The First Rice Distribution

Today was our first distribution in one of the poorest areas of Cambodia.  The guide book says that there is nothing here to recommend it.  People zip by on their way to Vietnam...the people are mostly farmers but the ground is not good for farming. 

The first distribution was at a temple that is also used as a community center.  We handed out 10 tons of rice and bags of salt, vitamins and the Gospel tracts. Pastor Setan and his people organized some youth from around the country to do a drama presentation on the 7 Miracles of Jesus.  The crowd loved it! You should have seen their faces when Lazarus came out of the tomb and when Jesus walked on the water! 

The mayor of the village told Pastor Setan that he had been listening to Christian radio every once in awhile but didn't understand it...now after seeing the 7 Miracles he does.  One of the local pastors told Pastor Setan that he had been trying to disciple the mayor for a long time and he was impressed on how clear the gospel was presented by the kids. I have video that I will send tomorrow!

As the rice was being handed out, I took a few minutes to play with some of the kiddo's in the crowd.  I brought large bottles of bubbles with me...and it took a few minutes for them to warm up but they had a great time chasing those bubbles...and their mommys seemed to think it was great fun too.  Babies are sweet from any country and love to play!

On the way to the next distribution site Pastor Setan gave me some background into the history of the area and about the civil war and the beliefs of the country now by the young people. He also told me why there can be a really nice house mixed in with the not so nice houses...it's because someone in the family has left the country and is sending money home or after the civil war many people from the farming areas moved into the city, took up residence in the houses or apartments that were vacant. But many couldn't make a living because farming was all they knew...so they sold their house in the city and moved back to the farm and had the money to build a really nice home.   Pictures tomorrow!

The second distribution site was in a very rural and very poor area.  Many of the children were obviously malnourished.  I was able to get some great shots of the little ones again!

This distrubution site was at a temple/community center as well.  As we did the presentation and the youth sang songs for the crowd, up in a house sat several young monks...all listening intently.

As we go into another day of sharing tomorrow, please pray that it will go well and that the hearts of each of those people will be touched by the message the kids share and that they understand that the God in Heaven is the one who sent this food to them.

Sali