We spent today at the hospital as our last official day of work, as tomorrow we go to help with nursing check-offs and to get ready for our trip to the village on Friday. We have all gotten to see and do so much at the hospital here and its been really interesting to compare it with healthcare in the US. After the hospital, we went to church with Susan’s family who flew in on Monday. It’s been great getting to know Susan’s husband Chas and her two sons. They have made such deep connections with the people here, its really nice to see them reunite with their friends. After church we went to great dinner and discussed our thoughts and feelings about the trip thus far. It’s crazy to think it’s almost over. We have all learned so much from this trip, its unbelievable. All the things we’ve seen and people we’ve met have impacted us and changed us in a way that I can’t describe. Cambodia is such a beautiful country and all the people we have met have been so nice and warm and caring.
It is absolutely incomprehensible to think about the state of this country only 30 years ago. Seeing Toul Sleng and the Killing Fields and the horror of torture and genocide and then going to back to work with the same people who lived through all that… I don’t even know what to say. I am constantly filled with so many emotions. I feel so lucky to be here and see the country and Angkor Wat and all the beauty, but I hate that such good, hard working, strong people are still suffering and starving because of the war. The resilience of the human spirit is amazing. Absolutely, utterly amazing. Cambodia has come so far so quickly and we are trying to do our part to help, but after meeting the people here I have no doubt in my mind that soon this country will be thriving like it used to.
I just want to say thank you so much for all your support. My family especially, thank you for being there for me and giving me everything I could ever want or need. I am so grateful to be able to be here and I appreciate your love and prayers more than I could ever say.

We arrived to Phnom Penh late afternoon yesterday after a fun stop at the Bangkok airport. We were greeted at the airport by our hotel bus and then we checked in to the Golden Gate Hotel.

(click images for larger version) For our first night in the city, we went to a local theater and saw a native drum performance. It was really fun and great to see a part of Cambodian culture. The performers also did a traditional “monkey dance” which was hilarious. At the end of the show, Stefani, Anson, and I got on stage and showed off our amazing drum playing skills 🙂 This morning we took a tuk tuk to the Russian Market which was a really unique experience. There was everything from sapphires to dinner plates to food. We all enjoyed it a lot and got some cool stuff but after a few hours we were ready for some refreshing lime soda. Delicious. I think we’re all very happy to be here and are making the most of this experience. Tonight we plan on going to church and then dinner before bed. Tomorrow will be our first day at the hospital for a tour and to get started working. Woo Hoo!

By the way, thank you all so much for your comments. Your support means the world to us. 🙂