Randa and I told them we would send them some pics of American boys if we could....lol! I knew that the next day we would be leaving and would not see them again until the next time we came...if we did. I was sad after we left that night. We had devos that night and said who we were thankful for then we went to bed.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Goodbye to the girls!
It's Thursday morning and last night we said goodbye to the girls.....................if you know me, you know how hard that was for me, and for everyone. In such a short time, we have become so attached to these precious girls. If i could, I would bring 3-4 home, knowing Danny would love it, but since that is not possible, i will strive to make a difference in the lives of the young women God places in my path. Today we leave for Siem Reap, by boat, it will be an amazing 6 hour ride.
The Cambodian people have been amazing, the women are gracious, and i hope someday to come back to this beautiful country.
Stay Strong
Joshua 1:9
Debbie
The Cambodian people have been amazing, the women are gracious, and i hope someday to come back to this beautiful country.
Stay Strong
Joshua 1:9
Debbie
Adventures of Ashley and Randa in Cambodia Day 4
Day 4
So this morning we woke up at 4:30 am. We cleaned up and got ready for church. Then we went down to the Internet to call our friends and family. It was Brayden's Birthday Party at Ashley's house and Randa's family was there too. Then we went to breakfast at our hotel and Ashley had hot tea and toast. Randa had.... After that we went to the Rapha House church service. It was very moving. Most of the time we couldn't understand what they were saying, but you could really feel God's presence. We would sing in our language and they would sing in theirs. John preached for them and someone translated. Then it was time for the baptisms. There were a lot of people that got baptized, probably around 25 to 30 people. The children played in the baptism pool after the people were baptized. It was made out of concrete and filled with water outside. Then we took a tour of Rapha House. First we toured the church and saw where the vocational training was. Then we toured the buildings. Downstairs was vocational training and English classes, upstairs was the girls dorms. The dorms for the girls had bunk beds. Then we visited the counseling boat. It was for the girls to go and let out there feelings, or just draw picture. They could also talk to a counselor if they needed to. Last, we saw the mushroom project, which to us was just amazing. It was a way for the girls to connect with their family and help support them. Each family was taught how to raise the mushrooms, then they were given a bag to start their own mushrooms. Then they could sell them and get money for them. We then went to eat at a place that looked like a hut. The food was AMAZING!!! Randa and Ashley both had shrimp pad thai. The restuarant was right next to the Jolie-Pitt Maddox foundation. Which is Angelina and Brad Pitts foundation in honor of their son Maddox. We then went back to the Teo hotel. We decided that we shoud take a tok tok tour of Battambang. In our tok tok we had Josh, Jen, Therin, Katie, and us. We went around and Therin explained to us what everything was and what the people did with it. We also took a detour to Therin's g-mas house. Her g-ma is buddhist so they dont have the same views on many things, but going there was fun. They cut down jack-fruit and served it to us while we were just standing around. Afterwards we came back to the hotel to rest for awhile. We went to Rapha House after that. As we got off the bus, the girls were already waiting. S had just got back from school and S was waiting for us too. We performed our welcome skit for the girls. Then we had to sort out flip flops into sizes. It was a mess. The girls started coming in and they were scrambling to find the right pair of flip flops. Some were picky and some weren't. We took pics with our girls and told them they were beautiful. Then we played a form of duck duck goose, but with partners. There were several crash collisions. We had to leave, but we hugged our girls like 10 times, and didn't want to leave them. They even said we should take them to our hotel, or that we could stay with them. After leaving we went to eat. Randa ordered a lot of ice cream, a shake, and beef stir fry. Ashley ordered something that tasted like fish...enough said. Then she ordered French Fries and a shake to cover up the taste. We had devos at our hotel and went to bed.
