Adversity

I have had a bit of a setback health wise. I'd appreciate prayer for healing at this time. I sure would like to get back on the journey of art, faith and story, any prayer would be greatly appreciated. Blessings to each of you, and Merry Christmas.

Reporting Brings Completion and Closure

Just like having the final show when an artist has produced a body of work, the Cambodian team "showed" a body of our work from our trip to Cambodia. It was fun to see several team members come together to share thoughts, memories and next steps. I was asked to consider a couple of further opportunitites to pass the art on to others as several of us chatted afterwards, and one woman shared she is taking "story ropes" to Uganda tomorrow. What great news! You go, Chris!


So, this closes out this chapter of The Creative Call. Check out my website:
The Creative Call to see where, art, story and faith goes next! Blessings to all of you! - Marcia

Final Reports For Cambodia

Our final reports on our trip to Cambodia will be this Sunday. Come see video, Power Point and other reporting.  Northshore Baptist Church. Hope to see you there! We will be missing a few team members who have some Sunday responsibilities elsewhere, but we will highlight their work as well.

2011 Cambodia Team

Let's Go Food Shopping in Cambodia

Really Fresh Market

In the spirit of preparing for a good, fresh Thanksgiving meal, I thought I'd show you food shopping photos from Cambodia today. There are outdoor markets in set locations in each town or city, and there are street venders as well. Let's just say, I never saw a "Safeway" or "Fred Meyer" type store while I was there. They might be there, but they were tucked away somewhere other than where I was!

Yum!

One could buy fresh eels, many other fish from streams and gulleys, sticky 

treats and hot stir-fried type things with mounds of rice from the side of the road venders. We often saw pigs, strapped upside down to motorcyle back areas or even truckloads of pigs that were upsidedown. I guess when a pig is like this, he can't really move. 

Mango and Sticky Rice

I want to emphasize that as you are preparing for the eatingest holdays coming up, maybe you want to add some rice to the meal. I'd strongly suggest sticky rice and mango....that would make the best dessert you have had for Thanksgiving. It would be a wonderful, dilectible way of remembering all our friends in Cambodia. Now, does anyone know where you can get a really fresh mango in the USA? At least in the Seattle area?

Chomno and Hope

Chomno completing the "Break the Cycle" bike ride.

When I think of a picture of hope, I think of Chomno in Cambodia. Hope is something you are certain of, but it may be something to see sometime in the future. Chomno and his wife, Kim, must have this type of hope if they keep advancing good and beauty and truth in the face of so much opposition and evil. 
And, they do! Today, may I ask, if you are reading this, will you take a moment to pray for Chomno, the most amazing picture of hope I know in Cambodia? Thanks.

Chomno at the opening of Hope Transformation Center.

Water, Water Everywhere - and the Plight of the Girls

A Home Found Along our Travels in Poipet

We have been hearing about the flooding in Thailand. Many families have been displaced. That may mean more girls being forced by family members to prostitute themselves. This is not hearsay, I've heard about this practice firsthand. So, today, when you think of the water in Thailand, which then goes down to Cambodia, think what you can do and pray hard for the girls in these countries. Even the little ones.

Grab your Coffee at Hope Transfomation Center

Destiny Cafe in the heart of Poipet, Cambodia

Miraculously, a really pretty cafe and bakery is tucked among the dirt, mud and oppressive heat of Poipet, Cambodia at Hope Transformation Center. Here, you can purchase special coffees and yummy cakes and breads, and sit around chatting about life, ideas, faith and dreams. If you have been following this blog or know anything about Cambodia, you know how miraculous this center is.

Grab your coffee and have a seat!

After picking your jaw up off the ground, you can head on over to the Redemption Spa, where you can set a spell and relax, clean up a bit and enjoy knowing you are helping young girls and boys get away from the sex traffic industry. I believe there is a dream for a beauty salon at the spa, one day soon.

Redemption Spa

You'll bump into Chomno and his wife, Kim, Thea, Sophy, Rosa, Angie and Mary serving the coffee, Hang and the New Bloom gang heading off to work, and many more amazing people who I can't remember the names of at this moment. I suggest you go sometime and check out the whole, beautiful scene.

Hope Transformation Center

Yep, this is an actual cup of coffee at Hope Transformation Center. Amazing!