We give thanks for our 'Prayer Team' out there!

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

We pray that you all continue to keep the following in your prayers.

Our spiritual, emotional and physical health, welfare and safety and that of our family, loved ones, team and those we serve and serve alongside, here in Cambodia.

For the Joyce Meyer Festival of Fellowship and the upcoming 30 Days of Hope. How exciting!

Thanks, Jen - Prayer Warrior, for the blog mention - we can't do what we do without those who pray for us, so thanks for being a part of our ministry.

The police were doing the rounds in our street ensuring that all houses had a fire extinguisher and discovered that we didn't have one. However, instead of 'fining' us, they simply went away and returned soon after with a nice big new 8Kg one for our convenience, at a cost, of course! They even gave me a quick demo on how to use it. Now that's service!

Kim and Sue also had a visit, but managed to send them away without purchasing one. But we bet that just like Arnie, 'they'll be back'.



Kim and Sue's ministry is underway and you can check out their new blog Bonnevies at http://bonnevies.blogspot.com/

A new breed of ANZAC's that is! The Australian and New Zealand Ambassador's for Christ.

The Aussies and the Kiwi's love to get together and there's always plenty of conversation giving God praise and glory as we discuss the great things that are happening for the poor and needy as we walk side by side in the 'trenches' of Cambodia.

As the old saying goes 'It ain't over, til it's over!'

I received an invitation to attend Centre 3's June Birthday Party. And yes, you guessed it, I was included in the program with the little kids. So I was blessed with another round of 'Happy Birthday' and shared a cake with all the children and team.

The 'Birthday Party' is held at the end of each month, with all the children who have had a birthday that month receiving a birthday hat and their name on the birthday poster. Then of course, a beautiful rendition of 'Happy Birthday' from the team and their peers.





These little guys haven't had as many birthdays, as I have had birthday cakes this year ;)

Sambath was quick to assure me that I didn't have to add another year for each cake I've had!

The Transform Cambodia Centre 2 Manager, is a woman after my own heart. Sy is very creative and has put her personal stamp on the centre. Best of all, her team love her.

Here's an 'Incentive Shop'...



... where the children can 'make a purchase' from a selection of treats, toiletries, toys and food etc., with the incentive point cards they have managed to earn throughout the month.

We usually advise visitors to Phnom Penh to avoid May and June due to the hot weather, but this year is quite different.

As you can see from the Centre 2 calendar, this week has been a mix of wet, windy and big dark clouds!

... The way to a mans heart is through his stomach!

It was true of Patrick today when he had his first roast out of our new oven (we got tired of waiting for the imported BBQ) when he said the stove was worth it's weight in gold!

We walked out of a Subiaco coffee shop one afternoon on our recent trip to Perth and Patrick met a guy that he hadn't seen for years and they exchanged updates. Patrick talked about our service in Cambodia and the guy pulled a plastic bag out of his pocket with money in it. He explained that he had recently had a birthday and rather than receive gifts from family and friends he had requested money so that he could donate it to a worthwhile cause. He was obviously moved by what Patrick shared with him because he immediately gave the money to Patrick for investment in our projects.

Some say it's a matter of being in the right place at the right time, but I know that it is far more than that and that nothing is left to chance, particularly in matters that affect the poor and needy of this world!

... it threw me into a D&M thought process for some reason and I was reminded of a question that a friend of mine used to ask.
"If you knew you had a week to live, what would you do?" Of course, his response to the persons answer was 'Well, why aren't you doing that now?" He also wrote that same question on my 'leaving the corporate world behind card' and adding that I was now one of the ones living their answer.

So my question to you today is "If you knew you had a week to live, what would you do?"

I believe it's one question that we should regularly ask ourselves. How about you?!

A lot of adventures make it onto the pages of a book, so with the venture of the past couple of years and the changes that are due to take place in the near future, the time has come for me to write a book.

It's been on my mind for some time now, but at 5.45am it was time to move on up to the study and put pen to paper, so to speak. Well, at least fingers to keyboard.

It's amazing what God puts on your heart. Within 5 minutes the title was there along with all the chapter headings. I'm excited!