So this morning we woke up at 4:30 am. We cleaned up and got ready for church. Then we went down to the Internet to call our friends and family. It was Brayden's Birthday Party at Ashley's house and Randa's family was there too. Then we went to breakfast at our hotel and Ashley had hot tea and toast. Randa had.... After that we went to the Rapha House church service. It was very moving. Most of the time we couldn't understand what they were saying, but you could really feel God's presence. We would sing in our language and they would sing in theirs. John preached for them and someone translated. Then it was time for the baptisms. There were a lot of people that got baptized, probably around 25 to 30 people. The children played in the baptism pool after the people were baptized. It was made out of concrete and filled with water outside. Then we took a tour of Rapha House. First we toured the church and saw where the vocational training was. Then we toured the buildings. Downstairs was vocational training and English classes, upstairs was the girls dorms. The dorms for the girls had bunk beds. Then we visited the counseling boat. It was for the girls to go and let out there feelings, or just draw picture. They could also talk to a counselor if they needed to. Last, we saw the mushroom project, which to us was just amazing. It was a way for the girls to connect with their family and help support them. Each family was taught how to raise the mushrooms, then they were given a bag to start their own mushrooms. Then they could sell them and get money for them. We then went to eat at a place that looked like a hut. The food was AMAZING!!! Randa and Ashley both had shrimp pad thai. The restuarant was right next to the Jolie-Pitt Maddox foundation. Which is Angelina and Brad Pitts foundation in honor of their son Maddox. We then went back to the Teo hotel. We decided that we shoud take a tok tok tour of Battambang. In our tok tok we had Josh, Jen, Therin, Katie, and us. We went around and Therin explained to us what everything was and what the people did with it. We also took a detour to Therin's g-mas house. Her g-ma is buddhist so they dont have the same views on many things, but going there was fun. They cut down jack-fruit and served it to us while we were just standing around. Afterwards we came back to the hotel to rest for awhile. We went to Rapha House after that. As we got off the bus, the girls were already waiting. S had just got back from school and S was waiting for us too. We performed our welcome skit for the girls. Then we had to sort out flip flops into sizes. It was a mess. The girls started coming in and they were scrambling to find the right pair of flip flops. Some were picky and some weren't. We took pics with our girls and told them they were beautiful. Then we played a form of duck duck goose, but with partners. There were several crash collisions. We had to leave, but we hugged our girls like 10 times, and didn't want to leave them. They even said we should take them to our hotel, or that we could stay with them. After leaving we went to eat. Randa ordered a lot of ice cream, a shake, and beef stir fry. Ashley ordered something that tasted like fish...enough said. Then she ordered French Fries and a shake to cover up the taste. We had devos at our hotel and went to bed.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Adventures of Randa and Ashley in Cambodia Day 3
Day 3
So this morning we got up and we had the usual noodles. Roger was waiting for dropped food. We kept throwing food for him and Jeff said that if we kept it up we would be eating Roger. Then we got on our five hour bus ride to Battambang, but it was longer cuz we had so many stops. Ashley had her first encounter with the squatty potty when we stopped to change buses. Kelse' was really freaked out about it. Jen gave us all a lesson on how to use them. Then Randa and I switched buses. The other bus had all the luggage and it was really hot! We listened to the CD player for most of the ride. Steph and her husband were on our bus, so she allowed us to call home. It was really awesome to hear our parents voices, but they freaked out when they first heard us, because they thought something was wrong. Randa's call was cut short, because the phone went haywire and had no service. Halfway through the ride we stopped again and had to use squatty pottys, the girls on the first bus did a squatty potty dance for the camera while Steph took Ashley and I to get cokes for 25 cents. Then we got to Battambang. Our hotel was a lot different than our first hotel. The rooms were a little smaller, but they were cozy. The bathroom didn't really have a set shower, but it had a hose like a shower head. There was a internet place right next to the hotel and a phone to call home. After unpacking and resting a little we were going to the Rapha House. As we stepped off the bus the girls were lined in a row passing out flower necklaces. They called it the ""tunnel of love". We greeted them, hugged, and started talking with them. They were just like normal girls, just as Steph and Jen had said. Then they started the welcome party. They danced Khmer dances for us. We also got to celebrate National Children's Day with them, which was awesome too!! Then we had supper with them. We ate the rice just to be safe and some of the salad. Then we danced the night away with them. This was when Randa and I met our friends S and S. They were the ones that taught us to dance. They were such sweet girls. When we left they hugged us and said "sista u come back tomorrow so I see you". Then we got on the bus and headed back to the hotel. We had our devos. Then we went to our rooms. Randa and I got freaked out cuz our door shook some, and we thought it was a man trying to break in, so we got really scared, but it was just the wind. Then we could see the people walking by, or there shadow, through our curtain. We finally went to sleep and got some rest.
