The children had a wonderful time with the balloons!







So did the teachers!

It was a special time for everyone when one of the children of Metro House had the opportunity to meet their sponsor family.



Then it was time to visit the family at their home.



Back at the centre, Eddie had the opportunity to give some private computer lessons.

It's all happening down at Metro House.

We have computer experts (Eddie and Ben), a song and dance expert (Robbyn), an English language expert (Eddie). I did hear Eddie count, pronounce and spell up to 5 (five) while he was taking one of the English classes, but I left before I heard how he would go with the number 6 (he is a Kiwi!).

Moving right along...Interviews for centres 2 & 3 get underway today, moving us further along the timeline. We are currently looking for another 12 people to join the Transform Cambodia team.

The 'Centre 2' house landlord has completed the necessary renovations to the front of the building and it looks great.

Our choice for 'Centre 3' awaits a visit from two of the Newseason's Christian Centre Inc. board members next week to confirm suitablity of the property.

Each time we are in the areas we see lots of young poor children, so it will be great to offer another 170 children (85 in each area) an opportunity to Transform their 'poor little lives'.

The Chalk family were a 'welcome interruption' to the usual Saturday morning Children's Shelter Program.















Even the kids further out in the village community received a visit and balloon demonstration. Everyone was thoroughly entertained by the balloon creations!

Eddie, Robbyn and Ben arrived safely after being delayed in Singapore due to an issue with the plane (don't you just love that when you eventually have to travel on a plane you were advised was experiencing some issues?!). Anyway, after dropping off the luggage, we all headed out in a tuk tuk to enjoy a meal together.

The Chalk family (or at least a few of them) arrive in Phnom Penh this evening and that thought reminded me of the visitors we missed while we were home for Christmas and the New Year. Although we missed their visit, the team and children thoroughly enjoyed the company of Andrew, Karen and the children and received many blessings.

Phnom Penh is always noisy. To add to the din, we currently have roadworks going on outside our home. The exisitng road is less than two years old, but already requires major repairs.



That looks like some serious road base.

This lady has completed her cushion covers and is about to have her product inspected for quality control.



Yes, it is of good quality, so that means today this lady will receive payment for her goods.



Without the initial skills training by Stitches-of-Hope, this would not happen.

Bless you Kay and thanks!

This lady is well on her way to achieving her goal of buying a motorbike. The gift of a one piglet has put her on the multiplication pathway. As we reported in an earlier post, when she sells the two pigs she bought upon the sale of her first pig, she intends to purchase four. 1x1=1 2x2=4 and so on it goes....



No wonder she looks so happy, as she reports on the success of the income generation scheme!

It's that simple to impact the lives of the poor here!

Combine a couple of classes! At Metro House, the children are learning how to combine their English lessons with their computer studies.



Click on the picture with the capital letter, then select the correct lower case letter and watch the picture move to the correct location in the zoo.



Easy?!



OK - Now you can go solo!

What works well in the village also works well in the city.

It's time to mix and match, so close your eyes.



Now open them.



Can you match the picture with the correct word?



Is that correct? Yes! Well done!

The kids in the village are enjoying their English studies and are all keen to be involved.

Could this child be a teacher in the future?!

Geoff and Betty from Global Development Group are in town visiting partner ministries and organisations. Betty came bearing gifts - very sweet and tasty!



In the evening we shared a great time of fellowship together with some great food!

Breakfast anyone?!



There appeared to be more passengers than seats - Could that possibly be true?! Just as well we were there early.



This is the floating high school.



And that is a floating Church out there in the distance.



There might not be any visible 'boat stops' but nevertheless, a couple of transfers did take place out in the middle of the lake.

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10 (Amp)







There is no sign of abundance here. Needless to say - they need help!

And He said to them, The harvest indeed is abundant (there is much ripe grain), but the farmhands are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Luke 10:2 (Amp)

We weren't the only ones to gather in a temple on the top of a mountain to watch the sunset!









After sunset it was time to head down the steep steps and brave the traffic back to the city with everyone else. But it was well and truly worth all the effort.

... was meeting up with all the amazing working children while we were out and about.

Some of the children asked us where we were from and then proceeded to recite various Australian facts and figures, such as the capitol, population, coat of arms etc...

A number of the children speak English - at least what they have 'picked up' from the tourists - However, because they have never had the opportunity of an education, they cannot read or write their own language.









