Last week we had a meditative devotion on Matthew 5:13-16. Throughout the service the verse on “the salt of the earth” was read several times and we were asked us to reflect on “saltiness.” You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make…
Orientation Plus
We started our final week of orientation today, packed with sessions on international leadership for human resources, responding to trauma and finance. It’s been a great set of weeks with so many conversations about best practice. While I am new to the organization, learning from others about the many positive changes Mennonite Central Committee continues…
Program Skills Week
Orientation has been a whirlwind. While I think that the pacing would be absolutely perfect for someone who doesn’t have responsibilities outside of the session hours, we are finding ourselves with too many things to do. The girls are finally settling into the routine here after so many weeks of a different schedule each week….
The Welcoming Place
Late this afternoon, after several hours of last minute packing and repacking, we set off for Akron Pennsylvania. We’re staying in the Americas House at Mennonite Central Committee’s Welcoming Place. It’s been 13 years but it’s just as peaceful as I remember. Tomorrow we start Orientation with Mennonite Central Committee.
Stages of Grief
Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance. The 5 stages of grief have been outlined in a variety of books, articles and internet pages. I’ve heard about how these stages are not often linear but cyclical, intertwined, and complex. Grief has certainly never been linear in my experience. But this week I am fully practicing grief in…
Care & Share Thrift Shoppes
Over the last four months we have slowly been downsizing everything we own to a few suitcases, some storage tubs, and a couple pieces of furniture. That’s meant donating a lot of our belongings to thrift stores. Today I took a load of our belongings to the Care & Share Thrift Shoppes in Souderton Pennsylvania…
Vaccinations
Today we went to a travel clinic recommended by our Pediatrician to get the vaccinations for our move. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following for visits to Cambodia: All Travelers: Measles and Routine Vaccinations Most Travelers: Hepatitis A and Typhoid Some Travelers: Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria*, and Rabies. *There is…
Last Day at Peaceful Living
This morning I ran out to the store around 5:30AM to pick up ingredients for stuffed bitter melon. When I stepped outside I saw a rainbow in the sky. The angle of the dawn on the morning mist was just right. What a sign as today was my last day at Peaceful Living. I have…
So delicious – ស្ងោរម្រះ
Today is the monthly potluck Sunday at Plains Mennonite Church and I’m bringing something very special. Bitter Melon stuffed with Pork. When I lived in Prey Veng I was told that Bitter Melon treats diabetes, cures cancer, and lowers cholesterol. I was surprised to discover that there’s a basis for each of these claims! Bitter…
It was three years before I visited S21
Crystal’s recent reflections on visiting Tuol Sleng have had me thinking about my own experience. I lived in Cambodia for almost three years before I visited Tuol Sleng. I saw Kang Kek Iew (Comrade Duch) in person before I set foot in the place where he committed his most horrible crimes. This will be a…