So this morning we got up and we had the usual noodles. Roger was waiting for dropped food. We kept throwing food for him and Jeff said that if we kept it up we would be eating Roger. Then we got on our five hour bus ride to Battambang, but it was longer cuz we had so many stops. Ashley had her first encounter with the squatty potty when we stopped to change buses. Kelse' was really freaked out about it. Jen gave us all a lesson on how to use them. Then Randa and I switched buses. The other bus had all the luggage and it was really hot! We listened to the CD player for most of the ride. Steph and her husband were on our bus, so she allowed us to call home. It was really awesome to hear our parents voices, but they freaked out when they first heard us, because they thought something was wrong. Randa's call was cut short, because the phone went haywire and had no service. Halfway through the ride we stopped again and had to use squatty pottys, the girls on the first bus did a squatty potty dance for the camera while Steph took Ashley and I to get cokes for 25 cents. Then we got to Battambang. Our hotel was a lot different than our first hotel. The rooms were a little smaller, but they were cozy. The bathroom didn't really have a set shower, but it had a hose like a shower head. There was a internet place right next to the hotel and a phone to call home. After unpacking and resting a little we were going to the Rapha House. As we stepped off the bus the girls were lined in a row passing out flower necklaces. They called it the ""tunnel of love". We greeted them, hugged, and started talking with them. They were just like normal girls, just as Steph and Jen had said. Then they started the welcome party. They danced Khmer dances for us. We also got to celebrate National Children's Day with them, which was awesome too!! Then we had supper with them. We ate the rice just to be safe and some of the salad. Then we danced the night away with them. This was when Randa and I met our friends S and S. They were the ones that taught us to dance. They were such sweet girls. When we left they hugged us and said "sista u come back tomorrow so I see you". Then we got on the bus and headed back to the hotel. We had our devos. Then we went to our rooms. Randa and I got freaked out cuz our door shook some, and we thought it was a man trying to break in, so we got really scared, but it was just the wind. Then we could see the people walking by, or there shadow, through our curtain. We finally went to sleep and got some rest.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Ashley and Randa's Adventures in Cambodia Day 2
Part 1-
This day was completely worth everything we worked for. We started off our day with NOODLES for breakfast!! Ashley enjoyed the hot tea while I ate fruit and noodles with shrimp. We met a new friend at the hotel...Roger, the cat, and he loved to come and eat with us. After breakfast we took the amazing bus to the salon. Not just a regular salon but a salon ran by Rapha girls. It was super cool and we took lots of pics. We then went on to the island. We had to ride in a boat over the Tigris River to get to the island. The people of the island wanted to build a church but they wanted the cross to be seen from the mainland so it is right where you get off of the boat. The boat was a neat experience. We had to get on the boat one at a time so it wouldn't tip. Ashley always thought it was going to tip when it rocked. When we went up there, children were everywhere. It was so cool to see all of their faces light up when we played with them and just when we said hello. As soon as we got there Lindsey wanted to take a picture with this little boy and girl. The little boy automatically put his fingers up in a peace sign and smiled really big...then everyone wanted to take pictures with them. While we were taking pictures Ashley dropped her camera and it broke! So from now until the end of the trip its my duty to take pics for both of us, which Ashley is really grateful for. After a while of playing with the little children we went on a tour of the island. As we were just getting started, a little boy came up to Ty and was pointing to his muscles. Ty told him to hit him and he did...it made him smile when Ty told him he hit really hard and that it hurt...he then flexed really big and told Ty in Khmer that he could take him, Therin translated for us. The ''muscle man'' as Ashley called him linked arms with her and Josh and Ashley invited his friends to link arms. They all joined and linked arms with Ashley and Josh. They kept speaking in Khmer and we didn't understand a word of it, so we just shook our heads. Then Bev mentioned that Ashley was lop-lop, which means crazy in Khmer the boys burst out laughing. From then on they called me lop-lop and that was my new nickname. Then Randa joined the chain of kids. As we were walking through the trees and fields we started singing In the Jungle, from Lion King. "Muscles" the little boy, was looping arms with Ashley and I, started singing too. We would sing one line and he would repeat it. He kept singing and singing because he had learned something in English and he loved it. When we were singing and laughing and having a good time, we had our first encounter with a centipide. It was scary! Those things are poisnous. When we got back to the church from our tour we had a church service. It was so amazing and breath-taking. They were singing songs as loud and proud as they could in their language while we were singing it in our language. They had confused looks on their faces when they heard what we were singing. They took up an offering and it was amazing to see how the people give even when they have nothing. After the eye-opening service, Ashley played hacky-sack with a bunch of our group and the little kids. As we got back on the boat and watched the little children and the moms wave to us from the stairs, I realized that in Cambodia they have so little and give so much whereas in America we have so much and yet we give so little-Randa. I realized that they have so little and will give it up and in America we have so much and yet are so selfish. Why are we this way? Also, I learned that they are grateful for what they have and don't complain about what they don't have like I tend to do. They have so little and always are joyful and we gripe and have more then they probably will in their whole lifetime. We complain and are never satisfied, but they are excited by what they have.-Ashley
