... was a hive of activity!

The kids were there to help unload the supplies.





And there's always plenty of hugs.



The girls were busy cleaning all the chairs upstairs in preparation for the opening.



After the chairs were set up ...



... the girls assisted the Teachers in hanging the posters that the children from Natarsha's primary school - Nixon Street Primary School, Tasmania - sent over especially for the children.



The painters were still on site and the electricians were still installing fans and lights.





Phillip got busy with the drill...



... while a group of people watched.



It reminded me of one of those old universal jokes - How many Khmers does it take to drill a hole? About 6 to watch a Westerner do it.

This was another case of how many - How many people does it take to laminate a document? At least 4 or 5 in this case...



... with a couple of kids looking on...



... in addition to the girls keeping on eye on what was happening!



They just all love to be involved with anything, as long as they are all together. Now, that's sweet!

Catherine and Phillip worked together. What a team!



And they used a level. Now that's a rare sight in Cambodia!



Meanwhile, Sochea worked through food budgets with Ly...



... while Sara discussed construction issues with the builders.



I had to add that no work was to take place during tomorrow mornings opening.

This little guy was badly burnt recently and Louise has done a great job caring for his burns. His injury didn't stop him wanting a cuddle.



This young man has a very swollen hand and arm that required attention, so Louise took him to the hospital in a Tuk Tuk and ensured that he received the appropriate care.



These little ones are just waiting for tomorrow's opening. They're so excited and very cute!





All of a sudden music filled the air and we discovered the team rehearsing for the opening.



Then it was time to say farewell, until tomorrow!

... and took the last couple of loads of supplies out to Tarsha's Legacy Centre.

... is in Phnom Penh on a recky and needed some advice, so Frank phoned to see if I could assist. Of course! We're here to assist.



Elaine has worked with OM and now has her heart set on making a difference here in Cambodia.

... in a Tuk Tuk in the middle of noisy traffic?!

Easy! You just crouch on the floor and get someone to hold a jacket over the phone. It's that simple!

... just in time for the official opening of Tarsha's Legacy Centre.



It's interesting how lots of people seem to experience delays in leaving Bangkok!

Sochea made sure that everything Sam left on her 'list of things to meet her with' were there.

... is a great place for a few bargains.

Phearin and Vireak received their first ever full time salary, which they were pretty excited about!

... and I had the pleasure of joining the girls for lunch - shame Hilary wasn't there, as we ate at her favourite Phnom Penh restaurant!

We stopped in at Citipointe's project where the girls had instructed the men to lay bags outside the drive way because the girls have not been able to get the vehicle out due to the ongoing road works. The boys had laid the bags, but not in line with the wheels, so they were no better off. In fact, the wheels of the vehicle would have fitted between the bags!



Finally, after the Tuk Tuk driver explained that the bags needed to line up with the wheels on the car in order to back it out, the situation was rectified.

Only in Cambodia!

... headed out to check out some of the local sites ...



... while Louise visited her favourite place, the Steng Mean Cheay dump.

Later it was time for the girls to pack gift packs for the village families and the children.

... to set up Tarsha's Legacy Centre.

First stop, International Book Centre to purchase books, posters, puzzles, stationery etc...



... followed by the Sony store for TV, DVD & Camera - I bet that gets a workout at the opening!



Then it was time to purchase the office equipment...



... and take time out to take this photo especially for Patrick. Don't worry, we're just joking, Patrick!

The next stop was the photo shop to place an order ...



... followed by the roadside sign writers.



Then it was time to check out the musical instruments ...



... and what better way to take an inspirational break from the shopping, than to try out the organ with a medley of 'Praise & Worship' music!

... to watch the footy broadcasts, but unfortunately, both their teams lost!



I think Phillip may have enjoyed teasing Catherine over Essendon's defeat but that was short lived because Carlton certainly didn't do him any favours!

Speaking of losing, Patrick was present at the Docker's game at Subi, where they lost by one point.

It's the first trip to Phnom Penh for Catherine and Phillip, but the umpteenth one for Louise.

Catherine and Phillip are Tarsha's parents and are here with Louise for the official opening of Tarsha's Legacy Centre.

The guys arrived with a heap of goodies in suitcases for the children at the village ...



but it obviously wasn't enough, because Louise went straight to the market to get some more things.

Then it was time to unpack. There was this...



... and that ...



... and a whole heap of great things for the kids.

... always enjoy getting together to talk about their work.

The girls added the finishing touches to the bags...





... while Sopha tried on the wrap skirt.



Mom decided to lend a hand to get it just right.

... was a hive of activity with people meeting people regarding various ministries.

