Everywhere we went today, Santa came to visit. How's that?!

Everyone enjoyed a lovely evening together as we celebrated Phil and Amy's birthday.

We enjoyed our flight to Singapore and travelled with a lovely lady we meet at Pochentong Airport, who was flying for the first time. We all enjoyed having a look around Changi's Christmas display.





It is always beautiful to touch down at Perth International Airport, and to be met by our awesome hosts, who bless our lives abundantly. Lissa and Phil are amazing!

It was time to say Merry Christmas - Happy New Year -
God Bless - Goodbye - See you next year!

Thanks to everyone who has organised to catch up with us. You are in the diary and we are looking forward to seeing you real soon!

By the look of the invites, we have been missed. How sweet is that?!

What a wonderful time it is here in Phnom Penh, as people meet with us to send us on our travels home with their very best wishes and gifts.

We have been so touched by the generosity of our poor friends. Regardless of the fact that many are sick with HIV and struggling to support their families, they give to us of the little they have. They are amazing and we consider it a privilege to be a part of their lives.

It's especially beautiful to see each Christmas, that there are more and more who have heard the good news of the Father's love for them, celebrating the birth of our Saviour.

And never be too busy for Him - like this person ...

I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.....
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God! held a book;
It was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said
"Your name I cannot find
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time"

It is only complete when it reaches the heart of man!

It was a very special day at Metro House - time for the Christmas Party. The team have been amazing and prepared a great program. They also did a wonderful job on transforming the roof area into a 'concert hall'.







While the stage was set and parents and family members were taking their 'seats', last minute rehearsals were taking place both inside and outside of the centre.





Make up and costume artists were busy making sure everything was as it should be.





Then it was time for prayer backstage...



Then let the program begin!











Pastor Tang Nary shared the gospel.



Even the teachers had a couple of slots on the program.



And a Christmas program wouldn't be complete without a very special guest - Santa.





Then it was time for everyone to leave the party ...



And the team to have a little R&R.

When I asked why one of the little boys was out in the kitchen, the volunteer told me that he had told her that he was hungry because he didn't have anything to eat for breakfast.

Kerri and Michael left Phnom Penh on the next Malaysian flight, which was VERY FULL, so Kerri informs us. So they got to KL with 20 minutes to board their connecting flight to Perth. I guess that saved a long stop over in KL.

Surprise, surprise - It's time for another holiday. Some organisations in Cambodia have a holiday on Monday to celebrate Human Rights Day.

We went shopping today on two moto taxis - and I was actually blessed to complete the round trip unharmed!

At one of the markets, Patrick wanted to get some new shorts, a brand that he hadn't had before. So the girl gave him a large size skirt for him to put on so that he could try the shorts on under it. He was asking me different questions while he was getting changed but all I could do was tell him to hurry up because I couldn't stop laughing at the sight of him in the skirt ;) I wish I had taken the camera.

Someone here has found a use for the rear view mirrors on his motorbike. Patrick saw a guy driving along with his cap hanging on it.

Michael and Kerri were scheduled to depart Phnom Penh today, but then we received an email with this picture attached. We are sure there's a story to tell and no doubt we will hear it from Kerri.

Oh well, Kerri did say that she didn't want to leave this place!

All motorbikes must now have rear view mirrors - however, since there doesn't appear to be any improvement in the way people drive, we think they forgot to explain what the mirrors are for!

"Ending poverty isn't about charity, it's about justice."

Amen to that!

Six months after having been evicted by the military police, from a community down by the Bassac River, to a paddy field without housing, water, sewerage, electricity, schools, health care or hope of work - malnutrition, respiratory diseases and skin infections are now rife among the children.

At an international meeting today, I viewed footage which was taken at a children's surgical centre. It showed children who had significant deformities and those with incredible injuries.

The centre offers a free service to the poor, mostly people living in the provinces - subsistence farmers. Often the injured child has had the injury for quite some time before they are taken to the centre.

One little 8 month old baby has had an eye infection since he was born and the centre can rectify the problem within a few days!

Another child who has just been brought to the centre, had fallen out of a mango tree 2 months ago and broke his arm in two places. An infection had set in which now needs to be cleared up before the breaks can be attended to.

Another child's life has been saved - he was experiencing breathing difficulties as a result of a tumor.

Children who had acid thrown over them, were common amongst the patients - horrific burns and eye injuries. To see the burn contractures was awful - I could not begin to imagine what the pain was like for them. So much need for reconstruction.

I could go on and on...

The guy taking registrations at the clinic is a land mine victim who lost both his hands and an eye, as a result of the blast. To see him writing the details down was amazing. He was such an inspiration!

With the Metro House Christmas Party fast approaching, it was time to create the Christmas banner.



