One year ago we were so grateful to inherit a furnished house and not have to look for a place to rent while navigating new jobs, new school, new culture, and so on. The house never quite fit us as a family but it was still a blessing. Especially during crisis times, like a factory fire in October and COVID-19 in March, when we were able to quickly and comfortably host another six people.

Now that Clivia has her own apartment with extra guestrooms we felt that the time was right to start looking for a new place. Then, at just the right time, a place three houses down the road from the office became available.

The new house has wonderful landlords.

• The Grandmom is very warm and has great English. Before retirement she provided childcare for US embassy staff in Cambodia and, later, Thailand.
• The Grandfather is always working on house projects and helped our Finance Coordinator after an attempted purse snatching. He’s good friends with the MCC Office Guard who knows everyone on the street.
• The Grandson is very eager to make friends with Charlotte and Catherine. We’ve really wanted the girls to make Khmer friends so it’s get that the new house comes with one next door. He also speaks good English which helps bridge the initial communication gap.

The new house is smaller, has lower rent, and is on a much quieter road. Let me walk you through the layout floor by floor.

• Courtyard: This large shaded area is close enough to the office to host meals and meetings. We have an outside table here for eating meals in the greenery. Charlotte’s favorite part of the house is here, the mango tree that she’s climbing.
• Ground Floor: There’s a nice entry area immediately inside. Then a pantry, kitchen, wide hall, and air conditioned dining/activity room. There are also two bathrooms here. So great for opening up for team meetings.
• Middle Floor: There’s an air conditioned guest room here with a bathroom (for any of you who come to visit). There’s also an open living room here and a wide hall for storage. There’s a balcony out from the living room in the middle of the mango trees.
• Top Floor: This is one large room that we’re using as our family bedroom. The girls have a new bunk bed here that they love. There’s no air conditioner but it’s not needed either as it’s high enough to catch a wonderful cross breeze. There’s a balcony out to the top of the mango trees.

Charlotte, who has been missing nature desperately, told us, “When we move in I’m going to spend three or four hours in the tree every day.”