Family, Fun and Fellowship at BEC2

The disappointment of having to stop lessons during the Pchum Ben Day holidays quickly disappeared when the mini bus from Phnom Penh arrived at BEC2 with family from Australia and a group of Cambodians on board that Vanny had assembled at the last minute.

The energy that Vanny is able to stir up was frenetic and didn’t cease for the four days that they were here.  Everyone had a role to play and contributed to a wonderful time of study, play, eating, site seeing, surfing, punctuated with the mandatory midday rest. Love abounded as everyone found a way to keep the BEC tidy, food flowing and enjoyment levels fairly distributed. Selflessness dominated as it usually does when the Cambodians are around.

Our grandchildren were entertained and cared for while Dan, Alyce and Rachelle made themselves familiar with their new surrounds and answered a long line of questions from new and old brothers, sisters and friends. Our BEC2 sports gear got well used with foot, volley and tennis balls and badminton ‘birds’ in constant motion.

After the long bus trip we all went for a long walk from the BEC to the beach and enjoyed a meal, sunset and fireworks together. The walk was hard on Dan who pushed Cruz in a stroller that needed Inspector Gadget arms to operate. Dan finally gave up on the downhill slope to the beach.

The girls including Rachelle, Chantry, Rachana and Chheng Orn put on a display at the waters edge that was going well until one cracker blew up causing a few squeals but fortunately no injuries. The beachside BBQ was relaxing and everyone had a delicious meal together. Freakishly we met up with Minea who was visiting Sihanouk Ville with several of her sisters from Kampong Cham. They were actually sitting right next to us. It was a great chance to catch up with her and an impromptu lesson/discussion followed for the next half hour or so. Our Heavenly Father provides so many opportunities that come so richly here.

Cruz and Charlie (our grandchildren) thrived on the constant attention between the studies and bonded with everyone so quickly.  We found a few caterpillar grubs on the vegies and Charlie chased the Khmer girls around the BEC. Apparently they are scared of any insects. Savvy pretended to be scared and a chasie game left the children exhausted and so happy. Lynne and I were grateful to have the young ones around to entertain the littlies.

 

Sister Kimsrean led the food preparation team and treated us to some hamburgers as well as the usual treats from the local market. She and Theavy have been taking western cooking lessons so it was a bit strange watching everyone eating burgers. Vanny of course had to have some rice as well. Imagine rice being a comfort food! We usually think of chocolate or something similar in this way, but not in Cambodia where you learn to look through different eyes.

We sat around the massive wooden table that K and Sarah installed and enjoyed our meals together with local brethren Theung, Savvy, visitors and foreigners all together as one.

Between studies about Naaman, whose life experiences have a strong application today in Cambodia, we had an afternoon at Independence Beach where there was a really big surf by Cambodian standards. Lynne and I got so much out of seeing everyone playing in the waves, and shaking with laughter at everyone’s antics. Another wonderful time of unbelievable laughter and eating left us tired and ready for an early night. Everyone found somewhere to sleep and woke at the BEC2 the next day (every day) full of energy and excitement.

The activity started bright and early with people doing jobs, children playing, parents resting and fighting off viruses, grandparents chatting with hungry younger ones wanting to learn, and others, including new dormers like Samath, doing private Bible study, all of which was a joy to behold as the BEC soared above the clouds with blessings from God and the riches of Christ surrounding us. No personal agendas here just the agape love feast that Cambodians manifest so well and we get so much out of. After a life of working for the NSW Government this is spiritual exhilaration for Lynne and I, and so uplifting for us to see many of God’s children getting stronger in Cambodia. Well done all of the fieldworkers, particularly the younger ones, that go through joy and suffering in this land of contrasts.

 

We finished our time together with a worship meeting chaired by Savvy and Vanny providing the translation. Dan closed with prayer and then we all sat down to a lunch of fish soup prepared by Vanny who insisted the sisters needed a rest. One final visit to the beach and then the mob from Phnom Penh got into a flash looking 4WD and headed home (7 people on a 3 hour trip for 60 dollars).

Thanks to everyone for turning what we thought would be a quiet few days into a great time. So its back to lessons this week but while I type, Alyce and Rachelle are taking a lesson with six students giving us a break, and the contacts a change of teachers. 

Steve