Thursday, July 16, 2009
MII on the Final Stretch
MII is now in its last and final day in Kampong Cham. We have had a couple of eventful days since we left Siem Reap tuesday. Tuesday we traveled to Anlong Veng. Anlong Veng is on the border of Thailand. It is a place that is in a great deal of help. It was the last strong hold of Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge group. They are in need on our prayers. We arrived had lunch on top of a cliff that overlooked the village. This restrautant was the very spot where Pol Pot had his artillery and tanks as they fired down on incoming troops and people escaping. We had a rice distrubtion and medical clinic at the Transform Asia chruch set-up there. After that was finished the team traveled to the David Center, which is an orphange ran by Transform Asia staff. We had a mini concert there. It was such an amazing experience getting to interact with the children. They were so loving towards us. Many of us that were there last year remembered some of the children and they remembered us also. I found that to be amazing. It truly shows that God is using us to make an impact on the people of this country. When we left that night, i don't think that was a singler person who didn't want to adopt a child from there. The following day, Wednesday, we traveled to Kampong Thom for two rice distrubtions and medical drop-offs. They were short and sweet. It was a little weird because we were use to long rice distrubtions not being done and back in the vans in an hour. We continued on to our final destination of Kampong Cham. Today, we traveled to the island, Kampong Sdei. This is a very small island that the team and vans were ferryied accross the river. Last year, when a group of 8 went it was the first time they had ever seem a white person and that was the same response this year. Not many people had seen a western, so many people were touching us with the curiousity of us being real. The chruch we had a rice distrubtion and medical clinic at was the aunt of Pastor Setan. It was incredible to see the smile of there faces to see people in the area receiving food and medical care. Our team is learning so much from these new adventures and experiences that have never been seen before. It strengths our faith and our team each and every day. We do miss our homes, mostly our beds and american food, but we know sacrficing those is worth it because we are experiencing the work of God through people's lives and our lives too. I thank you for the prayers. A prayer request is that our travel to Kratie will be safe and our transportation team will be stress free as they are trying to protect the safety of the team and get us safe. Pray they we will continue to see God work through our lives and other people's live. Something i hope that is taken away from this trip is the amount of love and compassion God has for people and the experience we see each day here, we will never forget them and we will use them to shape our lives so we may still continue the work of the Lord even when we are not on the mission field. Goodnight or Good Morning to where ever you are in the world. God Bless you all.
Monday, July 13, 2009
MII Around the World
We have spent two days relaxing in Siem Reap. Before arriving in Siem Reap we were in Sisophon. We had our last major concert with the our musicians. It was one of the most entertaining concerts for the reason that Proverb, Melanie, Daud, and the MII band did up-beat songs and songs that required crowd interaction. It was a very enjoyable time. Even Jim and myself found ourselves dancing behind the sound board on a stand that, Jim jokingly said 'we could do a gainer off of'' The following day we woke up early to have a rice distribution at the stage, where the night before we played our concert. The governor was in attendance so of course news crews were there. Later that night we actually saw ourselves on TV. It was pretty exciting. The medical clinic saw at least a hundred people in need of medical care. While waiting for the medical clinic to finish, the rest of the team counted and sorted the school uniforms. Still waiting for the clinic we helped pick up trash in the park where the stage was. That was a very humbling thing for us because it should we were even willing to pick up trash so that we may be able to impact the Cambodia people for Jesus. Later in the day we traveled to an orphanage in Sisophon. Handed out school uniforms, sang some worship songs and played with the kids. For the people traveling to the David Center with us, this orphanage was only a warm up to what we will do for the children at the David Center. Yesterday, 12 July, we traveled to siem reap but may one stop at the Eye of God Church for our Sunday service, rice distribution and medical clinic. Pastor Setan gave the message for us, he spoke from ecc. chapter 3. It was an extremely good message. It struck a chord in the hearts of many team members including mine. After arriving in Siem Reap, it was a free time for relaxation and shopping. Today, July 13, as some traveled to the Transform Asia farm, others went to Angkor Wat. It was a little hard for this year to return because we were not blessed with the wonderful knowledge, insight and tour guide ability of Bobby, but we know he was there with us in spirit. We traveled to many of the temples as before the main temple, Angkor Thom ( where tomb raider and our team pictures are usually taken). Many pictures were taken and memories made as we ran, climbed, walked, and enjoyed a rich and beautiful piece of history. It puzzles a few on why it is not one of the wonders of the world. Tonight is our last night of relaxation. We lose several members: Zack and Mike Koulton, Eileen O'Neall, Proverb, Dr. Randy and his daughter Gywn, and Melanie left two days before, we will dearly miss them. They made this trip amazing and fun. I feel blessed to have served with them on this trip. I ask to you please pray for their safety as they fly home. I hope that the all make it home safely and have no health problems. Please pray for us for tomorrow the team travels to Anlong Vang, which was the last strong hold for Pol Pot. It is a evil place and evil presence can be felt. I ask for prayers of protections and safe keeping for our team. Thank you for your prayers. Miss you all. God Bless You. Good night and Good Morning to some.
