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http://kcpccambodia.
Thank you & please keep us in your prayers!
Saturday, July 6, 2013
New Blog :)
Follow our KCPC's 2013 STM team here:
http://kcpccambodia.
Thank you & please keep us in your prayers!
http://kcpccambodia.
Thank you & please keep us in your prayers!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Back
Hello, dear supporters, this will be the last update we will post to the blog and mailing list. Esther, Hyun Gu, Kevin, and I have left Cambodia (and we didn’t break it! PTL). Kwan Soo will be there forev… I mean, until next July. We’ve said it before, we say it now, and we’ll say it again – thank you for your prayers and support. I know, I know, get on with it… I had to say it though….
The question that some of you have already asked and that more of you will be asking is “How was it?” In my frustrating search for a concise, one-word or one-line answer, I have decided never to ask that again of anybody who goes on a mission trip. Nonetheless, I will attempt to answer that question.
It was good. I say this because God taught us and blessed us in this trip, and he is greater than our team’s most severe shortcomings and so we entrust him to have blessed (and continue to bless) the people in Cambodia through us.
But what else? Surely there is more to be said for a trip that lasted two and a half weeks and cost many millions of Riel. Yes, there certainly is and in the rest of this post, I will do my best to speak for the team.
It was a great learning experience. We learned what little some people live on, of the country's scarred history, how often families are broken, and how Buddhism prevails in so much of Cambodia. We saw the need for hope in that place but few want to hear about where true hope is found, almost as if any dissatisfaction or pain they have in life is outweighed by complacency or fear of rocking the boat.
It was humbling. We witnessed the love that the missionaries and BGU students have for Christ and their desire for people (friends, family, students, or countrymen) to come to faith. It was refreshing and even rebuking to see their passion – the kind that evokes the original meaning of “passion,” from the Latin meaning “suffering.” Christianity is not always welcomed, accepted, or tolerated in Cambodia, but they carry that cross.
It was tough. Leaving behind the comforts (and personal comfort zones) of our homes, we went and served. Some of us had stomach problems, some of us served as the weekly special buffet for the local insects, and some of us discovered that roosters don’t crow at dawn – they start a couple hours early. Sometimes we gave more than we expected to give and other times we probably let opportunities pass us by.
It was inspiring. We saw how a place like NIBC could provide needed education while being a source of gospel truth and fellowship, and the continuing need it has for money, for workers, and for prayer. We got to know the long-term missionaries and the Cambodians through whom God will build his church in Cambodia. We met other people from around the world, answering God’s call to go and serve. In different ways, we were each challenged to think about what we will bring back and carry with us.
All said, it was good. Praise God for all that he is doing in Cambodia and for the chance that KCPC has to build a working partnership with NIBC so that we might support the kingdom work happening there. If you would like to hear more, we are more than happy to talk more – just ask. There is much to be said that doesn’t fit on this blog, from personal reflections to funny stories. Please continue to pray for Kwan Soo, for Jessica who will be joining him for the year-long stay, and for Cambodia.
-Danny
P.S. I’ve been informed that it was somewhat frustrating not to have the respective authors of each blog entry sign off, so allow me to apologize and clarify. In reverse order, “Final Days” from Monday, August 2 was written by Kwan. “Send the rain Father” from Wednesday, July 28 was written by HuGu, and “It’s Saturday!” from Saturday, July 24 was written by Esther. “There/Here” was written by yours truly, the old guy on the team.
The question that some of you have already asked and that more of you will be asking is “How was it?” In my frustrating search for a concise, one-word or one-line answer, I have decided never to ask that again of anybody who goes on a mission trip. Nonetheless, I will attempt to answer that question.
It was good. I say this because God taught us and blessed us in this trip, and he is greater than our team’s most severe shortcomings and so we entrust him to have blessed (and continue to bless) the people in Cambodia through us.
But what else? Surely there is more to be said for a trip that lasted two and a half weeks and cost many millions of Riel. Yes, there certainly is and in the rest of this post, I will do my best to speak for the team.
It was a great learning experience. We learned what little some people live on, of the country's scarred history, how often families are broken, and how Buddhism prevails in so much of Cambodia. We saw the need for hope in that place but few want to hear about where true hope is found, almost as if any dissatisfaction or pain they have in life is outweighed by complacency or fear of rocking the boat.
