To the beach

We had the privilege of taking our Cambodian children to the Indian Ocean today.  For many of them it was the first time they've ever seen the ocean - we were so thankful we got to be the ones that showed it to them!

Today's festivities take little explanation, but I did want to say what a contrast this little one was to our rescued children.  

She sat on a low rail next to us gathering empty bottles to exchange for food.  She disappeared after we gave her all of our bottles and returned with a large piece of seafood that she sat and ate.  She was so dirty it broke our hearts - we gave her many treats and cared for her while we were there.

Our Asia's Hope kids were probably all rescued out of similar circumstances... Today seemed like a lifetime away from any lonliness or pain they knew before arriving at Asia's Hope!

A generous donar sent money along with us for sea toys!!  The kids loved them!

Aaron looked lovely in Sem's hat!

After several local, meals we opted for pizza while the children enjoyed local sea food!

Thanks to all the sponsors who donated the money that made it possible to provide the children with a sea-side seafood meal and trip to the beache!

Quite possibly one of the most precious rescued faces on earth!

While we were sitting on the beach I looked over and saw Savorn and Savy - two of the men I respect the most on earth, deep in thought.  I wondered what problem they could be solving or young life they could be discussing.  

Both Samuth and Savy, the fathers of our two Crossroads' homes are amazing men under Savorn's strong leadership.

Watching these children grow in The Lord is one of the most fulfilling parts of my life, and as I watched them eat it dawned on me in a country onlyas big as Ohio - these children could be the ones that change this Cambodian nation for Christ!  Definitely worth pouring our lives into!!

now I study

I have felt a deep hunger for the Lord lately.  Almost as if I'm desperate to spend time with Him.  And, just as you hear me say each summer, now I can really study!

God has shaped me so that I am very visual in my worship.  It takes a visual to teach me and to make me feel something and to remember it.  And He has gracious given me these sunbeams this morning to point me clearly toward Him...

Being surrounded by God's 'outside' touches and awakens levels in my soul that being in town or inside cannot seem to awaken.

Before we leave this morning to skype with our Crossroads orphans in Cambodia, I soak this in.  I pray for many things, our country which seems so lost right now, my own children and their spouses or soon to be spouses and my church family and their needs and recent losses.

I count it a huge privilege to freely sit here and pray for anything God brings to mind, and study His Word. No one is bothering me, no one is threatening me I am free.

I leave you now with only a short time left to study this morning - but a very visually rich time of study this morning.

peaceful existance

Do you ever wonder why we get to live in peace while most of the world is in chaos?

Watching what is going on in Egypt right now makes me so thankful for the amazing county we live in. Despite whatever things you may not love about America - it is a blessing to live here more than any of us will probably ever know.

I just heard one of the reporters who got beat up in Egypt describing the incident. He said, "I just searched the crowd in front of me for one person who looked horrified by what was happening to me and grabbed on to him and begged him to help me." How terrifying would that be?

I don't take my country for granted, I thank God for it and I pray for it and our leaders.

I suspect I will become even more thankful for my country as I travel to Cambodia. My prayer for that trip is simply this, "Dear Lord - teach me what you want me to know about our beautiful orphans and about my responsibility to the rest of the world."