Ahh, home sweet home!

Hello!

The trip home is nearly complete! We survived the 20 plus hours during flights from Cambodia to Korea and then Korea to D.C. and we are ready to get the last flight out of the way. The highlight of the return trip was definitely the luxurious showers we got to take in Korea with shower heads that rivaled any five star hotel! PD described it as life changing, and I kind of have to agree with that statement because I felt so refreshed after being so gross at our BBQ. We found our first Wendy's here during our layover, and I've never appreciated greasy fast food quite as much as today! The bathrooms are also pleasant because we don't have to worry about supplying our own toilet paper and got to wash our hands with SOAP, a rarity in Cambodia. And walking through security we smelled the faint smell of cleaning supplies, the first in almost two weeks! Let's just say we are very glad to be back in the States and I think I speak for everyone when I say I'm very excited to see my family, take a long shower and sleep for multiple days (without a Korean stewardess waking me up for inedible meal time).

This will most likely be my last post for our Impact Cambodia blog, and I'm sad to have our trip end. Our team has gotten very close and I will miss all of the crazy times we have had together. Thank you all so much for your support and prayer for our team, we really appreciate it! You all mean the world to us.

Although it has significantly more meaning coming from the adorable Lun Lim, I feel like there is only one way to wrap this post up...

...Let's transform and roll out!

Meghan

Goodbye Cambodia

So last night was so, so, SO much fun. We started at the Russian market then headed to IJM and that was awesome to see what they are doing over in Cambodia. Sorry I can't write more we are boarding for our flight to Washington D.C now.--- Jesse

Hey

Phnom penh orphanage was a true blessing to visit. I connected with a couple kids and gave my crocs to one boy. Pastor Sinai has a wicking pong serve! Earlier today we visited a international justice mission site in phnom penh. It was definitely interesting and I'm going to check it out more in the future for sure. Anyway the trip was great and I'm really excited to get back to the USA and keep working on what we started during these 2 weeks. This trip has changed my life!
Love, Chris B

Hey oh!

I'm so sad that were leaving. I loved all the kids at the phnom penh childrens home. They were all so amazing. I loved when they wanted my attention they would call me brother. I wish I had more to give them because they are all so thankful for the little things we have them. I really connected with a boy names Piseth. He is 23 and is going to the university and he called me into the sanctuary of the church(where they stay) where he showed me a piece of paper that showed an appointment in the US embassy for a chance to get a visa to come to Pittsburgh for a month. I was so happy to here this and I gave him my facebook to keep me updated on if he will be able to come and my phone number for when he come so we can get together and hang out. All the girls were adorable when they sang for us. I want to come back next year so bad. I feel like this is something I am really wanting to do more and spend more time with these kids. I love all these kids and hope I can keep in touch with the kids who have emails. Don't want to leave but can't wait to come back.
See everyone soon!
Love Brady

Today is our last day in this awesome place. I am sad to leave but I miss my family and friends more then I thought I would. This has been a life changing experience for me and everyone else on the team, these two weeks have really broken my bubble and now I can see what true poverty is. I am so blessed to have gotten this opportunity, God is really working in Cambodia. --Melanie

After a restful trip to Siem Reap, we're back to work! We went to an orphanage in Kampong Cham and visited with about 30 kids. It was good to get back to our normal routine and doing what we came here to do. The bus ride was a little rough as usual, but I think we're all starting to get used to the crazy drivers here. Of course that could be a really bad thing. I probably shouldn't be allowed to drive for a while after we get back. We're getting ready now to go to a steakhouse for dinner - I can't wait! Hopefully it lives up to our expectations! See you later - Sarah

So I have been in this third world county for over a week now and there aren't really any words to describe such a place in a way that would make you grasp what we are all getting to see and experience. The villages we drive threw don't even look real, or livable, huts made of bamboo, I don't even see how they withstand the crazy storms here. The people here are so kind and respectable, they almost always look happy, even the children in bare feet digging threw the trash seem to have a certain peace about them that we are missing out on in the everyday hustle and busyness of the lives we all live. They don't even seem to feel bad for themselves, lving such hard lives full of labor and unsureness, I am so blessed to meet these people. A five year old sold me a fan yesterday, five.. The only thing our five year olds worry about in the states in what cartoon they will be watching that day where here they need to help put food on the table for their families. Even on the eigth day of being here I am still in shock as we drive from place to place at the things we are seeing. With love- Melanie

