Sweet farewells

Today started early.  At 0430 DJ and I went back to the hotel and facility where the children stayed to see them off.  At about 0450 Julius, Cheryl, Rachel and Sean came as well.  DJ and I were really worried we would miss some of them as they left and actually we did miss one group as they left even earlier than we got there.  Some of them had a 13 hour drive to get home.  The roads are so narrow and rough you average about 40 MPH at best when driving here on the main roads.

As each group came out to pack the vans or buses we greeted them and hugged them and wished them well.  We packed them into their vehicles, and sent them off.  

 Packing up!

 Bye guys!  Love you!

Often we would hold our hands against the windows and the children would match us with theirs as if we were holding hands but through some glass.  As each vehicle pulled off, we waved to each other and exchanged lots of “love you”, “see you”, “I will miss you”.  Hearing the children calling it as they go is very very hard.  They are headed back to a caring home, but its not an easy life at all.  

 These guys left in the rain with a long ride ahead in the back of the truck.

 DJ made a very special connection with the kids from Kampot.  This little girl was so sad today that he was leaving she just sobbed.  He held her tight and tried to comfort her.  It breaks your heart to go.

 Group shot, DJ is such a ham.

On the way to Phnom Penh, we stopped at the Koh Kong orphanage run by Ms. Paula.  The orphanage is right along the way and instead of sitting in the city tonight, we figured a few more hours of fun with the kids would be great.  When we arrived Ms Paula made us instant coffee.  I could have kissed her.  I didn’t get much this morning as we were running flat out.  We walked around this orphanage in the middle of nowhere (it is an hour to a market of any kind) and what I saw amazed me.  It was clean, Really clean.  No trash anywhere.  Piles of sticks collected so the grounds were immaculate.  They had chickens, Ducks and pigs!  The pigs were so pink!  Super clean, Ms. Paula runs a tight ship and dirty pigs are not acceptable.  They had a basket of purple piglets too!  The purple is the medicine for the new born pigs.  

 Some of the orphans from Koh Kong.  Most were passed out from camp.

 Ms. Paula's orphanage is spotless!

 The Koh Kong Orphanage

 Note the stall is immaculate.  No pooh anywhere. Now that porker is pink and clean!

 Looks like a tiller but they use these to haul trailers and work the rice paddys

We went for a walk and this little one just wanted to hold hands.  So sweet.

She had a mini rice paddy of her own too.  I was so impressed.   It was the first place in Cambodia that I have been that smelled like the woods or at least didn’t smell of waste.  The Georges decided to take Ms. Paula to the market for supplies and shoes for the children so DJ and I stayed back with two huge bags of balloon animal balloons and face paint.  So two guys with makeup and balloons and about 10 orphans.  Obviously we did the guy thing.  We made swords and helmets and shields and armor.  I also tried to make a flower which ended up as a hat.  I did make a kind of butterfly too.  We did up the kids in make up as crazy clown faces and other testosterone fueled faces too.  they loved it!  I think we spent about 3 hours playing with the children before the party returned. 

 Ok so we dont know how to make a balloon flower.  this guy seems to like his mouse ear hat!

 How about full body armor, a sword and a helmet!  time for a ride.  this little guy rode up and down the road to show all the neighbors.  -- yes its not a balloon flower!

 My attempt at a butterfly turned full size.  Not really looking like one, but she thought I made her into one and she flew all around!

 How about a cool hat?

 Oh Yeah this hat rocks!

After a wonderful prayer, it was time to go.  I guess it’s good I am bone tired cause at least this time although sad, I didn’t lose my composure.  I think I have a cold coming on now.   Sore throat and all.  Tonight we are on the way to Phnom Penh (about 3 more hours of driving).  Its 4pm and we have not had lunch yet.  It’s not unusual as there are no fast food places or even restaurants.  

 Bye!   Love you!  Miss you! --- please the huge balloon octopus and spider hanging off the ceiling on the right.  LOL Ms. Paula in the center must have thought us boys were crazy, we had 5 such things all the way down the line in there.  

I’m looking off to the right at the mountain ranges in the distance and thinking of Wendy, Rachael and Matthew.  Time to go home.  We fly out tomorrow at 1130pm and will have a long 24 hour flight to get back to the states.  I will post another video and some more pics and thoughts in my next/final post once I get home Tuesday.  See you in the USA!