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Cambodia....
When I stop and look there is a lot of charm to be seen. Ancient temples, polite people bowing heads while holding their hands like in prayer when they greet someone. People on streets friendly smiles. A King who is highly honored and I guess worshiped by many.
 This past week was the Kings birthday. And the park in front of his Palace a large neon sign was built to honor him as well as many festivities. But there is just something about this country that gets to me.
I can't help wondering how much was spent on this while there is so many poor. But a
las maybe it is the same in my country as well. But there is just something about Cambodia that is different then any other country. Perhaps it is seeing the many Range Rovers (Even more then Newport Beach for sure), Land Cruisers and even many Rolls Royce's?
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| Parjk in front of Palace was full in the evening to celebrate King |
Maybe it is seeing the many beautiful, young and seductively dressed ladies under the arms of men much older then me??? Maybe huh...
Perhaps it is because I try to look beyond the friendly smile and polite greetings. The poverty is everywhere. But it is more then just that I think...
Maybe it is the rampant dusty and trash filled roads?
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| Notice couple, but this was a "mild" couple compared to many others |
But there is just something about Cambodia.... Maybe it is that for several years now we have been trying to get an official permit for our homes for "at-risk" girls in Battambang. And though we met officials and they smiled politely and nodded their heads all the while mentioning that a "gift" would greatly expedite the process.... Well to date GIBTK has not given these types of gifts and we are not beginning now!
Honestly I had come to a near end in my quest for this licensing from the govt. And yesterday we met with the ministry of education, turned in our paper work and when asked when we should check back, he said "in a week." Huh? But GOD!!! You see for some time I have been "telling" God that I am ready to pull out.
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| Poverty mixed in with Prosperous appearance of Phnom |
This ministry director even had us go down to the administrator's office to formally document our paper work and get a seal on it. He told us this is to ensure that the papers don't "get lost".
Honestly I am not sure if this will be the "tipping" point or not but seems like we have made strives. If you are the praying type and I know many of you are. Pray that we do get the letter of support for Ministry of education and our next step go as well when we do the final step of submitting our papers to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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| Market in Phnom |
I have to stop and wonder. Was it just that I had to come to the end of myself before I get out of the way and allow God to slip in and do His work?
I know it does not please Him what I see much less all that goes on behind the neon bar signs saying open 24 hours, "Don't miss the fun"
Many have asked and to be honest in recent days I too have asked myself "isn't Vietnam enough? One country is plenty. Yup it is BUT it seems the God I attempt to serve cares about not only Nations, but regions and fact the entire world, mess as it seems.
I clearly see that this entire SE Asia region shares a culture. And to think we can stay within man-made boundaries and really have a transforming effect is silly to me. Sure kids will be changed but if the Nation, the region does not change and continues down the road I see with 24 hour pubs advertising Candy girls, and casinos opening up and on and on what chance is there is for lasting generational change?
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| Street scene near Palace |
Yes it would be SO MUCH easier to stay in Vietnam where we are established, have a full team who has caught the vision. But this vision thing is the problem. You see I would hate to settle for a shadow of the Vision God put into Dorothea's and my heart. Settle for a vision, which sorta looks like the real vision, you know like our shadows, sorta looks like us or for that matter any other persons shadow.
But for me we will work towards the real vision God placed on our hearts. To transform a nation and change a culture, one child at a time!!!
GIBTK will continue trudging roads less traveled searching to find lasting solutions for a society trying to find its place in the world.
PLEASE be sure look for the next journal. I have a letter from a recent graduate of Hal's Home written to all of us, yes you included.
You are GIBTK!!! Couldn't be where we are without all of you!!!
><((((º> BBlessed
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