Laying the Foundation

Last week was very busy on the building front. We finished what we needed to finish on the wall so we began adding the dirt. At present we have added 282 trucks of dirt at $3 each. We estimate we will need about 100 more before we are through. This area is a bit low so we needed to raise it up. This morning the foundation crew started hammering in the concrete piers that will be the beginning of the foundation. Each pier will be hammered into the ground 4 meters deep.

After these guys get finished up with their work (later today hopefully) the builders will start on the foundation work. After that they will start laying the bricks. The materials needed for such a small project is tremendous.

Some of the materials used so far:

100 pounds of 1mm steel ties
770 pounds of 6mm steel
100 pieces of 10mm steel at 12 meters each
18 pieces of 12 mm steel at 12 meters each
4 tons of concrete
6 tons of sand
2 tons of small rock
22000 bricks

Please continue to pray for the work on our home. Jennifer and I feel it will firm up our presence in the area to have our own place. And it also put us in a better position to raise our family. May the Lord bless this home to be a home that will serve Him.

Peace,
Bill


1Co 3:11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

The Internet is up and running!

I am glad to say that the Internet was successfully installed at the church today. We went with a company called camshin which offers a satellite option. The price was less than we had thought it was going to be...$59 per month with no equipment charges or deposits. We got the 128 k version. We still have a power limitation because the power is not on until 6:00 PM but as the Cambodias say, "step by step."

Many thanks to FBC Parker for providing the funds for the internet. This is a real blessing for us out in the country side.

God Bless you all,
Bill

Vacation Photos

This is what our room looked like. The best feature is not shown (the air conditioner).

Some photos of Wat Phnom which is a temple in the heart of Phnom Penh. Some of the structures are beautiful though they all are tainted by sin and idolatry.

Jennifer and I enjoying some American food. I had a club sandwich and Jenn had a ceasar salad with a pineapple smoothie.

Hello again

Well long time no talk. We have been busy for a while. The heat continues to just blast us with all its furry. The thought of the rainy season approaching makes us glad.

We were able to take a little 3 day vacation last week. We went to Phnom Penh, rented a hotel room, and mostly just sat in the air conditioning. The room was nice and we were so thankful for the relief. Though, when the trip was over and we returned to Prek Ambel we both thought that the time in the air con made it feel even hotter. The work continues on our home. The workers are doing well but moving slower than we had hoped. The heat has been wearing them out too.

I plan to post some pictures from our vacation and others soon.


God Bless you all,
Bill

Kilograms are Heavy

We continue to mix concrete for the wall. The majority of the work is almost done. We just have to put up the last half meter of a two meter wall. The bucket I’m holding weights about 30 kilograms (66 pounds). We carried them over and over and over. When I work on projects like this I am reminded of how small I am. The Earth is amazingly huge. Our God truly is mighty in his creation. He holds everything together.

Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Amen!

Bill

Thursday, March 22, 2007

On Sunday afternoon we were desirous of a change of scenery. In the States we would often take a Sunday afternoon drive in the country; enjoy the trees and farmland, look at old buildings in old towns, and talk. A drive to Phnom Penh isn’t so relaxing. Chheng said he also wanted to go, so he drove us to the mall in Phnom Penh. Bill said, “They sell everything that’s wrong with the United States here!” More specifically: ’80’s fashion. After an hour and a half there and an hour and a half back in bumpy, swerving, stop-and-go Cambodian traffic, we decided the thought of going to Phnom Penh is better than actually going! I did thoroughly enjoy the pizza and salad we had for dinner there, though. Especially the salad.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

I was thinking about the discrepancy between the ideas associated with the title, “Missionary to Cambodia,” and my actual daily life, and I have come to two conclusions: the generally-held, nebulous impression of the super-spiritual life of a missionary is wrong; and the generally-coddled, notion of the ordinary (sub-spiritual) life of the “ordinary Christian” is also wrong.

Life is life, no matter what country it is lived in. When we’re hungry, I don’t break off a piece of bread from a never-ending loaf. I spend a considerable amount of my day in the kitchen. And when I want to grill pork, I don’t douse the charcoal with water and call down fire from heaven. I just use a lighter and a wad of paper. When our tank runs out of water, rather than tapping on a rock, we call the guy who pumps it from the river. We haven’t even healed anyone or cast out any demons.

What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever. If mopping isn’t glorious in the US, it’s not glorious in Cambodia. If loving and serving my husband doesn’t honor God in the US, it doesn’t honor Him in Cambodia, either. There I was a wife, a housekeeper, a church member, a Sunday School teacher, a friend, a neighbor, a customer. I’m all those things here, too.

Do you look to God to supply your needs? Do you delight in His attributes? Do you seek to display His character in your own? Does the thought of His kindness to you stir up the least bit of gratitude and affection? Do you love His people and His house? Is His word on your mind? Is His praise on your lips? Is His peace in your heart?

This is why you were created.

So do you have a husband? Love him! Do you have a neighbor? Talk to her! Do you have children? Train them! Do you have a trial? Seek the Lord’s peace and trust Him! Can you rejoice? Then rejoice in the Lord!

Our calling and purpose and responsibility are not contingent upon our address. Do you need a title to set your life in perspective? How about “Child of the Most High God.”

Jenn