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August 26, 2009
The Egg truck
It is a bit hard to see this, but these eggs are hanging out of the back of a van as it hurdles along a road that is not that smooth... common practice here... but I just never got a picture of it until now... still haven't gotten a good pic of it... maybe another day...
August 15, 2009
Seda graduates from the Royal University of Law and Economics
Well, it is hard to explain how this works, but Seda finished her course work in 2006, but was just given her degree this past Wednesday. These are some pictures from after the ceremony. Family and friends were not allowed to attend, so I did not get any pictures of the speaker, Prime Minister Hun Sen. She is the first person in her family to graduate from a university... Congratulations babe!
August 07, 2009
Making a tent is more complicated than it looks...
Lately I have been doing a lot of thinking about the concept of 'tent making'. I had not given it a lot of thought since I first came to Cambodia two years ago... (Which is a bit strange because that is what I have been doing the whole time I have been here.) If you are not familiar with the term, it simply references the apostle Paul's approach to taking care of his daily needs. He would work making tents for people, and then spend his time teaching people about Jesus. That was the idea that I embraced as I came here. Little did I know that making a tent is more complicated than it looks...
Since that time, I have been able to experience it in action... and as with many things in life, it has been a process of putting on new glasses through which I can view the experiences of life and where I learn that not everyone looks at the world like I (we?) do... Nevertheless, as I have thought about these things more, I see that there are valuable lessons to be learned (and maybe even passed on to others who consider doing the same)...
Tent stitch Number 1: A tent just doesn't make itself... you've got to get in there and stitch!
I think that when I started tent making as an English teacher I viewed the actual teaching as a breeze and a relatively insignificant part of what I was doing here. I mean, Paul never spends much time talking about his trade, why would I spend much time thinking about it? That has been a bit of a wake up call, but an okay one... honing the skill of being an English teacher has included learning new curriculums, grading tests, actually learning English grammar (as opposed to just catching it from my culture), trying to explain idioms and slang that we all take for granted, as well as trying to think through the thought patterns of people who are trying to impose their culture into an English thought system that doesn't jive with theirs... not so easy, but usually entertaining and interesting...
But there are bloody fingers as well, which I am sure Paul experienced as he was sewing that leather... (you have to build those callouses some how). I have had to learn to deal with students that cheat on exams, disgruntled teachers that chew on my ear (not literally, just another idiom for you) , employers that I am not always sure have my best interests in mind, as well as the nagging doubts and insecurities that weigh on one's mind when you wonder if what you are doing is worthwhile.
All that to say that Seda and I have been helping each other to build a few tents around Phnom Penh... maybe it is in my classrooms, with the Christian teachers from the Asia's Hope school, her work with the poor children of Beoung Salang, our home, our church, or just out and about... some tents (as some people) seem to have come together easily, while others seem like they may always be in pieces. Keep us in your prayers as we continue to endeavor to serve the Lord here in Cambodia in the ways that He provides.
On personal notes, Seda and I are still working through the maze that is called the Cambodian government, trying to get our marriage license finished... yes, we have been married 6 months now, and we are still trying to get them to finish it for us... we are closer than ever, but it is often a challenging endeavor. After we get that, we will be able to begin to apply for an immigrant visa to the US. Several people have already done many things to help us with this, which is a blessing.
Thank you for all of your prayers! May God bless you.
Graham and Seda
Since that time, I have been able to experience it in action... and as with many things in life, it has been a process of putting on new glasses through which I can view the experiences of life and where I learn that not everyone looks at the world like I (we?) do... Nevertheless, as I have thought about these things more, I see that there are valuable lessons to be learned (and maybe even passed on to others who consider doing the same)...
Tent stitch Number 1: A tent just doesn't make itself... you've got to get in there and stitch!
I think that when I started tent making as an English teacher I viewed the actual teaching as a breeze and a relatively insignificant part of what I was doing here. I mean, Paul never spends much time talking about his trade, why would I spend much time thinking about it? That has been a bit of a wake up call, but an okay one... honing the skill of being an English teacher has included learning new curriculums, grading tests, actually learning English grammar (as opposed to just catching it from my culture), trying to explain idioms and slang that we all take for granted, as well as trying to think through the thought patterns of people who are trying to impose their culture into an English thought system that doesn't jive with theirs... not so easy, but usually entertaining and interesting...
But there are bloody fingers as well, which I am sure Paul experienced as he was sewing that leather... (you have to build those callouses some how). I have had to learn to deal with students that cheat on exams, disgruntled teachers that chew on my ear (not literally, just another idiom for you) , employers that I am not always sure have my best interests in mind, as well as the nagging doubts and insecurities that weigh on one's mind when you wonder if what you are doing is worthwhile.