This talented young girl lives in a local orphanage and goes to Angkor Wat to sketch her copies of the carved figures on the walls. Needless to say, she wants to be an artist.



We also met a number of beggars.









The kids were everywhere and Jeremiah 29:11 kept coming to mind and I couldn't help but wonder who will take responsibility and reach out to them and lift them out of the pit.









These young girls had just had a dip in the dam before getting back to work at 'the beach'.



While this young man decided the hammock was the place to get some R&R.

We got plenty of exercise when we visited Angkor Wat and the various temples and Siem Reap tourist spots.



Our gracious hosts.



Here's the view from the top...





... and here we are on the way down!

It was great to finally meet Marie and see and hear all about her ministy.

We met up with William and Kate from the UK when we stopped in at the Foreign Correspondent's Club.


It was actually William who initiated the subject of cricket!

We boarded our fast boat to Siem Reap in front of the Titanic Restaurant.



There are no exit signs or safety drills on the boat, but you are free to walk around.



After 7 hours (and having been towed and dragged through the mud for the last half hour) we arrived at the Siem Reap port.



Then it was time to walk the plank!

The Cambodian media reports that the World Bank has approved a project worth $US14 million in Cambodia to help the kingdom fight rampant corruption.

Approval comes a week after the bank resumed three Cambodian aid projects that were suspended last year in the wake of the discovery of millions of dollars in fraud.

The Bank says the latest project is to support Cambodia's public financial management reform program.

We like to use lots of games, flash cards, props etc., when we teach English. And the children love to interact as much as possible.





So the village boys got more than they bargained for today - a football (thanks, Goughy) - but they did have to wait until after the lesson before they could go outside to see what you do with this 'funny shaped ball'.





Patrick was happy to teach the kids some pointers - Could a Docker's supporter possibly give instructions on how to play the game?!













Some of the girls decided to stay in the classroom and make a start on their homework.

Samantha certainly looks as though the missionary life agrees with her!

Jane is teaching English (with her brother) at a local church and leaves Phnom Penh to return home to Tassie later in the week.

I can teach this class!

The team from CoC Qld visited Metro House and were entertained by the children. First the children sang a few songs...







Singing - Nothing can be compared to the love of God!



Then it was time for the children to teach the visitors a song or two, complete with actions!







Walk, walk, walk, walk in the light!







It's time to say goodbye! Who wants a hug before we go?

English classes are a fundamental component of Transform's program, for both the team and the children.

We had a great time when we joined the Destiny family for their Sunday evening Worship Service, followed by a time of community worship before dinner. Grahame and Sandra are the amazing carers and leaders of 20 wonderful children.

Yes, that is correct - another holiday (for some) is just around the corner - 18th February. Of all the traditional celebrations here in Cambodia, the Chinese New Year is one of the most elaborate. There is a large Khmer-Chinese population who go 'all out' to say goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new.

Fresh Provisions - eat your heart out!









Treats for the kids.







This lady in the market is burning money to send to her rellies 'on the other side'.

A team from CoC QLD are in town and organised an evening of Prayer, Communion, Praise & Worship for local ministries and the nation of Cambodia. So it was great to spend time with people we already knew and to meet members of the CoC team and a number of new ministry representatives.

Ministries represented at the meeting included Heart Land, Love In Action, Citipointe Cambodia, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Cambodia, Joyce Meyer Ministries, Samaritan's Purse and Destiny Rescue.



These boys from Citipointe led the praise and worship, beautifully!

After the meeting we all enjoyed dinner together. Speaking of dinner, I am not sure where Paul and Cathy Bailey ended up, but we enjoyed our meal with the team ;)







CoC plan to host these meetings every few months or so and we look forward to being a part of it.

Things are 'on the move' here in Phnom Penh. Last week, street lights were installed on the main street near our home. We discovered this one night when we turned all the lights out and had a bright yellow glow on the dining and living room walls - complete with the security grill outline. I guess that makes for a good reminder to remember to pray for those in prison!

The 'cool change', that is! The 'cooler days' appear to have disappeared, with minimums back to 22 degrees and maximums around 34 degrees and it's only early February. The only way it is going to go now is up and up. Sorry about that Amy!

Imagine this, then know it to be true
After God thought He had completed creation
He realized He still needed to create you!

This was written especially for my daughters, because they are so special. Then I realised it also encompasses my grand daughters, my mother and sister, my female rellies, my two dearest friends, all of my friends, associates and acquaintances, and finally, women everywhere!

