Maybe I'm just a girl

We arrived in Phnom Penh around 11am, after a rather bumpy and sleepless night and feeling somewhat exhausted. Observing the country from the plane it looked rather dry and dusty, but quite heavily built up. Michael and Miriam met us at the airport and we were introduced to Tuk tuks. Similar to a horse and cart but instead of a horse it has a motor bike. Even in our rather weary state we couldn’t help notice the noise, the traffic, and the chaos. All very different to what we have been used to.Once arriving at the BEC we then met quite a few people and then had to commence in learning every ones name. Not quite so easy! The first day or two we spent getting used to things and where we were and the warm weather. The weather is definitely getting warmer, we can notice it even after only being here a week! Cold showers are the best invention, although they only keep you cool while you’re in them! As soon you turn the water off, you start steaming again. On Saturday we went over to the Bethezer Dorms where a mini seminar was being held. We also had traditional Khmer food: green mango with chili, rice, and fish. We also got to meet all the dorm students. They are lovely, lively, happy people and fairly easy to get along with, although the language barrier is an issue sometimes. Most people know some English which is very useful. The other thing we have noticed is that a lot of people have similar names and it is quite easy to get them mixed up… Try not getting Sokha, Sokun, Sokheing, Sokhorn, Sophorn and Sophal muddled!It brings a big smile to the Khmer people’s face when you attempt their language. We might not get it perfectly right but people do seem to understand us. Then they say “you speak Khmer?”Sunday was busy with students coming in and Sunday school and the meeting in the afternoon and a class after. They have just so much enthusiasm too.Monday being our day off we decided to venture out into the city of Phnom Penh. Quite an experience. We decided to walk to central market, in the process we had to cross a few major streets, which has its challenges! Like not always having traffic lights to cross at and when there is you have to watch out as not everyone will actually stop for the red light! You just need to have eyes everywhere! When there aren’t traffic lights you just have to start walking and try to miss the motos, tuktuks and cars, or hope they miss you! I guess you must get used to it eventually.The other really interesting thing is the amount people carry on their Motos (mopeds)… like a pillion passenger trying to balance five mirrors as tall as and wider then himself, while the driver weaves through traffic! And you can even fit five air conditioner units on the back of a moped too… or a goat in a sack… or a cow (although it did look a little queezy)! It really has to be seen to be believed.The markets are just amazing too. Everything is available and there is so much fresh fruit and fish, whether dried or fresh or live, chickens alive or dead. Clothes sizes aren’t quite the same here. Like David finding that he can only just squeeze into XL, but the XXL suits him better. When going around the markets they say “Lady, you want big size, we have.” I have decided to take “big” as a complement here!Three mornings this week we have been to the Dorms for Dawn Service. This time of day is just beautiful as we are able to watch the sun rise from the roof top. It is not too hot at this time either, and the city is much quieter. The dorm students seem really keen and listen fairly well considering the time in the morning… although they may get a bit more sleep than we do as we get up at 5:15 am to make it over there ready for a 6am start.On the way back traffic is a nightmare, our tuk tuk actually got caught in a car wheel one morning. No road rage, in fact no one really seemed too bothered. Obviously it just happens over here. I wouldn’t like an electrician here: there are so many lines and they are so tangled and look such a big mess that I wouldn’t know where to begin!Well that is about it for now, people keep coming and lessons keep happening. There are so many people ready to listen and talk about the Bible and God. It is so encouraging.

David and Anna