Siem Reap

Himm Family (Reaksa and his wife, Polly and their children, Sophia and Philos)

     So, on Wednesday we had the opportunity to fly to Siem Reap to visit with a Cambodian family that Donovan has become very close with over the last few years. Reaksa has an incredible story...he lived through the Khmer Rouge (Cambodian Genocide) during which time he watched his entire family be killed, exiled to Canada, where he found Jesus...he then came back to Cambodia and found the people that killed his family and shared the gospel with them and they're now believers. Among many other things, he now has a center for kids to come and use computers and a library for free. It's a safe place for them to hang out and fellowship. Reaksa is truly a blessing to the community and everyone he meets! It was such a joy to hang out with he and his whole family! I love the work they're doing here and my heart was definitely stirred to see the way he ministers.

Of course while we were there we did some of the touristy things as well...like visit Angkor Wat. It's the largest temple in Cambodia and is really what they're known for! It's actually quite amazing...there are so many details that it's hard to believe it was built hundreds of years ago! There's also a dark spiritual presence there...they still have buddas set up and places for people to worship. Seeing visitors kneeling before these idols was heart breaking. Honestly, just looking around the country period is heart breaking because there are sooooo many people that are lost...less than 1% of Cambodians truly follow Jesus! God is definitely moving among those that know Him, but there's still a long way to go! 

Here are some other fun pictures for y'all. One of my goals while we were here was to ride an elephant and we were going to try to on our anniversary, but it didn't work out. So while we were in Siem Reap we did just that!!!! Below is Sambo the elephant! =) A typical means of transportation here is motos so Donovan insisted I ride one. On the right is a picture of my first ride!!! =)