Greetings from Siem Reap! Today was our version of an “Indiana Jones” feature. Pastor Jesse took us to the largest temple in the world, Angkor Wat. We had a wonderful tour guide named San who led us back in time 800 years to a Khmer civilization that ruled much of Southeast Asia for centuries. It was fascinating! We see pictures and watch videos about it in social studies class. But oh man, to see these amazing ruins in real life takes my breath away and we treasure every moment. The kingdom jumped back and forth from Hindu to Buddhist. It is interesting to see how the cultures sometimes intertwined. Anna, Bruce, and I climbed to the top of the center temple of Angkor. The views were magnificent. The steps up and down would have never been “allowed” at a historic sight in America.. Yikes! Don’t look down while you climb.
Visiting more Historic Treasures
We traveled to two other temples following Angkor. The first was built in honor of one of the Buddhist kings who reigned over 1 million people in his city. This temple had some monkeys scurrying around the grounds and one seemed to pose for a camera shot before swiping a tourist’s bag of chips.
The final temple we toured was filmed in the “Tomb Raider”. This temple was discovered less than 100 years ago! San took us on a trail through the jungle to arrive at this marvel. On this path Anna spotted a dead scorpion that was at least four inches long! We were thankful it was dead. These ruins were out of this world. The civilization was destroyed for hundreds of years before anyone knew it was there. As the ruins slept, the jungle rose up and grew among the great structures. Giant trees wrap themselves around the walls as if to claim the land back to themselves. It was incredible!
A Moment planned by God
The afternoon sun was strong enough to cause us to retreat back to the hotel. 95 degree heat can make one quite tired. We ate lunch and then dropped off our guide, San back in town. As we rode in the van back with him, he asked Jesse about Christianity. Jesse spent time explaining some of our faith to him. He had told us at the beginning of the tour that he was agnostic. San listened intently to Jesse’s explanation and asked for a copy of the Bible. He said to us that he was often lonely and hoped to find faith. We were all very moved by this moment, another one to treasure. It is amazing what God can do. Our group shared God’s blessings with San and told him that God loves him. Praise be to Christ.
Treasuring a Summer Moment
The pool was waiting for us back at the hotel. Bruce and I did some cannonballs while Anna and MaryAnn weaned their way in. It was wonderful.
Jesse setup dinner at a Cambodian cuisine restaurant that has traditional Khmer music and dance theater. The food was delicious and the entertainment was very spectacular. Additionally, the costumes and dance were exquisite. Jesse asked if we would like to get our photos with the dancers after the performance. I said sure! Little did I know what was to happen next. He said, “When I tell you to go up on stage, go right away.” A few minutes later the dance was finishing and Jesse said “Go!”. I looked at him in confused trust and took off for the stage. Thank goodness Pastor Kempin was right behind me! We both climbed up on stage as the dance ended and posed for a photo in front of the dancers. Anna was busting a gut laughing! What a night.
This trip has been truly amazing. We have been so blessed to work among the people here in Cambodia. I will treasure every moment for the rest of my life!
Submitted by Julie List on Monday, January 20, 2020
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