Morning date over coffee and donuts. We are thankful for Gracies supervision for an hour or two over the rest of the children. She will be sixteen soon, so there's plenty of practice in babysitting her siblings :)
Common morning sightings, motos and Tuk Tuks
Fresh pork hanging in the open markets.
Sometimes we go to the market together. This morning specifically we picked up several cuts of pork to bring home, wash and put in our freezer for later use. The market used to be overwhelming to all of us, but now over two years later, it is normal and even exciting to see the sellers bustling about, busy with their sales for the day.
Lots of mornings and afternoons are spent in Svey Kong, a local village of Battambang about a 20 minute Moto drive from our home. Savanna has made many friends there and she enjoys playing with them even if they don't speak the same language.
Britton continues to join the Svey Kong team for morning Bible studies. We are happy to see the current Bible studies flourishing and doing well.
Because Kristy spends mornings with the children, Saturday morning specifically is reserved for a yummy Khmer breakfast with just Dad. Traditional Khmer breakfast consists of rice, pork marinated in a sweet sauce, egg, and soup. Usually is it served with lots of different spices and hot tea.
The past 5-6 weeks have been quite devastating for Cambodia as the overwhelming amount of rain has caused significant flooding. The river in the middle of Battambang overflowed. And because of poor elevation and unethical plumbing, the streets of Battambang were filled with water. The whole country of Cambodia has experienced unusual flooding leading to quite a number of deaths. Many people we know have homes that were completely flooded with water. Relief efforts have been put into action to help the vunerable. Our familys home did not flood and besides being caught in the rain on our Moto, we have been unaffected by the rain. Please join us in praying for all of our friends and the people of Cambodia who have been affected by the rain.
Savanna is enjoying playing with another one of her favorite friends at Antioch.
The sweetest cutest little fellows.
Britton and Hosea working hard!
Our boys have enjoyed helping with some projects happening at Antioch as well.
For some who might have some questions. First of all if there are ever any specific questions, please feel free to message Britton or Kristy in the emails listed down below. A brief description when we mention the word Antioch. When we refer to Antioch we are referring to a Grace Brethren Church called Antioch. On the church grounds, behind the church, there are dorms for vulnerable children. Cambodia Impact supports these 64 children who have been divided up into eight homes housing either boys or girls.
Currently, with the physical help of many, funded by Cambodia Impact, they are finishing off the Antioch site. They are adding a concrete driveway from the road to the back of the property. They are also building raised planters and seating walls. They added a Moto parking area as well. Now they are are working on a new volleyball court, game room area and a lot of drainage work.
Britton is helping to make sure everything is built and done right according to the plans that have been drawn by one of the board members of Cambodia Impact. His mornings and afternoons are often spent at this job site.
The building projects started as the Monsoon season swept through Cambodia making it difficult to get much done!
Lots of rain equals lots of mud!
Savanna and Gracie enjoying time with some sweet girls who live at Antioch.
We love each one of these little ones.
Our Sundays are currently divided between Antioch and Svey Kong. Britton enjoys helping with the worship team in Svey Kong.
Happy little faces that bring much distraction.
Thankful for each life that has surrendered to Jesus. A special sister in Christ singing of hope and eternal life.
School is going decently well for the Filbrun children. While homeschooling can be hard for both the teacher and the student, we try to make it as positive of an experience as we can. The children work hard five days a week on their schooling. Break time is often spent outside, on their bikes, away from the classroom.
A few weeks ago, Kristy made the trip to Phnom Penh to deliver our passports to attain visas for another year. What a blessing that our visas did not expire sooner and we were able to get back into the country.
Also Kristy went to the bank to retrieve the money the government took when we arrived. To be allowed back into Cambodia three months ago, every adult needed to put $3000 into a bank, under government rule, to be kept in case that adult had the virus and needed hospitalization. While they did take some of the money for our covid tests and extended hotel stay, we did get most of it back. God is so good to take care of us.
These boats are along the Mekong River in the capital city of Phnom Penh. Families live on these boats, usually Vietnamese Muslim refugees we are told.
Here is a very common site here in Cambodia. The Buddhist monk comes to collect offerings and chant over whoever gives an offer. A reminder every day to pray for the souls that trust in idols. May the living God open the eyes of the Khmer people. May the Living God be more than the 'white mans god' to them.
Early morning sunrise over Battambang while hanging the laundry on our balcony. God is so good to our family. He gives us vision, peace and purpose that is new every morning. While living in Cambodia definitely has its challenges, we are filled with peace knowing that for now, in this season, this is where we are supposed to be. Please pray for our family that we would be mindful of those God puts in our path. That we would be looking for opportunities to share the gospel with whoever, and that our hope and confidence continues to come from the Living God.
PLEASE PRAY WITH US:
