June 2005 |
We have a lot of news to announce! No, Lara is NOT pregnant, but since our last letter we were designated to Siem Reap province, we passed our language exams, and we�re on our way home for a month-long visit! I should also give you more information about stories from our last letter which everyone seems to want to know. Jon ate two tadpoles that I know of. He didn�t get at all sick afterwards. Siem Reap province is jungle-ish but we�ll be living in or close to Siem Reap town. Most areas are cultivated so it looks like Texas to us � flat, open fields. Some of you heard about my rash � it was quite impressive despite my immediate and aggressive selfdoctoring. But after a month, I was itchfree. What caused it? Much speculation but no real answer� So more about Siem Reap: Siem Reap province is the site of Angkor Wat � the massive 12th century ruins which rise from the jungle. But despite having tourist dollars coming into their economy, most of the population are poor illiterate subsistence farmers. Reaksa and Phaly Himm have been living in Siem Reap, Reaksa�s home province, for the past three years. He helps train leaders from six churches forty minutes to four hours from Siem Reap town. Our desire is to work alongside the Himms and help the ministry grow. There are many opportunities to be involved with medicine and development there, but we�ll see how things progress before jumping in. Our plan is to move to Siem Reap in September or October of this year depending on how the details work out. I should mention that Reaksa has written a book, The Tears of My Soul (Monarch) which tells of his story from hatred toward his family�s executioners to forgiveness. While in the US, we�ll be in California, Texas and South Carolina � a similar time as last year spending much of our time with family. We�re really looking forward to our time back! Next time I write, I�ll be five pounds heavier! Love to all of you, David, Lara, Ben & Jon |
| Angkor What? I admit it. Before I moved to Cambodia, I had no idea of what Angkor Wat was. Ahhh, but that has changed. Here�s a brief history: During the Angkorian period in the 8-15th centuries, the Khmer (Cambodian) empire covered much of present Southeast Asia. The city complex in Angkor supported an estimated 2 million residents through a complex system of irrigation and sanitation. In comparison, London at the same time had a population of about 10,000. Angkor is the symbol of Cambodia pictured on their flag representing their proud history and potential for greatness. |
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| Standing at Crossroads |