Empowering and Supporting Cambodian People to Reach their God Given Destiny
Well another graduation celebration over and 28 girls have graduated they are the first group to receive Government accreditation., it was a great night with the usual calamities that we have come to expect like two huge rats they kept wanting to join the party I am just so grateful that none of the guests were interrupted hahaha
I don’t know how to thank the Open Arms team they go beyond the measure every time and really they never complain (I do I was a real grump by the end of the night oh well a work in progress) they were still cleaning up at 11.30 and laughing and chatting and now the real clean up begins WE LOVE YOU GUYS AND THANK YOU AGAIN.
They tell us the food was good and the students did themselves proud with their dancing and hair parade, some of the outfits were a bit of a shock but again a work in progress. For the first time Open Arms had a student queen the little one we chose has showed such character in the last year and had to overcome many difficulties but she never gave up.
Thank you so much to everybody that came and helped and made the night such a success.
Well it’s onward for Open Arms yesterday we cleaned and had a rest in the afternoon today its painting getting ready for the Side Walk café , spirits are high with lots of giggling and tooooo much talking.
Blessings Folks
Hi Folks,
Well Grahame and I are off back to Cambodia tomorrow after nearly four month leave to say it’s been great would be an understatement, lots of quality time with friends and family , the girls visit , Christmas and a new church family .
The girls seem to be settling down in Cambodia but we will wait until we get back to see how the experience has affected them.
We would like to thank you all for your love, kindness and generosity to us all, it always bitter sweet when we leave but the good thing about it that we are so loved and supported in both countries .
Here is Sreyna Testamonie
Time in OZ is really amazing. I have grown so much in my life. Not just my journey also my faith in God. And my relationship between my heavenly father and I.
He has given me the confident in many things,that I never fell before. One of them is that, I don’t fell to afraid to talk to people, like I used to. As I speak I fell like He lead my mouth and put word in my mouth to speak.
And He also has healing me a few thing with my past. He keep bringing me to remember some stuff and heal me by showing and bring me in to that. And also God gave me passion. When I do something I enjoy it and pushing me to do more.
So I really thanks God for every thing He done to me whale I was in OZ, I didn’t realize all of this until I came back home.
Hi Folks ,
The girls flew out last night , there were lots of mixed emotions saying goodbye to their western family and new friends , I can only imagine how excited Jenna will be to see them back. What an honour and absolute joy to have had them with us here now us old people sleep.
When we asked them what was there favourite time they said it was too big they said we just don’t know what to say, but here is what they came up with and lots of giggling went on.
Time spent with family and their new friends ,the churches we went to they felt like family there ,Christmas, shopping, the turtle rookery at Bundaberg, shopping ,mount Tamborine, sea world, movie world, shopping ,swimming in the pools and the beach, shopping ,western food ( they only asked for rice twice) sizzler, shopping. Pop and I think maybe eating was really their favourite when we saw them eat a T-bone steak and two sausages and still have bread and salad we thought they should be a size 20 not 6.
To say they had a great time would be an understatement the personal growth in them all was amazing by the end of the holiday they were making all their own purchases and they were full of confidence. We know that they will take it back to their own country and use it for the good of the girls that they train.
We would like to thank you all for the love and kindness that you all showed them it was above what we ever thought in fact they had so much luggage they had to leave some things for pop and I to take back but hey you’re only young once.
Bless you all and thanks again.
Grahame, Sandra and the girls.
With 2013 just around the corner I reflect on the past year the highs the lows and I couldn’t have and wouldn’t have wanted to have done it without you all.
Dear friends when people say to me what is your vision for 2013 I can only say I want to be kinder more considerate not so bossy and reactionary and appreciate the people in my life more I want to learn learn learn about life and joy and living it to the fullest (whatever that means)
As far as Open arms is concerned you can’t fix whats not broken.
I hope you are all totally wonderfully blessed in 2013 and I do hope that your dreams are fulfilled.
Sandra