Cambodia work trip

This past week our kids had Fall Break - no school all week.  Ashlyn and Dallin (and Craig) had YW and YM camp scheduled at the end of the week so we really couldn't go anywhere as a family.  I noticed that one of the charities I volunteer for, Caring for Cambodia, had their work trip that week, so I decided that I would take Breann with me to Cambodia to work on the schools there for a few days.  This charity, working with the Cambodian governement, runs 9 schools in the Siem Reap area (and 12 preschools) trying to help better the education for the children there.  Breann and I spent a few days at one of the schools working on some projects.  We spent the majority of the time moving dirt and gravel.  It rains alot in Cambodia so there are problems with flooding and mud.  They recently built a drain on the school ground so then we came in and put gravel down so the kids could walk around without it being so muddy. It was a pretty labor intensive couple of days.

The Cambodian children loved to help out during their recess or when they weren't in school.  They were so cute and fun to work with.  They live such simple lives and they are such happy children.

We also made a bunch of these bulletin boards out of wood and wooven bamboo.  Breann enjoyed the spray painting.

I think Breann's favorite part was playing with the kids when the work was complete at the end of the day.  She would always have a group ready for some soccer or other ball games.  They didn't speak the same language (although most are learning basic English) but the spoke the universal language of play and having fun together.

 We got to take in the beautiful countryside of Siem Reap - dotted with temples built a thousand years ago.  Doesn't cease to amaze.

This being our second trip to Cambodia this year, we didn't spend much time sight-seeing.  However, we did spend a few hours touring Angkor Wat and some the surrounding temples again.  It was so wonderful to spend a few days with my sweet Breann.  She is such a hard worker and such a sweet, loving girl.  We will both forever remember our time together working with and for the children of Cambodia.

Ashlyn and Dallin also had wonderful experiences at their respective camps.  As soon as I can track down pictures, I will post for them.  I realized last night that on this past Thursday, our family was spread out over 4 countries: Breann and I in Cambodia, Craig and Dallin in the jungles of Malaysia, Ashlyn in Indonesia, and Bryant and Alexa home in Singapore (with my sister).  I guess that's life on a small island - to go anywhere is to go to another country.  We are forever grateful for the many wonderful experiences we are blessed to have as we continue our adventures here in Asia.