Our team leader Bobby Michaels explains the Salt of the Earth program we're experimenting with this year - hopefully implementing with the fundraiser this fall and the whole mission trip next summer.
You'll also see the House Church rice distribution in progress. This was the smallest of the distributions we did. You'll see the Rice for Cambodia team (many PLR listeners) helping the Cambodian families carrying their bag of rice.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Cow Crossing
A typical cow crossing on a typical dirt road. We covered hundreds of miles of roads like this - often at 30-40 miles an hour top speed, with frequent cow slow downs. It's a real short video but I just had to include it!
Slideshow of My Final Two Rice Distributions
Just a few shots here of the last two rice distributions I did on the 24th. I've got so much more I'm ready to share with everyone!
You'll see pictures of our gathering of the first distribution which was our smallest but a real powerful one. We met with a local home church for worship before the distribution. They had two electric fans (that looked like they were probably built in the 60's) going for us - aimed at our side of the room. The house had no electricity - they had the fan they're taking extra effort to make sure we're comfortable during the brief worship service. Amazing people!
You'll also see some photos of the 1 kilo bags of salt. It's a new program we're testing this year with the hope of making it a regular part of the fundraising event in the fall and the summer mission trip - Salt of the Earth. This was the first rice distribution that included the salt. Why is it important? They don't get iodine in their diet - the soil is depleted and they don't do seaweed etc. So they get bad goiters and the sadest part of all, a lack of iodine when a child is developing can cause their IQ to be 10-30 percent lower than normal. It was extra special for me to be a part of the first time the salt was given out with the rice and scriptures.
There are also some shots of me (in the blue shirt) handing the rice to people and also giving away toys to children. This was extra special because my girls picked out these toys for the children in Cambodia. I'll upload some video of this toy giveaway at some point as well. It was a special moment.
I'm at SeaTac airport now - continuing my trip home from Cambodia that's taking about 2 days. More photos, videos and thoughts will roll out over the next week.
Kevin
You'll see pictures of our gathering of the first distribution which was our smallest but a real powerful one. We met with a local home church for worship before the distribution. They had two electric fans (that looked like they were probably built in the 60's) going for us - aimed at our side of the room. The house had no electricity - they had the fan they're taking extra effort to make sure we're comfortable during the brief worship service. Amazing people!
You'll also see some photos of the 1 kilo bags of salt. It's a new program we're testing this year with the hope of making it a regular part of the fundraising event in the fall and the summer mission trip - Salt of the Earth. This was the first rice distribution that included the salt. Why is it important? They don't get iodine in their diet - the soil is depleted and they don't do seaweed etc. So they get bad goiters and the sadest part of all, a lack of iodine when a child is developing can cause their IQ to be 10-30 percent lower than normal. It was extra special for me to be a part of the first time the salt was given out with the rice and scriptures.
There are also some shots of me (in the blue shirt) handing the rice to people and also giving away toys to children. This was extra special because my girls picked out these toys for the children in Cambodia. I'll upload some video of this toy giveaway at some point as well. It was a special moment.
I'm at SeaTac airport now - continuing my trip home from Cambodia that's taking about 2 days. More photos, videos and thoughts will roll out over the next week.
Kevin
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Half Way Home
Got on a computer for just a few minutes in Seoul. I'm nearing the end of the 11 hour layover and will be on a flight to Seattle in 2 hours. That's 10 hours. Another 5 at SeaTac then Horizon Air for a quick hop home.
It's interesting. I'm in that no-man's land of my body not having a clue what time it is - what meal I should be having or when I should be sleeping. I have a whole new appreciation for people who travel like this all thie time.
I arrived at the domestic side of the Seim Reip, Cambodia airport 2 hours before the flight left. Well, I'll know in the future not to arrive more than an hour early. While the Internation Terminal is big and new, nice and all, the domestic terminal wasn't even open when I arrived! They had us sitting outside in the heat for 45 min or so because they close down the terminal and turn off the AC in between flights - there are so few domestic flights.
