Day 1...

I am such a mix of emotions right now.

Today started with a 3.30am wake up call to be at the airport by 4.30. James was such a trooper and got up and was excited to be awake when it was still dark. Arriving at the airport in Perth I discovered a secret that was kept from me - my best friend Esme and her husband and two little boys in their pj's were waiting to see us off! What amazing friends we have that they would get their whole family up to drive 1/2hr to the airport at that time of morning!

The flight to Malaysia was pretty good - James did so well sitting for 5.5hrs! The activity packs I made up worked a treat and were received with awe and excitement. Having the portable DVD player was also fantastic!

At the Kuala Lumpur airport we had a couple hours wait. Just before we were about to get on the plane James walked into the back of a chair which had a pointy bit just at eye level. Poor boy got a shock and a little sore just under his eye but thankfully it hasn't bruised or puffed up.

Sleep finally took over for all three of us in the 2 hr flight between Malaysia and Phnom Penh. Our first taste of the friendliness of the Khmer people was the lady sitting next to James and Nick who promptly adjusted James to lie over her with his head on her knee after he fell asleep. Everyone here seems taken by our little man :) They love his cheeks!

We were met at the airport by the Director of Sunshine Cambodia, Channy, with a big smile on his face. After piling all our luggage into the waiting taxi we were off! James learnt his first new word of the day - tuk-tuk. He is fascinated! He pointed out everything of note talking rapidly so that even we couldn't keep with him. "tuk-tuk, tuk-tuk, ohhh! More tuk-tuk!"

After meeting Adam (director of Prison Fellowship Cambodia - the organisation that uses the building we are staying in) we settled in and it all started to hit home.

We are in a country that we don't know the language of. We are confronted by different smells, sights and sounds. We are sweating like crazy (30 degrees and humid is awesome!) We don't know anyone here. I am still feeling sore from my tooth extraction and a bit fragile with my diet post gall-bladder operation.

We headed to the mall just down the road (there are 3 in Phnom Penh and we just happen to live just near one!) and stocked up on milk, bread, spaghetti and nappies. Trying to figure out what to buy in a supermarket where most things seem full of sugar and/or don't have English on them is difficult. James loved riding in the tuk-tuk however!

And so, we are back at our home base. Sitting in our bedroom with the air-con on. Wondering what we have gotten ourselves into. We miss home. We miss our friends and family. We are scared.

Today is day 1. The last time we were here it took a few days to get into the swing of things and to settle down. We are going to take it easy this week, easing ourselves into life here in Cambodia. We want to be here. We believe in what we are doing here. Now is the time when we get to the end of ourselves and rely on God's strength, comfort and guidance.

Please pray for comfort and peace. Pray that we will meet some great people who we can connect with. Pray that Nick and I find rest in God. Pray for our supporters and the support they have pledged to give us - both in prayer and financially.  Pray that we all have a good nights sleep. Amen.