Greta in Cambodia

A Birthday Party in Cambodia

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:07:00 +0000

As I was packing to leave for Thailand, there was a knock on my bedroom door. My dorm sister Sophea was waiting on the other side to tell me that it was dorm director Sophal's birthday and that they were about to surprise her with a round of "Happy Birthday." I quickly made my way downstairs and arrived just in time to sing.

A few of the students from the men's dorm were also there, including Sophal's brother, who presented Sophal with a small cake. Sophal cut the cake and handed out the slices. Sophal's brother snapped a photo of each person receiving their piece of cake.

Students then began smearing icing on each others' faces. Five people got me. While normally I would not enjoy having cake frosting all over my face and in my hair, I was just happy to see that the students were comfortable enough with me to smear my face. Then we all ate supper together.

August 2008 Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:15:00 +0000

Dear friends and family,

I am writing this letter from a small town in Thailand. EMM workers in Southeast Asia gathered for a long weekend of fellowship to catch up and learn about specific ways that we can support and pray for each other. It has been very refreshing to get out of the city.

This past Sunday, we split into two groups and visited the two churches begun by EMM in this area of Thailand called Isan. Thai church was certainly a new experience for me. I have become accustomed to sitting through church when I don’t understand much, but I know enough Khmer that I can catch bits and pieces. However, Khmer is not so useful in a Thai church. Thankfully, we had a translator. Also a new experience was dancing in church. During the worship time, some of the women began dancing a traditional Thai dance. One woman came to the back, pulled me to my feet, and led me to the front to join the dancing. I did my best to mimic their movements, but I sure did feel silly. As awkward as I felt, however, it did feel good to stand up after sitting on the floor with my legs behind me. I got a second chance at dancing after the fellowship meal (sticky rice!). A grandmother approached me and asked me to dance with her. Someone took a picture of us, and when showed it to her, she seemed amazed and began laughing

From Isan, I plan to leave for my vacation. My plans are still tentative, but I will probably visit Laos and Chiang Mai, Thailand. If I have the time and money remaining, I would like to visit Vietnam, but at this point, I think that is unlikely.

When I return to Cambodia, I will begin volunteering with TASK. TASK is a partner of Servants Asia. They mostly serve the poor who live in the slums of Phnom Penh. They have programs in the areas of AIDS (home care, education and prevention, orphan assistance), women’s health, nutrition, disabled children, teen drug rehab, and community sanitation. I will be working with the women’s health program. From what I know, I will probably just be observing and chatting with the clients. I don’t know how long I will be with TASK, however, as CSI clinic is slated to reopen very soon.

It is hard for me to believe that my internship is almost 75% over. I have a feeling that these last three months are going to go by even faster. We were challenged this weekend to think about what we need to do to be faithful in what God has planned for us for the remainder of 2008. I don’t want to leave Cambodia with regrets, so I need to make sure that I don’t “check out” before it’s actually time to leave. I also need to overcome my hermit tendencies and make sure that I make myself available to my dorm sisters. And finally and most critically, I really need to make it a daily priority to read my Bible and spend time focusing on my relationship with God. Please pray that I can follow through on this challenge.

Well, I think that’s it for now. I hope everyone has had a nice summer and that the new school year begins smoothly.

Peace,

Greta

Prayer Requests

— For safety while traveling and that I would enjoy traveling alone

— That I would discern whether to stay with TASK or to return to CSI clinic or both

-- That I would be comfortable enough with Khmer to be able to chat with clients at TASK

Praises

That EMM Southeast Asia was able to meet together

That I will have something to do when I return to Cambodia

That CSI clinic has found a new location and will open very soon

July 2008 Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:10:00 +0000

Dear family and friends,

Greetings from Phnom Penh where it is apparently illegal to drive with your headlights on during the day, but not illegal to drive with them off at night! I am fast-approaching the 8-month mark of my internship. It’s hard for me to believe that I’ve been in Cambodia that long already.

Flexibility is a big part of living in a foreign country. And this past month, I have definitely had my share of the unexpected crop up. First, CSI clinic closed with a week’s notice in mid-July. While it was not totally unexpected, the timing of it was. So while I thought I had a good idea of what the rest of my internship was going to look like, much of the next few months are a giant question mark. Thankfully, there are several possibilities that I will be checking out in the near future.

