it is hard to believe that my trip has come and gone, and i find myself once again sitting at my desk at work....wondering where the time went.
although i was quite busy for the entirety of my trip, and even upon return i feel like time has slipped through my fingers, i probably could have had time to update at least one more blog. yet, in all honesty i found it difficult to express my true thoughts and feelings out loud about the trip - i knew that i would feel emotionally exhausted if i tried to find the the words.
before leaving for Cambodia, i think that all three of us involved felt like it would be an incredible journey and experience...not only for Who Cares? as an organization, but also for each of us individually. having never met michelle before the trip, knowing her now and watching her experience the people of Cambodia, i am encouraged and thrilled at her passion for sharing what she knows and becoming and ambassador for those without a voice. i think that Who Cares? will continue doing "exposure" trips for people much like michelle - i think that it is a wonderful idea, to promote awareness and global responsibility by allowing people to experience developing nations and sustainable development first hand. it also encouraged me alittle - at times i feel like the western evangelical church is a lost cause. i know that is a very inclusive statement - i don't mean that all christians are selfish and don't care about others, but at times i feel like the church as a whole, and sometimes myself included has really missed the boat. when i examine the lifes of Cambodian christians, i'm ashamed of who we are here in America. there was a man in Poipet the same time as us, his name was John and he worked for Tear Australia, a Christian NGO working to change and prevent global poverty. i was glad to spend time with him, he was a great person to get to know, and we talked alot about the development work that Tear is involved with. however it was interesting because, everyday CHO's staff gathers at their headquarters to have devotionals and worship together. on the day that John shared, he explained that part of his job with Tear was to "travel and speak at churches, convincing them that we should help people in poverty." i thought it was quite ironic, and couldn't help but look around at the faces of the CHO workers who all live by much less than we do. i thought it was ironic because i couldn't help but think back to the previous day when i had been engaged in conversation with several of the CHO workers, and they had been relaying to me that they realized a long time ago that their Christianity and faith was irrelevant unless they actually helped change peoples daily lives. this is why CHO has been so successful and such an incredible ministry throughout the Poipet region - Cambodian families lives have been transformed, they can now provide for themselves and their families and are no longer living in hopelessness.
it was exciting to see the projects and initiatives the CHO has started in Poipet...one is called Carpets for Communities. Carpets for Communities is a practical approach to reducing child labor and vulnerability to child trafficking in Poi Pet, Cambodia which empowers mothers to send their children to school through the production and sale of one-of-a-kind, hand-hooked carpets. PLEASE please check out their website...i love the work they do and what it is doing for the community. Aiyana and I have discussed starting a similar outlet for the CHO Sewing initiative, where we would start a similar business venture outlet here in the states to allow the CHO graduates to sell their clothes for a fair wage here in CO and NY. i'm really excited about these ideas and hope that they can really take root....
Siem Reap was much different than Poipet - most obviously, you can see the economical influence of tourism. being at the temples was an incredible experience. not only are they majestic and just incredibly detailed, there is a definite spiritual sense there, and i found it it very peaceful and a great place to spend in contemplation. i think alot of the direction that i felt from the trip came from those days in Siem Reap.
to finish this post, i'll include a few pictures of my time in Cambodia - for more pictures visit here and here.
