|
In
Hong Kong
, people
always think that money may not bring happiness but we would not be happy
without money. However in
Cambodia
, this
mentality may not be right.
 |
 |
| Junk 1 |
Junk 2 |
Most ordinary Cambodian people are not rich or I may say most of them
are very poor even in the capital city
Phnom Penh
.
Most parents could not afford to let their children study at school after
primary school education, some kids even need to pick 'useful junk' with
friends or parents for survival. On
the other hand, some hawkers who sell noodles, fruits or desserts by simple and
primitive utensils with 'minimal hygienic' condition.
For instance, just a bucket of water, few plates, a flat wok, some
vegetables and meat with some sauces that constituted to be a mobile noodle
shop. However, I see people enjoying
these simple foods under the shade of tree with sweats, chatting with friends or
feeding child. Moreover, there are
seldom night activities for the ordinary people; streets at domestic areas are
dark and quiet at about
7 pm
.
Families usually have meals together even though there might be just some
green mango with salt as their dishes. Life
is simple but solid.
 |
 |
| Children playing |
Fruit stand |
Most
of the time, I could see children playing together on the street with their
slippers, kicking shuttlecock or ball, or sometimes just playing water at the
public fountains as the weather is too hot.
They don't have comfortable environments and high sophisticated playing
instrument but they could enjoy companionship happily.
Their big smiles always impressed me.
At
the village churches, the chapels have nothing except some chairs, few bibles
and hymnbooks. They may need
generator to help the sound system when worship.
People usually need fanning themselves during the worship.
Cats, dogs, lizards, flies and mosquitoes are also the 'honorary'
guests of the meetings. However,
brothers and sisters are so enjoying the praise, sharing and prayers.
Many could not write and read but they start learning by the help of
missionaries or local leaders that they could even memorize the bible verses.
Their pure faith always impressed me.
Environment
could hinder or limit people's life but it could not control the will and joy
of people. There are lots of
problems in
Cambodia
(
Hong Kong
either)
and it may take a long long time to improve the economy or political
instability. However, when people
have God's salvation and grace, there is always hope in Heaven and on earth.
May God grant us a thanksgiving heart wherever we are and the wisdom of
admiration.
Prayer points:
- A good disciple and schedule in learning Khmer
- Preparation of sermon that God will grant me His word
to preach
- The community development training in
Thailand
from May
26 to June 2
- Safety in traffic as I will go to the land from time
to time by motorbike taxi
- Land project budget estimation
- More time to stay at the new office to help in
administration
¡§In
peace I will both lie down and sleep; for thou alone, O LORD, makest me dwell in
safety.¡¨ (Psalm
4:8)
In Christ,
Davis Lam
May 6, 2004
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Davis Lam