The second unexpected event took place within 48 hours of hearing that CSI clinic was closing. I was awoken in the wee hours of the morning to discover a thief at my window. The thief stole my iPod and my sense of security, so I have been working at forgiving the thief and relearning how to sleep well for the past three weeks. Thank you for all your prayers after this incident.

The big event in Cambodia was the national elections that took place on Sunday, July 27^th. It has been interesting to compare campaigning styles here to that of the USA. I have heard that the candidates in Cambodia are only allowed to campaign for one month before the election. Therefore, you couldn’t tell an election was coming up just by sight. However, once the campaigning began, it meant a month of big trucks with loudspeakers blaring deafening music/speeches driving down the main streets and being followed by dozens of motorbikes that drove slowly and held up traffic. I don’t watch TV or listen to the radio, so I don’t know how much the campaigns dominated programming. Election Day itself was a very peaceful day in Phnom Penh as many city-dwellers returned to their homelands in the provinces to vote. Church was cancelled, as meeting in large groups was discouraged. Most businesses were closed. It was a great day to bike through the city, but an awful day to find lunch as even the roadside food stands were closed. Even Monday was more subdued than usual as some businesses had not yet reopened. Everything is back to normal now, though.

I hope you all are enjoying your summers!

Peace and blessings,

Greta

Prayer Requests

That I would be able to work through issues arising from the burglary and be able to sleep again
For safety as I do some regional travel in August
For good relationships and interactions with my dorm sisters
For wisdom and guidance in deciding what to do next
That the newly-elected officials would serve Cambodia

Praises

That I got to spend the time that I did at CSI clinic
No bicycle or motorbike accidents in 3½ months!

Fruits of Cambodia

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 10:48:00 +0000

Green mangoes hanging on the tree

Sreyleak picks a mango with a bamboo pole.

The inside of a dragonfruit

The outside of a dragonfruit

Aren't oranges supposed to be orange?

There are several different types of bananas in Cambodia. These are thicker and not as tasty as the ones we eat in the USA.

Clockwise starting with the big one: dragonfruit, rambutans, lychee, longans

Jackfruit in the trees

Bottled Water

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:47:00 +0000

You don't want to drink the tap water in Cambodia. It's a great way to get sick. So we rely on filters and bottled water. There are a few dozen bottled water companies in Cambodia, and I have enjoyed their names. In America, most of the companies have names pertaining to water like Aquafina and Polish Springs, etc. But in Cambodia, it is different. The labels read names like Hi-Tech, Eurotech, One Tech, Primatech, Oral, New Day, Elvis, and . . . Steve.

New Prayer Requests

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:18:00 +0000

CSI clinic closed on Friday after the military hospital reneged on its deal for an emergency extension on the lease. We are currently packing up the clinic, but we don't know where the clinic will go. There are several exciting leads, but nothing has been decided. Please pray that a new location will be found quickly. Please also pray that during the time that the clinic is closed (which is indefinite) that I will have something to do. I have enough other work for the remainder of July, but after that, it is up in the air.

On Tuesday night, I was robbed in my sleep. I woke up at 2:45am to find a thief at my window. He stole my iPod, and he also stole a purse and two cell phones from one of my dorm sisters through her window. Please pray for our safety and that we would be able to forgive the thief. Also, please pray that I would be able to sleep in peace. I was able to for the first 2 or 3 nights, but sleeping isn't going so well anymore.

June 2008 Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:28:00 +0000

June 28, 2008
Dear family and friends,
Greetings! First, I want to say that if you didn’t receive the May newsletter, not to worry because there wasn’t one. I found myself in the midst of a busy transition, major computer problems, and a cold that knocked me out for a week. Much of what I did in May was exactly the same as what I did in April, so the newsletter would have seemed redundant. However, much has happened since the end of May, so there is much to tell about this month.

I finished my research project regarding infant mortality rates and beriberi in Prey Veng province and returned to Phnom Penh on May 19th. The research went as well as can be expected with the level of record-keeping found here. The good news is that the overall rate was lower than expected, but the bad news is that it is still high. I will probably return to Prey Veng for a few weeks later this year to assist in a research study conducted by a major research institution.

