It’s 4 am and I’m wide awake, the jet lag still affecting my CA body. I’m sitting in the bathroom typing on my laptop, trying not to disturb my sleeping family. It’s really humid and my palms are sticking to the computer as I type. Since I can’t sleep anyway and my mind is racing, I’m going to record some of these random thoughts. 
We were scheduled to fly at 12:05am on January 18th. We planned to leave the house at 7:00pm to avoid any potential problems. Around 6:00pm, we discovered that two passports were missing and neither of us had a clue where they had vanished. Time to panic. Our large and loving extended family helped us tear through all of our bags and boxes and eventually they were found by Rebecca, my wonderful sister-in-law. Our journey’s first answered prayer.
After a sweet time of prayer and a tearful goodbye to our families, we headed through security, waited an hour or so and then boarded our flight to Cambodia. We arrived in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, January 19th. The flight was shorter than we expected. Only 12.5 hours to Taipei, Taiwan, where we had a two-hour layover, and then another 4 hours or so to Cambodia (So, 
more motivation for visitors?). We were a little late to Taiwan because of the 30 wheelchair passengers that had to board before the rest of us. I’m definitely not opposed to wheelchairs, and many of the people were legitimately in need, but there were quite a few who seemed like they had heard the rumor that “wheelchairs board first”, and had decided to take advantage. I really wish that I had taken a picture. There were so many wheelchairs that it looked like the starting line of a wheelchair derby.
Ava did extremely well on the flights. This was such a big answer to prayer! The takeoffs and landings went smoothly (in terms of ear pressure) and she slept and ate splendidly for both flights. The airline provided a bassinet that attached to the wall in front of the bulkhead seats. It worked out perfectly for our tired daughter. It did look a bit like a coffin, and we had to snap a cover over the top in case of turbulence, but otherwise, it was so convenient! We highly recommend one for those traveling with 3.5 month-olds…We only wish that they had one for us grown ups!
As we were preparing to disembark the plane in Phnom Penh, the flight attendants gathered around their favorite passenger (Ava) to say goodbye. They had been so helpful during the flight—even giving us a complimentary baby bag with diapers, baby food (which we can’t use yet) etc. When they saw that we were somewhat struggling to carry everything, including Ava, they each took a bag and helped us off the plane. When we got to the terminal, they couldn’t abandon their duties any longer, so they asked a terminal worker to help us. He was a kind Cambodian who took us through all of the mandatory lines…customs etc., even taking us to the front of sev
eral lines. I was thinking that this was “normal” treatment when our missionary friends told me that they’ve NEVER seen that at the airport. Another answer to prayer.
It is now Saturday and so much has happened! It has been so great to reconnect with the Beck and Lopez families. We were greeted at the airport with open arms. They have served here for seven years, and were the original team that Nate came out with from West Hills, our home church. It was a comfort to know that even as we were saying our goodbyes in CA, that there were people eagerly anticipating our arrival. I’m looking forward to the friendships that will be forged and strengthened with these wonderful individuals.
Perhaps the biggest event was that we found a place to live! We’ll share more about that in a future blog post. Every day has been an adventure. Even though I’ve been here once before (for two weeks), I had forgotten so many things. For instance, if you don’t have a car and you need to get somewhere fast, no problem! You can rent a motodope to whisk you 
to your destination. This is basically any moto (a vespa/scooter) driver that decides they want to make some extra money, so they pull over to where you’re gesturing and you hop on the back of their bike. It’s like a breezy taxi. I have yet to do this, but Nate took one to the store yesterday.
I remember the driving being crazy in Phnom Penh, but I forgot how brave/foolish the drivers are. Motos dart in between cars with inches to spare. It’s amazing how much faith they have that you’re going to brake and not hit them…most of the time. I’m a little intimidated to learn to drive, especially since I haven’t driven a manual car for years and haven’t driven in Cambodia…ever.
I also recall it being fairly loud in the city, but I forgot how noisy it can really be. The Cambodians have a tradition of blasting the neighborhood with Khmer music, even in the middle of the night, to tell everyone that a party (or funeral) is going on (It’s like an evite.). Besides the sounds of vehicles, the other predominant clamor in the early hours are the local roosters announcing the new day. I’m fairly certain that these birds are on CA time too, since they seem to start their crowing at 2:00am.
Some other things…EVERYONE has these periwinkle plastic lawn chairs. We went to the government police station to file our rental agreement, and we sat in those plastic lawn chairs. You drive along the poorest parts of town, and people are congregating in the shade in those lawn chairs. We may have to get a few to fit in.
Speaking of the police station, yesterday was the first vivid realization that “We ain’t in America anymore.” When we arrived at the office (which was a red metal barn-like structure with a dirt floor, and rice bags lining the walls), the head guy was nowhere to be found. He had apparently wandered off. So, we sat waiting for him to arrive. As we sat at the concrete picnic table with the 4 government officials, I didn’t know whether to stare at the ground or engage with them. They somewhat ignored us, talking to our landlord and glancing at us from time to time. I was suddenly aware that many of these men were older and could have been in involved in the Khmer Rouge. As many of you know, the Khmer Rouge was a brutal regime that massacred millions of their own people in the 1970’s, which was not very long ago. So, I was probably overdramatizing all of this in my mind, but I was suddenly scared at the potential of these men. Had they been involved in the mass murder of their fellow Cambodians? Would it happen again? Would foreigners be in danger? After a few moments of this irrational fear, I was reminded that we are just as safe on Cambodian soil as we are in Morgan Hill, CA. God is completely sovereign over our lives and we are in the palms of His loving hands. There have definitely been times when I’ve struggled to grasp this completely, especially with our helpless, vulnerable Ava, but I trust and pray that the Lord will continue to affirm this in my heart. And with this, I end my somewhat random blog post.
And a few parting shots…
Nate maneuvering the Lopez van through traffic. I am amazed by his abilities.
The mansion next to the shack – A common occurence.
Driving from the airport – Ava’s first impression of Cambodia
Driving with the Lopez clan from the airport
A “squatting toilet” at the local mall. It’s probably 6″ off the ground. And no toilet paper provided.
Joy ride over the Japanese Bridge
The second youngest Action Cambodia member, Drew, meeting Ava for the first time.
Jodi and Ava bonding
Meeting the Lopez canine clan
Having a good time with Theda
Ava’s tongue habit influencing Kamryn.
Car hunting with Mom and Dad. We haven’t found one yet. Please pray!
And finally, our sweet baby asleep on the airplane.
DISCLAIMER: In the future, we’ll probably have more of these longer blog posts. Please know that the intent is to give those who are interested (especially our families), a closer look at our lives in Phnom Penh. We don’t expect everyone to have the time and desire to follow us constantly…We’re really not THAT interesting. It is also a “family journal” that we can refer to in the future. In many ways, the blog has replaced the Creative Memories (scrapbooking) that I used to do.
So, here it is – pictures and a short video tour of our new home. Thank you all for your prayers that the Lord would provide a place for Christiana, Ava and I! We ended up renting a townhouse in a small community on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. It is near both of our teammates, and we got an amazing deal. Our landlord seems to be very easygoing and has been very considerate. What a blessing! Our townhouse shares only one wall with our neighbors allowing for a lot of windows to let the light in, and even has a bit of a yard. The streets are perfect for Ava because they are less traveled and so we can go walking with her, and perhaps eventually she can ride her bike around the neighborhood! Supposedly a small park is going to be built in our complex which is another huge blessing. I am honestly amazed that we were able to find a place so quickly, and not just any place, but a beautiful home that was even below our housing budget. God has answered our prayers!