Without an intense, intentional, premeditated, calculated program, not a lot changes for some of the children here in Phnom Penh.

Each time we go to the local market we are approached by children we have known for more than a few years now. We also know that these children have been involved in a program for a number of years. To this day the children spend a large amount of their time begging for money, meals etc. We love to treat the kids to meals and drinks, but are sadden by the fact that they are already caught in a poverty trap, where they could remain for the rest of their life.

This is by no means a criticism of the program they are involved in, just a fact and also highlights the enormity of the Transform Cambodia concept.



It is paramount that finances and resources - especially human resources - are poured into children's programs in the third world to ensure that the children are not easily diverted from the educational pathway once they commence.

It is also vitally important to be aware that the children's parents require constant reminders that education is - without a doubt - the best option for their child, so that the parents provide the necessary support to the child and remain focused on the future and not just today.

The 'English Police' have the team at Metro House 'on guard'. All words must be pronounced correctly. Remember, the children are listening!

... and what about the pencils and paints - where are they all?



Everything you need is in here. Can you see it all?

Wow!



Now you can have a turn.





I can design a house.



So can I.



Me, too!



And I can design a whole sub-division.

If Metro House isn't Heaven, it is certainly on the way!

Do whatever comes your way to do as well as you can. Think as little as possible about yourself and as much as possible about other people and about things that are interesting. Put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.

Theodore Roosevelt

After the session this morning 'out on the road', I have to say that Patrick is well on his way to riding the motorbike Khmer Style. I guess he must have decided that he couldn't beat them, so he has decided to join them. Therefore, no rules apply!

I guess - When in Rome....

The ladies are enjoying 'My Highlights' from 'A Woman After God's Own Heart'.





However, I am not sure I can say the same for Patrick managing the kids creche!



Let me know if you would like to receive a copy of each weeks 'Devotions for the Ladies' and I will add you to the mail out list.

What wonderful news for Cambodia!



JULY 14 - AUGUST 12, 2007

Joyce Meyer Ministries is embarking on one of its single largest outreaches to date: Hope Cambodia— 30 Days of Hope. Through this event they desire to bring hope and restoration to the heart and soul of this deeply wounded nation.

The Cambodian Daily reported that temperatures in Cambodia hit record lows last Thursday - Feb 1st, dipping to 16 degrees Celsius in Phnom Penh and 7 degrees in the northeast, the lowest in 27 years of recorded history.

It was another long weekend here in Phnom Penh - or at least for some. February 2nd is 'Meak Bochea Day'.

What does Meak Bochea mean, you might ask?! It's a Buddhist ceremony held during the full moon of the month of Meak Bochea in commemoration of the spontaneous gathering of the monks to listen to buddha's preaching.

Just a thought – Cambodia has approximately 25 public holidays each year, so it may be worth your while if you are traveling here, to check out the public holiday listing to ensure that it doesn’t interfere with your schedule.

For those of you who still like to communicate the good old fashioned way, we have a post office box here in Phom Penh. You can send mail to us at:- Patrick and Carol Kelly, PO Box 2006, Boeng Prolit, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.



We look forward to hearing from you, soon.

I had the privilege of attending a meeting at the British Ambassador's Residence during the week - complete with scones!

Patrick and I enjoyed a get together at the Australian Embassy's Akubra Bar with fellow Aussies working in the government and corporate sectors in Phnom Penh.



"Do you know just how hard it is to arrange for authorisation to land a charter flight on a runway in Cambodia?."

The Metro House team hosted a creative, fun packed, Teacher Training Workshop with teachers from Vielsbov.

Lots of ideas and skills for maximum impact in teaching made up the program, with Pastor Kim Dina opening the program in prayer.


The Veilsbov team



The Metro House team

Yes, that is correct - Insurance!



You can take the man out of insurance, but you can't take insurance out of the man!

Here's Ian and Patrick discussing 'a rate' for the Toul Tom Poung Market, as we drove by.



The broker in Ian was saying that he would insure it for 'a rate of 0.3%' but the underwriter in Patrick wanted at least 'a rate of 99%' (actually he said he 'wouldn't touch it'. In other words, it's uninsurable!). Anyone who has visited the Toul Tom Poung Market would know why.

Later it was time to enjoy a meal together where the discussion turned to the interpretation of French on the wine list.