My living arrangements are quite different now. Whereas I had always lived with host families, now I am living in a student dormitory run by EMM. Including me, there are currently fourteen women in this dorm (there is also a men’s dorm). As far as I know, only the director and one other student are older than me. It has been going alright so far, although I’m still figuring out where and how I fit in. I am trying to get the girls to stop treating me like a guest since I will be here for most of my remaining time in Cambodia. I am grateful that they are so willing to help me and make sure that I am comfortable, but I don’t want them to treat me differently than they treat each other. We are making good progress, though, and I am usually allowed to wash my own dishes now!

Work-wise, I have begun volunteering at a clinic run by Cooperative Services International (CSI). CSI clinic serves mainly the poor from the provinces. All of the physicians, expect for one, are expatriates, and most of the rest of the staff are Cambodian. I mostly observe the doctors, who teach me some basic clinical skills and explain to me why the patient is sick. I also help out in the pharmacy sometimes by counting pills. It’s a little monotonous, but the pharmacy is air-conditioned! The most interesting part of my time at CSI so far happened just yesterday. I got to watch surgery! I was standing right next to the operating table. It was perhaps the grossest and the coolest thing I have ever seen. And I must add that I was mighty proud of myself for not even feeling faint!

Another recent transition has been the EMM team in Cambodia. The Umbles arrived in April and have taken over dorm oversight from the Caldwells, who returned to Ohio this month after twelve years of service in Cambodia.

For the final bit of news, June also marked my introduction to the fruit called durian. I have seen and smelled durian and have heard much about this fruit since I arrived last December. But somehow I never had to eat any until a few weeks ago. This is a fruit that has such a pungent smell that hotels and guesthouses forbid guests from bringing it into their establishments. The odor is not pleasant, and I was not looking forward to tasting it. But I walked downstairs just as one of my dorm sisters was cutting into one. She immediately invited me to eat it with her, and I couldn’t turn her down without being rude. She offered me a huge piece, but I was able to negotiate a much smaller portion after explaining that most expats don’t like it and that this was my first taste. After putting it into my mouth, I was grateful for the small piece. It tasted like jackfruit (a tropical fruit that I actually like), eggs, and mayonnaise puréed together. I hope that was my last bite of durian ever.

I hope you all are doing well. Now that summer is here, we can “enjoy” the heat together!
Peace and blessings,
Greta

Praises
-- that my computer is up and running again
-- for this amazing opportunity that I have at CSI and the dorm
-- that I learned everyone’s name in the dorm

Prayer Requests
-- for health, particularly now that dengue season is here
-- for safety as I ride my bike and take moto-taxi
-- for good relationships and interactions with the girls in the dorm
-- that I would find a good Khmer tutor (preferably a Christian so I can learn church vocab)
-- for peace during elections at the end of July

Greta and the dorm director, Sophal, at the National Museum in late December

Some of my dorm sisters (r-l): Chhayrorn, Savong, Sophal, and Mary

Highlights of the Past Week

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:49:00 +0000

On Wednesday afternoon, I found a shop that sells Dr. Pepper and Mt. Dew, so I indulged in these sodas for the first time in 7 months. Fortunately, I needn't worry about blowing the budget or getting cavities from drinking too much of them since it takes an hour to get to the store, make the purchases and then get back home. That's a long bike ride in the busy city for a can of soda. Anyway, I thought that would be the highlight of my week.

But then I went to work on Friday. The morning started out slowly, but suddenly there was talk of surgery and I was invited to join. Not long after that, I was wearing scrubs, a hairnet and a mask while standing next to the operating table. It was disgusting. And really awesome. And when it was over, I went back to the office where there was pizza and brownies. By the time I got home, I was on cloud 9. Sadly, nobody at my home really wanted to hear me gush about surgery.

I'm back finally.

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:49:00 +0000

Well, it has certainly taken longer than I expected to be able to update. I have been back in Phnom Penh for almost a month, but my computer has been on the fritz since then. It is currently in the repair shop for the second time in less than 3 weeks. My computer and I both got viruses at about the same time, putting us both out of commission for a while. Thus, I missed the May newsletter, but a May/June issue should be on the way soon.

Other than computer issues and illness, things have been going well. I am living in a dorm run by EMM and volunteering/observing at a clinic run by a Christian NGO. It is quite interesting, and I get to see a lot. I'm being purposely vague so that I can talk about it in the newsletter. More details will follow.