It was humbling. We witnessed the love that the missionaries and BGU students have for Christ and their desire for people (friends, family, students, or countrymen) to come to faith. It was refreshing and even rebuking to see their passion – the kind that evokes the original meaning of “passion,” from the Latin meaning “suffering.” Christianity is not always welcomed, accepted, or tolerated in Cambodia, but they carry that cross.
It was tough. Leaving behind the comforts (and personal comfort zones) of our homes, we went and served. Some of us had stomach problems, some of us served as the weekly special buffet for the local insects, and some of us discovered that roosters don’t crow at dawn – they start a couple hours early. Sometimes we gave more than we expected to give and other times we probably let opportunities pass us by.
It was inspiring. We saw how a place like NIBC could provide needed education while being a source of gospel truth and fellowship, and the continuing need it has for money, for workers, and for prayer. We got to know the long-term missionaries and the Cambodians through whom God will build his church in Cambodia. We met other people from around the world, answering God’s call to go and serve. In different ways, we were each challenged to think about what we will bring back and carry with us.
All said, it was good. Praise God for all that he is doing in Cambodia and for the chance that KCPC has to build a working partnership with NIBC so that we might support the kingdom work happening there. If you would like to hear more, we are more than happy to talk more – just ask. There is much to be said that doesn’t fit on this blog, from personal reflections to funny stories. Please continue to pray for Kwan Soo, for Jessica who will be joining him for the year-long stay, and for Cambodia.
-Danny
P.S. I’ve been informed that it was somewhat frustrating not to have the respective authors of each blog entry sign off, so allow me to apologize and clarify. In reverse order, “Final Days” from Monday, August 2 was written by Kwan. “Send the rain Father” from Wednesday, July 28 was written by HuGu, and “It’s Saturday!” from Saturday, July 24 was written by Esther. “There/Here” was written by yours truly, the old guy on the team.
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| Geckos that make strange noises and, according to the missionaries, have razor sharp teeth with which they sometimes bite the heads off of baby birds. |
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| Enormous spider |
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| Same spider, up close |
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| The NIBC dog, Harry |
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| A family's home/yard near the site of one of the next elementary schools |
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| Cambodian countryside |
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| Eating fruit at Ju Hwan and Hwa Yeon's house |
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| Kyung, who will be starting the next kindergarten at near the family's house shown 3 pics previous |
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| Flossing |
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| Dental hygiene is very important |
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| The floating village on Tonle Sap |
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| At Kontrak, BGU student Tiffan helping the kids |
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| The board we made for Rainbow's next theme, communicating around the world. Funny/horrible quote heard in the late night hours as we were putting this together: "Oh crap... oh well." -HG |
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| Nathan Chan (wearing the striped polo), a bay area transplant, runs Hagar Catering, a restaurant business affiliated with Hagar International |
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| Riding a tuk-tuk in Phnom Penh with Boram |
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| In front of the royal palace. HG's friend Daniel is on the far right. |
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| The view from the FCC Cafe, a place on the riverfront in Phnom Penh where we had dinner one night |
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| Kwan Soo, apparently not enjoying his elephant ride, with Peter, a guy from NJ who came to NIBC for his own 2-week stint while we were there |
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| BGU teachers grading student homework. HG seems to be giving his paper extra close scrutinty. |
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| Pray for this guy. He's still there. I mean not there on top of the temple standing in that spot, but there in Cambodia. |
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
My Extra Week in Cambodia
Monday august 2nd - Phnom Penn
Last day in Phnom Penn. We tried to negotiate a Tuk Tuk (moto taxi) to fit all six of us, including our missionary Boram. We argued a bit explaining that Esther is so small she doesn't really count. But then the driver points at me saying that I make up the excess baggage. That made my day.
Tuesday august 3rd - Sightseeing in Siem Reap
Visited Ankor Wat and Ankor Thom. Explored the once great Khmer Empire. We also took an elephant ride where I witnessed my ride taking a big dump. It sounded like someone turning on a water hose after dropping coconuts on the ground. The smell was interesting.
Danny and Esther left today. Now I have one more week to go.
Wednesday august 4th - The End of our Team
Walked from one side of siem reap to another. Visited a Suzuki and Honda dealership to check out some motorbikes for kwansoo. HG had the runs and would use any restroom he could find. Survival mode.
