Hello everyone, it's been some months since I updated this blog... sorry for the wait. Ministering in Cambodia leads to a very full plate! It's usually not a good plan to go out late at night here, which makes going to internet cafes a somewhat rare occurrence for me even when I am free. However, I do anticipate being better at updates from now on, since our ministry's internet access is going to be changing for the better! :)

A lot has been happening in our ministry, Cambodia, and life in general. One thing you can always count on when living in a foreign country is that things are never quite "normal". As adjusted and settled as one may be, there are always cultural differences which are both exciting and tiring! Picture sitting in a cafe where geckos are climbing up the walls as you re-reorder your meal because the menu has literally been lost in translation. Or imagine dodging oncoming motobikes from every direction, overloaded bicycles, wandering dogs, processions of monks, and people with baskets on their heads, simply to go buy a dozen eggs! These are some of the funny and sometimes frustrating things that are my new version of "normal".

Life has been going full speed ahead since my return to Cambodia (I was very blessed to be able to visit my family and friends in New York at Christmas time). In His Steps just keeps growing! We have a new national director (Theavy, whom many of you already know), new programs and educational classes in the works, new women who have entered our Sak Saum program, more orphans in our care, and more responsibilities in the Saang community. Our church plant is thriving, and is met with very positive response from the local leaders. It's amazing to see what God is doing in every part of our ministry.

We also have two new staff members who just recently joined us, Jacob and Noelle from Colorado. It's great to meet some new friends, and I look forward to getting to know them more. Jacob is working on a new website for In His Steps, so I'll be sure to post the link for you all when it is finished!

Even though I wasn't here at Christmastime, I'd love for you all to read about our Saang Christmas Program... from all the feedback I heard, it was an awesome event that really blessed and encouraged the Saang community.

My English lessons with Sak Saum girls are continuing, as are community health classes at our Foundation Center. Recently, we have been teaching about preventing cholera, worms, and other health issues that (fortunately!) are rarely a concern in America. It's always fun to see who will show up at the classes; last week two elderly men came hiking in from the fields behind our Center, invitations in hand. They were from a nearby village and made sure to come to class punctually: forty-five minutes early! It's great to see older people from the area coming to learn how to take care of themselves and their families.

Please stay tuned for (hopefully more frequent) updates and photos! God bless and please continue to keep me and In His Steps ministry in your prayers!

~Emily