All that to say that Seda and I have been helping each other to build a few tents around Phnom Penh... maybe it is in my classrooms, with the Christian teachers from the Asia's Hope school, her work with the poor children of Beoung Salang, our home, our church, or just out and about... some tents (as some people) seem to have come together easily, while others seem like they may always be in pieces. Keep us in your prayers as we continue to endeavor to serve the Lord here in Cambodia in the ways that He provides.
On personal notes, Seda and I are still working through the maze that is called the Cambodian government, trying to get our marriage license finished... yes, we have been married 6 months now, and we are still trying to get them to finish it for us... we are closer than ever, but it is often a challenging endeavor. After we get that, we will be able to begin to apply for an immigrant visa to the US. Several people have already done many things to help us with this, which is a blessing.
Thank you for all of your prayers! May God bless you.
Graham and Seda
Chantou's Birthday Party
We had a birthday party for our niece Chanthou... we actually got her a bicycle that she really needed... maybe pics of that another time... 
August 05, 2009
Amy graduated from BBU today!
Our friend Amy officially graduated from Build Bright University here in Phnom Penh today. It doesn't matter that she finished the course work two years ago! Hard to explain how things get done here... here are some pictures....
May 27, 2009
A long way gone - Ishmael Beah
Earlier this month I finished reading "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah. It is a good book from the standpoint of a boy who was forced by the government to fight in the civil war that took place in Sierra Leone in the 1990's. Since I have been living in Cambodia, I have begun to see more and more that America is in someways a political utopia. I know that sounds ridiculous when it comes to the deep political divides that exist there, but people's rights are respected SO much more in the US than most places in the world.
In this book, a young boy is forced into the killing machine that was the government army of Sierra Leone. But when I say 'government', I mean something that we can not imagine in the US. It is was a life of violence, indiscriminate killing without justice or mercy, drug use and plain insanity.
It is well written. I have to admit that there were a few things (like the references to Shakespeare) that seemed a bit unbelievable to me, but many times life is a bit unbelievable, isn't it?
Thanks for the book, Sherrod.
In this book, a young boy is forced into the killing machine that was the government army of Sierra Leone. But when I say 'government', I mean something that we can not imagine in the US. It is was a life of violence, indiscriminate killing without justice or mercy, drug use and plain insanity.
It is well written. I have to admit that there were a few things (like the references to Shakespeare) that seemed a bit unbelievable to me, but many times life is a bit unbelievable, isn't it?
Thanks for the book, Sherrod.
May 25, 2009
In Vietnam- the Cu Chi Tunnels
Seda and I went to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels when we were in Vietnam . This is the place that all of the soldiers lived under ground for years and years and years... the blurry picture of me coming out of the tunnel (which I had been in for not more than fifteen minutes) was how I really felt...
Seda and Graham in Vietnam - March (!)
Seda and I went to Vietnam back in March...just putting the pics up...
May 15, 2009
Taking the road less traveled...
Taking the road less traveled usually means that you don't always (if ever) know where you are going... I have been feeling like that a bit lately... let me share why.
The road less traveled in marriage...
Over the last three months, Seda and I have begun to grow into this new phase of our life. Married life is certainly different, but we have have been enjoying it. It has definitely had it's challenges already, but we are both learning. As they say, progress not perfection. One of the things that I have seen over the years is that my personality tends towards wanting to fix things, clean things up, and solve/resolve every problem that comes down the road... I have trouble with gray areas and unresolved situations... I am learning that one of the areas that I have to change is giving Seda her space and time for her to work through things in her way, and allow things to be somewhat unresolved (in my mind) until she is ready. An important life lesson for me...
The road less traveled with Asia's Hope
Not long after Seda and I had gotten married, we found out that there had been in change in leadership at Asia's Hope. Dave Atkins, the man that introduced me to Cambodia, needed to step down for a variety of reasons. In the wake of that significant change, the board of AH has looked at every aspect of what they are doing in Cambodia and Thailand, and has decided to end any kind of formal internship program. They have always had a strong committment to only hiring national Cambodian and Thai workers, but they were never confident about how God would use Westerners here. In a nutshell, there will not come a point in time in the future when I will be employed by AH. I am still doing volunteer work for them at the Christian School. I am still confident that God was the One who led me here to serve the children and teachers of AH, but Seda and I have begun to ask God what the next steps are for us here.
The road less traveled overseas
As much as Seda and I would love to be visiting the US soon, it is just not very likely. We have discovered that it is basically impossible for her to receive a tourist visa (very difficult for most Cambodians) because she owns no property, has no children that she will return to in Cambodia, and no large reserves of cash in the bank... so, if there is any way for her to visit the US, it is through applying for an immigration visa, which would mean that we would both have to move to the US for about five years... there are a lot of forms to fill out, conditions to meet, and emotions to work through... it can be a process that takes up to about a year, so you can keep us in your prayers that we will have wisdom that this is truly the direction that Jesus is leading us in... It is really not what I imagined happening (or wanted), but it may be God's providence pointing us in this direction.