Part 2 of Day 2
We then rode the bus to the Friends for Jesus Club. It is at Therin's house. It was a place for the children in the neighboring area to come and learn about Jesus. It is reaching out to the needy children of the area. As soon as we got off the bus and started walking down the alley to the house, little children grabbed our hands and begged for attention immediately. When we got in the gates we saw quite a few children. We interacted and played with them. We were introduced to Layla and her family. She is a God-pleasing woman and she started the Mark Trotter Foundation, which supports the Friends for Jesus Club. She showed us around the house and told us about the children in the area and how they were trying to help them out. Then we were taken to the homes of one of the children that they had supported to go to school. We were both speechless when we saw the home, or shack. It was pieces of wood that had no roof, and basically just a table. There were no walls. Just a frame made out of wood. There was a man down the alley. This was very saddening, these people had so little. They were known as "squatters" and the government was trying to push them out of the street and they would be homeless. Randa gave her chex mix away to one of the kids and his family that lived down the alley. Then we went to Kiwi's for lunch. It had a lot of different foods. Josh ordered some type of noodle and added some spice, needless to say it made it very hot and spicy. He didn't hardly eat any of it. We ordered pink lemonades and they were really good, but pretty sour. Then we went back to the Friends for Jesus Club. We made backpacks with goodies for the children. There were 300 backpacks made up. As they started to give away food and backpacks it got really chaotic. Kids were pushing and scrambling for food. It was really a sign of desperation. Mothers with their children were lining up. There was pushing and fighting. It was sad. It was really sad when we gave the last back pack away. We had to start turning kids away, which was the hardest part. Some of the kids were allowed to come back and get their backpacks later, others wouldn't get one. There was a crowd outside the gate that was trying to get in too. After the hard work and 300 + kids fed later we were shocked! We had basically been a part of a miracle!! What could we do now? So to lighten the mood we began to sing. The voices were lifted up and we think that they were probably heard in heaven, as God was smiling down on us. Then Therin's family wanted to feed us. Some of us felt a little guilty after we had just turned down kids, but it would be rude not to eat, so we did eat. The spring rolls were amazing and Randa and I said that we would just eat one more, but one turned into like 10, or maybe even 20...lol! Then we were going back to the bus and Randa realized that she forgot her tennis shoes, but Serena, a little friend of ours, went back with her to get them. The bus ride home was pretty silent, because everyone was tired out. We didn't have devos, because we all needed to take showers. We went to our room, took showers, and went to sleep. Our 2nd day was definitely busy, but very rewarding. We felt like God was looking down and smiling at each of us and saying "thank you good and faithful servants."
This day was completely worth everything we worked for. We started off our day with NOODLES for breakfast!! Ashley enjoyed the hot tea while I ate fruit and noodles with shrimp. We met a new friend at the hotel...Roger, the cat, and he loved to come and eat with us. After breakfast we took the amazing bus to the salon. Not just a regular salon but a salon ran by Rapha girls. It was super cool and we took lots of pics. We then went on to the island. We had to ride in a boat over the Tigris River to get to the island. The people of the island wanted to build a church but they wanted the cross to be seen from the mainland so it is right where you get off of the boat. The boat was a neat experience. We had to get on the boat one at a time so it wouldn't tip. Ashley always thought it was going to tip when it rocked. When we went up there, children were everywhere. It was so cool to see all of their faces light up when we played with them and just when we said hello. As soon as we got there Lindsey wanted to take a picture with this little boy and girl. The little boy automatically put his fingers up in a peace sign and smiled really big...then everyone wanted to take pictures with them. While we were taking pictures Ashley dropped her camera and it broke! So from now until the end of the trip its my duty to take pics for both of us, which Ashley is really grateful for. After a while of playing with the little children we went on a tour of the island. As we were just getting started, a little boy came