Saturday

Hi y'all,

The Cambodians would be more confused about the way I speak but Wendi, Lori and others here hail from Kentucky so y'all works fine!

Yesterday was a Cambodian holiday in honor of the king, so RDI was closed. Lori and Chrissy and I walked to a couple of local Wats (buddhist temples). We walked around and enjoyed the gardens and the statuary. I'll add the pic of me with an elephant statue along with one of a bodhi tree and a memorial service that we stopped at on our walk. The service was to honor a man who died three years ago, offerings were being made to help his soul.

Today Lori and I ran into Phnom Penh to run some errands and swing by the market. Phnom Penh has grown since I was here in 2007, of course. It was interesting to see new buildings in town and new stores. It is still hot here but today was just a little less so. For this I am thankful.

Tomorrow we will go back into town for worship and probably have lunch. The only meal at RDI on the weekends is breakfast at the coffee shop. I am adjusting well, PTL. Hopefully I can continue to plug into various projects while I am here. I am very intersted in Hannah's created wetland for wastewater treatment. And they are growing Moringa but not distributing it widely yet. Maybe that is something I can bring back from Battambang later in the trip.

I treasure your prayers for my usefulness, health and safety.

Wendy

Another interesting day in the village

We surveyed another 15 households and tested about six for arsenic levels in their wells. I am glad to say in this case none were above levels of concern.

The people here are very warm and hospitable. I can't imagine getting the same reception if we were doing a house to house survey at home! Most people invite you in to sit and one lady of the house today gave us tea. Frequently they stop whatever they are doing and join us for the conversation. I always ask before I take photos and no one has denied me that privilege.

The area we were in yesterday had a lot of farmers and their families. Generally everyone looked healthy including the many babies that I saw. Today it seemed that we saw more health concerns. One gentleman had broken his leg and is laid up for 4 months with pins holding it in place. And there were some other health issues among the families we visited. Since the arsenic levels weren't enought to trigger the health team to automatically go to the village I will mention it to the RDI leadership. Perhaps they can be directed that way anyway.

Personally all is well. I enjoy noodle soup for breakfast and can handle the heat. So thank you for all your thoughts for my health and travel safety.

Wendy

RDI

Hi all,

spent yesterday in a village in Kandal with the aresenic testing team. It was great as I got to see lots of folks and their homes and farms. I don't imagine that I aded much to what the team had to do but I was glad to be able to go with them. So I am headed out with the team again today. Hopefully I will get a chance tonight to load some of the photos.

Just wanted to check in and let you know I am well.

Wendy

Got to Bangkok

Hi all,

Reporting in from the Alliance Guest House in Bangkok. Got in 1 am this morning just fine after a long day of travel. Today I got to celebrate worship at the Evangelical Church of Bangkok with Carol Strong and her mother. Happy Nother's Day by the way.

Just wanted to let you all know that I am fine. Next stop Cambodia. Peace be with you.

Wendy

Two days to go

My head is spinning with getting stuff done at work and getting packed for the flight on Friday. I know it will all get done. And the most important thing is to slow down and focus on listening for the guidance that I know DAD has for me. I ask to be a tool and know that there is nothing that I bring to the endeavors for the next few weeks. It is all through Him.

So now I look forward to staying in touch with you from Asia next! Take care everybody and remember to take care of each other for me while I am gone.

Wendy

Ten days to go before I leave

Still getting ready for the big adventure. Trying to wind things up at work and get my mind on the travel. Contacting folks there that I want to be able to connect with and letting folks here know how they can stay in touch. I hope this blog platform works for you all. Please let me know if you have any problems seeing the adventure journal.

The weather is hot and muggy where I will be which really just means I'll be ready for the Florida summer when I get back in June.

Hope this post finds you all well.

Wendy

So this is me in Thailand in 2007 at Nong Nooch Botanical Garden. I am trying to learn how to post photos so that when I am traveling in May I can include some in the blog for your entertainment. Thanks for being patient while I learn about blogging.

Wendy