MONDULKIRI WEEKEND

ARRIVAL AT MONDULKIRI:

Each year the students at the BEST CENTER are given the opportunity to travel to parts of Cambodia that are unfamiliar to most of them.  They learn more about their own country and also build relationships with each other and the staff here.  It seems that most communities of any size have a welcoming statue that symbolizes their community.  This is it in Mondulkiri, Cambodia.  It is East and north of Phnom Penh about 6 hours away.  The hilly terrain is much different than in the western part of the country.

This part of the country is known for their beautiful waterfalls.  During the wet season there would be MUCH more water over the falls and below the falls.  This particular waterfall was the first that we visited.  It is commercialized and there were many people here.  There were vendors, photographers, swimmers and people picnicking everywhere.  There were about 28 people in our group and we had difficulty finding a place on the ground to spread out our mats and have our meal.  We each carry our own water bottles for drinks.  

Photos from below and above the waterfall give a better idea of the terrain and the beauty of this area.  The students were amazed at the hills and the trees because a good share of Cambodia is flat land with not so many trees.

The Sea Forrest followed the first waterfall visit.  This area is a wooded hilly area and from this viewpoint under clear conditions the hills look like the sea waves.  The haze in the area did not give that view but it was a great site to see.

Julie is purchasing bananas from children who were carrying these special baskets that have shoulder straps as well as legged flat bottoms that are handmade for the residents of this province.  You do not see these for sale as they take hours to make and are made only for these special people who live here.  Shey Sen is looking on in interest.

 Each waterfall visited had different characteristics.  The group photos are so much fun and this huge log across the stream provided a good place for that enjoyment.  You can see that the students enjoy posing for the photos.  We visited 3 waterfalls during this trip.  The roads to the last two were steep, dirt roads.  Had it been the rainy season I do not think that we could have made the trip to them.

As we visited the waterfalls it was obvious that some carried more water, some were taller than others and some had more area for swimming and playing in the water.  The students all enjoyed their time investigating each one and the beauty and uniqueness of each one.  The last two were more primitive without so many people around.  As we visited with the students several shared stories about their homes and their work and play experiences.  

Below this waterfall the play space was great for wading and jumping across the large rocks in the water.  It was amazing how many waterfalls there were around this area where we were staying.

It was determined that the students would have a memorable experience by visiting an elephant preserve, which included some mountain hiking, feeding and bathing the elephants as well as learning about the culture of the native people in this province.

After longer than expected hikes, the elephants were brought to the group.  Bunches of bananas were fed to the elephants.  Everyone who wanted gave them their food.  These elephants were well trained and gladly accepted the bananas.  We all enjoyed this experience.

When the elephants had had their fill, they headed to the river as everyone followed.  The elephants got into the water and the guide instructed the students what was expected in bathing the elephants.

Especially the older elephant gladly laid in the water while the students splashed and even rubbed the back of the elephant.  There was lots of laughter. 
When the elephants decided that they were clean they slowly rose and walked out of the water.  As the older elephant left to go to its habitat, we saw it give itself a dust shower and rub against the banana tree trunks.  It must have felt good to the elephant but looked dirty to me.

After the elephants left the site, the students refreshed themselves in the river.  That was a good thing as this experience was followed by the long hike back up the steep hills and down the steep hills.  Most of the hike was in the sun on a warm day with a few shady areas.  Most of us were very tired and relieved when we saw the vans and our ride back to our huts in the woods. 

AND WE MUST EAT

 Feeding 28 people 3 meals a day is not an easy task, but Awi does not fail.  A stop at the market and it is done.  Since there is no place for her to cook she purchased a Styrofoam carton of rice for each of us (although Tom and I share one and the Cambodians are happy to eat the rest).  She also purchased cartons of cooked chicken, beef, fish and vegetables and everyone puts some of that with their rice.  Usually there are also small plastic bags (tied securely) of a spicy sauce to flavor the meal.  

While the market is a little strange to us, it is very familiar to the Cambodians.  The markets contain beautiful fruits and vegetables, raw meats of all kinds (beef, pork, live fish and meat balls).  This is the most economical way to eat here.  Restaurants that cater to foreigners like us are expensive.  But shopping like this can provide food very economically.