For now, I thought I'd post some pictures from my time in Prey Veng.

This is the clinic where I learned to feel infants' livers.

Part of my host-family

Kids at a "photo-shoot"

My translator, Hun

Sorry, this is as many photos as I am able to upload at this time.

Apologies

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:19:00 +0000

Hello friends,
I would like to apologize for the lack of updates over the past several weeks. I moved to the countryside where I discovered that the internet was only for checking email. It is too expensive and too slow to do anything else. I tried to update while out there, but the internet couldn't handle it.

I also tried to post some pictures today while in Phnom Penh, but it seems that the computer doesn't recognize my flash drive. Therefore, I am sorry, but you will need to wait for 2 more weeks until I return to Phnom Penh. Then the updates will become more regular also.

Sorry!
Greta

April 2008 Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:15:00 +0000

April 27, 2008
Dear family and friends,

Greetings from Prey Veng Province, Cambodia! It’s rice-planting season, so all of the farmers are busy. I haven’t been in any rice paddies, but I’ve also been busy nonetheless. For the past five weeks, with the help of my translator, Hun Fisk, I have been conducting interviews with mothers who have lost babies since 2005. Our goal is to determine the infant mortality rate, and how it specifically relates to beriberi (vitamin b1 deficiency). We are trying to visit every home where a baby has died in order to ask questions about the babies’ symptoms. This has been quite the adventure.

When we show up at a home, we are usually quickly asked to sit. Perhaps only the mother and a child or two are home when we arrive, but within minutes, there is often a crowd of neighborhood children, aunties, and grandmothers who have come to “help” with the interview and to stare and giggle at the foreigner and to listen to her speak in her funny language.
Before we leave, someone will probably ask me to diagnose their other medical problems or they will show me all of medicine they are taking and ask me to explain why. Usually I have no answers, but I have been able to help a few times. We arrived at a home one afternoon just moments after a 9-year-old boy was bitten by a dog. The mother wanted to put a camphor and menthol balm on the wound (Tiger Balm, a purported cure-all for everything from giddiness to gas that probably does more harm than good), but I suggested that it might be better to wash the wound with soap and water. I turned around to get my notebook, and when I looked back at the boy, his mother was about to wash the wound with laundry detergent! There’s just so much that we take for granted about basic medical care and first-aid.

There are occasional moments of humor. The schools out here don’t teach colors, so we have received a few responses like, “Oh, the baby seemed fine. His urine was blue.” Or “Yes, my baby had diarrhea. It was blue.” When we question them further, we discover the true color. Blue seems to be a default color.

We also run into frustrations. Sometimes we travel for over an hour, only to discover that the mother we need to talk to isn’t home, and it’s not like we can call ahead. Sometimes people are drunk. Sometimes we reach the end of the interview and we just want to get to the next one so that we can go home. But people have other ideas. They want to talk and get to know us. Occasionally, they ask for money. Some want to tell us of their plight, of how they had to sell their land so that their child could see a doctor, or of how they watched their daughter and then grandson die of HIV/AIDS, and now they have no more family left. So we stay and listen.

And there are other moments of heartbreak. On the second day of interviews, we spoke with a mother who had lost both of her children in a short amount of time. She just seemed so sad that I wished that I could speak fluent Khmer so that I could throw my arms around her and tell her that there is a loving God who knows the pain of losing a child. (This reaction scared me a little because I have never felt the urge to hug a stranger before.) We interviewed another woman who lost six of her seven children, five of them in infancy. And it looks as though all five of them could have been saved by a few simple injections of vitamin B1.

Overall this time in the countryside has been a positive, though eye-opening, experience. I am gaining a sense of what medical care is like in a rural, impoverished area. If I serve in a rural village after medical school, I will definitely have some awareness of what I shall face. Until then, I will strive to learn as much as I can about what God is doing in my life and in the land where I am living.

Peace,
Greta

Praises
--The EMM Asia retreat is April 30-May 4.
--My knee is almost healed after another minor moto accident.

