Cambodia Bible Education Centre

At the end of 2007, after spending six months in Cambodia, we came back to Australia, leaving behind two baptised members, thinking that we would return soon. But time passed, other things took priority, and it wasn’t until now (three years later) that we have returned (for a few weeks). In some ways the three year gap has been a good thing. We have been able to see the many positive differences that have taken place slowly over that time. The number of brethren and sisters here is now close to 40! Some of the regular students we left behind are now leaders in the ecclesia, showing true concern and love for the members. The Khmer brethren are giving exhortations and presiding. The Phnom Penh ecclesia are organizing their own activities. Some of the baptised members are assisting with teaching lessons or translating lessons for BEC students. There has been so much growth! Highlights: - Participating in a memorial meeting where the exhortation was given in Khmer and translated into Engli...

There is a sound that slowly, over time, I have come to resent: the sound of the alarm that wakes Deb and I up at 5.05am on most days. When that strumming, cheerful tune cuts through my sleep, my first thought is usually one of resentment. I spring out of bed (okay, using a little poetic licence here..) and try to avoid the gaping maw of a yawning Deb. I'm often the first person downstairs and as I'm unlocking the door the cool freshness of the morning hits me, I'm rejuvenated and I love it! The light touching the clouds with hints of pink and orange, the city still so quiet, the breeze gently rustling through the palm tree next door. A perfect moment of peace in an otherwise noisy and frantic day. Then I feel grateful that I've been able to witness another beautiful morning in Phnom Penh. Most of the fieldworkers then head to the dorm via tuk tuk where we are always greeted with happy smiles and numerous calls of "sok sabay?" before getting into classes. Gett...

So, I have been back in Kambodge for two weeks and getting into the swing of things. It was lovely to be welcomed by the other volunteers with no mention in the previous blog of my imminent arrival and a week of doing their work as they scampered off to Siem Reap. Yes, Cambodia (or the volunteers) failed to prepare sufficiently for a whinging POM. Obviously, I’m just living up to the stereotype. In fact, most of the enjoyment of our time together is exploring the Aussie and English stereotypes. The way I dunk my biscuits into hot drinks, the way they massacre our beautiful language with words like 'rattifanger' (don't ask), the intelligent English sense of humour (although, I haven't told them that most English people don't find the orange-for-a-head joke funny either), and the ha-ha-you-fell-over Aussie humour. Good times. But, in all seriousness, we have a great team here; working hard, but enjoying it at the same time. My lesson schedule has been stacking up, nic...