Schooling in Cambodia could be considered regimented! However, the Transform team has created an environment conducive to creativity and imagination. We have a desire to inspire and motivate the children to dream big dreams and fulfil their potential.

We have a number of children registered at the centre with either the Christian name or surname, Sok. Poor Linda (our teacher trainer) is concerned about ending up with odd Soks! It'll be OK, Linda.

The remaining vacancies at the centre are filling fast without any of the team having to go out and invite more children in. News of Transform has certainly spread throughout the district. Parents, grand parents and other family members and neighbours are bringing children to the centre hoping to secure a position. Some of these children are 'so ready' for an education and it is such an awesome privilege to be able to confirm their registration.

The Pastor of the local Church is introducing evening English classes and we have confirmed that we will teach there once a week.
So to all of Patrick's nieces who are teachers and have had to endure years of teasing about only working part time and always being on holidays, it appears as though he has decided to join your ranks! I guess 'she who laughs last laughs longest and loudest'.

Boeung Salang is full of hope!

'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future'.
Jeremiah 29:11.

All of the parents are excited and very grateful about the opportunity that Transform has offered their children. They now have a future they could only previously have dreamt of.

Take a moment to imagine what this community is like since 80 of its children have been blessed with this opportunity. Not only have we touched the lives of the 80 children but also all of the family members. That means that hundreds of lives have alrealdy been positively impacted by opening the centre! A couple of stories are especially touching.

One young single mother of two children enrolled at the centre works in a factory and told us that she was not able to get her children to the centre at the commencement of the program each day, because she leaves for work at 6.30am. We simply offered to pick her children up from the house and bring them to the centre each day. Because she was so thankful, she cried. This also reduced a few team members to tears.

Another young single mother came to the gate this morning just as we commenced the program. One of our team members had invited this woman's daughter to attend the centre a few weeks ago. However, because the mother has been so busy working to support her young family she had not managed to enrol her child and thought that it was too late. When we told her that we had a place for her daughter, she was so happy and relieved that she cried. And yes, so did some team members!

'The vision is for an appointed time. Though it tarry, wait earnestly for it, for it will surely come'. Habakkuk 2:3

Today was an exciting day for the Transform team in Perth and Phnom Penh, as we opened the doors of the first centre in Cambodia.
We wish you were here Mark, Andrea, Ken and Lorraine!
After dreaming the dream, praying, planning, research and teacher training, the first stage of the vision has come to fruition.

The 80 children enrolled at the centre have been invited to attend 'mini programs' this week with their families, before commencing a full program next week. The program for this week includes singing, story telling, hygiene, and a variety of activities including play dough and puzzles.
All of the children invited to attend the centre have been very excited since first hearing the news and some of the children were eagerly waiting at the gate at 7am for a 9am start.

Fre-o way to go
Hit 'em real hard
and send them down below!

It's great to be able to treat the young working children to a nice meal at the local market.

May the best team win!

Our day starts at 5.45am with Carol and I having breakfast and sharing devotions on our balcony. This is a nice cool part of the day.
We leave home at 7.30am to make our way to the Centre. At 8am we share worship and devotions with our Team. A beautiful way start our day!
I have spent a few days going out with our Team to visit the children at their homes. This has been both a fun and moving experience.
I have seen families who live in a two room house built on stilts above a swamp. The family live in one room and their pigs in the other. Imagine the smell!
In another, a family of 7 were living in a 3 x 3 metre room which they rent for $15 US per month. This is a lot of money when the family only earn approx $1 US per day.
These are truly the poorest of the poor!



Much of the rest of our time has been spent doing a variety of tasks at the Centre serving with our wonderful Team to prepare for the arrival of the children who will attend the centre in small groups next week before commencing a full program the following week.
Patrick

While speaking with Jean-Pierre from Perth yesterday on Skype, I was asked what the weather was like. I replied that the sky was preparing for its afternoon shower. Soon after we had a heavy downpour which is typical for this time of year. The picture taken from our home - 'The Eagles Aerie' - as designated by Linda, depicts the result of the downpour in our street.

It's official - our self contained unit for guests has been given a 'SAM' Rating of two and a half stars, by our first guest. Vacancies are filling fast in our 'little motel downstairs' so if you are interested in making a booking, email us at patrickandcarol@everyday.com.kh and request a copy of the register to confirm availability.
Carol

Well life as a Missionary is full of fun and changes! Whilst there are cars here in Cambodia, the predominant means of transport is a moto (motor bike). The roads are chaotic as these busy people rush around on their motos’ with very little evidence of road rules.
Carol and I are keen to be very much a part of this country, so it is 'no Commodore for us' . We have purchased a moto of our very own and joined the mayhem on the streets. Please pray for us and the other road users.
Patrick

The first task on my 'to do list', which Carol had prepared in advance, was to cook our Team a bacon and egg breakfast to be served on our balcony. The Team arrived around 7am and by this time I had donned my new "Aussie Flag" apron and was cooking up a batch of bacon and egg burgers. They all tucked into and enjoyed their Aussie feast.
After breakfast Carol presented Sim (our Team musician) with a guitar which was kindly donated by her brother Tony. The Team immediately commenced singing songs of praise and worship and continued for the next hour or so.
Now it was time to go to the Centre. On arrival we were again greeted with welcome signs and much excitment. What a beautiful place this is. The atmosphere is one of extreme excitment amongst the Team at being able to serve and minister together to transform the lives of Cambodia's poor children. Carol and I are blessed to be part of this Team.
Patrick

Now it was out to the streets on a moto (a motor bike taxi) and down to our favourite Riverside Bistro for lunch. We found this place on our first visit to Cambodia in 2003 and have enjoyed the atmosphere and food here ever since.
Patrick

As Carol and I descended through the clouds into Phnom Penh, I was excited, the dream was about to become reality.
After making our way through immigration and customs, we went to meet our taxi driver, only to be 'surprised' by the Transform Team of Sambath, Malin, Pannarath, Seda, Sim and Linda. Their excitment almost exceeded ours as they placed a lei around our necks and presented us with a welcome card. It was such a beautiful greeting.
Now it was time to head off in the taxi to our new home where another wonderful surprise awaited me. Carol had beautifully furnished our apartment.
Carrying my luggage up the stairs and unpacking quickly reminded me of the heat and humidity in this country.
Patrick

WOW!! what a beautiful surprise I received when I reached Singapore. I had booked into my room at the Transit Hotel and the phone rang, it was Carol and she was in reception. Yes! she had flown to Singapore to meet and surprise me, how nice was that?! I was blown away!
Patrick

The day has finally arrived - 11th August 06 - I am now off to fullfill my God given call and dream and to join my dear wife Carol to work with street Children in Cambodia.
It took several attempts at packing and trying to reduce my luggage to 60kg, with what I had to take it became obvious this was not going to happen. I was picked up by my sons David & Matthew and after my goodbyes to my great landlord of the past month (my brother Jim), taken to the airport.
On arrival at Perth International Airport I weighed in to find that I still needed to leave some stuff behind and also reduce the weight of one case by transferring items to other cases. I was helped by Matthew, David and my dear friend Phil - Thank you chaps.
The security at the airport was very tight due to recent events in the UK and they were particular about weight and of course what you were carrying. All totally understandable.
After checking in and a quick drink with Margaret & Ross (Carol's Mum & Dad), Roslyn & Tony (Carol's sister and brother) and Liam & Jordan (Roslyn's son & Grandson) and Matthew & David, I boarded for departure at approx 3.55pm. I was now headed for Singapore where I was to spend the night before moving onto Phnom Penh the next morning.
Patrick