::Rain::

Yesterday toward the end of our day at school, it began to rain. Now, we were told that we were coming to Cambodia during the "Wet Season", so Brian and I came prepared. We have Crocs (perfect for the rain because they don't soak up water, and they clean easily), rain ponchos/jackets, and umbrellas. Ha. These items could not prepare us for the RAIN that hit yesterday. Since we have been here, there have been days without any rain at all. Other days there has been an afternoon rain that lasts about 20 minutes, but that is all we've seen. Well, it poured yesterday the hardest I have ever witnessed, and it lasted over an hour. Put that together with a country with NO drainage, roads that are still dirt, and a town that has higher areas and lower areas....what do you get? A mess. We walked home through it yesterday, and we sure were glad we had worn our Crocs to work. It was awesome to hear the thunder and feel the mighty, warm rain. It was disgusting to walk home in it, trudging through puddles with who knows WHAT in them. We had to not think about it, and pray for a quick walk home. One of the many joys of experiencing a 3rd world country. Below is a pic (sorry it's dark) of the flooding. Luckily when we woke up this morning, most of the water had left us....who knows where it went.

Logos International School

We wanted to take a quick moment to introduce you to our school (and second home), Logos International School. It was established in 2002 to give kids in the Asian Hope Homes (www.asianhope.org) a good education. Since then, it has grown to over 300 students! We have spend a fair amount of time at the school thus far, and orientation starts on August 4th. The school year begins 1 week later on August 11th. Brian will be teaching 2 classes: IT Level One, and a Web Design class. Karie will be teaching the 5th graders of the school- 1 big class of 27 students! Below are some pictures of our place of employment.

The gate entrance to the school

Karie's classroom: the beginning stages

Brian's IT Office

The tail of the clucking lizard who lives in my A/C: funny thing, this pic is number 666 on my camera...haha. I HATE this lizard. He will be relocated ASAP.

The covered outdoor play yard: this view is out of Karie's classroom window.

The glorious, refreshing, shaded pool.

We hope you've enjoyed the beginning peeks of our new school. It is a bustling place even now, as there is summer school being offered through this week. Brian and I are plugging away at understanding our new jobs, surroundings, and places in this community. We sure enjoy the school, and have already spent a number of hours here. We're off to lunch now, but pray this update finds you healthy and blessed!

Viva Cambodia

So we finally made it to Cambodia!

Things have been a mad rush since we have gotten here. But, we never are too busy to have great food with some new friends. This is Ivan and Angel, we met them online before we moved here, and the took us out to dinner the 2nd night that we were here. This is a Korean place called "Korean 7 Day...Closed Sunday"

We literally ordered 3 dishes and they just kept bringing food out, the picture that you are looking at is only about half the table, the other part is just as full of food. All free when you order any dish. This entire meal for 4 people cost about 22 dollars!

View from Mister Chicken right near Central Market!

Us in the back of a Tuk-Tuk

Thats it for now! Time to go for a swim in the pool as it rains!

Hong Kong has wireless internet!

Brian and I are currently sitting in the Honk Kong International Airport after a 13 hour flight! So far, traveling has been a breeze....although we sure are tired of sitting! Here are a few pictures from our 3 hour stint in Hong Kong:

Looks familiar...

Someone has tired airplane eyes!

We couldn't resist: the garlic pork ramen was enticing us, even at 6:30am H.K. time!!

Gorgeous surrounding hills

HUGE section of the airport, and this is just for those flying within Asia!

Well, we leave our table in an hour to go to our gate. We will update ASAP when we get to Cambodia!

Packing, Stress, Exhaustion,...but still leaving in 24 hours!

This past few weeks have flown by! Some highlights from the past week are:

• Brian getting pink eye (...not such a highlight)
• Brian getting his shots (see above...)
• Karie finishing 4 weeks of a summer school Cooking Class....80 students a day, learning how to cook is HARD work!!
• Making lists up the wazoo
• Many breakfasts, lunches, and dinners with family and friends
• A wide range of emotions-from excited to doubtful, anxious to full of purpose!

