Day Four -- Tuesday, July 5

We've been told that this is the beginning of the rainy season.  Well, we had a torrential rainstorm last night, and as I write this, there is another really big one.  Miss Vicki told us when we got here that "I put you in Bungalow #1 for a reason.  The last tenants said there was a leak, but they didn't tell us where or any specifics, so I'm hoping you can help us".  Mission accomplished.  At 4:45 a.m. I woke up wondering "why is my bed wet?".  Turns out the leak is right above my bed and it drips right in front of the fan so it creates a shower effect.  I hope the guy who came by to look at it today got it fixed.  I guess I'll find out... 

Today was our second day in the field.  We again visited two schools to retrofit their older, unused rainwater collection tanks.  The kids at the first school were so happy to see us.  Those who are learning English know how to say, "How are you?" and "What is your name?"  They have also learned to respond "I am fine, thank you" and "My name is ____".  They love to show off their language skills.  When we weren't busting up concrete or digging trenches for new PVC pipe we played Frisbee with the kids.  For some reason at this school, Frisbee more closely resembled "Kill the Man with the Ball."  We ended up adding a kid or two to Shelley's boo-boo care line...

Luke prepares to enjoy some chicken fingers.

Chad receives a gift from two schoolgirls.

We got back to RDI (www.rdic.org) in the early afternoon and we got a tour from Marc, the head of RDI.  Although we had a tour last year from John, we wanted to see what had changed and get a feel for the ministry from Marc's point of view.  He shared something important with us that I hope I can articulate in this note.  Because much of Cambodia's well-depth ground water is contaminated with arsenic, most of the wells that have been dug by well-meaning organizations are actually dangerous.  Arsenic poisoning of this type doesn't begin to show symptoms for7-10 years, so people continue to drink the water, not realizing that it is killing them.  One of RDI's services is to test well water and educate the people on safer sources of water (shallow wells and/or rainwater that has been filtered).  The important message that Marc shared with us is that as donors to ministries or charitable organizations, we have a responsibility to make sure that even the most well-meaning organizations are actually doing good with the funds they receive.  There are many organizations in Cambodia, even Christian ones, that are "helping the people of Cambodia" by digging wells poisoned by arsenic because they don't better.  The message: be an informed and conscientious giver.

Dinner tonight was awesome.  Luke had asked Sopean (a.k.a. Ming, our cook) to fix Doug McPherson's favorite -- chicken and dumplings.  They were delicious!  Too bad Doug is in Fort Worth...

Lori emerges from cleaning out the bottom of a tank.

Well that's it for today from Kien Svay in Cambodia.  For those of you who are praying individuals, please continue to pray for our efforts.  We need physical strength and stamina, spiritual strength and insight, and tender hearts to see the less apparent needs and wisdom to know how to meet them.  Thanks everyone!