A few days ago I was going around Poipet. I was on the prowl. I regularly move around the city, in back alley side streets and in places where it is hard to go. I am looking for the people and praying as I go to see how God would use me to help people. …
Almost a year ago on Christmas Day, 2010 we had just celebrated a joint Christmas party with all our kids (about 150 kids) from both Imparting Smiles Centers. We had a fantastic fireworks display which I will remember for a lifetime. Then, a little boy came up to me and pulled on my pant leg. …
When I was a boy scout we had many mottos and core principles which guided our actions. One of those is “Leave a place better than you found it.” In general, this is referring to camp sites or places where scouts go to camp or work, and when we leave, there should not only be…
I just came back from a special dinner. I wasn’t the honored guests, but I was one of the nearly 2000 leaders who were invited to celebrate in the inauguration of the Governor of Poipet city here in North West Cambodia. Even the Thai Governor of Sakeo province and military officials (who we are still…
You all know the expression, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” In Cambodia, we have a similar saying, “If you want something done, do it yourself (‘cause no one else is going to help you!)” Over the years I have built homes, orphanages, roads, sidewalks and even attempting to build a bridge…
Each year for about a decade now we have received a team from Freedom Church in Owasso, Oklahoma (near Tulsa). This year we had typically amazing results. We had more than 800 kids in Vacation Bible School. That is more than 800 kids who learn about Jesus, hear the gospel and have great fun. We…
Travel Tuesdays: “Sidecar Playground” Location: Poipet, Cambodia In Poipet, Cambodia is the only place you will regularly see home-made sidecars on motorcycles. The idea and design originally came from Thailand, as this is a border town, but Thailand drives on the opposite side of the road than Cambodia (Cambodia drives on the right side), making…
Travel Tuesday’s: Cambodia’s very own Ultra Super Hybrid Car: A converted Toyota Camry. Toyota is Cambodia’s top-selling car, by far. The Toyota Camry is the most popular of all the cars. At just a glance a Cambodian can tell you the year, engine size, and even manufacturing location. In Poipet, Cambodia when I saw a…
The last day is always full of mixed feelings. The team from Heights Church in Prescott, Arizona is getting ready to go home, but they have made some great new friends. The final day the kids are much better with all the games and songs. The lessons were equally creative with clear presentation of the…
On the second day of the Children’s program the group grew a bunch. The team from Heights Church from Prescott, AZ was great. They even made scripture memory fun for the kids. They continued teaching about Jesus and helping to explain the gospel, while having a lot of fun as well. The kids all got…