Other than getting all sweaty again (after cleaning up at the hotel before leaving after two rice distributions in the morning) it was great to be with the nationals in the domestic airport. (Maybe 4-5 travelers like myself, the rest were Cambodians.) It was a 70 seat or so plane and took only 35 min or so to arrive at Pnohm Penh. Had to wait there about 3 1/2 hours before the Asiana flight to Seoul.
After arriving in Seoul I ended up having to exit through customs etc. - but not for my bags, they were checked all the way through - the Pnohm Penh agents couldn't do the boarding pass for Seoul. Fortunately I ran into our flight attendant team while I was looking around for where to go. They were very helpful - remembered my name and everything as they showed me where to go. Of course, I do kind of stick out around here. I sure appreciated their help.
Gotta run. The next leg is the 10 hour flight. Doing well except for a headache. Many more pictures, videos and thoughts after I get home.
Kevin
On the Way Home
Kevin is on his way home! The mission trip is still going on, so keep praying for the remaining team members. Kevin's total travel time is almost 40 hours. He promises to post some more content once he's seen the kids and rested.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Rice Distribution at Samraong
This was one of the larger rice distributions I was able to be a part of. It was in a very poor part of the nation. Out of 67,000 hectors of farmland, only 16,000 of it produced any food for the locals. They were in need in a big way. The video gets a little repetitive but I challenge you to watch the whole thing so you can get just a bit of the impact your donations have in Cambodia. Watch the faces.
Driving Down Main Street Arriving in Poipet
A short video of our driving down a part of main street arriving in Poipet, Cambodia. In the background you'll hear Pastor Lee talking about how he's looking forward to meeting one of his cousins that lives in the area that he hasn't seen in a long time.
At the very end, the guy that walked up to the front window stood there, then lifted up our windshield wipers left them standing up and walked off. He was either a bit off mentally or on drugs at the time. Pretty sad.
At the very end, the guy that walked up to the front window stood there, then lifted up our windshield wipers left them standing up and walked off. He was either a bit off mentally or on drugs at the time. Pretty sad.
Photos from Friday and Saturday
Enjoy this slide show with photos from the worship service and a small rice distribution. (The photo of me and the local pastor is in front of special rice. It's rice grown on Transform Asia land - the first harvest.) You'll see a picture or two of me handing school uniforms to children as well. There are more pictures from the larger rice distribution on Saturday morning.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Arriving in Odormeanchey
June 20 (I think that’s the date… I’m all messed up…)
Another good day in Cambodia! After spending a couple hours in the Internet café yesterday madly converting and uploading files for this blog I headed straight over to the evening concert site with the team. As we arrived the South African team immediately began praying over the concert site. They prayed for the people that would be coming and they prayed for the ground to dry quickly. (We had quite a good rain shower that lasted most of the morning during the rice distribution that had left all of Poipet slippery and muddy. Someone said it reminded them of what the Old West towns must have been like after a downpour. I agree. Mud squished up everywhere. It’s really quite something to see people driving through it with their bikes, mopeds and cars – it’s a free for all.)
The concert was wonderful! The bugs were a problem for the musicians but I helped several of them with extra layers of bug spray and they continued on throughout the evening in a fantastic way. I was real proud of them. Singing and playing while they were being dive bombed with every sort of Cambodian flying bug imaginable.
I stayed on stage (at the back corner) for a while to assist with any needs they might have and to help people up and down the 3 step ladder to get on and off it. I left to walk around for a while to get a good idea for how many people had come, to see how the ground was doing and to stretch my muscles a bit. I was really fighting fatigue. I had been out in the heat since we had left the hotel about 7 that morning. (The restaurants we eat at in this part of the country are open air type – we’ve got a roof over our heads but only partial walls.) The rest of the team had several hours in the hotel to cool off while I was sweating it out in the Internet café. Real happy to do it but I found I faded a little early in the evening. So I headed to one of the vans and with the door open put my head back a bit. Coming from the great Pacific Northwest and growing up here I’m used to heat, but not the humidity. It’s drained me more than would have imagined – pretty oppressive at times.