The centre is really buzzing with activity and excitement.

After the shopping yesterday, it was time to wrap all the Christmas presents, so 'Santa's Little Helpers' got to it!

What a blessing and how timely it is to have Michael and Kerri here to join in at this busy time. The team are very thankful that they are here to lend a hand.

It is always interesting out and about meeting school principals, teachers and children, as we research possible areas for future centres, on behalf of Transform Cambodia.

We are always made to feel so welcome!

While the Christmas shopping continued at the markets, Michael had to return to the centre with a tuk tuk full of toys for Metro House's children and families, before heading back to the market to bring home the rest of the shopping.

How exciting!

I can always tell when it's getting close to my departure from Phnom Penh to head home to Perth for Christmas, as the weather turns 'cool'.

It is so pleasant here in the mornings at this time of year. Maybe we need to 'shift' Christmas to April/May, the hottest time here, so that we can get some relief in Perth at that time ;)

It used to be challenge enough to communicate with all of our dear rellies and friends in the evenings as it was, but now that you have daylight saving down under in Perth Australia, which has put you two hours ahead, the challenge has increased. But we're up to it! ;)

Speak, type, Blog, Skype or text you soon!

NOAH AND HIS ARK - 2007 STYLE

In the year 2007, the Lord came unto Noah, who now liveth in England. The Lord said unto Noah: "Once again, the Earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. It is time for you to build me another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans."

He gave Noah the CAD drawings, saying, "You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will send again the unending rains for 40 days and 40 nights."

Six months later, the Lord looketh down and saw that Noah weepeth in his yard - but there was no Ark.

"Noah!" rageth the Lord, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark, thou ungrateful slovenly oaf?"

"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have verily changeth since your First Flood. Now in England, I need Building Regulations Approval. I've been arguing with the Fire Brigade about the need for a sprinkler system."

"My neighbours claim that I should have obtained planning permission for building the Ark in my garden because it is an unauthorised development of a
residential site, even though in my view it is but a temporary structure. I have verily even had to go to appeal my case to the Secretary of State for a decision, which is still pending."

"Then the Department of Transport demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions to clear the
passage for the Ark's move to the sea. I tried to tell them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it."

"Even getting hold of the wood to built Your Ark was another problem. All the decent trees have Tree Preservation Orders on them and we live in a Site of Special Scientific Interest set up in order to protect the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save those owls - but it was no use, even though I mentioned Your Name!"

"When I started gathering the animals, the RSPCA took legal action against me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will, without a proper licence. They argued the Ark's accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space."

"Then there were problems with the County Council, the Environment Agency and the Rivers Authority who jointly ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed Flood."

"I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Equal Opportunities Commission on how many BMEs I'm supposed to hire for my building team. The shipwright Trades Union say I can't use my sons to help with the building of the ark, because they do not have union membership. They insist I have to hire only CSCS accredited workers with appropriate Ark-building experience."

"To make matters worse, the Customs and Excise Department have seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species."

"So, please forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this new Ark!"

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a Rainbow stretched across the sky.

Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "Lord - You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"

"No," said the Lord. "It appears that governmental bureaucracy has already beaten me to it............................!!'

You never know who you will bump into when out and about in Phnom Penh. Today, it was Kelley, who is here for a quick trip and staying with everyone's dear friend, Linda (Kelley's mother-in-law).

This little baby is just over a week old. I should mention that her name is Grace, as named by Kay, who ensured that the baby was safely delivered by doctors in a hospital.



These little twins are nearly 6 months old, but still tiny.

Mark, Steve, Kerri and Michael enjoyed the trip out to the village today.









On our return to the city we all shared with each other how we were overwhelmed and teary at the awesome presence of God during prayer time and the love and passion of the village community, for their Saviour.

Extremely powerful, indeed!

A village visit never ceases to touch our hearts.

There are a number of widows (whose husbands have lost their battle with HIV Aids) desperately trying to care for their children. Some of the children also have HIV and it truly is sad to witness their plight.

It's a constant struggle for the mothers in their condition, but for us it is an opportunity to bless them and eliminate at least some of the stress associated with living with HIV.





"A Father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows is God in His holy habitation". Psalm 68:5

Tonight was the last night in town - at least for this trip - for Kay and Aldy. So we organised a get together at our home with a few friends to bid them farewell.



These women are truly amazing and have worked tirelessly during the last month, to equip and empower poor women and those in prison.

'I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you’
Philippians 1:3

Now stir up the gift within you!

It has been great spending time with Mark and Steve while they are back in town. The conversation is always full of encouragement, inspiration and motivation. Just what we all need to surround ourselves with.

Yes, of course, we can and will change this nation! Let's do it!