A lot going on.

 Since I wrote last, we have been busy with many different things, on top of the regular day to day things.

During this 2 weeks between Jerry Lundy leaving and Dad coming, Rich is teaching the newer 13 students a course on Old Testament Survey.  Then, in the afternoons, he was teaching the 3 older kids the last part of Jeremiah (that he started before Jerry came) and now is teaching New Testament Greek.

Of course, he also continues to teach the lesson a couple times a week during chapel and preaches or teaches several times a month at either of the two congregations that we attend.  This picture is of some of the group eating during a fellowship meal at the University Church of Christ. 

This is just a picture I took because I thought some of you might be interested.  This is the back side of the post office.  Don't you love our electrical system?

On the 15th, Rich and I along with my sister, Julie went to the US Embassy for a Town Hall Meeting with the new ambassador.  He started here in October 2019.  It was just a short meeting with also the head of security speaking as well as the citizens services representative. 

This year marks 70 years with diplomatic ties with Cambodia.  Lots of ups and downs in that 70 years!

On another note, 3 years ago, we sold our van because the laws changed and foreigners aren't allowed to drive vehicles over 9 passengers.  We had some sweet people send money to help buy another vehicle and then we had the money from the sale of the van.  For various reasons, we waited before purchasing another vehicle.  But, I can tell you that as a week ago, we are now have a Toyota truck.  Some of you might get a kick out of the fact that it is University of Texas bright burnt orange.  Ha!  It was the best deal by far (and really, we have never bought a car by the color, so why start now.)  90% of Khmers (Cambodians) want a white car, so the entire reason that this one was cheaper is because of the color (I asked the salesman if it was cheaper because it was ugly - I am a Texas A&M fan after all.  He smiled and said "we don't say 'ugly'".  But he did confirm that it was harder to sell because of the color.)  We pray we use it up to the glory of God and His work.

Last weekend was Chinese New Year.  It was technically Saturday through Monday, the 25th - 27th.  However, they do like to party and it was extended by several days for many businesses.  This picture is of a shop near our house.  I thought you might like to see the offerings.  Notice the whole pig in the middle. 

There have always been some who do a bit during Chinese New Year, but we could certainly tell the difference this year with the huge influx of Chinese in the area.  One of our friends told us when we first moved here that the Khmers will use any excuse to party.  That was proven this year during Chinese New Year.

 On Monday night, the 27th, we had another Women's Night.  We started working on Bible class materials that we could keep at a central location and share among the congregations.

I had 5 different things that they could do, and as you can see by the pictures, they all wanted to color.  I'm glad they do because it isn't my thing.

After all these stories are colored, they will be laminated and then put in folders (instead of flip charts).  Then we will attach a check out system.

One of the casualties from Chinese New Year that I didn't think about was that the major office supply places (that sell laminators) was closed and didn't open again until Tuesday.  I'll have it for next time.

Another thing that several of them did was to trace Bible stories that were in cartoon form.  I scanned the pages to my computer and then used a projector to enlarge them.

It seem everyone had a good time.  We had 22 ladies there if I remembered correctly. 




Just a funny little note about living in Cambodia.  The shower in the guest room has about zero water coming out.  Just a few months ago, we had pumps put in so that we had better water pressure, but for some reason it wasn't making that shower pressure better.
So I called the repairman.  After checking the showerhead, hoses, both water pumps.  He just looked at me and said "I don't know where the water for this shower is coming from because it isn't using water that is running through the pumps "(as soon as you use water, you can hear the pumps click on).  So, there you have it.  There is nothing we can do short of knocking out the wall and replumbing the shower!  And who knows who is paying the bill for our guest shower because we aren't!  Ha!

Dad and Mom (Loren and Penny Hollingsworth) arrive tomorrow.  They have been in Thailand for the past 3 months.  Dad has taught all over the country as he usually does.  Please keep him in your prayers as he is having some serious back issues.  At one point, the pain was so bad that he couldn't stand up.  He's had some medication and it is better.  While here, the plan is for him to teach at CBI in the mornings.  He will be teaching I Corinthians.  Then teaching Hebrews at the BEST Center Monday through Wednesday evenings.  They will be here for the month of February.

My niece, Sierra Hollingsworth, and two of her friends are coming on Tuesday, Feb. 4th.  Sierra and her sister, Asia, came a few years ago and spent part of the summer with us.  This is Ashley and Emily's first trip to Cambodia.  They are all nurses at the Mayo Clinic and will be sharing some of their expertise with our students while they are here.  They will be here for 2 weeks.

Please continue to keep the work here in your prayers.  Again, I want to apologize for typing the wrong blog link in the email I sent last time. 

Much love,
Ronda