Day of rest, relaxation, sightseeing and ice cream! in Siem Reap. Each and every one of your kids is feeling great and re-energized.
God is good!
3 hour trip to Kompong Cham coming up. We will be staying at a guesthouse that may not have Internet service. We will be in Phnom Phenn on Saturday so we can post from there. Don't forget to visit Pastor Donnie's facebook for pics and additional entries.
Blessings to you all!
Palma

All of us (minus Josh) at Pursat 1 Orphanage

Last night was rough. We slept outside on a hard floor under a bug net. Then me who isn't a morning person in the first place wasn't in the best of moods. I wanted to sleep on our way to the Christian school but it was only 5 min away. It was really cool seeing the school that we support with our offering every sunday. The only bad thing about that outreach was that unlike the orphanages the school students were very impatient. They wouldn't even let us finish a balloon before they started graving for it. They werevso close to me that to make the balloon I had to do everything over my head. I'm sure being compleatly exhausted didn't help but it was hard. Even though it was so hard to stay calm and patient it still was a great experience. Thankfully I got to sleep on the ride to siem riep. When we got here we just chilled out in the hotel until dinner time. Instead of taking the bus to dinner we took tuk tuks. Little 4 person Carriage pulled by a motor bike. That was really fun because we took the long rout to enjoy the ride. Then we went to dinner. Nothing weird to happened there. After dinner we got a fish foot massage. Weirdest thing ever. You pay 2.50$ for a coke and 20min for your feet to be in a pool of 'special' fish that eat all the dead skin and bacteria off your feet. At first we all couldn't stop yelling and laughing but then we got used to it for the most part.then Josh and I put our feet in a different tank with bigger fish. I liked it better but PD couldn't take it. At the end Josh and I took a suggestion from the guy working it and put our faces in the tank. That was basically my whole day.---- Jesse

Hey mom just wanted to let you know everything is going great and I am having an amazing time here, tell daddy Bobby and Molly I said hi as well. The kids here are sooooo cute, I hate when we have to leave them, I always want to take one home. They are so thankful and sweet despite the conditions in which they live. --Love Melanie

Hello parents!
It's Wednesday morning and we are heading out to Battambang to visit the orphanage. We will then head out to Beantey Meanchy for another orphanage visit and an overnight stay in the mission house. We will be in a more remote area so will not have Internet service for a few days. Promise to sign on as soon as we can!
Your kids are eating very well and continue to be happy and energetic.
God bless!
Palma

Today we went to the orphanage in Pursat Province. The kids were sooo cute! I think this group was the best. They gave us hugs before we left and no one wanted to leave! I can't wait to see the kids in the rest of the orphanages! The other day we had so much fun! There were all of these kids leaving an English teaching school. As the kids drove past us on their bikes, we yelled "hello" in as many different languages as we knew! I don't think they were confused, though.

- Cici

This is important

I love jesus :)

Hello parents!

I wish you could see how amazing your kids are. You have done a wonderful job instilling a desire to serve God through their love of others. In addition to that they have continued to maintain positive attitudes amidst some tiring and demanding conditions. It is a pleasure to serve alongside them as they bring lots of love and laughter into the children's homes.

If you haven't heard, pastor Donnie is keeping an updated face book page with pictures and even videos. Simply cut and paste the link below. Enjoy!

Palma

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1444286830&ref=ts

More group photos for all you parents out there wanting to see your kids alive.

the thai food is excellent!

For the parents

We're just heading out and won't have Internet for a few days, but wanted to take a minute to update the parents. We are taking good care of your kids. They are all doing great, eating well, drinking lots of water and getting plenty of sleep. All of them have adjusted very well and I personally have enjoyed getting to know them better and seeing them using their gifts. Thanks for trusting us to bring them so far out of the country and to keep them safe!

