Friday, March 13, 2009

On the Move


























Wow, a lot has transpired since our last update. We're at our 3rd address in the past 2 weeks and it has felt like it. We moved out of our first house on Feb. 28th. That was a whirlwind to say the least. Even after 374 (give or take a few) trips to goodwill there was so much "stuff" to pack up. At the beginning of the day on the 28th it didn't look like we would make it out by midnight but with the help of my parents and a helpful friend (with a pickup) we were out of the house by about 7:15, steam cleaned carpets and all. It was a bittersweet moment. Although there wasn't much time to spare I had Carolyn come back in to the house so she and I could survey our first home one last time before we left. It was one of those times when you don't have to say anything to the person you are with but you both know what the other one is thinking...and its the same thing. Neither of us said a word, we just embraced and wept. Not for some amazingly awesome custom house that we built with our own hands (because it wasn't) but for all of the memories we had made there. It was an emotional but appropriate close to that chapter of our lives.







Now the next chapter starts: our "in between Fort Collins and Phnom Penh" period. We stayed at my parent's house for one night(about a half hour south of Ft Collins in Firestone, CO). From there it was on to a house in Longmont some friends of ours let us use while they were away. It is a very nice house and one we could use as our own for 10 nights. It was a good transitional period. Now we are back at my parents house for a few months. Time sure is seeming to fly as we are almost officially in spring. Our next move will be when we go down to Colorado Springs for training in April. Its funny how transition itself can become somewhat of a "norm" or develop a sort of comfortable feeling. These times have caused us to notice and appreciate some of the little things even more. A family walk, movie night, a long run for Carolyn and me, time with friends, a lady bug. Any of these would have, a few months ago, been possible taken for granted but as we are getting rid of so many of our material posessions some of these "intangibles" are taking a place of higher and higher importance, which maybe they should have months/years before.


So with all of this moving, we have heard the question more than once "why Cambodia?" Don't people need help in Denver (insert name of any city)? So here is the answer as we see it. First, thats where we feel like our Father is calling us. Like kids with their earthly parents, when asked to do something by your parents, even though it may not be what everyone else is doing and no one else may understand why you are doing it, there is a element of trust that causes you to proceed. You believe that your parents want nothing more than the best for you. That is definitely where we are now, trusting that even though some well meaning family and friends may second guess our decision, we are confidently moving forward.

However, thats not to say that we have no personal desire to pursue this as well. It is a very beautiful country that we enjoyed very much when we visited. More importantly, both Carolyn and I have a heart for Cambodia and the Khmai people. They are wonderful people and we look forward to getting back there. There is such a need over there. For example:

  • The average Cambodian makes less than $260 per year.
  • On the UN Human poverty index, Cambodia ranks 73rd out of 78 developing countries.
  • One in 11.5 children will die before the age of 1
  • One in 8 children will die before their 5th birthday
  • One in 212 women will die in childbirth
  • Has the highest rate of child abandonment in southeast Asia
  • 45% of the population is under the age of 15
  • The Christian population has grown from an estimated 15,000 people in 1995 to 100,000 in 2002, but that still represents less than 1% of the population.

All of these are compelling reasons that confirm our choice to move to Cambodia and do what we can to make a difference. Thanks again for sharing in our journey. God bless. Here is a link to a video for Asian Hope: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiYEhNA0pWg.