After a long and eventful journey I'm happy to have arrived safely in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. My long (14 hour) flight was fine but I had some issues in Korea during layover... my wallet went missing during a security check. I was sent on a wild-goose chase to various gates and desks by some very friendly but unfortunately misguided Korean staff.
Running back and forth to different ends of the airport jeopardized my ability to get on my connecting flight, so I was left with no choice but to make a mad dash for the boarding gate with my passport and ticket, but no money! Needless to say, it wasn't the most encouraging of situations. I really believe that God was at work behind the scenes*, though, and after getting onto the plane in the nick of time, I eventually landed in the Phnom Penh airport.
Not having my wallet posed a problem, as there is a $25 visa fee for entering the country. After calling the Hansons, Ginny was allowed to enter the airport and give me the $25. It is unheard of for someone without a passport to be allowed past customs and immigration! As we were standing on line for the visa, a Cambodian man approached us carrying a sign with my name. He informed me that my wallet was found in Korea and would arrive the next day at the Cambodian airport with all my money accounted for! Clearly, there is a God watching out for me. :)
I spent the night at Eric and Ginny's, and moved into my new home this morning. The house is great, my room is beautiful and I will be posting pictures soon. I was able to say hello to most of the IHSI staff and take a jet-lag reducing nap as well. I'm now officially unpacked and will be heading to the market for a few things tomorrow.... Tomorrow is also a devotional and staff meeting, so I'm looking forward to that.
I am actually about to leave for the airport to get my wallet! Thank you all for your support and encouragement; I'll be posting more soon!
~Emily
*(Interestingly, Eric in Cambodia was moved to pray for me during the same time that I was running around like a crazy person in Korea! Prayers are imporant, folks.)
Running back and forth to different ends of the airport jeopardized my ability to get on my connecting flight, so I was left with no choice but to make a mad dash for the boarding gate with my passport and ticket, but no money! Needless to say, it wasn't the most encouraging of situations. I really believe that God was at work behind the scenes*, though, and after getting onto the plane in the nick of time, I eventually landed in the Phnom Penh airport.
Not having my wallet posed a problem, as there is a $25 visa fee for entering the country. After calling the Hansons, Ginny was allowed to enter the airport and give me the $25. It is unheard of for someone without a passport to be allowed past customs and immigration! As we were standing on line for the visa, a Cambodian man approached us carrying a sign with my name. He informed me that my wallet was found in Korea and would arrive the next day at the Cambodian airport with all my money accounted for! Clearly, there is a God watching out for me. :)
I spent the night at Eric and Ginny's, and moved into my new home this morning. The house is great, my room is beautiful and I will be posting pictures soon. I was able to say hello to most of the IHSI staff and take a jet-lag reducing nap as well. I'm now officially unpacked and will be heading to the market for a few things tomorrow.... Tomorrow is also a devotional and staff meeting, so I'm looking forward to that.
I am actually about to leave for the airport to get my wallet! Thank you all for your support and encouragement; I'll be posting more soon!
~Emily
*(Interestingly, Eric in Cambodia was moved to pray for me during the same time that I was running around like a crazy person in Korea! Prayers are imporant, folks.)