The concert went off beautifully. My favorite moment was when Bobby had a bunch of the Cambodian children come up on the stage and join our 15 year old young team member – Lino – on a song. It’s a song with a lot of corryography which he taught them and then they tried to do it while he did during the song. They had a blast as did all of us watching.
There weren’t as many people at this concert. In fact, I’m told it was the least attended evening concert in the history of doing them here. We found out later that the usual promotion hadn’t been done. But we’ve all been impressed that there was at least one, if not several people there (likely one of the children) that experienced a change that will last them the rest of their life and they will become an amazing leader for Christ in the country of Cambodia some day.
A lot happened today that I want to share with you but I’m beat and need to shut the computer down, do a little worship time and turn out the light. (I’m keeping my roommate away I’m afraid.)
Oh, but first, one funny thing from yesterday. Well, funny and really sad at the same time. We’re driving (or I should say sloshing and sliding) down the main mud road in Poipet and gentleman walks right into the middle of traffic and right up to the front of the van while we’re slowly driving. Our driver stops so he doesn’t run into the guy. The guy walks up to the front window, grabs our window washer blades and stands them both up then walks off. Our other van drivers saw what happened and were laughing over their two-way radios. We were thrown off a bit as well.
It was funny because it was so amazingly random and without purpose. It was sad because he obviously either had mental problems or was drugged up. So many people here in need – in many different ways. Being one of the poorer areas in the country, I understand that drugs are a real problem in the Poipet area.
Kevin Krueger
General Manager
Positive Life Radio Network
Listen Live at www.plr.org
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Final Word for Today
Thanks to a great new friend I’ve been able to spend a couple hours at an Internet café this afternoon. Brandon is living in Poipet as a missionary. We ran into him this morning at breakfast. Thank you Brandon!
The pictures and the video tell a lot of the story. I only wish it was more. I took some absolutely amazing video at the rice distribution this morning that I’ve lost. I’m sick to my stomach over losing it. I did manage to retrieve a small amount of the distribution which you’ll see but there was so much more. The video I lost showed the poorest of the poor, crippled being helped, those maimed by land mines being helped and all in the pouring rain. I had video of people handing over their coupons so they could receive the rice and video of several of our team sharing their experiences. It’s the video of our team members sharing (in cases very emotional) how God was working in them this morning. I’m so bummed I don’t have it to share with you.
My hope is that I’ll have another chance to get some amazing video and the chance to upload it for you so I can share what God is doing through you – your gifts of support to help these dear new friends in Cambodia.
God bless. And thank you for your continued prayers.
Kevin
P.S. Everything you’ll see below- all the posts – may seem a bit random, sorry about that. I’m doing as much as I can as fast as I can. While I’ve been here I’ve lost Net connection many times (temporarily) and the power has gone off and on a couple times. Please page down and search a bit. A lot has been posted today.
Traveling to Poipet, Cambodia
June 18, 2008 – 6 p.m.
Just arrived at our hotel in Poipet. Quite an interesting trip today. Everything from new road to the worst we’ve seen so far. We’re in an extremely poor part of the country – right on the Thailand boarder. As we drove into Poipet the van got pretty quiet. It’s hard to describe but between what we’ve been told about the city we understand that it’s not a safe place – one of the worst in Cambodia for sex trade and one of the poorest areas in the nation. What a place for God to do some great work through the rice distribution and big outdoor concert. It’s ironic that there’s a casino not far from here. It was built by people from Thailand and frequented by them as well.
Try Googling Poipet, Cambodia and you’ll see how close we are to the boarder. I’m in a spot again with no Internet but will write my notes for the blog as we go along then I’ll upload it all at once. Oh – by the way – no window in our hotel room. Not so good for the claustrophobic part of me. I’ll be spending time in the lobby, such as it is. The building itself is new, but there are some interesting things like the tub has a tube draining it out onto the floor and then over in the corner there’s a drain in the floor. We won’t be in the room much so it’s not really a big deal – it’s actually fun to have a few things that are off the wall and very different. It is a mission trip, after all!
