We're here and doing great

We made it! After 38 hours of travel (yes, it was a long journey) we arrived in Phnom Penh Wednesday at 6 a.m. Oklahoma time (6 p.m. in Cambodia). We stopped in Phoenix, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Singapore and finally to Phnom Penh. Interesting to say the least. We have an amazing group of 17 people and after dinner and a really good night of rest we got started today working with New Life Ministries. They have so many ministries/outreaches going on that several of our group has been able to help where they're gifted and it's needed most. Our youth pastor went to speak at a youth outreach, we have an amazing IT/computer guy who is helping get their technology up to speed, some of the men worked on cutting down trees/labor projects and the rest of us participated in a children's outreach called Joy Club. It happens every Thursday at the church where kids off the streets (literally) come in and we washed their hands and feet (you would not believe how dirty these precious children are), interacted and sat with them during the presentation by the workers. We even sang some songs for them in English and they got a kick out of it.

The church offers all kinds of "University" classes such as computer and English. In between our activities we had the chance to sit with some of the students and work on their English skills. Tomorrow we're teaching English all day and then participating in their youth services. It's simply amazing how eager they are to learn and they just love interacting and talking with us. We have so many creative people on the team and we're putting together English lessons to hopefully help them learn something new. New Life is literally changing the future of Cambodia by all that they offer and what they're doing. They have 62 churches throughout the country. It's so great to parter with them, help them by contributing with our skills and then know it will continue when we're gone. Because it's a third world country, what we can help with in the two weeks we're here could literally take months for them to do. This trip has changed my perspective on the importance of short term missions.

Today for lunch, Pisit, the worship leader at New Life took us to a local restaurant for lunch. It was just a few blocks from the church. At first I was thinking I would just eat rice, but it turned out to be quite delicious and a true Cambodian experience. They had a private room where we all sat Indian style on floor chairs in front of a beautifully Asian themed table. It was amazing and I'm trying to convince Andy that we need two of those chairs. We'll see! It was definitely one of the neatest cultural experiences I've had. Tonight we're going to dinner with Pastor Jesse from New Life and I'm curious to see what that will be like as well.

That's all for now. Thanks for all your prayers - please keep praying. We're here in Phnom Penh until Monday morning working with New Life.

Lots of love!
Ali & Andy

Today is the day

Today is the day we leave for Cambodia. We are packed and just about ready to go! Thank you for praying for us while we're gone. It really makes a difference we can feel, so thank you. We are geared up for the next 36 hours of travel. We will land in Phnom Pehn at 5 a.m. Oklahoma time on Wednesday morning. Our flight leaves this afternoon at 3:21 p.m. We're leading a team of six to San Francisco where we'll meet up with the rest of our team to make the international flight to Hong Kong, then to Singapore and finally into Phnom Pehn. Honestly, I can say I am really excited to see these parts of the world even if it is by plane and through the airport. Next time you hear from us we'll be on the other side of the world.
We love you!

One week away

In one week we're heading for Cambodia. We are so, so excited! What's so exciting is to go back and see Pastor Hong and the children and meet the girls at the rescue home. We're also really looking forward to working with New Life Ministries in Phnom Pehn. There are some phenomenal people there! We truly have a love for the people and the country of Cambodia. This week we will be packing, shopping and purchasing supplies to take with us. Yesterday we found good tools on major discount at Tuesday Morning to take with us and give away. We are also buying all the supplies and decorations to do the princess party for the girls at the rescue house. We're going all out and will do hair, make-up, nails, play games, etc, for the girls. It's also going to be so rewarding to be able to bless the workers at each stop with a gift basket. Our team has put a lot of thought into what to get these people who so tirelessly and sacrificially give of their lives. We're going all out on this, too. This is definitely my love language - to give gifts. I love it and love being a part of blessing others. It truly fulfills me - to give. That is by no means a boast, but I feel so richly blessed that's the least I can do.

We know this week will fly by and probably be busy, but next Monday can't get here fast enough. We're ready!!

*This photo is when Pastor Hong honored Andy with a handmade banner that read: " May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere" Psalm 67:2

Our trip to Cambodia

We depart on Monday, July 28 at 1 something in the afternoon. We are so very excited to return to a place we fell in love with last year. We are so drawn to this country and to the people. It brings such honor and fulfillment to be able to help people that so desperately need it. Most of all, our hearts are broken for the millions of little girls that are caught in the sick and twisted sex trafficking industry. Thank God there are people in Cambodia doing something about it, who are real heroes, and we thank God for the opportunity to spend a few weeks out of our life to help.

Last year our church built three orphanages with Joyce Meyers Ministries 100 Days of Hope. This year we get to go back and visit two of the three orphanages. We will be doing special activities with the children, doing physical labor and seeing how things have progressed in the last year.

This year we are partnering with New Life Ministries in the capitol city of Phnom Penh. It is a spirit-filled church pastored by an American who came to Cambodia as a teen-ager with his father who began the church years ago. New Life has 60 churches throughout Cambodia and is making a real difference in the country. We will be with New Life for four days. We will be doing a variety of projects but particularly, we will be teaching & training the pastors and leaders both with New Life and other Christian leaders. This can get overlooked because we think we just want to "fix" the problems, but this is actually one of the best things we can do - train and teach them to know how to lead and help their country. They do not have resources readily available like we are accustomed to.

Next we will spend 3 days with a rescue home for girls who have been in the sex trafficking world. We have all kinds of plans - a princess party, teaching about Esther, projects, taking the girls for an overnight getaway to Angkor Wat, an ancient temple build for King Suryamvarman II in the early 12th century. It is considered the 8th world wonder. And, most of all, we get the awesome privilege of demonstrating Jesus' love to these little girls.

During these past few months, Andy and I have been so honored at the support, love and encouragement our family and friends has shown us. It is mind-boggling to us that in the last year we have raised more than $20,000 for our mission efforts in Cambodia. To us, this is a miracle and completely God's hand in our life. Thank you does not do justice in expressing our feelings of gratitude and honor to you for your part. All I know is that God is storing up treasures in heaven and we truly believe that your part in sending us is just as important as us being the one's to go. Together, we are changing the world one life at a time.

Hello, we've started a blog so we can stay in touch

In two weeks Andy and I are returning to Cambodia with a team from our church (Church of the Harvest). I thought what a great idea it would be to have a Web site so we can keep all of our family and friends informed about our life, what we're doing, etc. My sister-in-law, Karie, started a blog and it has helped us feel & stay connected to them, which is why I've started this page.

So, thank you, Karie, and I hope we can stay in touch and let everyone know what's going with us.