Prayer Requests
--That the people of Mesang would find hope and freedom and life in the Lord
--For the courage to learn and speak Khmer

March 2008 Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Mon, 05 May 2008 08:59:00 +0000

March 23, 2008
Dear family and friends,

He is risen! I pray that this Easter season finds you well as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

My life is quite different now than it was when I last wrote to you. I have left busy Phnom Penh and am just finishing up my first week in the countryside village of Mesang in Prey Veng province. The differences are quite stark. Instead of dodging cars and motorcycles while I ride my bike, I now dodge chickens, cows, and cow patties. The air is filled with the melodious sounds of birds chirping instead of horns blowing. Life seems much more laid back. And of course, the neighborhood is quit a bit smaller.

As a child, I enjoyed reading the Little House on the Prairie series and watching the television show. Sometimes I feel like I have stepped onto the Little House set, except with more water buffalo and mangoes and fewer blizzards and rolling hills. I ride my bicycle down dusty dirt roads. I worry about getting tuberculosis and fleas. There is a hand-pump to get water for washing clothes or the dishes or for taking baths. There isn’t much power, so we go to bed and wake up early. Sometimes candlelight is the only light. And you really can party until the cows come home (The party ends around 6PM).

There are changes that I don’t like: There are no internet shops around here, and the closest market is forty-five minutes away. And I am finding rural Khmer to be slightly different from city Khmer, making communication somewhat difficult. Also instead of contending with one cat who just wanted to hide under my bed, I now faceoff with three cats who want to sleep on my bed and shred my mosquito net (I even caught one cat eating a raw fish head on my bed one evening). There is also an obnoxious resident rooster who begins his crowing at 3:30 AM.

But there are some good changes, too. There is more shade and wonderful breezes that when combined, make it quite comfortable. Mango season is beginning, so I can eat mangoes every day. And I am living with a Christian family this time. I also have a lot more to do.

A month ago I was studying Khmer every day and exploring Phnom Penh. This month I am visiting village chiefs, talking with strangers while sitting under their houses, and learning how to feel infants’ livers to see if they have heart failure due to beriberi (vitamin b1 deficiency). While I am here in Mesang, I will be helping and learning from Debbie Coats, a nurse practitioner, to do some research into beriberi, specifically what the infant mortality rate is and why so many infants here are affected by it. I will also be spending some time at the tuberculosis clinic where Debbie sees many patients.

I am confident that the nine weeks that I am here in the Prey Veng will be a great time of learning, but I also know that they will not be easy in any way. I miss the comforts and conveniences of Phnom Penh; can I live with the simplicity here? Sometimes being a missionary means living without running water or electricity, and I’m in Cambodia to test a call to long-term missions. So I’m going to stick it out. Perhaps I’ll even learn to like this lifestyle. Whatever the outcome, I trust that God has something to teach me about Himself and myself during this time.

Blessings,
Greta

Praises
--Mango season is here!
--For safe travel to Prey Veng
--We found a translator to work with me while I do research.

Prayer Requests
--for continuing transition to my new environment
--for protection for my health
--for continued improvement in my Khmer and for courage to speak it
--that I would sleep well at night

The Cat

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 09:12:00 +0000

My host family has a cat. I'm pretty sure that before I moved in, the cat had full dominion over my bedroom. It would try to come in my room every chance that it got, and being someone who never liked animals in the house, this was not okay with me. The cat and I had many showdowns, which I always won.

One night, I woke up and thought there was someone in my room. I was confused because I knew that I had locked the door. Then the cat darted by my head. It had jumped through the window. When I awoke in the morning, I thought it had been a dream, but alas, there were cat pawprints on my black suitcase.

Another morning, the cat tried a new attempt--climbing up the wall and squeezing through the tiny gap at the top. It couldn't fit, so it tried to bite the wood to widen the hole. To be fair, the cat had been locked in that room for over four hours and was very hungry.

Mosquitoes think Greta is delicious!

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:25:00 +0000

Every morning, one of my first activities is to sweep dead mosquitoes off of my bed. They fly through my fan at night and die. I appreciate my fan very much.

Mosquitoes love to bite my feet. This is what my feet looked like after four days at my host-family's house. I used to wake up in the middle of the night because I was so itchy. I have since bought better repellent and I often wear socks even when it is hot.

