12th - 19th July

Hello and welcome to our final blog, we return home tomorrow on the 20th of July early in the morning. At the moment we are sat in our guest house waiting to go to Bangkok airport. Let us fill you in with whats been happening here in the last weeks:

Last Monday (12th) we rose early at 5am, after Holland lost the world cup final, (yes we did stay up to watch from 1.30-4.30am)to get ready for the opening ceremony of the new TB ward at the CDC (HIV hospital). CHO partnered with TEARfund to build the new ward and on Monday the provincial govenor came to officall open it. We were there to play English christian worship songs for the people as we waited for the governor to arrive. It was such a special morning, to worship God and pray for blessings upon this hospital for the last time. Calum represented Tearfund, so he sat on the stage next to Chomno, looking like a naval officer, the girls loved it!
After the new ward was opened we went with all the CHO staff to Safe Haven for a party to say goodbye to the two Dutch carpenters; they'll be coming back in 6 months to live in Siem Reap. So we played football, ate food and had a good time, relaxing after an early start. Everyone went to the carpentry workshop to have a look at the carvings that the 5 students had made, it blew us away! These students are so skilled and after just 3 months were producing incredible carvings of Angkor Wat.

Our time at Safe Haven school last week was special. On Tuesday we set the children a task to build the tallest tower with eighty plastic bottles, one roll of celotape and two pairs of scissors, in groups of 6 in 20 minutes. We were so impressed with their efforts, the tallest tower was over 2.5 metres. On Thursday we had a talent show, so spent Wednesday preparing for it. The children could choose to sing, dance, act, play games, make music, or make art. With a little help from us, they came up with original acts and prodcued a fun and exciting show on our last day at the school. Of course we contributed to the show with a story about Chico the clown, intrigued...?
We then did our final bible class on the first and greatest commandment, to love God and one another. We had the children stand in a circle, join hands and tell the people around them that they love them and give them a hug. We then asked them to pray for the person on their left and right and finally for everyone in the school; what a great way to finish our time there, seeing all the children praying for each other. After that we gave out photos of us with the school children that we had taken previously in the week and printed off for them, sweets and a Union Flag to be put up in the library.
Then it was time to say goodbye; those last hugs meant so much to us and we'll never forget their smiley faces. Leaving that place for the last time, it felt like we would be back, we hope we will.

Throughout the week we have been preparing to go, starting to pack and sorting out the loose ends at CHO. Alex gave his guitar to CHO and we left some things we thought would be useful. On Friday we had a classic CHO leaving party. There was dancing, singing, fruit eating and many goodbyes. These guys are our family here, and we realised that when they all gathered round and prayed for us, it was a beautiful moment, tears were welling up from them and us...
Despite the difficulties in saying goodbye, we realise that we aren't truly saying goodbye as we will see them again, we have the whole of eternity to look forward to with them, what a hope we have in Jesus!
The last few days have been filled with ups and downs, and leaving CHO for the last time really brought it home that we were leaving. Although we are looking forward to coming home, we leave a piece of our hearts, and the people we have met and spent time with we take back with us in ours.

We have learnt so much and could write so much about how we have changed, our struggles and difficulties, but also our many joys and triumphs. The last 6 months, as cliche as it may sound, has been life changing and we are so grateful to God for bringing us to this place and what he has done in us and through us. Mission involves everyone, whether you are sending people or being sent, so we want to thank you all for your prayers and want you to know that our time here would not have been the same without you. Thank you.

Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ for who he is and what he has done.
ACTS 20 : 23 - 24
I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me if only i may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Blessings to everyone and we look forward to seeing you soon.
God Bless
Alex, Paul and Calum