On the drive here from Battambang I was blessed to hear Pastor Setan Lee talk about his story of escaping the country during the time of the Killing Fields. As we drove by, he showed us the field where the first 20,000 people were killed. Over 200,000 were killed and buried in shallow mass graves in total. Just recently has the land become useable again. He also showed us the irrigation system that saved his life. He was literally standing on the edge of the pit the bodies would fall into when killed with the man behind him ready to club him over the head when someone stopped the man. They found out that Lee was educated and they asked him to design a irrigation/canal system. It was ironic because the reason he was targeted for death was because he was educated. He had no engineering experience but he credits God with giving him the idea for the plan that is still in use today. He was also in charge of building it. He showed us the fields he crossed – at night only, hiding in the water and in the brush in the daytime. He said soldiers came within 1 meter of him several times. He didn’t know Christ at this time but says he can clearly see that God was protecting him. He pointed out the mountains he crossed and on the other side, jungle. The trip took him a couple of months – eating leaves and bugs, whatever he could find along the way. At one point he worked to escape with other people but they all died along the way.
This man is incredible – a story that continues to astound me. I’ll share more as I can but that’ll do it for now. In fact, we started recording at one point as he was talking today. Maybe I’ll be able to get some of it online at some point so you can hear it in his own words. Got to go for now. We’re eating all together tonight for safety.
Kevin Krueger
Preparing for Rice Distribution
A quick look at preparing for the rice distribution in Poipet. You'll see the Musianaries team members, local government officials and of course people in need. The children in the school uniforms were there to sing the Cambodian national anthem for the special event.
Distributing Rice in Poipet
It was raining but the team was blessed in an amazing way at this morning's rice distribution. Over 400 families received rice. Some of the poorest in the country live in this area.
Update from Poipet
June 18, 2008 – 12 noon.
No Internet right now but wanted to write and share about our rice distribution event this morning in one of the poorest areas of the country. I asked my roommate Steve Grinald to share his experience this morning.
Our time in Poipet has been one of being Jesus to the people they are receiving hope as well as rice and gospel tract with every bag of rice. To see their faces speaks a thousand words. My hearts prayer is for God to speak to hearts all over this world and come have your life changed. This my second time in Cambodia and I am more impacted than ever. I can feel God’s pleasure in what we have done here.
I have experienced God in my heart greatly over this season in Cambodia and He is changing my life. To see people live in these impoverished and filthy living conditions is amazing to me. I realize as an American I have life so good and even though I don’t have much by our standards I am rich by theirs. But they get up every day and go about their lives as best they can. Children here are like children back home they like play and they love to go to school. The children take pride in their school uniforms which they must have to attend school. I think the uniforms give a sense of unity and comradery to the children. Imagine if that was restored to our children how would they be impacted.
This morning we distributed 20 tons of rice to over 400 of the neediest families in the area. Many were elderly and many were landmine victims that had to be helped through the line because they couldn’t walk on their own. It rained the whole time but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the Musicnaries team or the locals receiving the help one little bit. As I watched our team members sloshing through the mud in their bare feet carrying bags for those who couldn’t carry the bags themselves it was simply overwhelming. I took at least 100 pictures this morning and several videos – I hope to share it all via the blog as soon as I can get Internet access. You’ll be moved – and blessed beyond belief.
To all the Positive Life Radio family – thank you for your continued prayer cover for this mission trip and for the people receiving the rice and also those that are receiving Christ in their hearts through these rice distributions and concerts.
Until next time…
Kevin
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
More Photos
Photos from the rice distribution on Tuesday. The rickety bridge - before the rain storm when it got impossibly muddy. Imagine taking 6 big vans loaded with people over this bridge! Trying to select a few good photos out of hundreds I've taken so far. More as I can!
Kevin
My Oh My...
