Job, Job's Job's

Every summer we try to give our guys opportunities to grow and gain skills that will help them in the future. This summer we have 7 guys that have regular jobs. Kosal and Sam are going to Takeo province to be with Christian Cambodian families and see what they do and what it's like to live in the country side. Sam has gone back to the place he where he grew so much last year. He has a great attitude so I'm excited to see what becomes of it this year.

This is where Kosal will be at for 6 weeks this summer.

We have seen guys learn more language and survive without TV, computers, and internet. Staying closer to the culture they came from often brings a greater appreciation for what they now have and what they have been offered.

Mr. Kosol and Kosal

Mr. Kosal is a teacher at Logos International School. He and his parents have been gracious enough to have (our) Kosal stay the summer with them. They have pigs, chickens, two cows, some rice paddies, and also lead a church. We can't wait to see what Kosal will learn this summer.

David and Jonathan on their second day of work.

The first job is a big deal. Job hunting, interviewing, getting up on time, planning how to get there and back and learning about life outside of home and school. David and Jonathan got a job at a mini mart next to a gas station. They have to work 8 hours a day 7 days a week. They say that there is not very much business and they have a hard time finding things to do. I didn't know how long that could last and the owner had realized that the math didn't make scene after a month. They probably have more "engaging" work by now. Tom, the Director of Asian Hope (our boss), assures me that there is no need for concern. :)

Hocklee scored a job at the only Gloria Jeans Coffee in Cambodia.

Hocklee continues to take advantage of as many opportunities as he can get his hands on. Gloria Jeans had only one position open and Hocklee filled it. He works full days, six days a week and occasionally picks up extra shifts. He says he is very busy and is learning a lot. He even mentioned wanting to picking up a part time job during the school year.

This years 3 high school graduates Tia, Krumm, and Veassna started their internship at the Sanctuary after we left. I don't have pictures yet. From what I hear it is going pretty well and they have at least learned how to fold towels into Swans. I'm sure there is a lot more they are learning. It's just not as fun to post pictures of an expense report you generated in excel on facebook.

Pov will finish his internship at the Sancuary this summer. Before he is finished there he will have to train the new interns. Pov has already lined up a job with a tech company. I think he has started his new job by now.

Each guy is being challenged this summer and they will be better for it in the long run. It will be great to see what they have all learned.

Hey, Amigo!

This is old news for many people because it all began over a year ago when Hocklee's dog Sakura got pregnant. When she gave birth we were very certain that we didn't want any more dogs. So we went with the names the surviving puppies were delivered in, #1, #2, and #3. After #1 and #3 were sold and the last one was the squirmy non-cuddly #3 we were emphatic. We are NOT keeping this puppy. But this was short lived as we started to see what our other friends with more than one dog meant when they said "having two dogs is easier than having one." I was true. Sakura was less whiny and more at ease when we put her out side. She also would play with #3 and was less likely to be needy when we returned home from a day running errands.

How can you not want me?

At first we decided to keep #3 because it was easier and better for us and Sakura.

Would you keep me if I smiled?

Of course was as unavoidable as gravity, and in the end we fell in love with the 3rd born of Sakuras only litter.

Even Caleb likes me... And he doesn't like any animals!

He now answers to "Amigo" because he is so friendly and fun. He has a bit of a week bladder but other than leaving a puddle when he gets excited, Amigo is perfect for us.

Yeah, I'm a celebrity now.

Amigo has even gone to school with Logan for show & tell.

Three More Out the Door

This year we had three guys graduate from Logos International School. They will no longer enter Logos as students but alumni.

Krumm, Tia, Joe, Rene, Veassna

These guys will be here with us for one more year during their internships at The Sanctuary (the Asian Hope guest house). We pray God will provide for them to go to college after that.

We would like a table for 32 please!

After the graduation ceremony we went out for pizza with all the guys and girls. It's so good to see the older sibling show up to celebrate with those who are still in the houses. It's what a family does with one another.

Great job Tia, Krumm and Veassna. We are so proud of you!

A Whole Lot of Drama

The last semester of the 2010-2011 school year was packed with drama. By that I mean we had 7 guys in classes that contributed to the Logos production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. The other high schooler ended up volunteering so in the end there were 8 of our guys working on one part of the play or another.

Veassna, Tia, Johnathan, Hocklee, and David had drama class and stage roles.

Kosal and Sam were in choir which sang backup parts for the drama. Krumm volunteered as a make-up assistant.

Can you find all our guys in this group of performers? There are five of them.

It was fun to see some of them grow from this experience.

Dirt-bikes

This last winter we made a special request form our supporters for a personal moto. It is easier to get around the city and country with better shocks, traction, power and height.

The "new" moto

We were gifted enough funds to purchase a good dirt bike and a good bit of safety gear.

Tia in our gear on Nathan Wells dirt-bike

As an added bonus it has given us the opportunity to take some of the guys out riding and have some fun.

Joe & Hocklee geared up and ready to go

It has been a great tool for us here in Cambodia. Thanks to all our supporters who made this possible.

Back on the horse!

First, thanks to all who have read this blog and encourage me in continuing. Being separated by an ocean, 14 time zones and everyone running around living their life has made it hard to maintain communication. Regularly slow internet speed, sometimes no internet, and sometimes no power at all make it a bit of casino experience. No matter how hard you try the odds are still stacked against you. I guess that's why Vegas never sounded fun to me. But alas I live in this communication casino by Gods leading and now must adjust my expectations accordingly. And so I thank you for your patience and encouragement.

I get the impression I have a propensity for expecting to much from this blog. I want it to be funny, sobering, creative, truthful, weighty, lighthearted, encouraging and able to share trials. I have sometimes forgotten it's not realistic to achieve all this in every blog.

As an American I have been raised under the old adage “anything worth doing is worth doing well.” While this has driven me to achieve quality and mastery it can also provide discouragement in things I don't feel I do well at. I have since heard another quote that I will have to apply to the things I am in the process of learning, practicing and am less competent at. It was first brought to my attention by my brother Josh. The phrase is seemingly contradictory to the old adage but as G. K. Chesterton once put it, "Anything worth doing is worth doing badly." This helps me to find the value in the "not so well." So when I know I need to do something but, I get down because I feel it's not going to be my definition of "well". I have to ask myself "would it be better to do it badly or not at all?" So if some of these blogs aren't up to snuff, at least their up at all. :)

July 16,2011

Logan riding an horse in Taiwan.

Yesterday we arrived in Taiwan for a few days. We were connected with The Therapeutic Riding Center of Taiwan in Jhongli City, Taiwan by our friends Sam and Helen Livingston.

Caleb riding backwards. What a show off!

The first day the boys were able to get full sessions. It's been years since they were able to do horseback therapy. Logan said "I forgot how many muscles it took too ride a horse"

We were set up in the dormitories next to the arena. Everyone here is so sweet and helpful. They keep refusing to let us pay and have brought us three meals a day. Wow! what a blessing!

Thanks, Helen, Sam, and Tim.

Since I last blogged there have been many things that have happened. The next bunch of posts will be a bunch of pictures that will help us get up to speed.