What a Difference a Day Makes

What a wondrous thing a light breeze is. This morning we arrived at a place called Mong Russei. There was a local government official there who greeted us as the drama team got set up. The rice had already been given out to people - it was sitting on the ground in front of them as we arrived. The drama team led off with the prodigal son story followed by the skit done to the song 'Everything' by Lifehouse. This time I was able to get some video of that play so I'll be uploading it when I can, hopefully soon as this is our last night in Battambang.

Pastor Setan gave a short presentation of the gospel and talked a little bit about some of Transform Asia's projects, like the trade center and women's center. Before the ceremony begins, each person is handed a number of tracts - some talk about the opportunities for themselves or someone they know to get help at one of the centers. Others talk about what it means to be saved and how to accept Jesus. Yet another is the gospel of John. Many in attendance spent a while pouring through these handouts.

As the rice had already been distributed to the people, we just did a quick ceremonial handing of rice to a few people. I got to give a bag to this really sweet grandma. She couldn't have been taller than my mom (who isn't quite 5ft tall). After the quick picture, she gestured to a younger boy who ran up and grabbed the rice for her.

As we were getting ready to leave, I noticed another older lady with a young girl. They had stayed back a bit from the crowd for most of the presentation. When I looked closer, it appeared as if she was blind. Her, what I can only assume, granddaughter was helping her get around. As more motos came in at the end (think taxi service, but on a motorcycle), the little girl ran up to one and brought him back. Then she, the driver, and grandma all got on with the bag of rice and drove off. Riding on a moto like that seems scary enough when you can see, I can't imagine what it's like riding on one blind.

Little boy at a gas station carefully washing his shoes out of a cooler.

Woman reading the handouts.

Nap time. This kid had the right idea!

Watching the skit.

The blind woman and granddaughter?

These tractor/trailer things are the coolest things ever! They are everywhere.

In many, if not all, Asian countries, there is some form of a chicken & rice dish. I simply call this picture: chicken with rice.