Tuesday, May 18, 12:18 a.m.. Battambang, Cambodia.
The old Simon & Simon Garfunkel tune, Slip Slidin’ Away came to mind today as we had to take a detour again to bypass a bridge that had broken down in a high river situation. Earlier I mentioned how it was treacherous in a number of places. Well, try crossing it after a monsoon rain shower! The sticky red clay is amazingly slippery. With deep ruts we had to take 4 runs at this tiny little bridge build with some logs and a few planks. Each time the wheels would start spinning – just like driving on snow and ice, with heavy foliage on both sides brushing up against the sides of the van and swamp on either side of us we finally made it over. If I remember right, I took some video footage of it I hope to upload and share with you. It was quite something. Our team leader, Bobby Michaels, started praying for our van and the others as we were making this detour – slippin’ and slidin’ the whole way. God’s angels certainly guided the wheels and kept us safe.
We were on our way back to the town where we had done the rice distribution earlier in the day for the big evening concert. In spite of an electrical set up (involving two generators) that would make any American electrical inspector lose their mind it came off beautifully. I took pictures – our station engineer won’t believe it when I show him. But thanks to some amazing work by our sound people and the wonderful local Cambodians who had started working on the stage and sound set-up the day before the concert was a great success for God. I don’t have a count but those that were out walking around in the crowd said there were a lot of people! (I prayed for and assisted the musicians on the stage and helped people up and down the 3 step metal stage ladder for the evening.)
Absolutely loved the program. The teams from around the world were blessed with God’s spirit as they shared Christ through music. It was an evening of praise, energy and friendship. And there was no question – Christ was shared. And when it came time there were quite a number that joined our Bible workers for prayer after the concert. Thank you for praying for the concerts during the Rice for Cambodia mission trip. It’s a vital part of the process in bringing people to Christ.
Now… For the ride home…. It was 11 p.m. and we had to make the same detour through the very narrow path with the swamp on both sides and the rickety “bridges” (the word bridge is used loosely here). As I watched the van in front of us fish tale while not even trying to cross a bridge or go around a corner I knew we were in for an adventure. The adventure didn’t come on either of the small bridges (although those were quite something). It came when the van in front of us started spinning its wheels on a corner. And the more the wheels spun, the more it slid towards the swamp. After a number of tries and some back and forth and a lot of pushing by our team and some local Cambodians who were very helpful the van made it around the corner. All the others made the corner successfully – with everyone holding their breath. This is adventurous mission work! Very nice!
God answered pray so many times today (between the rice distribution, the coming and going on these “bridges”, the slippery clay mud roads, the holding back of the rain during the concert, the lives brought to him – absolutely awesome!
Thank you for your support of the Rice for Cambodia mission trip. The rice you purchased is feeding thousands and the ministry opportunities that have happened (in just the early phase of the trip)have been tremendous. You’ve done a good thing!
P.S. Pictures and video on all this will appear as soon as I can get some fast Internet and a little time to do the video production. Thanks for your patience.
Rice Distribution #3
This morning’s distribution was much larger – 10 tons of rice was distributed. We were blessed in that this was the first time the Rice for Cambodia mission trip has come to this particular part of the country. Our host told us it’s the most populated part of the region. It’s different, however, in that it’s a whole bunch of smaller villages very close together – rather than a large city – so it doesn’t get the attention it needs in terms of feeding the hungry.
I was struck by the fact that the 400 families represented all wore their best. They loved the music, received the scriptures and rice we handed them with huge smiles of gratefulness.
No Internet where I am now but wanted to write a bit before I go much further. I need to run to the van right now – we’ve got a major concert tonight. I’m heading over to the stage with the musicians to help plan the program for tonight.
Thank you for your continued prayers for safety for the team and for God’s blessing on Cambodia.
Kevin
The First Two Rice Distributions
As I write we’re flying through a small village in our van headed toward Bottambang. I’m seeing rice paddies, cows everywhere, people on bikes and mopeds that we’re dodging left and right. Our drivers horn is almost constantly sounding the warning to move out of the way. It’s a two way road but most of the time it easily becomes three lanes as we drive down the middle line while we pass – oncoming traffic just moves over a bit. Reminds me of driving in Europe.