July13 2009 Rice for Cambodia Update - Siem Reap Area
We'll get some pictures on the blog when we next can. In additon, we distributed school uniforms to the children who use this farm as a gathering place. Many of them are orphans whose fathers have left for Thailand and never come back. Following the fathers, the mothers also leave and the older siblings end up caring for these children. There are approximately 350 children who fit this category. We saw 60 today and distributed school uniforms and school supplies to these children. They were so excited to receive this from us. It did not matter if it was the correct size. They are so happy to be able to get to go to school!!! They get fed by Grandpa who works for TfA every couple of days. To learn more about these children and the opportunities to sponsor them go to the transformaasia.us site. After a few hours on the Farm we ventured back to Siem Reap to begin the airport runs of changing out the first half team - Dr Randy and Gwyn Alanko, Mike and Zak Koltun, Eileen O'Neall and Proverb Newsome with the second half team - Vicki, Malissa and Justine!! Please pray for safe travels and rest for the members flying home later tonight God Bless and see you next time :)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Update from the team - 12 July 2009
Greetings from Sisophon,
Time to catch everyone up with our journey. We left
We stopped in Pursat for the next two nights. We stayed in a guest house that used a pillow that was as comfortable as a bag of cement!!! But it was clean and the restaurant for breakfast was next door. This is a good thing. The next day was a rice distribution with the Governor of the
That evening we had a concert with all the performers from
The vans were packed up in the morning and we were off again to Battambang. This is where Ps Setan Lee the leader of Transform Asia who is our contact here in
The Trade school takes students that they hand pick and teach them how to sew and make Khmer clothing, purses, wallets, etc. It also teches computer training to other students. It was time for the team to do some shopping and support the girls and the Trade School. They learn to cook and learn hygiene. This at least gives them a fighting chance in this country and a way to earn money. No tuition is charged for this one year of schooling, but they are sponsored by various donors for the year. We had an incredible lunch and dinner prepared for us at the Trade School. It was wonderful to have a home-cooked meal.
During the evening we particpated in a youth rally at the Trade School. Everyone had a great time for a couple of hours with the singing and the dancing. It was an energetic crowd of young people while us older folk were pooped and looking forward to go back to the hotel we were in. The internet at the hotel was sketchy to say the least. The wireless connection would connect and drop off on a pretty regular basis. Since we were looking at an early morning, we gave up and went to bed.
Up and out at 0600 and off to Poipet near the Thai border. Last year when we visited this town, the paved road ended and we bounced along through a gutted dirt road for about 12 miles. This year the paving was completed to the Thai border. We handed out 10 tons of rice and set up for a medical clinic. The President of Poipet - Mayor as we would know him - was there and participated in the speeches. The Cambodian Health Department was also there and wanted a sample of all of our medication. Pastor Sophana came over and said they wanted to see what medicine we were giving out. They wanted to analyze them and make sure they were pure!!! We all think they were trying to get some free medicine. Guess we have to play by their rules. As it was they never came back and there was no trouble with the clinic we were doing.
