Cambodia Day 4

To market, to market, to buy 4 kilos of pig and chicken...literally.

Our day started with a trip to the Russian market, with the objective of purchasing potatoes, apples, watermelon, chicken, pork and veggies for a special Friday lunch at the orphanage. Preparation of this lunch made me intensely appreciate my bag of frozen green beans in my freezer at home. A bunch of us sat in a circle on the floor and de-beaned, sliced up mushrooms, and enjoyed smiles and giggles together. Lunch entails the orphanage kiddos sitting in a circle, patiently waiting for all to have their portion served, then showing down the delectable food. Nothing but smiles and smacking lips today. We were thanked and given multiple tight hugs. It felt so good sharing our love, even after witnessing heads being cut off of chickens and pig heads staring me down in the uniquely-fragranced market alleys.

After lunch I had the pleasure to sit with LisaMarie and the director, gaining information about the possible schooling the children could receive. To send one student to private school for one year, the total cost is $500, which includes their education year-round, uniforms, books and transportation. Only 3 of the 75+ students have been given this opportunity from overseas sponsorships. If anyone would like to sponsor a child's education, please contact LisaMarie at http://www.childrensglobalalliance.blogspot.com/. My goal is to sponsor Thong, a little boy that has truly grown on me this week. I call him my "lil Eminem."

Before we left the orphanage for the day, we distributed clothing. It was like a fashion show-we took snapshots of the kids in their new outfits (graciously donated during our medical/clothing drive at SCCS) as they walked out the door.

Star Kampuchea just dropped us off from our city tour, on which we enjoyed a scrumptious ear of street corn. We saw many monks, the national history museum, the Royal Palace, Independence Monument, the Olympic stadium, and Wat Phnom.

I do have to mention Lay (pronounced Ly), our tuk-tuk driver, for he is the most responsible, dedicated, loving Cambodian man that takes our security seriously. He will do anything for us, so we've been compensating him with Starbursts, Lifesavers, and leftover breakfast items such as fruit and bread. We. Love. Lay.

I can't wait to spend another day with the kids tomorrow. We will finish the chicken coop, practice reading, and who knows what else!

I am blessed. I am blessed. I am blessed.