February 2008 Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:13:00 +0000

Hello friends!
Johm riab sua! Niak sohk sabaay te? This is the traditional Khmer greeting that Cambodians say while placing the palms of their hands together (as in prayer) with their finger tips near their noses. This is also one of the first phrases I learned after I arrived in Cambodia and began studying Khmer nearly 11 weeks ago.

Learning a new language is always an adventure. This is not the first time that I’ve learned a new language—I studied Spanish, German, and Swahili in high school and college—but this is the first time since I learned English that I have been immersed in the new language, forcing me to use it in order to get by. It is also the only language I’ve learned that I cannot read. Khmer script looks a bit like squiggles.

Because I decided to focus on speaking and not on reading and writing Khmer, I had to come up with a system to help me remember how to pronounce the words. Fortunately, I had some linguistics training at university, so I am able to write words down phonetically. This has been very helpful, but unfortunately, I only studied the English phonemes (vowel and consonant sounds). English has only 42 phonemes. In comparison, Khmer has 33 consonants and 24 vowels and diphthongs. I have, therefore, been using a code that is partly international phonetic alphabet and partly made-up. (I should point out the Khmer greeting above is written in the Lonely Planet guide’s version of Khmer transliteration.)

While I am far from achieving fluency in Khmer, I can hold a conversation with my host mother, Ming, now without relying on someone to translate. I haven’t had much success speaking Khmer with others, though, as many people speak very quickly and quietly. They can often understand what I am trying to say, but I usually only understand a few words of what they are saying. It’s frustrating, but also exciting as I can tell that I am making progress. Ming once said that my Khmer makes it hard for her to breathe. I think that was meant to be a compliment. She and most other people encourage me to use my Khmer, even though I make many mistakes.

Speaking of mistakes, I haven’t said anything too embarrassing yet, but I once told someone that it cost $250 to have my bicycle tire pumped instead of 25¢. I’ve told my Khmer teacher to sit down instead of saying thank you. And the words for “cold” and “ear” are very close, so I have frequently spoken of ear machines (instead of air-conditioning) and how it is hot in Cambodia but ear in Pennsylvania. (Learning Khmer is also helping me to remember my German. When I am trying to think of how to say something in Khmer, the German words often pop into my head. On numerous occasions, I have almost substituted German for Khmer.)

Learning a new language and culture is fun, but it is also very challenging. I am very thankful for all of your thoughts, prayers, and encouragement. Aw kuhn! (Thanks!)

In Christ,
Greta

Praises:
-- I was not hurt worse when I was struck by a motorbike at the end of January.
-- God sent some kind people to help me when I was hit.
-- My Khmer is progressing nicely.

Prayer Requests:
-- For safety as I ride my bicycle
-- For a smooth transition as I move to Prey Veng province on March 15th
-- That my remaining time with my host family would be meaningful
-- That I would continue to have the courage to speak Khmer

A Very Happy Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 08:40:00 +0000

I turned 23 years old this past week. Although it was strange not celebrating it with my family or with my close friends, I still had a very nice birthday. I cancelled my Khmer lessons ahead of time so that I could have a nice relaxing morning. I rode my bicycle to the market and bought myself a birthday present—a rechargeable electronic mosquito bat. It’s a fun new toy that allows me to more easily kill the mosquitoes that follow me inside my mosquito net. I also bought myself a piece of “decadent chocolate cake.” It was delicious, although I didn’t have a fork, so I ate it without one.

When Dany arrived home from school at 5:30 PM, she and a neighbor friend took me “for a walk.” Going for a walk in Cambodia probably does not involve much walking. It just means that you are going out to have fun. We went by motorbike (I always wear my helmet, Mom!) to the only shopping mall in Cambodia. I know that those who know about my “love” for shopping will find this amusing. We just walked around for about half an hour and looked at the big screen hi-def televisions. I thought we were going to eat at the mall because I had been promised a hamburger. I could smell the French fries—such a wonderful smell when you haven’t had any burgers or fries for almost three months. However, we left the mall and went to a Cambodian burger joint. My burger was delicious, although it tasted a bit different since it had cucumbers and chili sauce on it. I also had some pineapple ice cream.

Then the girls took me to what I will call a fun park. I would describe it as Cambodia meets a 1993 community carnival. There were several small rides—most were kiddie rides, but it did have a “train.” It was sort of like a very miniature Trailblazer. We went around 5 times. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I wasn’t thinking about how this ride probably hadn’t been properly inspected and that the ride attendant hadn’t even told us to put down the safety bar. Still, it was fun. When we got off, we threw a bunch of darts at balloons and then left.

