Rich and Ronda Dolan

First off, some of you guys think you had (or have) to wear bad stuff to weddings, look at these traditional Khmer outfits...and in pink. Like the bride and groom, bridesmaids and mother of the bride and groom, the groomsmen change clothes several times during the day. The same basic style but color coordinated with the bride and groom (although I think they only changed 4 times). But what I thought was funny is in picture #2; one of the groomsmen had socks on with the Nike swoosh. OK, so not totally traditional outfit. The haircutting ceremony is the showing of going from single to married, from childhood to adulthood. Actually only 3 strands from each for cut, but all of the family, in pairs, come up and act as though they are cutting the hair while pictures are taken. Of course, perfume is sprayed on both each time, for good luck. I can't imagine how much junk Sraymom had in her hair by the end of the night. In the last picture, this is the brides' parents doing their...

After the processional, the bride "receives" the groom and his gifts. The 2nd picture is this. Bride and groom are in green. They always start the day wearing green. The first picture is of the cooking tent. All the food for the 3 meals that day are cooked here. After the bride receives the groom and pictures (of course) are taken, we families have breakfast. We had rice soup with seafood along with fruit (that we carried during the processional). The families hire security to watch the cars and motos during this day. Usually the security guys are policemen off duty, so, as you can see in the 3rd picture, they have their machine guns with them. This was on the chair directly behind me. You know you can't hold it while you are eating! Stay tune for the hair cutting ceremony coming up next! Love, Ronda

Weddings in Cambodia are a big deal, like in the US. Only here, the ceremony lasts a least one day long. Not long ago, they used to last 3 days, so I guess we should be grateful. Sraymom is a lady who helps out at our house and the PIP house. She invited us to her wedding, including the "family only" part so we could see what goes on. Only the extended family have an actual part in the ceremonies. Sraymom, the bride, got up at 3am to have her hair, nails, makeup, clothes ready. During the day, she changes into 10 different outfits, complete with different shoes, jewelry,nail colors, and hair dos. The wedding processional begins at 7am. These pictures are of that processional. In times past, the processional was of the groom and his family presenting gifts to the bride, so they all walked from his house to hers. In the 2nd picture, the groom is on the front row in Green. The people in the processional (which now is family members on both sides), all paired up and carry...

I had to have my computer fixed and am just getting it back. I thought I would share a few more pictures that I took during our graduation in December. The first one is just some of the students and kids messin' around. Then there is a picture of Try leading a couple songs and Tawn giving the message. The other picture is out potluck table in the school's courtyard. We hope that 2010 has started out well for each of you. Much love, Ronda

OK. So the pictures are out of order, but they are still there. The pictures of Randall with the cap on is the night that he left to go back to the US. Naturally, the time went way too fast. We are so blessed that sweet people in the US contribute so that we can see our kids each year. Jason, Reuben and Rebekah were able to come during the summer, but Randall was taking classes so couldn't make it. So he hadn't seen him for a year and a half. The picture of Rich and Randall in hammocks on the porch is on an island off the coast that we spent one night. The other picture of Randall and Rich was taken during our graduation ceremony at the school. By the way, Randall shaved his face so that, when we went to the beach, he wouldn't have a weird tan. I really like beards! I'm sure he'll grow it back. Love you all, Ronda

A group of Christians from Phnom Penh went to a village where one of our graduates is working now. Sothea and his wife (1st picture) are expecting their first child. He is a very talented preacher and teacher. We were thrilled to be able to spend the afternoon with them and their neighbors. These are just a few pictures that I took while there. We hope we were an encouragement to all of them. Much love, Ronda