We enjoy providing administrative assistance...



... especially to those within our Church - New Life Fellowship.

These guys are so keen to learn new skills.

... of meetings in relation to the application and renewal of local and international MOU's since returning to Phnom Penh.

This time it was Mark & Jo who wanted to know what we know...



... and can you believe Mark's a Geelong supporter...



... who actually organised a forum on grand final day last year and missed the game?!

... interior (or should I say, exterior) decorator, has done a great job with the new decor and painted the exposed wall and included extra bamboo! And...



... it comes complete with lighting. It's now much nicer, Phil!

It doesn't matter whether we are coming or going...



... our little neighbours are always there to greet us.

... and keen to get back into the sewing, so they recommenced a little earlier than the others.



Here, they're making nice wraps...



... and we have purchased lots of bright colourful, patterned fabric, for the orphans at two local orphanages.

We believe the sewing project is blessed and rather than just making items for sale, made the decision to make items to give to the poor.

It's great to be blessed to be a blessing and we are sure that the kids will love to have their very own wrap.

It's Sunday and this machine isn't going anywhere...



... especially with the guy in the hammock taking responsibility for it!

Our day started with an American breakfast at a local restaurant with another Aussie and Kiwi, before we headed back home to meet with Seda and her team, as they had phoned during the week to see when they could visit.







Then we headed out across the Japanese Bridge to the Navy Headquarters to support FHC in their quest to win the 'soccer' grand final...

... where we at least discovered an Australian flag.





There was plenty happening on and off the oval...

... with kids collecting the emply bottles and cans...



... while the cattle grazed...





... before casually taking a stroll across the oval at half time...



... and I'm not sure what this little guy was going to do!





And yes, FHC did win!





Then it was time to head home as the sun set on 'Australia Day Phnom Penh Style'.

With plenty of building happening in Phnom Penh...



... Leighton's have got in on the action with a site opposite the government ministries.

... are becoming more stringent in the granting of new MOU's and Renewals for international organisations. So we meet with the new Bureau-Chief in Charge of.... (his title is so long and goes on and on!) to see exactly what the procedure is, these days! I don't say I blame them for enforcing tougher procedures, as this has all come about through some NGO's I know, promising and not delivering.



It only means that there's another couple of hoops to jump through and we can do that!

After establishing programs for children and women over the last couple of years, Rith and Ty have now opened the doors to an orphage situated in a village on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.



We met with them to see how our ministry could assist them.

What an amazing young couple with big hearts to serve the poor and needy!

RATS

The rocketing price of more conventional meats due to bird flu quarantines and world oil prices has doubled the market price of rat meat in Cambodia. Rat meat has become so valuable that rice farmers "in their hundreds" had set up sideline businesses catching rats and making them table-ready.

Whereas a kilo of the best quality rat meat went for around 50 cents two years ago, it now fetches up to 1.50 dollars. Restrictions on imports of pigs and poultry in an attempt to limit the spread of avian influenza, or bird flu, combined with high petrol prices have pushed up the prices of more usual staples.

Cambodians in certain provinces have long caught rats as a protein source when rodent numbers reach a peak during the rice harvest and enjoy the meat roasted or dried as a snack while drinking.

CAPITOL POWER CUTS TO END BY 2002 SAYS EAC

More electricity is planned for Phnom Penh but rural areas may have to wait 20 years for power.

The government expects that all villages will have an electricity connection by 2020 and 70% of households will have electricity by 2030.

UNITED NATIONS

The Cambodian government stated that it will shut down the United Nations representative office in the country if the office's head, doesn't change his ways of working.

Earlier, a government spokesman, who is also Information Minister, said that recently the UN office did nothing to help the government, but focused on criticising it like an opposition party.

There is already an opposition party in Cambodia, the spokesman said, adding that the government is in need of assistance from the UN office, not of criticism.

CAMBODIA'S FIRST SKYSCRAPER

Officials linked the building to Cambodia's economic success. Cambodian officials have attended the official sales launch of the first-ever skyscraper in the capital, Phnom Penh. The twin towers are to be 42 storeys high - almost three times higher than the current tallest building.