HG left today. Won't see him for a very long time. The 10 hour plane ride we shared, the Korean Air stewardess we hit on, the bed we shared for 2 weeks, the dong jibs we exchanged.... it's all over. Very sad.
Thursday august 5th - First real day inside Cambodia
First real day in Cambodia without the team. Went out to eat with Lianghy and Tiffan. Both first year BGU students. Had some pho for $1.25
Saw a different side of NIBC and BGU today. Went by myself to check out the recruiting process of BGU and found it in great need of support. More so than Rainbow School. It seems like a failing enterprise that God just won't let go of. Next time I return, BGU will be my focus. (Bethany Global University)
Friday august 6th - My moto ride
Don't remember this day at all. Just remember riding a motorbike by myself in the mayhem. Rule of thumb:
1) Bigger your vehicle, the more authority you have. Except when you have two vehicles of the same make/model, then the person with the newer toy gets to go first.
2) Don't look both ways while driving.... Just go.
3) Close your mouth when driving, or else various particles will enter your mouth... Insects, dirt, animal feces, diesel....
4) In an accident, foreigners are always at fault. There's a saying: "If a foreigner wasn't in the country the first place, there would be no accident."
5) Watch out for animal crossings, 16 wheeled Hyundais, stray dogs, and of course, all the other motorists that want to hit you since you are a foreigner.
Tried a chicken burrito at a Mexican restaurant with Kwan. Don't think it was chicken. Maybe not even a burrito.
Refilled the moto with "Techron" fuel for $1/liter. Cheap stuff.... But Techron!?
Saturday august 7th - Dangerous Street Food
Today I drove the motorbike to pick up Rebecca (Pastors daughter) from school. Afterwards I drove to the other end of Siem Reap to meet Ratany and Tiffan, both BGU students.
Once I arrived, the family invited me to stay for dinner. I hesitated because I know what may happen if I try real Khmer food prepared the real Khmer way.
It soon starts to pour outside and I'm stuck at Ratany's place. I am forced to eat with her family while a baby streams, a cat and her kitten runs around, and a chicken with her chicks salvage what's left on the ground. I ate a dish which I was told was chicken. I don't think it was chicken. No way that was chicken.
I watched them prepare the meal. Saw no hands washing, no dishes being cleaned, and water from a big jar being used to cook. I swear I saw them washing in that jar right before the meal. I am very worried.
Sunday august 8th - The explosion and the cop
This morning I exploded on the toilet. Ratany's meal just flowed out. We had worship at NIBC which was all in Khmer. Didn't have my translator with me this time.
In the afternoon, I decided to visit another BGU student's house. Very simple one bedroom structure made out of wood.
Afterwards, as I drove the motorbike back towards the center, a police officer tried to stop me. At first i thought he was waving until I realized I was getting pulled over. Once the realization hit, and since he didn't have a bike, I just sped away. Something I could never do back in the states.
Visited KFC and had real chicken for dinner. I think it was chicken this time.
Monday august 9th - NIBC is a ghost town
Tiffan left today. All the missionaries left for a conference in Thailand. It is lonely here. But at least I have a Suzuki Hayate 125 to drive around.
Tuesday august 10th - Goodbye Cambodia.... for now.
My last day here is wrapping up. I love this country and don't want to leave. Definitely returning in the future, but I need prayer to understand what my purpose would be in returning.
Now Kwansoo is all alone, waiting for Jessica.
Signing out from Cambodia.
Thank you everyone,
Kevin B. Kim
Last day in Phnom Penn. We tried to negotiate a Tuk Tuk (moto taxi) to fit all six of us, including our missionary Boram. We argued a bit explaining that Esther is so small she doesn't really count. But then the driver points at me saying that I make up the excess baggage. That made my day.
Tuesday august 3rd - Sightseeing in Siem Reap
Visited Ankor Wat and Ankor Thom. Explored the once great Khmer Empire. We also took an elephant ride where I witnessed my ride taking a big dump. It sounded like someone turning on a water hose after dropping coconuts on the ground. The smell was interesting.
Danny and Esther left today. Now I have one more week to go.
Wednesday august 4th - The End of our Team
Walked from one side of siem reap to another. Visited a Suzuki and Honda dealership to check out some motorbikes for kwansoo. HG had the runs and would use any restroom he could find. Survival mode.