Shelly

Yesterday was an experience that I could never forget...the children we saw were beautiful. Even though they were filthy with dirt, their clothes were torn and covered in flies...their smiles is what we will remember about them. When our bus pulled up to the home, their smiles turned on and our hearts melted. I became close to a particular child at the orphanages and when I was forced to tell her goodbye, she latched on to me and started shouting. I immediately grabbed Dara to translate and she was Telling me, " God loves you and I do too." Immediately my heart shattered. It was such a bittersweet moment. The children are all beautiful and have hearts of gold. They may be filthy and have rotted teeth and crusted clothes...but they are happy. God is good.

Keep praying for this trip and the other children we will have the opportunity to bless.
Love you all,
Tori

Hey guys, just want to let everyone know we are all having a great time here. We visited Lim's village yesterday and it was incredible. All the children were so excited when we gave them candy and made them balloon animals. Everybody here is so happy and it has been awesome experience and we have only just scratched the surface of what we will be doing. Lim's family is great, Dara (Lim's brother) has been traveling with us and he has been a huge help with learning things while a few of us took a walk the other day. It's amazing how important education is to the people here and how hard they work for that education. Miss all you guys back at home!!!
P.S. Bobby is this a good enough post? Haha thank you for wanting to hear from me.
Love, Brady =D

Yesterday we went to a little town and saw all these kids. They were adorable! Right now it's 9:12am and we're driving to orphanages and stuff! I can not wait to get there.
-Cici


Hi everyone. My experience here so far is amazing. It is very different coming to a third world country for the first time. The first day here was an amazing experience getting to learn about the killing fields and a torturing prison. This was one of many of these prisons. This day really helped me understand what happened at the killing fields. When we toured them we were liter all walking on the bones and old clothes of the people who were killed there. The experience was very eye opening. The next day was our first day of ministry. It was so much fun. We went to church in phnom penh and the worship team played a special song and Chris gave his testimony. Then we went to an orphanage and spent a lot of time with the kids there. So far this trip has been such an amazing experience. I miss everyone at home very much :)
Love,
Donovan

Heyyyy America! Cambodia is treating us well. All of the people here look at us like we are celebrities. When we drive down the road everyone turns their heads to look at us and wave. Dara told me people here rarely see white skinned people. Oh! I finally found my place in the world to fit in...I'm average height here! So I'm at least less freakish than the white blondehairblueeyed tall people. Haha. My talkative and hospitable personality is coming in handy with reaching out to the people here. I'm excited to see how God uses my imperfections for his glory here for these next two weeks. Thank you for all your prayers...we miss you.
Love, Tori

Hey everyone! This place is amazing. Everyone has a smile on. Every time were on the bus and we look out the window someone is waving. The kids are so great. Yesterday i got to tell them how much jesus loves them with the help of Dara translating. Even-though they have almost nothing compared to us they seem a lot happier than some of the people in america. We met a guy that came here from America and fell in love with Cambodia so he's been here ever since working with the church. He has such a big heart. I wish everyone in america could come to a place like this it's such a great learning experience and it makes me appreciate how much I have. I miss you all and I can't wait to show you all the picture i've taken so far.
Love, Catherine



Hi guys! I don't even know where to start. Cambodia is like nothing i've ever seen before. The people here smile and wave every time we pass them and the kids faces light up every time we wave. We went to a Christian church yesterday and it was amazing! The experience of worshiping God together but in two different languages is something i will never forget. Right now we are on our way to our second village to do round two of ministry, ballon animals and face painting. I Can't wait to see all their smiling faces!
Love Christy

Hey everyone, were leaving phnom penh for a few days and going to some outer provinces which should be really awesome. Yesterday we went to the kandal province where lim grew up. The kids were amazing and so cute. Lim's parents home was truly humbling for me because of how little they all have. All of the student were studying very hard to get to phnom penh to get an education. The next few days are gonna be awesome. I miss everybody back in pittsburgh!!
Love, chris :)

Hey guys it's been amazing so far. The food for the most part has been great. Yesterday we went to church and even though we couldn't understand what they were saying the worship was still very powerful. Then we went to Lims village for a ministry opportunity. The drive up was intense because the roads were all dirt with some huge potholes in them and just seeing what kind of conditions people live in away from the city is crazy. There like Shacks on stilts with thatch roofs and sometimes thatch walls. Then when we got to the edge of the village the kids just came out of no where just running after the bus in the rain. The kids were so behaved they waited so patiently to get there balloons and candy. This entire trip is just so amazing so far and it's just getting started. I just wish everyone could see and experience the things we are seeing and doing. Ok well I'm going to go now because my breakfast is sitting in front of me.-- Jesse

Hey everyone!