It is the first of three skyscrapers planned in the capital, where the skyline has been kept low - in part to avoid overshadowing royal palaces. But the government has encouraged the new buildings as symbols of Cambodia's development after decades of conflict.

Although Gold Tower 42 is some way from completion, the launch of its show apartment and sales office attracted government ministers and overseas ambassadors. The launch gave a taste of the shape of things to come.

The solid, imposing, gold-faced structure will stand out from its neighbours on Norodom Boulevard - an area of yellow-washed, wooden-shuttered French colonial-era buildings. But Phnom Penh is in the middle of a real-estate boom - and some residents hope that building up will bring the price of homes down.

Some locals worry about the effect tall buildings will have on the city's character as the original city was developed to be horizontal, not vertical.

South Korean companies are building Gold Tower 42 and another even taller skyscraper near the Mekong River.

... training schedule for 2008 has commenced in Phnom Penh and we both enjoyed the opportunity to facilitate sessions.

40 delegates from organisations such as World Relief Cambodia, WEC, Save the Poor, Mercy Teams International, ICC and a number of other organisations and Churches, registered.

I facilitated the session on The Child in Context.





You couldn't have a training session without small group activities...



... some praise and worship...



... followed by a time of reflection...



... and a great alfresco luncheon ...



... before Patrick presented his module on The Churches Responsibility in Cambodia.

... building underway, it was time to enjoy a meal with one of the visiting teams from Tasmania and discuss the centre operations and program .



Check out the name of the cafe and the decor!



I guess because we operate in the power of love, the venue was appropriate.

.. is dedicated to the transformation of prisoners, their families, and their communities and we are delighted that we have the privilege to serve on the Board as Chairman and Secretary.



The Board is dedicated to supporting the work of the PFC team led by the Exectutive Director, Linda Chisholm.

... an efficient website expert, after designing an excellent site which we are delighted with.

We had a great time working with Andrew on the site, whether in his dining room or separated by miles of sea.

Mind you, I haven't noticed Patrick winking in the photo on the Welcome Page and I am sure Andrew promised that! ;)



A big thank you to Rachel who always made sure that we were treated to eats and drinks! Thanks for an excellent job.

With the success of the first Community Relocation & Development Project in partnership with Pastor Sara and Sam...





... we now require a second site on which to replicate the project for families without homes.



This means that we now need the following to start the second Community Relocation & Development Project:-

US$30,000 for the new site...
... followed by US$1,500 per house x 20.

Please join us in praying for His provision for His vision for His poor and needy.

'Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us...'

Ephesians 3:20

It was the first time we had been to Restaurant 99 where Sochea, Pastor Sara and Sam treated us to a BBQ. Hot coals in an earthenware pot are simply lowered into the hole in the centre of the table and topped with a steam boat and away you go!



After dinner, Sochea and I hitched a ride back to the car in the courtesy vehicle.

The advisory council of the CRDP...



... met to discuss the finer details of the project.



It's huge! So many people are experiencing such wonderful change in their lives that they probably hadn't even previously dreamt of.

Now I like that!

We have had a lot of visitors since we returned to Phnom Penh and it's been great hearing all the latest news.

Our old team members Sambath and Malin...



... and Channy (who you may remember had the motor bike accident in the July) visited us to tell us how well he is feeling and that he is now back in full time employment.



That's what we love about our Basic Needs Project. The fact that we can take people from a desperate situation and address their immediate, emergency needs and follow through to ensure that after they come through their challenges, that their lives are enriched to the point where they are better off than they were before the incident.

Now that's exciting!

by
Natarsha Louise Charlesworth
2nd March 1985 - 7th October 2007

One of our first projects this year that we are especially excited about - establishing a purpose built children's educational centre with Pastor Sara and Sam - has come about as a result of a tragic white water rafting accident, in which Natarsha was killed.

Natarsha was training to be a teacher and thanks to Natarsha's Aunty Louise, who has raised the funds to build the centre, Natarsha's memory will live on.

