Raining Down Tears of Joy

  It is with tears of joy, hearts full of love and minds filled with AWEsome memories we close the curtains on English Camp for 2016.  We spent the morning in teams compeating in dances, contests, and worshipping.  What a blessing to see the hearts of the Cambodian students pour out in open worship.  A huge shout out the the camp worship band for doing such a great job:)
  The competition was tight today and came down to a 3-way tie.  After the tie breaking competition, the GREEN team came out victorious.  Each team was rewarded with some sweets and snacks while we watched a video compilation of pictures from enlgish camp present and past.  This was the 14th English camp here and it is with a tear in all of our eyes that this legacy draws to a close.  The ministry here in Cambodia is far from over and the use of english education is one of the strongest ways to reach the people of this country.  It is a way to prevent human trafficking because it provides an opportunity for Cambodians to  learn and further educate.  This in turn gives them more of an opportunity to learn trades and find better jobs to help provide for themselves and in turn their extended family instead of having to turn to a career in the trafficking world.  Please continue to pray for the ministry here in Cambodia as the focus is directed to creating English Programs in the communities for longer term education.
  After the fun and the games, each of the students was presented with a certificate for completing English Camp.  The teachers were all presented with a certificate and a gift, a scarf (krama in Khmer), as a way of saying thank you.  We sang "Goodbye My Friend" together while sharing hugs, taking picture, and of course shedding tears.  It is amazing how bonds and friendships can be born/built in just 6 days.  Many of our team members exhanged emails and facebook names in an effort to kindle some of the amazing bridges we have built with the Cambodian people.
  We shared one final lunch with the students who began trickling out to head back to their homes.  Many hugs and final "Leah" were said.  We shared team photos and even some personal photos with those students who left an impact on us.
  We are all excited to be returning home to our loved ones, friends, showers with shower curtains, and non-flooded streets, but truth be told a little piece of each of our hearts will be forever in Cambodia.  Thank you all for your love, your support, your prayers, and helping to be part of the change that is taking place in Cambodia.

Team Siem Reap