... project is a whole lot of fun!

The purpose of this project is to create an awareness for children in Australia of how 'the other half live'. Basically, introducing Cambodian children's lifestyle to Australian children.

We had a great time presenting to primary school children who have been studying Cambodia with their teacher.



The children were very attentive during the presentation and had all the answers when it was time for the Quiz. I'm glad the teacher had the task of spotting the first one with their hand up.



I don't recall seeing Patrick this happy presenting an insurance presentation. He obviously loves doing what we are privileged to do!



The children were inquisitive and asked a number of questions.



Thanks for the opportunity, Andrew!

... I can't remember!

It's great sharing our Ministry with people in our home town and wonderful that people are purchasing the items made by women in our sewing income generation project and thereby impacting the lives of the Khmer women.

Our host for the evening was Fiona... and Libby was busy ensuring that we had a great night.





Patrick may not be able to lift a bag of rice yet, but he sure does make a good Roadie.



I couldn't image doing this round of presentations without him, now! interesting how something good comes out of something that's 'not so good'.

... hosting a presentation, complete with a tasty morning tea spread.

'Roadie' aka Patrick was there to set up and check the audio and visual while I set up the sewing display.



The women started shopping prior to the presentation.







Aldy purchased bags made by Mom whom she meet when she came to Cambodia a year ago with Kay from Stiches-of-Hope. At that time, Kay and Aldy did training with some ladies for just over a month.



After the initial training it was time to blow the dust off the Sewing Income Generation proposal which I wrote in 2004 and activate it to equip, empower and enrich the women's lives and break their poverty cycle.

Then it was time for Patrick to present.



Then it was my turn...



... followed by a speech and presentation from Aldy.

Beautiful hand made clothes and wraps made by a lady in the church were given to us for the young children in a village Aldy visited last year.



We were introduced to Bob, who together with his wife, is making a huge difference in the life of one of our Cambodian friends.



Thanks to everyone for being a huge blessing.

With the McGuire's having recently visited Cambodia and the Shand's about to visit early 2008, we all enjoyed a 'meeting' while we dined.



Knowing that the Shand's have a week at a resort destination on the way home from Phnom Penh means that they can expend plenty of energy in PP and still arrive home refreshed after a week of R&R at their tropical holiday destination.

Just as well they mentioned that to us, otherwise we would have thought that they needed us to schedule some days of R&R in Phnom Penh.

It's Water Festival time in Phnom Penh with millions flooding into the city to watch the annual 3 day boat festival.



This year 432 boats with 20,000 oarsmen and women competed.

... the orphanage is now cooking with gas!



Prior to our trip to Perth, Pastor Kim kindly organised for a new kitchen to be installed at COP. It looks great!

... at any hour of the day or night, we are only a mouse click away from our supporters in various countries throughout the world and our Cambodian colleagues, so there's always correspondence to be done relating to our projects.

It's exciting as we all share a common passion and purpose to equip, empower and enrich the lives of the Khmer people.



It's nice and quiet in our 'Mt Lawley Office'.

... and what a privilege to be included in the list of women honoured by Jade Lewis at 'Be You Beautiful', an event to esteem women, at Airport City Church.



It was such a surprise to be honoured by Jade and a surreal moment as I heard my name announced and proceeded to walk up on the stage and listened to what Jade had to say and receive a beautiful bouquet.

Fancy receiving such recognition from a beautiful young woman who I think is amazing and such an inspiration to me! Very humbling, indeed.

'Be You Beautiful' was inspiring and the afternoon tea was great, too! Oh, and I should mention that the waiters did a great job of serving us. Thanks, guys!

You're a good 'Secret Keeper', Lissa.

It's was lovely to share in Linda's birthday celebrations together with Linda's family and the 'Cambodian Contingent' which included Marie, Leslie & Olta.


Women doing amazing things in the Kingdom of Cambodia!

Patrick joined me in delivering the presentation Lissa hosted...