The loss of a young women's life has given poor children in Cambodia, a great hope for the future.

What an amazing legacy!



The children were excited to receive uniforms from Louise ...



... and some took the opportunity to try them on for a photo shoot.



The building of the centre has commenced on the property below.



We are passionate about seeing children educated and excited about seeing our vision of educational centres for poor and needy Cambodian children, continue to unfold.



We will design this centre program ensuring that all children, without exclusion and whatever the age, will attend specifically designed, age appropriate classes.

Children from the village and surrounding community, will be invited to attend.

The centre will be named after Natarsha.

Due to unrest in Kenya, Mitch's Darfur Sudan mission trip has been called off.

Sudan and Darfur in particular, are still in the Duininck's hearts, so they are considering themselves 'On Hold' instead of cancelled.

Please keep them in your prayers!

We sent a text to our Tuk Tuk driver to pick us up so we could go out for lunch before stocking the fridge and pantry.

When our driver arrived he had Don & Pat with him. Evidently, when our driver received the message, he was excited and 'He high jacked' (to use Don's words) the tuk tuk and brought them to our house so he could see us.

Lesley was in town on a recky with the Smith's, so after the round of intro's we all enjoyed lunch together.

Lesley's husband Barry was out on a day trip and as Barry and Patrick have known each other for years, Lesley suggested we meet in the evening for a meal.



And that we did!

... we were greeted by friends...



... and packed the gear into Sam's car and headed home.

We left Perth with lots of items for the people in Happy Village.

… big white towels, as we head back home to Phnom Penh!

We took a few minutes out in the garden before heading to the airport, to reflect on the wonderful time we had in Perth with family and friends.



We give thanks for the many blessings bestowed upon us and we especially thank our gracious hosts, Phil & Lissa. Where would we be without them?!

We are excited about all the amazing ministry opportunities in our schedule for 2008. It’s going to be great!

We met Dr Mitch Duininck and his wife Leah and children during the 30 Days of Hope in July and have been advised that Mitch travels to Darfur, Sudan on Friday 18th. Mitch is going with a group out of Bartlesville, OK called Strategic World Impact. A team of 20 will be going into the war-torn country to deliver survival packets, the Gospel and medical care to the refugees.

For those of you who do not know, Darfur is a place that has suffered terrible tragedy and loss as there is civil war going on between the hired Arabic nationals working for the government and local ethnic African tribal people. For the past several years the innocent village people have been caught between the fighting groups and suffering through starvation, genocide and drought. Very little about this terrible tragedy leaks out and if it does, many people are just turning away.

After much prayer and thought, the Duininck's, as a family...



... decided that this trip at this time is something that Mitch is to do.

The trip will be physically demanding as they will sleep in tents and battle 115 degree days. Mitch will be taking two of the residents from IN HIS IMAGE and one recent graduate with him to offer what medical support they can.

Please add the Duininck family to your prayer list and pray for:

Safety for the team members as they will be traveling through unstable country and in the midst of war
All the medications and supplies to make it through customs
The people of Darfur that they will have open hearts to the Gospel
Wisdom and divine knowledge as the team ministers to the people
For peace and safety for those of us the family members left behind
For health and strength of the team
For unity of the team
For travel safety

Thank You!

... in Mt Lawley?!

As we count down the last few days in Perth, we felt quite at home (Phnom Penh style) when the power went off.



Just as well Phil was there to sort things out.

Since Jen heard about our ministry in Cambodia from her mum, Sally, Jen has had an interest in coming to Cambodia to volunteer short term. How exciting for Jen!



So we got together to talk about the various aspects of volunteering available.

We are thoroughly enjoying 'wholesaling' items from the sewing income generation project, to local Perth retailers and making up orders from our existing stock and taking orders for additional items which will be shipped to Perth upon completion.



It's interesting meeting the store owners and managers, whether it's in a cane furniture store...


(No, that's not the cane furnture store - can you believe that I didn't take a photo there?! - so Phil & Lissa's verandah had to stand in as a display for the photo shoot!)