up to Ty and was pointing to his muscles. Ty told him to hit him and he did...it made him smile when Ty told him he hit really hard and that it hurt...he then flexed really big and told Ty in Khmer that he could take him, Therin translated for us. The ''muscle man'' as Ashley called him linked arms with her and Josh and Ashley invited his friends to link arms. They all joined and linked arms with Ashley and Josh. They kept speaking in Khmer and we didn't understand a word of it, so we just shook our heads. Then Bev mentioned that Ashley was lop-lop, which means crazy in Khmer the boys burst out laughing. From then on they called me lop-lop and that was my new nickname. Then Randa joined the chain of kids. As we were walking through the trees and fields we started singing In the Jungle, from Lion King. "Muscles" the little boy, was looping arms with Ashley and I, started singing too. We would sing one line and he would repeat it. He kept singing and singing because he had learned something in English and he loved it. When we were singing and laughing and having a good time, we had our first encounter with a centipide. It was scary! Those things are poisnous. When we got back to the church from our tour we had a church service. It was so amazing and breath-taking. They were singing songs as loud and proud as they could in their language while we were singing it in our language. They had confused looks on their faces when they heard what we were singing. They took up an offering and it was amazing to see how the people give even when they have nothing. After the eye-opening service, Ashley played hacky-sack with a bunch of our group and the little kids. As we got back on the boat and watched the little children and the moms wave to us from the stairs, I realized that in Cambodia they have so little and give so much whereas in America we have so much and yet we give so little-Randa. I realized that they have so little and will give it up and in America we have so much and yet are so selfish. Why are we this way? Also, I learned that they are grateful for what they have and don't complain about what they don't have like I tend to do. They have so little and always are joyful and we gripe and have more then they probably will in their whole lifetime. We complain and are never satisfied, but they are excited by what they have.-Ashley
Part 2 of Day 2
We then rode the bus to the Friends for Jesus Club. It is at Therin's house. It was a place for the children in the neighboring area to come and learn about Jesus. It is reaching out to the needy children of the area. As soon as we got off the bus and started walking down the alley to the house, little children grabbed our hands and begged for attention immediately. When we got in the gates we saw quite a few children. We interacted and played with them. We were introduced to Layla and her family. She is a God-pleasing woman and she started the Mark Trotter Foundation, which supports the Friends for Jesus Club. She showed us around the house and told us about the children in the area and how they were trying to help them out. Then we were taken to the homes of one of the children that they had supported to go to school. We were both speechless when we saw the home, or shack. It was pieces of wood that had no roof, and basically just a table. There were no walls. Just a frame made out of wood. There was a man down the alley. This was very saddening, these people had so little. They were known as "squatters" and the government was trying to push them out of the street and they would be homeless. Randa gave her chex mix away to one of the kids and his family that lived down the alley. Then we went to Kiwi's for lunch. It had a lot of different foods. Josh ordered some type of noodle and added some spice, needless to say it made it very hot and spicy. He didn't hardly eat any of it. We ordered pink lemonades and they were really good, but pretty sour. Then we went back to the Friends for Jesus Club. We made backpacks with goodies for the children. There were 300 backpacks made up. As they started to give away food and backpacks it got really chaotic. Kids were pushing and scrambling for food. It was really a sign of desperation. Mothers with their children were lining up. There was pushing and fighting. It was sad. It was really sad when we gave the last back pack away. We had to start turning kids away, which was the hardest part. Some of the kids were allowed to come back and get their backpacks later, others wouldn't get one. There was a crowd outside the gate that was trying to get in too. After the hard work and 300 + kids fed later we were shocked! We had basically been a part of a miracle!! What could we do now? So to lighten the mood we began to sing. The voices were lifted up and we think that they were probably heard in heaven, as God was smiling down on us. Then Therin's family wanted to feed us. Some of us felt a little guilty after we had just turned down kids, but it would be rude not to eat, so we did eat. The spring rolls were amazing and Randa and I said that we would just eat one more, but one turned into like 10, or maybe even 20...lol! Then we were going back to the bus and Randa realized that she forgot her tennis shoes, but Serena, a little friend of ours, went back with her to get them. The bus ride home was pretty silent, because everyone was tired out. We didn't have devos, because we all needed to take showers. We went to our room, took showers, and went to sleep. Our 2nd day was definitely busy, but very rewarding. We felt like God was looking down and smiling at each of us and saying "thank you good and faithful servants."