The first rice distribution took place about 9 this morning. It was an honor to help make the presentation and hand off the first few bags of rice. It was a small distribution but a good practice run for us. W3 also did a medical clinic – distributing vitamins, de-worming medicine and more. I took so many great photos. I wish I could share them all with you. The music team from Indonesia did a wonderful at getting the people worshiping with us – lots of smiles and lots of fun. And talk about need – these people were so grateful for the 50 pound bags of rice. Watch for photos and video from this first distribution.
The second distribution took place at the Women’s Center a couple hours later. The Women’s Center is a very special place. All too often families sell their daughters into prostitution so they can buy food to eat. These girls obviously then lead an unbelievable life – many times becoming drug addicts as they find a way to cope with what they’re going through. Well, the people that buy them will also sell them. The Women’s Center is about buying these girls out of a life of prostitution (for $100 I might add) then they bring them to the center where they are rehabilitated, fed, taught about Christ, and taught a vocation. They focus on cosmetology and sewing. We saw the training taking place. It was quite something to think of the future that these girls now have that wouldn’t be possible without the Women’s Center.
You might remember that during the Awesome God Tour there were purses for sale to benefit the Women’s Center – purses that the girls had handmade. It’s a wonderful part of the Transform Asia ministry.
The rice distribution here brought in poor people from around the Women’s Center – again, amazingly grateful. As I again made a presentation it was an honor to represent the Positive Life Radio family who has given so generously so that this feeding of hungry people is possible – absolutely amazing.
(Ok, I’ve got to toss in here again – as we make our way through another village – little kids playing beside the main highway not 10 feed from cars and trucks driving 50-60 miles an hour. It’s shocking – but it seems to work for them – but wow!)
Back to the Women’s Center. What a privilege to see a place where so many lives are being changed – one at a time. You can contact me at Positive Life Radio if you would like more information on how you can specifically help the Women’s Center.
Our first two rice distributions have both been wonderful experiences. I’ll do my best to share in words, pictures and video how much this means to the people of Cambodia – I’m afraid I can’t do it justice, but I’ll try.
One piece of video I hope to be able to share with you sooner than later is of two little girls singing and doing the actions to a couple familiar children’s worship songs. Two talented little girls! As I started recording them more and more people came over to watch and sing along with them. It reminded me again of how when we are a part of Christ’s family – it’s a big family – worldwide! As I told them how there were 100,000 Positive Life Radio listeners praying for them and thinking of them I thought about how they’re praying for you as well – they are. They’re poverty hasn’t diminished their capacity to think of others – they appreciate each PLR listener and send their love and thankfulness.
Please forgive any odd sentences or misspelled words. My laptop keyboard is small and this road is bumpy as all get out!
Kevin Krueger
Praying During the Concert
Wednesday, May 18 at 7:30 a.m.
Last night’s big concert was amazing. One of the fantastic elements of it is how we have people (Cambodians that are a part of Transform Asia as well as our team) walking around the people – praying for them and talking with them. My roommate from Lewiston, ID, Steve Grinolds. I’ve asked him to share a few notes on his experience doing this part of the ministry last night.
Our Cambodian team brought tracts in their language. I prayed as they ministered and I also handed out a countless number of tracts. The little children are so cute and responsive to our efforts.
This country is very poor but by helping the way all of us are God is bringing hope to the people of Cambodia. Thank you all for supporting this outreach. Steve.
Audio Reports
Often when Kevin is traveling he won't have internet for a couple of days and isn't able to update content for the blog. In the mean time we'll update the archive of his call in reports that he thankfully has still able to do from his cell phone.
Update: Kevin just let me know the price of rice they were able to negotiate was lower than they were fearing it might be. Just a few months ago the prices was a little over $1000, but they were able to purchase for $550 per ton!
