Goodbye March

Hello everyone, 

March is almost over and I can't believe how time is flying! I've been keeping pretty busy and am not quite sure where this last month is gone...

Since I last updated you a lot has happened! On Sunday, I went to the wedding of a Sak Saum woman named Pieng. She married a man from a different province, a farmer. Their engagement was quite a bit different from what Westerners are accustomed to... the families meet and agree that their two children will marry! It was kind of sudden by my standards, but Pieng was a very peaceful and even joyful bride, and plans to tell her husband, new relatives, and community about her love for God.

Pieng will still be involved with Sak Saum to a degree, and Ginny plans to employ her as a sewer even though she no longer lives in the city. I look forward to seeing her when she comes and visits every other month.

Ginny and Eric are leaving tomorrow for a short trip to the US so they can get some paperwork in order for taxes... While they're gone, I'll be starting an English conversation class with some of the Sak Saum women who are getting to an intermediate level. We'll be meeting three times a week... just had our first class today! 

To start, we'll be practicing verbs and conjugation. Fun stuff... just kidding :P. Actually it's at times like these that I'm so glad I don't have to learn English as a second language. It's quite difficult to explain all the different exceptions for conjugation and spelling!

This week I'll have to stock up on some groceries because in April most stores shut down! Throughout the country! That's because for about a week, the Khmer celebrate their traditional New Year. But since most of them go back to their families homes for an extended visit, nearly every business shuts down or severely limits their hours! So... I'm getting prepared. Should be interesting!

Hope you all are well, God bless!

Emily