The road traveled again, with English teaching
I am dissapointed to say that a job I had applied for with Samaritan's Purse did not work out, so I am back to the English teaching 'road' for a while...
My comfort on the road less traveled...
Throughout a lot of the things that I mentioned above, God has been reassuring me through His Word of His provision. And the other day when I was wondering which direction to go next, I read in Psalm 25:12 "Who is the man who fears the LORD?He will instruct him in the way he should choose."
As always thank you for your prayers, financial support, and emails. All of it is greatly appreciated.
May Jesus bless you all in every way,
Graham
The road less traveled in marriage...
Over the last three months, Seda and I have begun to grow into this new phase of our life. Married life is certainly different, but we have have been enjoying it. It has definitely had it's challenges already, but we are both learning. As they say, progress not perfection. One of the things that I have seen over the years is that my personality tends towards wanting to fix things, clean things up, and solve/resolve every problem that comes down the road... I have trouble with gray areas and unresolved situations... I am learning that one of the areas that I have to change is giving Seda her space and time for her to work through things in her way, and allow things to be somewhat unresolved (in my mind) until she is ready. An important life lesson for me...
The road less traveled with Asia's Hope
Not long after Seda and I had gotten married, we found out that there had been in change in leadership at Asia's Hope. Dave Atkins, the man that introduced me to Cambodia, needed to step down for a variety of reasons. In the wake of that significant change, the board of AH has looked at every aspect of what they are doing in Cambodia and Thailand, and has decided to end any kind of formal internship program. They have always had a strong committment to only hiring national Cambodian and Thai workers, but they were never confident about how God would use Westerners here. In a nutshell, there will not come a point in time in the future when I will be employed by AH. I am still doing volunteer work for them at the Christian School. I am still confident that God was the One who led me here to serve the children and teachers of AH, but Seda and I have begun to ask God what the next steps are for us here.
The road less traveled overseas
As much as Seda and I would love to be visiting the US soon, it is just not very likely. We have discovered that it is basically impossible for her to receive a tourist visa (very difficult for most Cambodians) because she owns no property, has no children that she will return to in Cambodia, and no large reserves of cash in the bank... so, if there is any way for her to visit the US, it is through applying for an immigration visa, which would mean that we would both have to move to the US for about five years... there are a lot of forms to fill out, conditions to meet, and emotions to work through... it can be a process that takes up to about a year, so you can keep us in your prayers that we will have wisdom that this is truly the direction that Jesus is leading us in... It is really not what I imagined happening (or wanted), but it may be God's providence pointing us in this direction.
The road traveled again, with English teaching
I am dissapointed to say that a job I had applied for with Samaritan's Purse did not work out, so I am back to the English teaching 'road' for a while...
My comfort on the road less traveled...
Throughout a lot of the things that I mentioned above, God has been reassuring me through His Word of His provision. And the other day when I was wondering which direction to go next, I read in Psalm 25:12 "Who is the man who fears the LORD?He will instruct him in the way he should choose."
As always thank you for your prayers, financial support, and emails. All of it is greatly appreciated.
May Jesus bless you all in every way,
Graham
March 19, 2009
Things that make you say "hmmmm"
I found this box in one of the orphanages... I have no idea what it is...
March 18, 2009
March 12, 2009
Some morning wedding pics in the park
In the morning of our wedding (Feb 7), we went to Hun Sen Park and had a lot of pics taken... Independence Monument is in the background... some of the pics were not that great, but for those of you who like wedding pics, you'll love it...
March 06, 2009
Killing a coconut
After the funeral in KT, I learned how to get the milk from a coconut, but it was more difficult than it looks... didn't help that the knife/hatchet wasn't very sharp...
Our SECOND wedding...
We had two weddings... one in Phnom Penh for all of our friends and co-workers that live here, and then a second one in Kompong Thom for all of Seda's relatives and neighbors from when she was growing up. Because of some problems with my computer, I have not been able to get the pictures from the first wedding yet (although you can see the pictures that John McC took below)... but here are a few from the second wedding in Kompong Thom... some of them were Photoshopped by the photographer, so be ready for some chessy photos at the end...
Two Funerals for Loak Yim Lam
Seda's father died on January 17, but this is the first chance that I have had to post any pictures. We had two services. The first one was in Phnom Penh at our church. Her father had made a profession of Christ, and was showing interest in growing in his faith when the cancer really began to get bad. He continued going to church until his body would not allow him. Because of this, Seda wanted to have a service at the church... those are the first pics...
Unfortunately, her mother did not want this, and requested a second service in the Buddhist religion. For me it was a really sad time, because you literally saw people mourning with no confidence that he was okay. Below are some pictures.
Unfortunately, her mother did not want this, and requested a second service in the Buddhist religion. For me it was a really sad time, because you literally saw people mourning with no confidence that he was okay. Below are some pictures.
February 21, 2009
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