So much to tell you about!
This is a common sight in Phnom Penh - the entire family on one motorbike. Actually, this is not nearly as many as you see, but it was an easy picture to get.
We got a motorbike from Tawn, who I will introduce to you later in this note, so we are learning to ride. Rich takes it most of the time, but I get a change to practice riding occasionally. This is a holiday and no one is out on the street, so I did take the opportunity to practice. The main thing for me is that, like I have told you in the past, traffic here is fluid; they don't actually stop. So, if they get to an intersection and need to turn, either right or left, they just pull out. I'm not used to people pulling out right in front of me. If you want to turn left, but don't know if there is an opening in traffic, you just take a tight left, drive toward oncoming traffice until there is a break to get over. It is quite exciting. So we are learning; but I still come to a stop at an intersection. Rebekah started learning today with her dad. The holiday has proved a nice time to practice since most of the people go back to their villages for this holiday. Truly there aren't anywhere near the people on the road.
Language school is progressing. We are learning, but it doesn't seem like it because everytime we get ready to say something to someone, there are words that we don't know yet. The vowels are a challenge...ok. Here is your first khmer lesson: make a short 'u' sound while gritting your teeth and finish with (while teeth still clenched) an almost 'l' sound - like you almost get to the 'l' sound but not quite. That is one of the vowels sounds. There are 48 more vowel sounds.
Over the next few months, I want to introduce you to the people we get to work with. Below is Tawn, Navy (pronounced 'Naw-wee'), and Li-mang. Tawn has been a Christian since 1999 and Navy has been a Christian for 4 years. Tawn is Rich's interpreter as well
as teacher in the school. He is a huge blessing to us. He has a great
We got a motorbike from Tawn, who I will introduce to you later in this note, so we are learning to ride. Rich takes it most of the time, but I get a change to practice riding occasionally. This is a holiday and no one is out on the street, so I did take the opportunity to practice. The main thing for me is that, like I have told you in the past, traffic here is fluid; they don't actually stop. So, if they get to an intersection and need to turn, either right or left, they just pull out. I'm not used to people pulling out right in front of me. If you want to turn left, but don't know if there is an opening in traffic, you just take a tight left, drive toward oncoming traffice until there is a break to get over. It is quite exciting. So we are learning; but I still come to a stop at an intersection. Rebekah started learning today with her dad. The holiday has proved a nice time to practice since most of the people go back to their villages for this holiday. Truly there aren't anywhere near the people on the road.Language school is progressing. We are learning, but it doesn't seem like it because everytime we get ready to say something to someone, there are words that we don't know yet. The vowels are a challenge...ok. Here is your first khmer lesson: make a short 'u' sound while gritting your teeth and finish with (while teeth still clenched) an almost 'l' sound - like you almost get to the 'l' sound but not quite. That is one of the vowels sounds. There are 48 more vowel sounds.
Over the next few months, I want to introduce you to the people we get to work with. Below is Tawn, Navy (pronounced 'Naw-wee'), and Li-mang. Tawn has been a Christian since 1999 and Navy has been a Christian for 4 years. Tawn is Rich's interpreter as well
as teacher in the school. He is a huge blessing to us. He has a great
personality that helps both Rich and the students.
They have been married for 2 1/2 years. Both have lost their fathers; Navy never knew her father, he went off to war and never came home. She has an older sister, who is 28 (Navy is 26) and her husband left her so Tawn and Navy are raising her son, LiMang, as their own. Tawn is 30 and his father died 2 years ago. LiMang is 5 years old. Tawn is the #6 child of 9; whereas Navy is the youngest of 2.
Please pray for them so they do so much good work and are a vital part of the work here.
Sorry this blog is long. I will try to be shorter next time. We love to hear from you! Stay strong in the Lord. He has such great power.
We love you all!
Ronda
Comments
Love, Julie
-Kaitlynn Walton