Last month we were in Kampot for a teambuilding retreat and, afterwards, our family decided to drive up into Preah Monivong Bokor National Park to see how things had changed since I was last there (in 2007, I think?). Bokor is a mountain near the coast and marks the southeastern end of the Cardamom mountain…
Chan Trea’s Class on Anger Management
I wanted to share a story of change from our Peaceful Education project. This story came specifically out of the Peace Club pilot and was collected by our MER Coordinator, Mr. Mok. A white shirt with a blue skirt or blue trousers is the sight of six grade students who attend Svay Chor Primary school…
No Longer Undocumented.
Caleb is no longer an undocumented person! After many weeks, visits, reminders and some financial incentive, the local authority has issued his birth certificate in Khmer language and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has translated it into English! Next stop – the US Embassy for passport and Certificate of Birth Abroad. I just submitted not only applications…
New Service Workers
Back in September of last year, I shared that we were recruiting for three new service workers to join the MCC Cambodia team. I’m glad to announce that all three arrived safely and without incident in Cambodia on May 19th. We had a service worker back out after accepting last year so we waited to…
Charlotte’s First Bible
The church I am a member of, Plains Mennonite in Hatfield, PA, has a tradition of giving every child entering first grade their first Bible, in anticipation of them learning how to read. Charlotte missed this tradition as we came to Cambodia during kindergarten an I did not give it much thought as she continues…
Maternity Leave and Orientation
Orienting new international workers is my favorite part of our role as Reps. Yes, its very busy with many trainings and logistics, but the energy they bring to our team is infectious, as is the joy of the national staff when they see, again, that international people really do want to come to Cambodia. As…
A Tuesday in May
It’s 3:30 in the morning and he’s cooing at the diaper changing table nightlight. After babbling to it for a few minutes he bursts out in his biggest smile – the one he usually saves for when Charles is wearing glasses. I’m not sure if its the delight of the shadows or a purely internal…
Hot Season with a Newborn
Caleb was born during an atypical hot season week, with cool breezes and 80 degree days. In Cambodian tradition, we were actually able to dress him head to toe in cozy clothes. This not only allowed us to sidestep the constant unsolicited advice from all Cambodians that he needs to be covered all the time,…
Raise the Anti-Mosquito Fortifications!
Last year we meet with some wonderful Lutheran missionaries who spent many years in Hanoi before moving to Phnom Penh and who had gotten to know the Mennonite Central Committee Vietnam team quite well. When they saw Charlotte wearing a MCC shirt at a churchgoer’s birthday party they immediately connected with us. Later, when we…
5 Year Program Review Team
Ideally, every MCC country program in the world should undergo a Program Review every five years. This doesn’t always happen due to instability, conflict, or other disruptions. Cambodia was scheduled for a Program Review in 2020 but it ended up being delayed for three years due to the pandemic. The Program Review is an opportunity…