We were introduced to Marcia and Geoff from the Gold Coast, who have been teaching in Asia and recently arrived in Phnom Penh. Richard from Singapore was also there.



It's always interesting networking with people from different ministries.

... while he was in town on business.



Alex is responsible for JMM production activities and it was interesting to hear what's happening with the Joyce Meyer television show here in Cambodia and the impact it is having on people.

Now that the front doors have been fitted, Tarsha's Legacy Centre is at lock up stage. So now we can commence setting up the centre.



Consequently, meetings and organising relating to set up of the children's centre, take place anywhere!

... we had some visitors from the village stop bye to say 'Hello'. They just wanted to share their excitement about their life in the new village and the fact that they love their small businesses.

Does she look happy or what?! I wish you could feel her hug!





'A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.'

Proverbs 17:22

... visited Tarsha's Legacy Centre site and were treated to a number of songs that the children have perfected since Phearin and Vireak have been teaching them. They have been learning the songs for the official opening, but had the chance to try them out on the ladies from WIG.



The children were focused on their Teachers...



...as they followed their leading.



Petra, representing the executive committee, thanked the children for their performance.



I had an opportunity to encourage the children for the their excellent effort in learning the new songs, especially in English, complete with actions!





Who needs a mobile?!



A number of the younger children were at the centre. Soon the younger children will have the opportunity to attend either kindy, pre-school or the training meetings with their mothers. All of the children will attend some form of education conducted at the centre.



Then the WIG ladies had a guided tour of the rest of the centre and the Community Relocation & Development Project.











Some of the ladies from the Community Relocation & Development Project, were busy making the children's government school uniforms. It's great to see everything working hand in hand. If someone in the village has the know how to do something required at the centre, they have the opportunity of earning an income. It all fits perfectly with equipping, empowering and enriching their lives.





Part of the new ceiling arrived while we were there.

In fact, it's liberating, as Phearin and Vireak discovered! Well, at least they were still smiling!



With the team about to receive a full time salary at the end of the month far in excess of anything they have received for their part time positions, we felt a responsibility to teach them the advantages of budgeting. It will be interesting to see what they choose to do.

... was on the agenda for Phearin and Vireak.



It's always interesting presenting the various types of learning styles. It is also very interesting to see the completed questionnaire of people as they discover their preferred learning style. It really assists them in their teaching.

... joined us for a meeting to discuss their program planning design for the educational project.



The project has now taken on an additional three students between 10 and 14 years of age. It's a great program and very successful.

We look forward to seeing the new students adapt to life at a private school. Wonderful.

There are plenty of hero's of the faith, but we get to share our Cambodian experience with our very own hero of the faith, Linda Chisholm.

We enjoyed a lovely time together with Linda at the airport before she embarked on her around the world speaking tour for Prison Fellowship Cambodia.

Cambodia just isn't the same without Linda in town. But she will be back and we look forward to her return.

... and Phearin and Vireak are learning heaps and thoroughly enjoying the lessons.



I seconded Patrick from our study to the training room for the '5 Senses' activities.

These four beautiful young girls - Sreylin, Srey Nich, Channa and Ly Im - have been chosen to be TLC's first Teacher Trainees.



The girls are all keen to see change in the children's lives ...



... and are very excited at being a part of bringing about that change.

We know the value of training and are excited about offering the girls traineeships.

The girls will all attend the local government school where the children will go and will therefore be able to lead, guide and mentor the children during school hours. During the centre hours, the girls will attend teacher training sessions and 'in the classroom' training while on assignment with a Teacher. In addition to other benefits, the girls will receive a salary during their traineeship.

The girls are all members of the families who moved to Koh Krobey as part of the Community Relocation & Development Project.

All of this fits perfectly with our philosophy of equipping, empowering and enriching the lives of the Cambodian people.

... are keeping the ladies busy ...



... as they work on orders for Heague & Moran.

... for Tarsha's Legacy Centre, it was time to meet with Phearin and Vireak for a program planning training session.



The TLC team are all having a great time as we progress along the timeline. Having said that, we miss having Sam here to be a part of it all.

... a couple of days away in a Siem Reap guest house relaxing in the pool ...



... our neighbours over the fence enjoyed a dip themselves.



We were happy to stay on our side of the fence!

The official Khmer New Year dates are 13th, 14th & 15th April.



However, a number of people headed back to their province early in the week and it will take an additional week for some of them to return and things to get back to normal. You wouldn't want anything in a hurry during this period.

We've discovered that one of the reasons the people leave the city early and return late is the fact that prices of taxi ...



... and buses dramatically increase during the official new year dates.

... but not like this!

As the temperature continues to rise our 'builder neighbours' still need their tarpaulin to keep them dry during the wet days.