Today was such an incredible day! We started off bright and early with a cambodian church service, which was so cool. The people were so enthusiastic about their worship it was awesome to be a part of. This afternoon was our first real children's ministry day, and they greeted us by chasing our van down all the way to the church. They loved the balloon animals, especially the bees! I don't think I knew what true humidity was until I went to that village and stayed in a stuffy building for over an hour. Their faces made it all worth it though!

I can't wait to spend the upcoming days
---Meghan

Today was amazing,it started out with church, it was so cool to worship with people speaking another language on the opposite side of the world. Then we had lunch which was verygoodunlike the dinner last night which consisted of a whole chicken head and all, just sliced up. I am getting very good at using chop sticks!!! The best part of the day though was when we went to one of the villages, I can't wait to show you pictures, because words can't even describe what we got to experience, dirt floors, cows and chickens and pigs just chillen everywhere, beautiful beautiful people, so differernt from us in everyway imagenable, but the people in this particular village worship the same god, the only thing the connects us to them, the most important thing. Also I don't know ifihave ever been this filthy dirty in my whole life, it's like 535 degrees here, I can't wait to shower. Oh and how I miss sweets! I'm a little tired of rice and beef , but mean it could always get worse. Oh and we went to their mall and I saw the Cambodian version of the back street boys, it was soooo funny. Lol. Well bye bye -- Melanie :)

Hey all! Day one so far has been awesome. People here are very friendly. We are all trying our best to learn some Khemer (Cambodian) so far I know how to say hello, how are you, my name is, and poop. Lol. So I guess the only sentence I can form with those words is "my name is poop' hehe. But the food at lunch was amazing and we had to take off our shoes and sit on the floor, it was very cool. Oh and mom tell Molly to follow this blog please :) ---Melanie

Hey again, it's Saturday here and we were tourists today at the killing fields and genocide museum. It was intense! We also saw a local church too and got the best view of the city! There are a lot of dogs in the street and the driving here is scary haha and the random people looking to work for money. Jet lag is kicking in so i'm gonna get some sleep before dinner hopefully
Love Chris :)

We arrived in phnom penh last night and checked into our hotel. The showers have no curtains! We are sitting down to breakfast right now...let's just say I'm not eating my usual bowl of cereal. We are just touring today, I'm so excited to see the killing fields and just experience a completely new culture. -- Melanie

The flight to Korea wasn't all as bad as I expected it to be. Other then the babies crying and the kicking of my seat it wasn't to bad. (partially because of the personal entertainment monitors in the back of the seats). So far I still have my luggage (carry on) and we will see if the checked bags make it all the way through to Phnom Penn. We will be boarding the plane to Cambodia shortly. This is Josh signing off. -Josh Wagner

The wrath of the crying babies! I am so bad at sleeping in planes, but just to make matters worse, these babies kept crying louder and louder. Then they started screaming! I'm kind of tired because I have gotten no sleep. Time to board the last plane! - Cici

Just arrived in Korea after a fifteen hour flight. I decided to be daring and go with the koreian dish rather then the beef. I mean when in rome right? Yeah it was nastyyyy. But We are all very anxious to get to Cambodia. And Hi mommy!!!!!! I'm safe and sound don't worry.--Melanie.

Hey everybody! We're leaving for Cambodia from Korea soon :) I found out I'm the best at making new friends,I kept falling asleep on the lady next to me going to Atlanta, and I'm the best airplane sleeper ever. I hate crying babies too.
Love, chris boggess

Pgh to atl not bad at all atl to Korea equals a compleatly different story. Tight spaces, multiple languages, and 3 babies crying basically the entire time. I have to say I do not sleep as well on planes as chris does. --- Jesse