We are just winding down from another incredible day at Rapha House. We began the day attending church at 8 AM. Randy introduced the team, we then sang (with much enthusiasm – so said our incredible tour guide and translator, Theara), and Randy gave the sermon. The sermon was based on the story of the Prodigal Son. Randy “”knocked it out of the park”, as he is always does when Grace is the topic. He would speak and then Sourm (the Cambodian Rapha House Director) would interpret. The Rapha House girls were very attentive and polite during the service and sermon and we were all quite impressed. We had a short time to visit the girls afterwards and then were provided a tour of the grounds and compound.
The grounds are rather unique and have a huge agricultural area. We saw their fish being fed and learned a bit about growing mushrooms for profit.
After lunch we had the most “Western” meal of the trip. Burritos with some pretty yummy fruit drinks. At least mine was pretty yummy.
We then had desert (and some more surprise food) with the girls from the Rapha Freedom Foundation. These girls are a step away from Rapha, living in a halfway house not too far away and continuing to learn their trades prior to fully leaving the program. We had an absolutely fantastic time with the girls.
The group of girls that John, Harvey, and myself sat with were a blast. They asked us to sing to them and we took full advantage of it, singing our favorite TV show tunes such as the Flintstones, Gilligan’s Island, and more! Harvey knew the words even better than I did, but between us we got through a bunch! We traded off with singing with the girls back and forth (okay – we probably hogged the floor a little more) but just had a great time.
Later we went back to Rapha where we participated in devotions and then had the great opportunity of providing gifts of dolls to all the girls. They were a huge hit and a few of the little girls were just extremely excited. I later even talked to one of the older girls (age 18) and asked if she had ever had a doll before. She hadn’t, she was an orphan, and never had had a doll in all her childhood years. She was very appreciative and thanked us over and over.
We spent the late afternoon playing and talking with the girls. Though most don’t know much English, they seemed to all know this thumb wrestling game which I hadn’t played in 40 some years or so. It was very sad and humbling to see the girls for the last time and it was a real emotional roller coaster kind of day for all of us.
It has been a real blessing to be part of this trip so far and I am greatly looking forward to our adventure traveling by boat to our next stop tomorrow. God bless all of you for keeping us in your prayers.
Fred
SO AWESOME! YOU GUYS ROCK!! MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOUR JOURNEY!!!! MUCH LOVE AND PRAYERS TO ALL!
Nancy.
This blog is great…I wanted to be there with you so bad but I read your posts and really get a sense of what you are feeling and experiencing. What can be said about the heart of Twin Oaks…huge, generous, loving, full of grace. You guys are doing it all. I’m so happy for the girls of Rapha House that God has sent you to them so they will know of His abiding love.