Day 26, First Day in Cambodia

     Today was our first day in Cambodia!! We woke up at the crack of dawn and scrambled around to do our last minute packing and get everything situated. We called the cab and was on the road to the airport by 10:15. What a surprise to see John, Eric, and Wiwin at the airport to see us off. We grabbed McDonalds for lunch before we went through customs. 

John carried my extremelyyyy heavy bag around for me in the airport! 

     Praise report: So we had a 33lb strict weight limit on our suitcases and 22lb weight limit on our carry on. Needless to say, no shock, my suitcase weighed 38 before we left the house and my carry on was 26. Pastor Steven said the penalty fee was a few hundred dollars and isn't worth paying and to lighten my suitcase. The cab was outside waiting and I didn't have time. So I prayed the entirrre way to the airport. When I got there, the lady checking my bags in was so worried about our visas not going through without proper paperwork that she didn't even look at the weight when I put my suitcase up to be tagged and weighed. PRAISE THE LORDDDD!!!! 

    AND I lost my visa that I got coming into Singapore that allowed me to go into other counties while there. So that was supposed to be a big deal. But my Jesus is incredible!! It ended up being no issue at all and they let me through! I love Him!!! 

     Once arriving in Cambodia, we got on tuk-tuk's with our suitcases and came to Alma Cafe where we will be staying. Since Pastor Steven and Barbara own the entire building we are able to stay on the 5th floor. Boys on 4th. Classrooms on 3rd. Stevens family on 2nd. And the restaurant on the first. 

 

 

 

     Pics from the 5th floor of Alma

 

 

     I have only been here a few hours and have already seen: a prostitute, naked baby, someone peeing next to the road, and little boys who are owned by men forced to beg for money. Heart breaking. These people are so lost and hurt. They are still trying to recover from what happened with the Khmer Rouge mass killings. 

    Good news: we got to see Meygan Marino!!!! She is a childhood friend of mine who did this program two summers ago and is living here in Cambodia as a missionary. It was really so good to see her!!! She came with us to dinner, to pick some essentials, and get some ice cream. Everything is so cheap here. $1 gelato cone! Delicious!