HG left today. Won't see him for a very long time. The 10 hour plane ride we shared, the Korean Air stewardess we hit on, the bed we shared for 2 weeks, the dong jibs we exchanged.... it's all over. Very sad.
Thursday august 5th - First real day inside Cambodia
First real day in Cambodia without the team. Went out to eat with Lianghy and Tiffan. Both first year BGU students. Had some pho for $1.25
Saw a different side of NIBC and BGU today. Went by myself to check out the recruiting process of BGU and found it in great need of support. More so than Rainbow School. It seems like a failing enterprise that God just won't let go of. Next time I return, BGU will be my focus. (Bethany Global University)
Friday august 6th - My moto ride
Don't remember this day at all. Just remember riding a motorbike by myself in the mayhem. Rule of thumb:
1) Bigger your vehicle, the more authority you have. Except when you have two vehicles of the same make/model, then the person with the newer toy gets to go first.
2) Don't look both ways while driving.... Just go.
3) Close your mouth when driving, or else various particles will enter your mouth... Insects, dirt, animal feces, diesel....
4) In an accident, foreigners are always at fault. There's a saying: "If a foreigner wasn't in the country the first place, there would be no accident."
5) Watch out for animal crossings, 16 wheeled Hyundais, stray dogs, and of course, all the other motorists that want to hit you since you are a foreigner.
Tried a chicken burrito at a Mexican restaurant with Kwan. Don't think it was chicken. Maybe not even a burrito.
Refilled the moto with "Techron" fuel for $1/liter. Cheap stuff.... But Techron!?
Saturday august 7th - Dangerous Street Food
Today I drove the motorbike to pick up Rebecca (Pastors daughter) from school. Afterwards I drove to the other end of Siem Reap to meet Ratany and Tiffan, both BGU students.
Once I arrived, the family invited me to stay for dinner. I hesitated because I know what may happen if I try real Khmer food prepared the real Khmer way.
It soon starts to pour outside and I'm stuck at Ratany's place. I am forced to eat with her family while a baby streams, a cat and her kitten runs around, and a chicken with her chicks salvage what's left on the ground. I ate a dish which I was told was chicken. I don't think it was chicken. No way that was chicken.
I watched them prepare the meal. Saw no hands washing, no dishes being cleaned, and water from a big jar being used to cook. I swear I saw them washing in that jar right before the meal. I am very worried.
Sunday august 8th - The explosion and the cop
This morning I exploded on the toilet. Ratany's meal just flowed out. We had worship at NIBC which was all in Khmer. Didn't have my translator with me this time.
In the afternoon, I decided to visit another BGU student's house. Very simple one bedroom structure made out of wood.
Afterwards, as I drove the motorbike back towards the center, a police officer tried to stop me. At first i thought he was waving until I realized I was getting pulled over. Once the realization hit, and since he didn't have a bike, I just sped away. Something I could never do back in the states.
Visited KFC and had real chicken for dinner. I think it was chicken this time.
Monday august 9th - NIBC is a ghost town
Tiffan left today. All the missionaries left for a conference in Thailand. It is lonely here. But at least I have a Suzuki Hayate 125 to drive around.
Tuesday august 10th - Goodbye Cambodia.... for now.
My last day here is wrapping up. I love this country and don't want to leave. Definitely returning in the future, but I need prayer to understand what my purpose would be in returning.
Now Kwansoo is all alone, waiting for Jessica.
Signing out from Cambodia.
Thank you everyone,
Kevin B. Kim
.JPG) |
| Kontrak in 2007 |
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| Kontrak Today (2010) |
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| Daneta (2007) |
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| Daneta (2010) |
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| "Awana" Store |
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| Kids bargaining for basic necessities such as toothpaste and clothing |
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| Rainbow School |
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| Look at them flies |
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| We were stuck inside a Hyundai bus. Everything was in Korean so we couldn't get out |
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| BGU Teacher HG |
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| BGU Teacher Danny |
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| Anyone hungry for spiders? |
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| Phnom Penn |
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| Siem Reap |
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| New BGU Site |
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| The Kim Family |
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| Missionary Jarunee |
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| Little Missionary Kim |
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| NIBC Today |
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