The past few days have been spent running errands, picking up last minute clothing and toiletries, and today....packing. Whew, what a task!! Imagine yourself trying to fit your life into 2 suitcases, and packing enough to last you 2 years. We have had the joy of sitting on bags to squish all things possible inside, throwing out last minute space savers, and truly contemplating what we "need" for 2 years. It's hard to know what we will/will not be able to get in Cambodia...and I (Karie) tend to pack on the heavier side. Oh well, here are a few pics from the adventures with suitcases. We will probably not update this until after we arrive in Phnom Penh...as we leave tomorrow night. Please pray for safe travel and happy tummies (K gets motion sick), for a smooth pick-up in P.P., and for a smooth transition as we begin to meet, communicate, and interact with the people that will become co-workers and friends!

Will it all fit.....?

Brian, piles, and a happy face :o)


World's Greatest Invention: rolling clothes & vacuum packing them in bags!

No Reservations

We sat and watched the Travel Channel tonight, and Anthony Bourdain's show "No Reservations" was on. He was visiting Laos, a southeast Asian country that borders Cambodia. For those of you who aren't familiar with his show, he is an American guy that travels all over the world...seeking out foods, ways of life, cultural traditions, etc. of those he encounters. The title of the show, "No Reservations" really describes his way of doing things: he goes in with no expectations, and he literally surrounds himself with everything of that particular culture. Being that he was in Laos, and being that Laos is a fairly identical counrty to Cambodia, I was intrigued.
As I sat and watched the show, it took an unexpected twist. Normally his shows focus on the foods and cultural traditions of the country he is visiting...but tonight's show focused on the history of Laos. I wasn't aware, but Laos was a country torn by wars, but not wars they were fighting in. During the 1940's-1970's, wars were surrounding Laos, especially in the neighboring country of Vietnam. Apparently, the American soldiers were told that any bombs/explosives they had left over from a day's work in Vietnam, they were to fly over the border to Laos and drop them. Laos was bombed more than Japan and Germany were in the wars they were involved in. All this to say that Laos is a very war torn country that is also in rebuild mode, as is Cambodia.
As I watched the TV show, I was saddened. They focused on a family there who was affected by the war, over 30 years after it happened. My heart was torn as I watched them document this man's life, a normal hard working man who was forever changed when digging for a new plumbing line-his hand and leg were blown off by a still active land mine. I then became excited in knowing that Brian and I are going to meet and interact with SO many people with this same story. I pray that God gives me the attitude of "No Reservations", as He has so clearly called us to ministry in this war ravaged land. I pray that my eyes will see and my heart will feel...all that is there for us, and more!
I am a huge worrier, stress ball, planner, and organizer...by nature. I worry about so much! Currently, we don't have enough monthly support. We needed to raise $300/month on top of the small salary we will be getting there; we currently only have half of what we need. I worry about this. I let this affect the calling God has put on our lives. Again, I pray for "No Reservations" as I allow God to permeate my heart and mind, and encourage me that everything will work out as He has planned. Over all my worries and doubts, God has put the people of Cambodia on our hearts, and He will provide for us so that we can, in turn, provide for them.

~Thank you, Lord, for the grace to go forward. Thank you for the names, lives, and faces you have yet to introduce us to in Cambodia. Thank you for the work you are having us do.~

Going Away Party

We had our Going Away Party yesterday, July 5th. Since moving in with my mom 1 week ago, we have been preparing for this party. The last few days were spent shopping, making lists, cooking, cleaning, and getting ready for this event! We expected around 30+ people, and we think it was around that number who came. We had such a wonderful time chatting, eating, catching up on life, and talking about our upcoming trip details. Here were some comments we received from party guests:

"You're so brave for doing what you are about to do."

"You guys will have so much fun because I know you are doing what you love to do!"

"Be safe, don't get any crazy diseases."

"Just tell the Cambodian men you are already married." (for Karie)

"How in the world did you decide on Cambodia?!"

"What kind of foods do they eat there, and will you be eating them??"


Overall, we had an amazing time. We saw friends and family we hadn't seen in years, and the love and support was overwhelming. I began to get very sad as I sat amongst family and friends; I am going to miss these people like crazy!! I also was overjoyed, however, at the thought that this adventure is going to be spent with my life partner....how exciting is that! Below are some pictures from our awesome event!!

Shells we gave away as favors

Chopsticks that were also given away as favors

Francesca, Karie, and Erik (I used to be their Nanny!)


The Family....cousins, aunts, parents, siblings.


The gorgeous floral arrangements


Ashley, Karie, and Candice (my former student/tutoring buddy)


Michael, Rachel, Agnes, Ben, Karie, and Daddy-O: good times, good food!