We didn’t get back home until about 8:30PM (2 hours past my normal curfew!). I was then presented with a yellow gift box which contained some beautiful Cambodian silk. It was a nice ending to a very nice day.

Also, thank you for all of the cards and emails that I received for my birthday and Valentine’s Day। I had a lot of fun reading them.

I'm pretty sure that my birthday was not the typical birthday celebration in Cambodia. In fact, I know it wasn't. I found out yesterday that Dany's birthday was in January and I didn't even know it. Birthdays apparently aren't a big deal in Cambodia.

A House Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:18:00 +0000

Hello friends! I thought that maybe it was about time that I gave you a tour of my current host-family's house. But first I'd like to thank everyone for their prayers.

As many of you know, I was hit my a motorbike while riding my bicycle two weeks ago. I was riding along, thinking about how it isn't that scary to ride my bike anymore when I felt an impact from behind. I actually never saw what hit me. I know that God was watching out for me, though, as three people in a van stopped and helped me off of the road. They cleaned my wounds and even drove me to meet Susan Caldwell so that she could accompany me to a clinic. One of the persons in the van spoke English (all of my Khmer temporarily left with the pain), and I later found out that he was also a Christian.

I am healing very nicely. Originally, the doctor believed that I had probably broken my tailbone, but I can thankfully report that that is not the case. I still have a little bit of pain at night and in the morning, but that is all. I have even started to ride my bike again. Thank you for your prayers!

Now for the house tour . . .

These are clothes drying.

This is the landing leading upstairs. We take off our shoes here. I don't like that cat.

These are fish drying on the roof outside of my window.

This is the "living room." As you can see, it is technically outside.

Here is my bedroom. It is very small, so I am living out of my suitcase. It also prevents the mosquitoes from hiding in my clothes.

Here you can see my tiny bed and my pink mosquito net.

A front view of the house

This is my bicycle being used as a drying rack.

This is the "yard". My host family are landlords for at least a dozen garment factory workers. Usually, there is at least one person in this area.

January 2008 Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 09:27:00 +0000

January 25, 2008

Hello friends!
Greetings from Cambodia where it is hot even during the “cool” season। I have been in Phnom Penh for seven weeks. My main task for this portion of my internship is to learn the Khmer language and culture. This involves meeting with a tutor five days per week and living with a Cambodian family. I will save my adventures in language learning for another time. I would like to tell you about my host family.

My host family consists of a mother, whom I call Ming, or “Auntie”; a father who is only around about one day a week due to his job; three sons, one of whom is married and also away most of the time, as is his wife; a daughter, Dany, who is 18 years old; and a three-year-old granddaughter। They are a traditional Buddhist Khmer family, although the oldest son is a Christian.

I spend most of my time interacting with Ming and Dany। Both have helped me immensely in adjusting to this new environment. Dany taught me how to wash my clothes by hand. She also speaks some English, so when my Khmer is insufficient (frequently), I can go to her. She wants to know about my life in America and to practice her English. But she also makes me speak Khmer when she knows that I can. But since Dany is a university student who studies at three schools (yes, three!), she is also gone for a large chunk of the day.

Dany and Greta (A self-portrait)

Ming is a wonderful host mother। She is patient and speaks Khmer slowly and simply enough that I can often understand what she is saying, or at least get the gist of it। We have enjoyed getting to know each other, even though we can’t always communicate with words. She is already saying that she will miss me when I leave. Ming often says that she pities me because I have to live in such a different environment and eat strange foods. She is concerned that I might be lonely or bored. She is afraid I will waste away because I can’t eat the food she cooks, and then when I return home, my mother won’t recognize me. I keep telling Ming that although this is new food for me, I want to learn how to eat it. And I do eat it. I don’t always know what it is, but I eat it anyway.