After Poipet, we arrived in Sisophon. The rooms are not special by any means. No hot water or mirror in the bathroom. It is clean (relatively) and there are no critters running around but a large snake was seen the next morning in the parking lot!!!. The air con works well and that is what counts. We had a concert on a real stage that the Governor allowed us to use free of charge. Remember the 41 baptized in Battambang? Well about the time the baptisms were done, the Govenor of the province called and offered us to use his permanant stage in Sisophon at no cost. Wow God's blessing on us was wonderful!!! So we were able to set up and perform on a real stage - permamanet with all the things we needed so we didnt have to assemble our stage we travel with. There were probably about 4000 people in attendance. Lots of upbeat songs and great team and crowd participation. It has been great to have the Cambodian band members from New Song along with us. Their bad is led by Chanta who's wife was waiting to deliver at any moment back in Phnom Penh. So papa to be was so happy but nervous to be so far awya from his wife. The concert was packed throughout and no one from the crowd wanted to leave. Makes for a long day when the concert ends at 1000pm after 3 and half hours of playing. We all came back to the hotel, ate and fell into bed.
Rice distribution and medical clinic in the morning at the same stage the concert was held at the night before. 8 am with the Govenor came early and we coaxed the govenment officials to allow all the Cambodians to join us up on stage - near 400 plus - to keep out of the sweltering heat. At the medical clinic they saw another 200 people. Lots of HIV in this neck of the woods. The young children with HIV are the saddest. They are searching for something that we could not give. We saw one woman who was in pain. She had lost her arm in a land mine accident many years ago. We saw lots of people with prosthetic legs. The foot has a space between the big toe and the second toe so they can wear a flip flop type sandal. These people are resilient and grateful for even the simplest thing we can do. Their smiles are infectious. We have a break and off again to an Orphanage in Sisophon to hand out school uniforms and school supplies and play with the kids. We did see one little boy with a rash all over. It appeared he had an infestation of parasites by washing with unclean water. Off to the local Pharmacy to pick up some medication for him. Then it was time to play. There was a beach ball which made a hit with all the boys. They chased some of the teenagers we had with us and had a blast. Lots of running and lots of energy. There was a lot of laughter and I think fun by all.
Our last day in Sisophon, we traveled to Banteay Chhmar approximately 61km and 2 hours away via a paved road which becomes a dirt road which becomes a very, very, very bumpy road for the majority of the trip. Oh did I tell you the road was bumpy??? There was actually a bump where we were all lifted off our seats!! Glad all our teeth are still intact. En route, we stopped for a bathroom break. We pulled into a house to ask if we could use their squatty potty. They were gracious enough to agree. The woman of the house seemed in distress so Dr. Randy examined her and found her in need of valve replacement surgery. Setan took her name to have her scheduled for surgery when his cardiac team of Physicians arrived in February. No coincidence we pulled into this house. We continued on and visited a church that was built with money raised by Melanie, a singer from
Today –Sunday 12 July, we headed to Siem Reap and we hope to be able to actually send this note out to everyone. We stopped at the TransForm Asia " Eye Of God" church for Sunday services and a rice distribution. The church is in the town of Preah Net Preah and the village chief came to the Lord a few years back - followed thereafter by the whole village. Daud, Ps Setan and Timothy sang beautifully for us all and after the service we gave new clothes to the adults and school supplies to the children. After a stop for lunch we made it to our hotel – Angkor Holiday where we'll be as we change over the team tomorrow. The team is healthy with just some minor issues with ear infection (we carry medicine for that), allergy-type symptoms with runny nose and minor episodes of stomach issues. Believe it or not, we are very close to team exchange. We cannot believe it has come upon us so soon.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
MII around the Country
Finally a spare moment and a hotel in Cambodia that has Internet. Wednesday, July 8, 2009 the team arrived safely into the city of Battambang. Which I found out from Pastor Setan means "lost stick" We arrived around 9:00am (10:00pm est) and were not able to check in yet because the guest staying in our rooms had not checked out yet. That is all good though. We all got back into the vans and headed to a rice distribution at Pastor Chanta's church. Also at Pastor Chanta's church we handed out 30 school uniforms to children and we handed our bibles in Khmer to kids that were living at the church.