 Fish is a very common meal for Cambodians.  Many times we see large tubs with water and live fish swimming in the marketplace.  While we were in this market one got tipped over and live fish went slithering everywhere. They were rescued and put back in their place. 

The marketplace in this city burned about a week before our arrival.  There were many venders in operation but there was a large area that was unusable.  There is open cooking with charcoal grills in many places in the markets.  

When it was time to eat, the mats were pulled out of the cars.  Whether alongside the road, beside a river or waterfall or any open area, it did not matter.  The rice was delivered to each of us and the 'toppings' were set out to pass around and satisfy everyone.  The small shell fish in the center of the picture are a favorite to many.  They are a lot of work to eat for just a little food as the shell has to be opened and the muscle taken out.  We had fresh watermelon at this feast as well.  There are very good watermelon here. 

At one meal we were all treated to the usual rice (this was 1/2 portion of rice).  Then there was a small grilled bird in our packet.  If you look closely you can see that the head is still attached and the legs still have the feet attached.  For those of us who were not crazy about eating the head and claws, there were those who were happy to take them from us for their meal.  The birds were quite good.

FEEDING THE SOUL

The purpose of the trips for these students is to bring them closer to God and to each other.  Time away from school and the Best Center can help develop that goal.  Every evening everyone gathered at a large room where some of the boys slept.  One of the older students lead a Bible study each night.  Their thoughts get right to the point of what it means to live a Christian life. While Tom and I cannot understand their words, the students are good to help us know what scriptures are being read.    

Following the group gathering a dorm girl lead a class for the girls and a dorm boy lead a class for the boys.  Julie is good to help us know what is being taught.  It is impressive the depth of their faith for students who did not know about the Bible just a few years ago.

RIVERSIDE WORSHIP ON SUNDAY MORNING

For my friends back in the States, try to read this song book.   The Khmer songs do not have 4 part harmony .  We love it when we are told what their songs mean.  Their singing is improved every year that we return to this place.  When there were not enough books at the riverside they took out their phones and took a picture if someone needed help remembering the words.  

After the song service communion was served by the students followed by a lesson by one of the senior boys.  Students shared their thoughts and one could tell that they were thinking about their lives and their journey to faith.  

We have been blessed by joining this group on their special trip of the year.

TIMES TOGETHER AROUND THE TABLE AND THE WORD

Meal time at the Best Center is a joy.  About 25 people sit around this table.  The meal begins with a round the table scripture.  Each student and staff member reads a verse.  Philippians and Proverbs are the current readings, noon and evening.  Prayer is lead by the young men then each of us fills our own bowl.  The common meal is rice with a vegetable and meat stir fry.   Tom and I do not recognize many of the vegetables. 

The Center population has outgrown this dining room table for meals but it makes a great place for the buffet meals.  The first item is always the rice cooker full of rice.  We each grab a bowl and a soup spoon.  Then we get our own food and go back to the looong table for our meal together.  The conversations begin around us, of which Tom and I understand very little.  But we are not left out as the students do their best to practice their English skills with us.

 This is not the typical meal.  Whole fish were grilled for this meal, along with a great turmeric sauce, lettuce, sliced cucumbers and fruit for dessert.  Awy (the cook) usually debones the fish for Tom and me and the little girls who live here.  We feel honored but keep telling her that we are capable of taking care of the bones.  She does not want us to choke.

 Thursday evenings are special times.  The Christians in this area gather at the BEST CENTER for a meal prepared by our staff.  The tables fill the meeting room and bowls of rice are on the tables when everyone arrives.  The bowls in the center of the table are filled with something to eat with the rice.  It could be stir fry, soup, porridge (my favorite), fresh vegetables, etc.  Every week seems to be different.  There are usually about 50 in attendance.

 It takes only a few minutes to clear the tables, wipe them down, put them away, wash the dishes, and arrange the chairs for group singing.  We enjoy singing with them whenever there is a companion English song for their selections.  We have almost learned a few of the songs that are strictly Khmer and can at least hum along with them.  

