Back in the Penh

From the moment we touched down in Phnom Penh less than 24 hours ago, I’ve been vascillating between abject exhaustion and utter elation. The jet lag is real, man. 12 hours difference is no joke. But the smells, the tastes, the sounds — and most importantly the people — are just so extraordinary, I can’t help but grin. 

I’m joined on this trip by my longtime friend — and former co-worker — Dylan Menges. He’s heard me and others talk about Asia’s Hope for, well, I guess more than 15 years. He’s supported Asia’s Hope in a lot of ways since the organization’s founding, and now he gets to be my traveling companion for the next four weeks. It’s fun watching him experience it all for the first time; it helps me maintain my sense of wonder. So, even though this is something like my 30th trip to Cambodia, it still feels new seeing it through his eyes. 

Both Dylan and I are going to be taking a ton of photos, and I’ll post some of mine along with tales from our adventure. I only took a few today, and I’ll share some of them here. Please keep us in your prayers as we try to bless the staff and kids of Asia’s Hope. 

These boys get in a few minutes of hard after-dinner play before heading in to do homework.

Dylan enjoying his first meal in Cambodia, grilled pork on rice at a street side cafe. 

Fresh fish and produce at the morning market. 

Asia’s Hope dads help with the cooking in celebration of International Women’s Day.

Beautiful flowers thrive in Cambodia’s tropical climate. 

Beautiful smiles abound at Asia’s Hope in Prek Eng. 

A guard stands by outside Phnom Penh’s royal palace. 

The kids at Prek Eng 4 watch with fascination as Dylan draws a portrait of one of the children.

The moms from three of our Prek Eng homes start up the grill, an important step in a delicious Khmer dinner. 

When these guys play badminton, they aren’t messing around.