Pastor Chanta's is among several pastors that are apart of an organization called CCEA (Cambodia Christian Evangelical Alliance). It is an organization of all the christian pastors and churches throughout Cambodia, Transform Asia is a member of CCEA.
We then traveled to the Trade School of Transform Asia for lunch. Just a regular lunch: rice, soup, cooked vegetables, and beef. After lunch while waiting to get back to the hotel, many team members bought gifts made by the people at the trade school. Trust me if you get one, it will be amazing quality and you will thoroughly enjoy it.
After arriving back at the hotel at around 1:30pm (2:30am est) we had just enough time to check-in and put our bags in the room before the baptisms. There were about 30 people that were baptized by Jim McCandliss, John Clark, and Pastor Chanta (Director of CCEA). It was a beautiful sight to see these Cambodians decide to let go of their old live and become new in Jesus. One of the greatest moments of our trip so far.
We left right after the baptism for another CCEA pastor's church, Pastor Kosal. We handed out 5 tons of rice to people in need. We also gave each person receiving rice a bag of salt and biblical tracks in their native language, Khmer. We did not have a medical clinic, but we did present Pastor Kosal and Chanta with medicine. Regina Clark explained how to use it and Pastor Setan translated for them.
We left Pastor Kosal's chruch for a Youth Rally at the Trade School. Proverb, Melanie, Daud, MII Band, and NewSong all got the youth pumped up. With Proverb rapping, Melanie and Daud getting the crowd and our team dancing. No one worried about it being hot or sweaty. we were all having fun. I even think the youth were sad to go. Who isn't sad to have to leave such a fun and energetic time singing about our Lord and Savior.
Thank you for all your prayer. Please continue to pray for Cambodia and the people in Cambodia. They are truly in need of God. Have a blessed day and God Bless every single one of you
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Cambodia 2009, day 1
John Clark has been in Cambodia for a week and it has been a busy week to say the least. Jim and Cheryl McCandliss arrived from Hawaii last Wednesday. All have been working with Pastor Setan and the rest of the pastors involved in this ambitious undertaking throughout Cambodia. Will and Regina arrived last night. To date, 60 tons of rice have been distributed to various people in the Phnom Penh area. Various dignitaries have assisted in the presentation of rice to the various peoples. They have included the Head of the State and President of the Senate, the Minister of Religious Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Education and the Minister of Social Affairs. These rice distributions are all within driving distance from Phnom Penh. The people who have been blessed are poor, sickly and some are even homeless. They are very appreciative of the rice donated for them.
Today, members of the team began to arrive. Things will get busier and more hectic as we leave from Phnom Penh and begin our travels. The medicine is here and waiting to be counted into individual bags to be distributed to the people seen in the Medical Clinics that are set up simultaneously with the rice distributions.
Changes in this country are very evident. Building is going on everywhere. Unfortunately construction of high rises is leaving multitudes homeless with nowhere to turn. Although we cannot reach all Cambodians, we know that we make some small impact on some lives. The rice is clearly marked as to where it is from and the Ministers are present so they can receive some of the credit for the rice donation. As long as we are able to complete our missions without interference, there is no problem with any of the pomp and circumstance. Bobby and Setan both agree it is all about establishing and nurturing relationships.
This is but a brief snapshot of what is going on here. We will continue to keep you updated while we have Internet access. Please continue to pray for the entire Musicianaries team as this mission progresses and evolves.




















