I find myself reflecting on yet another day that was set in such a way that the early afternoon was wonderfully chipper and happy, followed by a short period of time that was unbelievably sad. We had some time to think and process this morning before we really got into our day. This was good for all of since yesterday was such a hard day emotionally and psychologically. After our time of reflection, we met with the girls for the 45-minute bus ride to what is their version of a zoo. We played a lot of silly hand games while we were on the bus. Phala, one of the younger girls, really likes to take pictures, so a few of us let her play with our point-and-shoot cameras while we were traveling. Needless to say, I got some pretty interesting pictures out of the whole experience. When we got there we set up for lunch. It was essentially like a Cambodian cookout.
The platforms that we ate lunch on.
We had 5 platforms where a group of us would eat our lunch. They had a few hammocks for each platform, which was very relaxing. We sat and played games with the girls until the food was ready.
Game time with the girls.
Many of the games we played I hadn’t played since I was a little girl. We sang them a few songs and then it was time for the food. We had chicken and rice. Then they brought us soup that they had made out of the feet and heads of the chicken. It was like chicken stock, but I just couldn’t bring myself to eat it. It was absolutely horrid looking. The girls love it so they ate most of it. Mam San kept trying to get Brandie to eat, but she was good with just a little bit of rice and bread (she doesn’t like to eat meat off the bone). After we were done eating, we got to celebrate Chanty’s birthday.
Chanty with her birthday hat on.
Many of the girls did not know their birthdates when they came into the program. Because of this, Chris has spent time giving each of them their own special date. Also, many of them have never had a birthday party before; this was Chanty’s first. She had two cakes and we had quite the time lighting the candles because the wind was blowing so strongly. We all sang “Happy Birthday” to her and then the girls surprised us all with silly string. It was so wonderful to see everyone laughing and smiling. The girls were having such a wonderful time. After we got done with everything it was time to walk around the “zoo”. It was very similar to our zoo in that it had animal exhibits, but it was very different. Monkeys were running free everywhere and there were no distinct pathways, just dirt roads. The girls had a blast! We got to feed monkeys and see a sun bear. We also got to see way more pythons than I ever really wanted to see in my lifetime. Chanty has a wonderful, serving soul. Every time the bus stopped, she would try to give us all water or see if we needed anything. The day was supposed to be about here but she wanted to make sure that everyone else was alright. When we finally loaded up the bus after we walked around, it was time for the sadder part of the day. On the road driving into/out of the “zoo”, there are elderly people that have been dropped off by their families to beg for money. They line the street (and it is definitely not a short one), waiting for travelers in the hopes that they will have mercy on them and give them money. Chris gave each of us, the girls included, money to give to the elderly people. He wanted the girls to experience the joy that you can bring to the lives of others in need. It was interesting hearing some of the elderly people’s stories. Some have children who can provide for them, but won’t. Others have lost everything and begging is all they can do. The pain and sorrow in their eyes was enough to break your soul. I can’t imagine just taking my grandparents and dropping them off to beg for money. I think that my grandpa would have rather died than to do that, but here it is what they do. They don’t have a choice. It is either beg and eat or don’t and starve. It was very meaningful for the girls, especially because many of them come from the alley and don’t have anything either. The beggars seemed to have a great response for the girls as well. They enjoyed exchanging stories and the beggars were so unbelievably grateful for the help they had just received. There was a happy and sad component to this part of our journey. Helping them and seeing how the girls reacted to them and them to the girls, was a fantastic experience. But knowing that their families could just drop them off and not worry about them, except to worry if they were going to bring in any money that day, was horribly sad. I can’t even imagine how I would feel if someone dropped me off to beg for money for food. I did a lot of reflecting and thinking on the way back to the hotel.
When we got back to the hotel it was time to get ready for dinner. The dinner that we went to tonight was a restaurant that modeled the typical Khmai way of eating. We all sat on the floor and passed around dishes of food. The food was amazing and we had a lot of fun just relaxing on the floor. We laughed and joked, as is usual for meal times for our team. We all have gotten along really well so far on this trip and I only hope that it continues that way. Tonight is an early night for us because we have to be up so early to go to the Island Church tomorrow. Tomorrow will be another time for reflection, prayer and processing.
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