... before the girls got down to the business of shopping.



The girls gave the project funds a real boost!





Even the 'little girls' enjoyed checking out all the items.



Cute!

It was great to have the opportunity to present an update to Arthur, Steve, Ken and their team.



Ken, Patrick and myself go way back to the 80's!



We look forward to seeing you in Cambodia, Steve!

... it's Kristy playing host to a luncheon presentation.

We are thoroughly enjoying sharing the sewing income generation project with everyone.







A lot has been invested in this project over the last six months and it's great to see the return flowing in.

This project is equipping, empowering and enriching the lives of the Khmer women who are participating.

It will be wonderful to get back to Phnom Penh and share our news with the women in the project.

We had a great time presenting to the ladies at KYB.

It's wonderful having the opportunity to share the plight of women in the third world, with women here in Perth.





Decisions, decisions. Which one will it be, Lynnette?!





It's great to combine presentations with catching up with friends.

Just what we need. Corporate guys with big hearts! We couldn't do what we do, without them.

And of course, it is always great to hear the latest news in the Insurance Industry while we present our news to them.



You can tell by the look on the faces of Patrick and Kim, that they were having a bit to say about Doug - in front of him. Just as well he has a good sense of humour!

'If purpose is our journey and destination, then passion is the fuel that's going to get us there and it's vital for us to keep that fuel in well-stocked supply.'

Joyce Meyer's book - I Dare You.

Joining in the displays with Riverview Children's Foundation, Mercy Ministries and u-chus at Hertime and networking with the girls is a great way to fuel the purpose and promote the items made by the ladies in the sewing income generation project.

It was exciting to hear updates on Mercy Ministries from Elaine.





Kristy sure has a heart for Cambodia and was able to move effortlessly between our display with Lissa ...



... and u-chus, with Glennys.

We finally got to meet Glennys from u-chus, after 'meeting' on the phone and email for several months.

u-chus is an exciting new company dealing in the sale of Fair Trade products from countries like Vietnam, India, Cambodia, Philippines and Thailand.



Check out the website www.u-chus.com for the latest news and specials and see how you make a difference.

It was time to get some extra hands on deck to ensure that everything was ready for the first of our presentations.



Thanks, girls!

... to get some respite. What gracious hosts and a lovely home we have to retreat to when we are in Perth. It's so peaceful.



I wonder if Zak the Cat knows he's on a good thing!

Don't worry. It's on it's way in another car, Patrick.



Whether we are arriving or departing at Perth Airport, we need two cars to transport the luggage. On the return trip we brought items made by the ladies in the sewing income generation project which will be available for sale at presentations at various locations throughout the month of November.

... it was time to say farewell, one more time.

... don't know when I'll be back again...

Do you remember the song? It was written by John Denver in 1967 during a layover at an airport in Washington. That's 40 years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday!

This evening we fly to Singapore and stopover in Changi Airport for the night and arrive in Perth at a respectable hour Friday afternoon, so we don't have to keep our dear hosts, Phil and Lissa out of bed at all hours of the night (or should I say morning!).

... outside Church for Pastor Jesse and Soar to join us for dinner, there was no shortage of friends coming out of the seminar, which they all thoroughly enjoyed.

It was a seminar on Marriage presented by Dr Rawlins and his wife LeeAnn and it put a smile on their faces.

With our friend Sunna, who is Deputy to the Secretary of State Ministry of Foreign Affairs International Cooperation, posted to the UK for a three year term, we welcomed the invitation and opportunity to be introduced to his replacement.

It's important to nurture great relationships with the government officials in this country.

... to pray for Sambath's recovery. It is good to see him improve each time we visit and to do what we can to provide assistance to him. He's such a dear friend.

It was time for Jim to farewell our ever faithful Tuk Tuk driver To, as Jim's next ride in Phnom Penh will be in style in a car to the airport.