Ashley and Randa's Adventures in Cambodia
Last time we blogged we were in the Hong Kong Airport. Since then we've had quite an experience. On our flight Ashley tried some eccentric fruit that was gross, it's called dragon fruit and it has no taste. Randa watched the Simpson's and it was funny, up until they started playing Cambodia music videos in the middle of the movie. When we got off the plane we met Stephanie and Taree and they took us to the bus to go to our hotel. They arrived bringing us gifts of bracelets made out of flowers, known as Jasmine. The building had a really neat architecture to them. There were lots of temples. As we were driving crazily we saw tons of motos, also known as scooters that are gas-powered. They surrounded us, and they would fly by us, and we were a little scared that they would hit us. Our hotel was a four star hotel and totally sweet!! In our room we got a little crazy and decided to use our bracelets as halos and sing...it reminded us of the good old days. Everyone was tired but instead of going to sleep like we wanted to we went to the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. It was sad and made us speechless. It reminded us of the Holocaust. While we were there it rained, warm rain too!! We were drenched but it felt amazing. We rode the bus back to the hotel and were told not to go to sleep...so much for that! Randa and I both took a short nap while waiting in line to get on the internet. Randa didn't end up getting on the internet, because she was tired. After that we were really tired. We then went to the mall to eat pizza. Randa and I were pretty much dozing off. The pizza was pretty good, but tasteless to us...the sleepy. That night after eating we went back to the hotel for devos. Randa and I were way tired at this point. We went to bed at 8 PM even though we were told to stay awake til 9. We crashed!!!!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Adventures of Ashley and Randa
It all started with the Fayetteville Airport. First, Ashley was stopped by the security. I don't know what was wrong with me. They took my backpack and did a search of my CD player and Bible. It was really strange. I was freaking out when they stopped me to look in my bag. Randa was laughing her head off when Karen, her mom, set off the security alarm! We were on our way to Dallas, TX. It kind of finally hit us we were finally on our way. We were going to Cambodia after months of planning. The flight was boring! Randa and I colored our "pretty princess" pictures and reviewed our Cinderella characters. Next the Dallas Airport. Randa got stopped this time. It was quite an experience. Ashley tried her first ever Lemonade Sorbet Ice Cream from Ben and Jerry's, and Randa finished her strawberry lemonade smoothie, made with apple juice. It looked gross, but tasted gross too...lol! There was a huge storm cooking in Dallas. We got on our plate later than planned. Then we sat in the runway while it was raining and lightning. We were waiting for the other planes to take off and we were number 15 in line. Randa had an emotional breakdown...jk...she just got a little claustrophobic. Then we took off and it looked like we were flying into the storm. The plane ride was bumpy and made Ashley nervous. And Randa was still in her own bubble. As it turned out, when we got off the plane in L.A. I (Randa) left my ipod on the plane, so I called my mom and told her about it because we were running to our next flight...we were late, but since we were such a big group they wouldn't leave without us. LA to Hong Kong was well....what can we say? Basically undescribable and a huge luxury. There were TV's with movies, games, and everything in the back of each seat. The coolest part was that there was an upstairs floor, to which we were not allowed to explore....which was kind of disappointing. The 13 hour flight was bumpy too, but awesome. We slept, some, but mostly watched movies and listened to music...oh and ate lots of food! Ya... our favorite comedy movie was "Bride Wars." Now we are in Hong Kong Airport and it is pretty early here. It's exciting to be overseas. Our dollars are worth a lot in Hong Kong. Seven of their dollars equals 30 cents of ours. We just ate breakfast and it's around 7 am..Randa had the pot stickers with Ashley and an eight dollar coffee...which I didn't even get to finish because this lady threw it away! =[[ Overall, it has been a good experience, but I think we are both ready to be in Cambodia. It will really be a life changing experience. Our eyes are already being opened. Well it is about time for you guys to go to bed so we will blog more about our adventures later! Love you guys lots and remember to pray for us here!
Until next time,
Randa and Ashley <3
Thursday, May 21, 2009
One week from tonight!
Cambodia.........one week from tonight the team will be will be in Cambodia........Why was my childhood happy and safe and so many young girls isn't?
I just came from an evening of prayer with my sisters for myself and the team........How thankful I am for prayer and for them. We prayed for our hearts to overflow with grace and love for everyone we meet and for God to WOW us with HIS glory! It is going to be amazing! God you are so faithful, you never cease to amaze me with your goodness.
I just came from an evening of prayer with my sisters for myself and the team........How thankful I am for prayer and for them. We prayed for our hearts to overflow with grace and love for everyone we meet and for God to WOW us with HIS glory! It is going to be amazing! God you are so faithful, you never cease to amaze me with your goodness.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Anticipation
We have met for the final time as a team until we gather at the airport to depart on this journey with God. For now, we continue our preparations in gathering last minute items and packing them in our bags as well as seeking God's Word and placing it in our hearts where God will continue to cultivate it for the time He will bring it to our minds for joy, or comfort, or strength.
Other team members will begin blogging their thoughts in preparation for the journey. Make sure to check back often.
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