“I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” John 16:22 (NIV).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Your life is probably so fast paced that it seems to be swirling around you at times. In the midst of a hectic schedule, there are plenty of opportunities to lose your joy. But you don't have to let any circumstance rob you of the joy that is rightfully yours in Christ. Once you decide to follow God and listen to Him, alone, nothing can take away that joy that is within you. And when your heart is set on joy, no one can wrestle it away from you unless you allow it. Your enemy is roaming around like a lion - waiting to devour, destroy and rob you of joy (1 Peter 5:8). But he can't steal what Jesus has given to you in the first place. Today's verse is a promise from Jesus, Himself - so hold on to the joy that He has put in your heart!

Amen.

The team at Transform Cambodia are well aware of the opportunities available to them within the organisation, so most of the team members are committed to increasing their knowledge and skills. The two hour break without children at the centre gives the team an opportunity to study.

... is doing extremely well, with a number of families now running their own piggery.





It is so simple to equip and empower the poor and give them great hope for the future by raising their standard of living.

... is going great. It's going to be big!

... in Cambodia kept us entertained during their overnight stay. They came to Phnom Penh on a missions trip - a mission to renovate a building, that is. And what a mission it has been!



It has been great catching up with the guys from Riverview. But will they be back?!

... at the management team meeting.



They're full of bright ideas!

Kim and Sue have a nice new home located a few doors down from us, so they are currently enjoying furnishing it.



They are settling in nicely to missionary life and it's certainly a blessing to have them here. They have commenced their Khmer studies which will keep them busy and the brain stimulated, so we look forward to future conversations with them.

I wasn't around to see them move out of our home with their two suitcases. However, I did manage to conjure up a picture of them strolling down the road moving from house number 16 to 8. Maybe they managed to get themselves and their belongings on their motor bike!

Speaking of the bike, they have now had a flat rear tyre on the motor bike to balance out the flat front tyre they had earlier on.

... to have a cute little baby brother.





You mean he cries all the time?! ;)

The team at Metro House received a lovely note of thanks from one of the children's parents. They are so grateful for the opportunity that their child now has for the future.

English studies are ongoing for the team at Transform Cambodia.

This team always manages to bring Heaven into the room with their praise and worship.

... with a grateful heart.

It is always serious business for the children when they get the opportunity to say grace.

This little guy looks as though he is also giving thanks to God for the fact that his teacher is close on hand and prompting him ;)

Although we were too old for team selection in the games carnival led by Loretta and Toby from Canada, we did enjoy the entertainment.





Let the games begin...





Everyone had a great time participating in the games...



... well, nearly everyone. For one it proved to be a little daunting, but nothing a little tender loving care couldn't fix.

The team and kids all enjoy a good puppet show.

The audience waits.



Behind the scenes.

... love to take the lead...



... and do an excellent job!

Life is short and we never have enough time for gladdening the heart of those who travel the way with us.
O' be swift to love!
Make haste to be kind.

Henri Frederic Amiel

How true!

Dr. John C. Maxwell's 'Million Leaders Mandate' Cambodia wil take place here in Phnom Penh during the Joyce Meyer 30 Days of Hope.

We have registered the Transform Cambodia teams in the 3 year program which will consist of six 2 day seminars - 2 seminars each year for 3 years.

The team are all very excited and committed to the program.

... or life as a street kid.

The team at Centre 2 performed a skit comparing the life of a child working on the street to a child enrolled at Transform.

It's great to be in a position where we are able to bless and assist organisations who request our advice in regards to processes and procedures relating to their new and existing projects.

It was 'Meeting Day' for the Transform teams, so we started at Centre 2, then moved onto Centre 1 and finished up the meetings at Centre 3, where we stayed and enjoyed a nice lunch.

... as they celebrate the Queen's Birthday, but it was business as usual for the Transform Cambodia team.

Here's the team at Centre 3 in action.

... here in Cambodia, so the New Life congregation honoured all fathers on this special day.

Patrick's boys may be thousands of kilometers away, but one of the Transform Cambodia team members was close at hand and made sure that he received a special prayer.