... or the guys from Fair Trading Co. selling beautiful handicrafts from around the world. Check out the store in Brisbane Street.



We really enjoyed our meeting with Robert & Norman and found the discussions relating to fair trade most interesting.

It's great to be partnering in breaking the poverty cycle for the women in the project!

Sam, Pastor Sara and the team have been busy working on the new village community.

Sam loves painting...



... and sure looks focused.



What a happy little worker!



The new homes look great!



All the exercise you need can be done on the job!

We received confirmation of our schedules to present on behalf of the Children's Commission for the coming year and we are keen to spend time studying our modules before returning to Phnom Penh, as the first round of presentations are a week or so after we get back.

However, there was one challenge. While the module I will be presenting - Understanding the Child in Context has been translated, Patrick's first module on the Responsibility of the Churches in Cambodia has not yet been translated, so he took time out to relax and read the newspaper instead.



Consequently, we are both pleased that we have made the decision to learn how to read and write the language.

Orders for the items left over from the Sewing Presentations required filling and will be delivered next week.



We are also currently taking special orders which will be filled once the project recommences upon our return to Phnom Penh.

The funds raised from the Sewing Income Generation project ensure that the project will continue and that's wonderful for our team of women.

The project has proved to be a huge success. A big thank you to everyone involved. You are part of the miracle and breaking the poverty cycle.

Our Gracious Hosts, Phil (aka Blues Brother - in his sunnies) & Lissa, continue to bless us (or maybe I should say that they just down right spoil us), so we are having a wonderful time in our very own 'Exclusive Perth Retreat House'.


No doubt, it's the best B&B in town, as there's always an abundant supply of all our needs and wants!

... 'See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.'

Malachi 3:10

Amen!

... for the Olympic Games but the Government Games in Cambodia are on all the time!

With the Government making 'Memorandums & Agreements' submissions and renewals and general ministry business more difficult for NGO's & INGO's, we are glad that we have well established relationships within the Government Ministries.

We already have requests to assist people currently experiencing challenges in relation to their submissions and Government dealings upon our return to Phnom Penh. Consequently, we are gearing up for a round of discussions and debates.

It has been interesting to witness the changes, particularly in relation to Christian organisations, over the past twelve months or so.

...different cafe.

I think we have just about visited all the cafes on the Mt. Lawley Cafe Strip!

I first met Tricia with Samantha in Phnom Penh while they were doing the distribution of the Samaritan Purse's shoe boxes and later met Derek when he visited Cambodia. With Derek and Tricia being Sam's parents and Sam being a dear friend of ours, and our common passion to see the lives of the Cambodian people changed, guess what most of the conversation was about?! Yes, Sam and the Cambodian people.



As you can see from the gift bags, it was like Christmas all over again.

We are looking forward to meeting with Pastor Sara and Sam upon our return to Phnom Penh to discuss plans for the work we will be doing together. Awesome!

Oh, and it was lovely to see Robbyn and Eddy when they stopped into the cafe to say 'Hello'.

In keeping with our meeting place - The Globe - our conversation with Mark & Helen turned into a 'global forum' as we discussed impacting the globe - well, at least Cambodia and 60/70 hour days! Talk about thinking big! (I guess you had to be there to comprehend that comment). In the meantime, a 60/70 hour week will do me.



Children's Educational Centres are still on the agenda, as is the health of the Cambodian children. How exciting!

Paul J. Meyer says that if you want to become a philanthropist... then start giving today.

And that is exactly what Tyler...



... and Zack are doing.



These little guys are giving of their savings for the kids in Cambodia and we believe that they will be great philanthropists when they grow up.

No doubt Tyler & Zack are following the example set by their wonderful parents Paul & Kristy. Great givers!

Speak up for those who have no voice,
for the justice of all who are dispossessed.
Speak up, judge righteously,
and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.

Proverbs 31:8&9

We look forward to having Kristy join us in Cambodia next month to work on the children's nutritional program. Excellent!

We wish you all a great 2008!