Ming’s concern about food is valid। I had a rough introduction to Khmer food as I got sick the day after I moved into her home. I could barely eat anything for days (not even chocolate cake!), and it took me nearly 40 minutes to eat a plate of rice. And the language barrier made it difficult to convey to her that I was ill right away. But now I am starting to like some Khmer food and have little problem eating it. I don’t always know how to eat it, though. When Ming presented me with an entire grilled fish, she had to teach this meat-and-potatoes, Lancaster County farm girl how to eat it. (And if Ming isn’t there to tell me how to eat something, there is usually at least one person who is just standing there watching me. Greta eating Cambodian food is apparently very entertaining.)

Ming cooks

There are mosquitoes galore at my home, especially in my bedroom and in the bathroom। It was so bad that I dreamed I had chicken pox. I counted 81 bites less than five days after moving in. When Ming saw my poor, itchy feet, she immediately retrieved some medicine and began to smear the balm over each red welt. As I watched her, I was amazed that this Buddhist woman from a culture with so many taboos about feet would even think of stooping down and touching mine. It reminded me of a certain man who touched—even washed—the feet of others some 2000 years ago in Palestine.

I really like my host family, and although life has not been extremely easy during the past month that I’ve been with them, I’m glad that I have this opportunity. I pray that these last five or six weeks with them will be a rich experience for both me and the family.

Prayer Requests:
· For safety as I ride my bicycle
· For good health (I’ve been ill somehow for 4 of the 7 weeks I’ve been here)
· As I learn Khmer and for the courage to speak it
· That I would be a good witness to my host family

Praises:
· The mosquitoes are biting me less!
· I’m starting to sleep better at night.
· I have a great host family.
· 92% of my support is in place

Thanks for you prayers, Greta

December 2007 Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Greta) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 02:28:00 +0000

Greetings from a hot Buddhist country that sells Santa suits! I have been in Cambodia for two weeks now. A few days ago, I moved in with a very nice Cambodian host family, and I am slowly becoming acquainted with Phnom Penh.

On Sunday mornings, I have been attending Phnom Penh Mennonite Church. The congregation is almost entirely Khmer (Cambodian), the exceptions being myself and fellow EMM workers, Darrell and Susan Caldwell. Most are young persons, all of whom are very friendly. Those who speak even a tiny amount of English are not shy at all about walking right up to me and asking me questions. A common one is if I am happy to be in Cambodia.

A Cambodian Mennonite Christmas Tree

Last Sunday, Dec 16, the church held its Christmas service. It was completely organized by the Khmers, and a lot of hard work was poured into it. They were so excited about it that they invited their friends to come and watch the program. So many people showed up that half had to sit outside under some quickly-hung and shade-creating bed sheets (The church meets in the front room of a small building. The room is open to the outside, which is important for ventilation in this hot country). Decorations covered the walls of the church—balloons, pictures of Santa Claus, streamers, etc. There were even two Christmas trees set up near the front.

Joshua Caldwell sits inside of the heavily decorated First Mennonite Church of Phnom Penh.

The special service that day featured a talented young man singing and several young ladies performed a traditional Khmer dance, albeit it with some added giggling. The big showcase of the morning, however, was a Cambodian Christmas pageant. Starting with the angel visiting Mary, the entire Christmas story according to Luke was retold. Personally, my favorite scene was when the angel visited the shepherds. The sheep were portrayed by several young orphans who were visiting that day. The smiles on their faces as they crawled around the shepherds were full of joy.

Following the pageant was the sermon. I wish I could tell you about it, but the entire service was in Khmer, and with such a full house that morning, I couldn’t find a seat next to someone who could translate for me. I am just beginning to learn Khmer, but I did catch the words “but”, “so”, “hallelujah”, “amen”, and “thank you.” Although I could not understand most of the words spoken during the service that morning, the overall message was clear: Be full of joy, for the Savior has come!

I wish you and your families the very best this Christmas season. May you be filled with peace and joy, and as the sign in front of the church read, “Happy Merry Christmas!”
And yes, even though the weather is hot, you can buy child-size Santa suits here.

Prayer Requests:
· that I would adjust quickly to my new home and host family
· that my Khmer would continue to progress
· for health—I have been ill for a few days
· that the mosquitoes would leave me alone (they like new flesh!)
· for safety as I ride my bike
· that I would sleep better

Praises:
· For safe, hassle-free travel to Cambodia
· My Khmer studies are going well
· A host family has been found!
· For new friends already made
· Over 87% of my support is in place

In Christ,

Greta

Christmas 2007