Rich and Ronda Dolan

This first picture is the inside of the classroom. The students are working in groups on a story problem. (Is no child safe from horrid story problems??) The next pictures is a game some of the boys are playing during recess. Then the last picture is one side of the school. There are building just like these that are on the other side. The teacher I talked to told me that there are about 2,000 students at this elementary school; half in the morning and half in the afternoons. A couple of the kids in this 3rd grade classroom could speak a few words in English. When I asked, they told me that they go to another school to learn English. I really just wanted to watch and see what they did, but when you are the only white person around, you are rather obvious. Maybe I'll go back another time.

My language school teacher thought it would be a good idea to go to a school and listen and watch. So, I went to the school by the temple close to our house. This is a 3rd grade classroom. The students here go either in the morning or the afternoon. I got there at a recess time. The last picture is of some of the girls playing a game. After recess, they all line up (2nd picture) and then walk back into the room at which time they stand and recite something(I didn't understand it). That is when I took this first picture. After I took the picture, the teacher instructed all of them to tuck their shirts back in. It is a rule here, just like the uniform, that the shirts be tucked in, so after playing, it has to be done again. One thing I noticed...kids are kids everywhere. In this class, all of the girls were on the front 3 rows with a few boys mixed in. Then a couple rows of boys and the back were boys that really still wanted to be out playing and did more drawing pictures t...

I took a couple pictures as I was walking home from language school so you could see what I see everyday. This first picture is of the street that winds around the temple and comes to our street. The market is behind the umbrellas on the right of the picture and then there are shops all along with left side. The next picture is the shop where I stop once a week for iced coffee on my way to language school. A glass of iced coffee at this shop cost me 50 cents and it is quite good! The last picture is of my dad and mom, Loren and Penny Hollingsworth. Every year they come and spend about a month. Dad teaching in the preaching school while they are here. This picture was taking at the airport when they were leaving. They are now back in Alaska, cooling off from their trip here. We are grateful to them and their example both in our lives and the example that they show to our students. Come and we will share Phnom Penh and Cambodia with you. Love, Ronda

This story is two weeks old, but it amazing! Tawn’s Pickup Truck Yesterday was a long and exhausting day. It started with a student who wanted to clear his name and reputation (I think that was accomplished). Then it progressed to the normal stuff; administrating, preparing to teach, etc.. Mid-morning, we got word that a student’s wife had been robbed of her jewelry and was not doing well physically. She had to go to the hospital and is back there now with some health problems. Mixed in there was dealing with two men who were not happy about financial arrangements (salary and things). The afternoon was spent at language class and getting updates on the student’s wife. Later, came a meeting on school finances. And, just for good measure, while I was in language class, a female student called in tears because her finance was threatening to break off their engagement. She wanted to meet with me immediately to see what sh...

Today is our 28th wedding anniversary. Adding to that the 4 years we dated, we have been together for quite awhile. God has blessed us incredibly during that time. We have 4 fantastic children and now we have a sweet daughter-in-law as well. We have also been blessed with our extended family as well as tons of friends. To update all of you on our family...you know all about Rich and I from this blog. Jason is now 26 years old and lives in Abilene, TX. He is working at one of the hospitals there. Randall, 24, and Kassie live in Sherwood, Ark. Kassie is an elementary school teacher. In just a few weeks, Randall will enter the Army. Of course, we don't know where they will be at the end of the summer. Reuben, 22, will receive his bachelors degree from Pepperdine in Malibu, CA April 30th and will be going to London, England in the fall to work on his Masters. Rebekah, 20, is a senior at Texas A&M in College Station, TX. We could not be more proud of our kids than we are. ...

My parents, Loren and Penny Hollingsworth have been in Phnom Penh with us for about 6 weeks. Dad has been teaching Romans to the students in the morning. This is a picture of Dad and Cheav. Cheav has been translating for Dad. Cheav has done a great job of translating without much notice. Tawn did all of our translating before his death. It has been great to get to spend some time with them as we have been able to do for the past 3 years. It is wonderful to be able for our students to learn from Dad. It is also nice for Rich to be able to have a break from teaching. The next picture is one I took of Rich today at the school after chapel. He has done a great job of reassuring the students after Tawn's death. They all respect him, and they like him, which I think is important as well. 2 of our former students are in town. On Tuesday, Sokchea and Pisey will have their engagement party in her village. Sokchea is Tawn's youngest brother and now works with a church in a vil...