On the last night in Phnom Penh, Matt and Nerissa decided they would try another delicacy.

We had planned to go out to the village on the weekend but a heavy downpour on Friday night made it a challenge for the motor bikes and tuk tuk, so we decided against walking 2-3 kms in the mud and slime. Instead, we went to an nearby orphanage which we had been invited to.







One little guy was busy doing his washing, while the other one was busy playing.

Sam and Pastor Sara brought the Tuk Tuk around to show us.



Last weekend the tuk tuk did a few trips taking people to and from Church. The most they had in the tuk tuk at one time was 22 people!





Thanks team for making this possible.

By being on our ministry partnership team you are making a difference!

... nothing has changed. They still go any way they want.

The team at centre 2 are enjoying getting messages across to the children using drama, puppets and demonstrations.

And they're coming to see me one day!

... on the trip to the cafe.

Kim had to interrupt his lunch meeting to attend to a flat tyre.

... and watch the sunset and enjoy a meal with our house guests 'up on the roof'.

Kim and Sue believed it was time to get serious about settling into the missionary lifestyle and hire a motor bike to get themselves around town.

A little delicacy to finish off lunch.

This plant looked beautiful in the morning, but around lunch time it wasn't looking too good!



Could it be 50 degrees, Kay?! ;)

... Matt and Nerissa are in town...





... for a special visit with their sponsor child.

They are just so cute and will finish their first school year at the end of July. Can you believe it? Wow!

I first met some of the children while I was doing the research on establishing the centres in 2005.

They have certainly grown in that time!

... this little guy had an interview to establish whether or not he could join the Metro House kids.



He has attended school a couple of times throughout the year but because his mother is a single mum, she hasn't been able to afford to send him full time, so school attendance has been 'off and on'.

Mother and son both realise the importance and value of a good education, especially if the little boy is going to achieve his dream of becoming a doctor.

After the test, which he passed with flying colours, we handed him a T shirt and told him that he could start the following morning.



His mother was so grateful, she cried. She really wanted him to have a Christian education.

... but I am waiting to see if I can come to the new centre, too!

With the opening of the two new Transform Cambodia centres on behalf of Newseasons Christian Charity Inc., it was time to formally meet, greet and inspire another 170+ young children.





Kim and Sue were there...





... but for some, day one wasn't much fun...!









... while others were having a great time!

That's 1,2 & 3 in Khmer.

In September Centre 1 opened and this week centres 2...



... and 3 opened.

... I arrived home to a surprise birthday party complete with - yes, you guessed it - the 5th birthday cake on the 5th day in a row!

The Transform Cambodia team has asked our house guests, Kim and Sue, for permission to surprise us in our home when we arrived back in Phnom Penh.

We do admit that the front courtyard full of motor bikes was a bit of a give away!

What a wonderful privilege we have working with such an awesome, loving team.

... love to hear about the kids that we work with in Cambodia, and make sure that we leave the plane with a bag full of goodies to bring back to the kids.

... of clothing and toys left Perth for distribution among the poor and needy village people.



However, not all of the boxes arrived and one hasn't been seen since!



The forecast minimum temperature in Perth was 5 degrees and the forecast maximum in Phnom Penh was 35 degrees.

Well, that was the last of the late arrival and early departure trips, Phil and Lissa ;)

... lovely and hectic in the same sentence?!

Well, we had a wonderful time with family and friends - it was such a blessing to see them all - even though it was combined with a full schedule of meetings.

Thanks, Phil, for the promise that you will lock us up next time and take away the car keys and mobile phone, so that we can have a nice rest! ;)

... when we were all a whole lot younger!

It was great that Br. Terry was in Australia at the same time as us so that we could meet up, albeit briefly. Br. Terry taught Patrick in high school.

We also met up with Sr. Eileen who taught me at school. I was 5 years old when we first met.

... on the Mt. Lawley cappuccino strip,



(Remember to stopover in Phnom Penh sometime Paul)



the discussion focus was children's health, so it was time to draw on the expertise of the nurses, Kristy and Helen.