... was the perfect setting for Jim's last lunch in town - at least for this trip, as we hope he will be back!

Don appreciated a round of introductions to the team members at each of the TC centres...



... while for us, it meant saying goodbye all over again.

The sign for the front gate, that is!

It is now complete with full address details and even an apostrophe in the correct place.

It ain't over 'til it's over!



With Don and Pat arriving without any authorisation documentation, I was told by the bank that I am the only one in the country with TC authority.

So we set processes in motion at the relevant bank and also presented Don and Pat with a file that we had prepared to give them a more detailed briefing, following the one they had the first day they arrived.

We weren't even out of bed this morning when our first visitors arrived to bid us farewell. So we had to move quickly!

I have been talking about how cool it is here but we were still a little surprised when this tiny one turned up all rugged up.



The little guy looks like Santa!

With farewells well underway before we head back to Perth, it's tricky with work commitments and meetings for everyone to try to fit it all in. So it's a good idea to combine meetings and meals when and where we can.

We enjoyed a lovely time with Pastor Sara, Sochea and Sam hearing all about their vision.



Sorry you missed out on your toast and vegemite, Jim!



Bye, Baby!

Cambodian children at risk are the reason we are here, so it's exciting to be involved with the Children's Commission.



It was particularly interesting to discuss our involvement in the scheduled activities for 2008 in Poipet, near the Thai border with the Director. That is where thousand of kids are trafficked.

Jim has well and truly settled into Khmer lifestyle, so much so that he thinks that he could drive the Tuk Tuk. Not in this traffic, Jim!



Thankfully, our driver was close by keeping an eye on him.

After winning the AWC's 10th Anniversary $US50 voucher door prize for a meal at a riverside restaurant, I thought that I had better round up some extras to meet the total, so Patrick, Kim and Jim were happy to take me up on the offer and we all had a great time together.

... does it take to discuss the printing of a new sign?!



Remember to check the spelling of the surnames before paying for them!

... Sambath has Typhoid and is not a well boy, so we went to the hospital to brighten up his day and offer any assistance that he might need.



Sambath's mother is staying in the hospital and taking care of him.

... from Transform have moved into our Kiwi neighbour's - Kim and Sue's - home and taking it easy after experiencing some 'culture shock'.



So now we're all neighbours!

.. well at least wind Phnom Penh style, so it was time to batten down the hatches - or at least let down the sides of the Tuk Tuk on the way home from Friends.



Very cosy!

... was the perfect place to dine with dear friends Seda and Graham.





Patrick liked his smart Khmer shirt that he received as a gift so much that he tried it on in the restroom and left it on.



We were delighted with the lovely gifts and especially the beautifully chosen words expressed on the lovely card. Thank you both!

Until we meet again...

When we arrived at Church we were told that gifts had arrived from one of the people on the medical teams that we had hosted on the weekends during the JM 30 Days of Hope.

What a lovely surprise to receive a bag full of treats and clothing! Thanks, Christie!

... at the restaurant was none other than Phearin aka Lightning from TC, so it was nice to see him.

There was one life jacket, so I reminded Jim that in the case of emergency it's always women and children first!





It's always beautiful out on the river at sunset...



... even though for me these days it can be a little cool.



Jim was after the perfect sunset photo.



We were surprised to see that the poor people's homes along the riverbanks have been pulled apart. The people were gathered on the banks of the river with all their gear and little or no shelter.



The young boy was both Skipper...



and later on, Deckhand.

... to see a ship in the Tonle Sap when we went down to the riverside for a boat cruise on the Mekong.

Our little neighbours are cute and always around to welcome us home or say goodbye when we go out and it's nice to be able to bless them with some goodies now and then.

It was time to get some respite from the heat and dust and shop where the market includes air conditioning and escalators and lifts. Impressive! Oh, and the best pizza in Cambodia, so they say!



Patrick tested out the new camera while Jim and I checked out the birdseye view across to the Mekong.