Our First Sunday {or} កាលពីថ្ងៃអាទិត្យជាលើកដំបូងរបស់យើង

As I sit here, trying to grasp the words to explain our first Sunday in Phnom Pehn, I feel overwhelmed with exhaustion and a sense of numbness. Watching young Christians, in a new world for our first service with them was incredible. We met together on the rooftop of Thida and Seyha's home, gathered around a wooden table. Although there was nothing fancy in our surroundings, I feel confident we were pleasing to the Almighty King. Due to the language barrier, it was a very short and simple service, but no less beautiful than any other service I've attended. We sang 2 songs, we Americans knew the words and tune for both, while the Khmer sisters sang the same tune in their own language. Then the sisters sang a song they knew while we hummed along, as we didn't know the words, and the song books are written in their language. The collection was explained and taken, and then Bradley and Jonathan took turns praying and teaching. Bradley shared the story of Lydia in Acts 16, as he said the work in Phnom Penh was similar, starting with a woman's desire to obey the gospel. Then Jonathan used a children's bible to share the story of creation. It was beautiful to see our sisters' faces light up as they followed the pictures. This was brilliantly helpful since one of our sisters stills struggles with understanding the English language, and the simple, yet telling illustrations allowed Jonathan to relieve the language barrier, to some degree. We finished the service with the highlight: the Lord's supper. Upon our arrival, sister Thida had taken me with her to the market to purchase the flour and grape juice, in preparation for the cup and the loaf, and together we all shared the remembrance of our Savior and His sacrifice. For that moment, there was no difference in our language or culture; we were all the same: sinners embracing our undeserved salvation. After services several questions were answered, and then we retired to the second floor for lunch.

Evie. Enough said.

Pre-church nap.

This little piggy went to the market...

Meat market Thida took me to, and yes, some of

what you see was for lunch after services.

These little women with their huge cleavers. Yikes!

Bradley stretching out those awkward sitting

muscles on one of our "church pews."

Gabe felt the need to help...

Penny and Tina (Thida's nephew) being silly.

Sister Seyha and the kiddos.

Thida made the loaf.

Almost situated for services - Tina was trying to decide where to sit.

Lunch prepared by our sweet friends. Jonathan has

been deemed "he who eats little," and Bradley has been

deemed "he who eats lots." It appears Evie is after Bradley's

title, while Gabe and Jonathan are neck and neck.

This is the view from Thida's patio. I heart this home.

It has a gorgeous turquoise door on the other side.

Yes, I will take a picture soon.

With our bellies full, sister Thida once again took on the task of serving us. She first assisted Jonathan and Marissa with negotiating and signing the contract for their new rental home, and then she did the same for us. Sweet Thida has worked very hard for us already, and she has a strong desire to do more.  All of the women in her family are gems, and are now our neighbors!

The guys sporting their blue-printed thumbs.

Along with their signatures, they had to stamp

their thumb print to seal the contract.

With our first Lord's day under our belts, we are confident and ready to tackle the next task: our homes! Lia-hi!