Sihanoukville ~ God's children ~ fish soup

A loooong day.  We started off early in the morning for our ride from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville.  Our new location is on the South China Sea on the southern coast of Cambodia.  I have quite a lot of pictures of the trip  We saw every type of terrain you could expect in a tropical country.  The ride took about 7 hours to complete.  My rump and knees were so sore by the time we arrived. 

If you take a look at the map you can also see where we were in Kampot.  The children today also came from all over the country to arrive.  Some of them arrived in the pouring rain in the back of pick up trucks, but most were in vans and buses.  The longest trip for the children was 11 hours.

The Restroom along the highway

Couldnt help it!  miss my chickens!!

This momma was yapping away and we didnt know why, then we look over and all these pups are running around in the shed.  She came over and as you can see was grumpy that we made her feed the whole family... again.

These young guys were playing a game I used to play!  Marbles.

Along the way we saw this village with all the buildings made of straw and thatch!

Some of the beautiful countryside along the way

Here is your typical roadside gas station

Buffalo taxi?

The road down to the coast

I would hate to have one of these guys run out in traffic

A beautiful roadside waterfall coming off the jungle mountainside

Man Him, Wendy and I's sponsor child was so happy to see me, he ran across the room for a hug.  So sweet

Fish..... again... (ok I am getting tired of fish to be honest)\ We have had fish, fish head, fish soup, grilled fish, boiled fish...  oh boy

The kitchen for the hotel where we are meeting and where the children stay

We were so hot and sticky from the ride that once we had a chance we got out toes in the South China Sea.  It was pouring rain, but who cares its like 500 degrees.

The evening program.  A nice service and introduction. 

 Hey I have something to say about this!

The last event of the evening was that all the volunteers lined up across from each other creating a pathway for all 350 Orphans to walk through.  As they walked by in pairs, you could pray for them or provide a word of encouragement.  It was a pretty powerful thing.  I saw more than one who suddenly just started crying because the emotions were so strong that all of us were there for them and loved them.  I had an extra advantage!  Of course I got to smile and pray and encourage every orphan, but at least a hundred of them recognized me from last year and I got huge hugs!  the folks standing around me on either side who just had come this year were like, whats up with this guy!  why does he keep getting hugged.  I loved it!! absolutely loved it.  off to bed at 11pm and we are up and going at 6.  phew!  maybe I can sleep tonight, i have been averaging 2 hours a night so far due to jet lag and I am just worn thin.