 Several of the young men in this photos are former and present students at CBI (Cambodian Bible Institute).  They are becoming leaders in the church in Phnom Penh and in rural villages across Cambodia.  We have enjoyed seeing the growth that is taking place.  Their singing is so much better than it was the first time we came to Cambodia.  They do not use four part harmony like we do in the States, but their enthusiasm is contagious.  

There are also members of the Phnom Penh Church of Christ who join this singing time.  The man on the right is one of those leaders.  The man in the blue shirt is Paul.  He is and Amrican  now living near the BEST CENTER and volunteers here teaching English to the dorm students, especially when no other volunteers are here.  He also is teaching Bible to those Cambodians who request that kind of study.  His love for this work is apparent.

How many American women would enjoy preparing meats and vegetables on the floor mat?  I'm not sure that I would be able to stand up after so long on the floor.  This is the common way that this is done in this country.  Every morning Awy comes home from the market and she and her helper get out the mat and begin their food preparation.  When we go to the villages, there are no counters on which to work.  There are no table and chairs on which to eat.  This culture keeps their people more flexible than mine.

TOM'S BIRTHDAY

Tom thought that it would be fun to make pizza for the Center to celebrate his Birthday.  So we announced it and said that anyone who would like to help was welcome.  Kakda was the first student to arrive and got to help make the pizza dough.  Bread is not a big item in their diets.  They had not witnessed yeast before so were amazed to see the dough rise and most wanted to touch it and  knead it.  I had fun teaching them that skill.  

 Awy, the Center cook and Teacher of the Bible was kind enough to get and prepare vegetables for the pizza toppings and for a vegetable plate.  There were cucumbers (which are sooo good in Cambodia), tomatoes, green peppers and Pineapple.  If you look closely you will see that their cooking utensils are a little different than mine back home.

 Makara was the first to knead bread.  She was simply patting the dough at first but soon learned that it was an exercise experience.  We made 3 batches of dough with 6 cups of flour each and made 6 large pizzas. We came up with a few new vocabulary words today.

Samrith and Sreyrath soon joined in cutting the vegetables.  The peppers and the Pineapple were cut to add to the pizza.  The Cucumber and the other veggies were used for the relish plate.  However, when pizza is available the Center Students are really not too interested in veggies.  They get those everyday. 

I hope that you can see the fancy way that pineapples are cut for sale.

Sinoun is familiar with the kitchen as she works with Awy regularly.  She prepared all of the pans for the pizza with oil.  Opening the cans of pasta sauce seemed to be a new experience for her as well.  Very few cans are opened in this kitchen and fresh items are purchased daily at the market nearby.

Quite a crew of students showed up to help make the pizza.  We prebaked the crust for about 10 minutes to stop the yeast as there is only room for one pizza in the oven.  So it took quite a long time to bake all of the pizzas.

Sreynich was impressed with the pizza after the students added sauce, ham, chicken, pepperoni, bacon, tomato, pineapple and green peppers and topped that with white cheddar cheese.  Shopping for the toppings was an eye opener.  Meat is quite expensive here as is cheese.  We bought a 5 pound brick of white cheddar cheese for about $25.  The chicken breasts were reasonable.  The sliced ham lunch meat was $4 per pound.  The bacon was a about $3 per pound.  The pepperoni was $9 for 2 rolls about a foot long.  The combination was very good.  We went to shops that catered to foreigners to get what we wanted.

 And the table is ready for about 24 people to share pizza, Pepsi and relishes.  Not quite enough room for everyone around the table but with pizza that is not a big deal.  Everyone seemed to have a good time and I do think that this was about the best pizza that I have ever made.  Must be the help of the students.  They seemed to enjoy it as much as Tom and I did.

 And for dessert....Oreo Cookies of course.  That is Tom's favorite so he shared them with 2 cookies each.  No one turned them down.  You can see that Tom still had a few to spare.  Everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to him and Tom and I sang the Birthday song that wishes God's Blessings to them.  

Notice.....the relish plate is not empty.

Floors are mopped after every meal.  That is nice since we all go barefoot inside.

The kitchen was almost clean after cooking, and the students cleaned after the meal.  What a great Day, as usual!!