A quick request...

Hey all! Just wanted to write a quick note to share something that God had placed on my heart awhile ago. As I was preparing to come here to Cambodia, I could sense that God wanted me to do something with this experience and with that said, I want to share a project I will be undertaking; As I move out to Rescue and start my ministry I will be keeping a video diary. My prayer and desire is that I can use this back in Canada to share what God has done, I am not sure how it will all look or anything like that...I do know that it will happen though, He will take care of the rest! Please keep this project in your prayers friends! Thanks!

Love and Blessings,
Brian

Typing is overrated

Frog legs, Wat Phnom, and a taste of home...

Greetings all! Time for another update from the land of Cambodia...Things are going pretty well these days, I have been under the weather this week though with some sinus problems/head cold so prayer would be very much appreciated :) I just finished my second to last week of language school and it was certainly an adventurous one! On Tuesday, our language teachers took us to Wat Phnom (http://www.arrakeen.ch/cambodia/119%20%20Wat%20Phnom.jpg) and we got the chance to talk to some of the beggars and children selling water there. I spent a few minutes talking to a beggar...a very cool experience to say the least. I also had my first of three Cambodian food experiences of the week...I had two bites (incredibly small ones! haha) of a duck embryo egg, needless to say I wasn't a big fan but I did try it! haha After our visit to the Wat, our teachers took us to a roadside restaurant complete with small, plastic stools about a foot off the ground :) I had deep fried frog amongst other delicious Cambodian food, and please excuse this tired saying but it is actually true, it really does taste like Chicken. On Wednesday, our teachers took us to a pagota and we got to practice our Kami with monks. My afternoon Kami teacher is a former monk so it was interesting to practice Kami with them and hear a little bit more about my teacher's life story. My third and final food experience came when I ate my first of four crickets! They were surprisingly tasty and spiced to the point that I had no idea I was eating a cricket! So it has been an interesting week food wise. A couple days ago I received a package from Ambrose via a Place of Rescue board member (Thanks Emma)! I got some candy and two new CDs amongst other little surprises...Super nice to get a taste of home! I start my final week of language school tomorrow, I have definately had a challenging time during language school but I have learned so much about persevering and determination for the sake of Christ! After this week of language school, I am heading off to Thailand for a few days with a couple of friends for a personal holiday. Cambodia has a national holiday during the first part of november and it will be a great time of relaxation and being refreshed before I move out to rescue and start my ministry! I worked really hard this summer and it will be nice to have a bit of a break before the next part of this amazing adventure starts...I promise loads of pictures from Thailand!

Love and Blessings,
Brian

Kami Church in Phnom Pehn

Melanie and I had the pleasure of experiencing a Kami worship service and it was amazing! Here is a glimpse of what musical worship is like. The church is called New Life Centre and there was about 300 Kami young people there, it was amazing to just take a moment and look around at our Kami brothers and sisters worshipping. God is doing a great thing here in Cambodia with our generation.

In other news, I want to take a second to thank everyone that has been praying for me in regards to language studies. I am finding things a little smoother and easier so praise God!

Thanksgiving was a great time here in Phnom Pehn! We were able to join about 30 other Canadians for a massive dinner party on the rooftop of a home in Tuol Kork, a neighbourhood in Phnom Pehn.

I am officially a youth leader at my church here in Cambodia! I am helping out with the Grade 10-12's and went to my first event on friday as we were painting the youth centre that is opening soon in a local neighbourhood. Great kids! I am really excited to work with them.


Love and Blessings,
Brian

Pictures are worth 5000 words...

Kami Lessons and Almond Lattes...

Hey all! I hope everyone is safe, happy, and not freezing from the cold! haha. I have had a busy and incredibly fun week. On October 1st, I officially began taking Kami lessons. I am at Kami school for 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, for approximately 5 weeks. I have a private tutor in the mornings and then lessons in the afternoon. I thoroughly enjoy both my tutor and my teacher. I would really like prayer though for learning Kami, it is a tricky language to learn and it does feel pretty overwhelming sometimes! :-S. I was able to buy a t-shirt at the market today with my tutor speaking only Kami :) A highlight of the past little while was being able to celebrate the high school graduation of one of my roomates. Kosol recently graduated and Place of Rescue threw a party in his honour. Due to Kami lessons, I unfortunately missed the majority of the program but was able to join in for a traditional dinner with the kids and staff. After dinner, the kids and some of the staff decided to dance, most of the dancing was traditional and it was really an interesting experience to join in and learn how to dance. I am sure you all can imagine me trying to dance with my two left feet...hahaha but it was still SO fun! In other exciting news, Melanie and I have a new Canadian roommate! Her name is Anne and she is from Toronto. She will be serving at place of rescue for the next three years as a nurse. I have really enjoyed her company and it is always great to have another canuck around. I am blown away by the number of Canadians I am meeting here in Cambodia. I met a fellow Calgarian at church a couple weeks ago named Wes. I have really appreciated meeting another Christian guy, especially one from Calgary! :) God is good! What does everyone have planned for thanksgiving?? Thankfully, An amazing missionary couple here in Phnom Pehn has invited the three of us over for dinner on saturday :) Not quite my mom's cooking, but it should be FANTASTIC none the less!

Praise Items:
-I feel more and more at home here in Cambodia everyday
-My mentor is fantastic! I had my first meeting with her today and I am really excited for the year with her.
-The Cambodian guys we live with are like the little brothers I never had :)

Prayer Items:
-Continued financial support.
-An understanding and grasp of the Kami language, it's coming but it is still really overwhelming to me sometimes.
-To be used by God, despite language barriers.

Friends, I love you all!

Love and Blessings,
Brian

P.S. The "almond lattes" portion of the post title is from a coffee shop in Phnom Pehn called, "The Terrace" the logo looks a lot like Starbucks but they are WAY better!