We can only imagine how hot it is in the midday sun under that tarpaulin when they take their siesta.

We prefer our tent to be among the greenery of the beautiful south west of Western Australia.

... continued to deliver power packed messages throughout the course of the week at the evening seminars held at New Life Fellowship.



All in attendance received great biblical principle points from Steve.

... about to have it's official opening in a couple of weeks or so, Phearin, Vireak, Patrick and myself, are all out and about doing what needs to be done.

In the meantime, Pastor Sara is kept busy at the building site.

Sochea is still working in her current position and joins in TLC's business in the evenings and weekends.

Meanwhile back in Australia, Sam is kept busy telling anyone who will listen, all about Tarsha's Legacy Centre.

On this ocassion it was easier for a few of us to meet down at the restaurant strip...



... where we enjoyed a nice meal together while discussing orders and purchases.

Each morning Phearin and Vireak are having a great time teaching the children songs for opening day!

... but it is a Khmer tradition to throw powder over anyone and everyone during Khmer New Year.

So, that's what they did in the village!

... around Tarsha's Legacy Centre.













The kids kept an eye on the construction.

... together with Patrick, designed the wall to be erected at the front of Tarsha's Legacy Centre.



It wouldn't be a meeting if someone didn't take a call.



While Patrick and Sara took care of the wall design, Sochea noticed the incorrect spelling on TLC's logo.



It was pretty handy that Sochea picked that up the day before we went to print!

... had it's quarterly meeting...



... and welcomed Chuk Phol, who recently retired from Prison Fellowship Cambodia, as the first Khmer board member.

We first met Vireak just over a year ago when we interviewed him prior to establishing the last children's centre.

At that time he just missed out on an appointment, so we invited him to volunteer. He gladly accepted the invitation and commenced working the following day.

Vireak is a member of our Church, New Life Fellowship and he is currently working as a night guard and volunteering through the day, so he was ecstatic when we appointed him to a full time teaching position. He will commence on the 10th April.

What a pleasure it is to give a position to people who have been praying for a job for so long and in the meantime have done whatever they could do in order to survive! Wonderful.

You saw him in a previous post at his interview last week.



Imagine the smile on his face now after having been advised of his appointment!

It was time for Phearin to get the kids organised in order to teach them their part for opening day. How exciting!





The children paid attention in order to ensure that they got all the instructions from their teacher.



The cut on this little one's shoulder is nasty, so it's great to see that the child's mother has applied the training she received from Kristy's First Aid Training session.





In the meantime, Pastor Sara kept his eye on the younger ones!

... was a hive of activity as the 'cleaning bee' got underway!

The dust was flying ...





... so it was time to bring in the water.

The kids love to help.



The ladies were busy upstairs giving the top floor a good mop up.





Sara and Phearin organised the kids or maybe the kids were organising them.





The kids are so excited and hyper!









Patrick thinks that's an understatement!



Sara had his hands full.



The kids aren't the only ones excited. We too, are excited. Tarsha's aunty and parents are coming all the way from Tasmania for the official opening. They will also be here early enough to help with the finishing touches.

... to Tarsha's Legacy Centre.

We already have missions teams scheduled to visit TLC, so if you are leading a missions trip and would like your team to visit and take part in the program, please contact us from the 'Contact Us' page of the web site to check availability.

Thank you!

The day commenced with a wonderful service at New Life Fellowship with friends and Steve McCracken, from David McCracken Ministries, as guest speaker. And what a message it was! We look forward to the evening seminars throughout this week.

We enjoyed lunch at Intercontinental's downstairs 'Deli' and later had a lovely time with Graham and Sandra...



... and their family at 'Open Arms'.



When we arrived home we were greeted by our little 'welcoming party' who were happy to pose for a 'tort'.



Then we were treated to a visit from Malis when she came to pick up Reasmey...



... followed by our dear friend, Seda.

... was held at the Church.

The worship team warmed up...





... while the guys at the sound desk did their bit!



Soar got the proceedings under way.



We sang...

'Break my heart for what breaks Yours,
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause'



Soar introduced our guest speaker, Margaret McCracken from 'David McCracken Ministries' Melbourne, Australia, who spoke on the life of Paul.



Margaret's grand daughter, Kirrily, was with her.



...



If you look closely you'll see Leah and Jo.

It was a great way to spend the morning!

... organised by Reasmey...



... was held at 'Open Arms' ...



... and Patrick spoke on Numbers 13 and Mali interpreted for him.



Sandra, Graham and the family prepared a scrumptious spread.

... to annouce the appointment of Sochea as the Manager of Tarsha's Legacy Centre.



Many of you will know our dear friend Sochea from your visits to Cambodia.