Update: Kevin just let me know the price of rice they were able to negotiate was lower than they were fearing it might be. Just a few months ago the prices was a little over $1000, but they were able to purchase for $550 per ton!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Meeting with Government Official
Church at Transform Asia was the highlight of the day, but a very close second was meeting with a high level (3rd highest person in the country) Cambodian government official today. (I'll have to figure out her name - jet lag has stolen my memory!) We were granted the opportunity formally offer our gift of rice. You'll hear Bobby Michaels introduce Positive Life Radio and myself. Then I offer the gift on behalf of the over 1,600 people in America. You'll hear that I share with her that even school children in America have helped. What you don't see on the video is her response. She told us how she was genuinely moved and touched to hear about the people who gave the donations - especially the children. It was a special moment. I pray that I represented you (the Positive Life Radio contributing family) with honor. It was an incredible opportunity to be welcomed by the Cambodian government in this special way.
The audio on the video is a bit low so it'll have to be cranked up on your player to understand it. (Don't forget to turn your system down again after viewing.)
The audio on the video is a bit low so it'll have to be cranked up on your player to understand it. (Don't forget to turn your system down again after viewing.)
Church at Transform Asia
As I expected, it was an amazing experience to worship with the Transform Asia church combined with the Rice for Cambodia mission team with representatives from 5 countries around the world. One of the highlights was singing Shout to the Lord together. As I listened I heard at least 4 different languages being sung - everyone in the room was one during that time. There were no cultural, ethnic, or language barriers. Christ brought us together. It sounds cliche' but it was like a little piece of heaven.
I was blessed to sit right next to a mom and her little girl, close in age to my own 3 year old. It made me homesick but it also warmed my heart. All of the little exchanges we had were wonderful. She was getting a little antsy at one point so I pulled out a picture book of my family that I take with me on all my trips. We looked through each picture together. Her mother seemed to appreciate it and told the little girl that these were my little girls - at least I think that's what she was saying as she pointed to the pictures. We had no common language between us I'm afraid.When we got done looking at the pictures she was trying to ask me something - I wasn't getting it. Another gentleman nearby told me what she was trying to ask. He didn't know English too well either but I understood. The little girl wanted to keep one of the pictures. As you see in the picture here - I gave her one. My daughter, Larissa, doesn't know it yet, but she's now got a little friend in Cambodia.
I'm also sharing a couple other images here... 1. The sign above the door of Cambodia for Christ (now called Transform Asia), on of the offering box to support a local program they on the a major radio station - FM 99.1 and the other of some of the children as they were practicing a song to sing for church. By the way - I'll be talking about that radio program more down the road on the air at Positive Life Radio. I think you'll like what I have to share. There's another pic here of a beautiful little girl as she watched the older kids practicing for their church special music.
Transform Asia Visit
1030 Sunday morning.
As I get my laptop going I’m observing the final preparation for church at the Transform Asia headquarters. Of course the whole Rice for Cambodia team is here but there are many who regularly attend. The room is about 20 feet wide, maybe 70 feet long. A rose colored tile covers the floor, everyone is sitting in blue plastic chairs, like what you might have on your back yard patio. I’ve been warmly welcomed a number of times – what a blessing it is to be with believers in Cambodia. Sitting just across from me are two young Americans that are in Cambodia to help with the Women’s Center (which I’ll talk about more in future posts) for the summer. They are both American born but one has parents from China, the other from Korea. They came into Phnom Penh to renew their visas. They’re enjoying visiting with other Americans and worshiping with us.
It was fun to watch the children practicing their worship songs a few minutes ago in a side room. There are several children here the ages of mine – 3 and 6. I just want to scoop them up and give them a big hug – I miss my girls so much. I’ll post a few pictures of the children practicing and of the other children later when I have Net access again. (Writing this via a quick email that will be posted when on-line again.)
The music team is about ready to begin worship so I’ll turn off the laptop. Thank you for praying for the Rice for Cambodia team. Around the world – worshipping with believers – it’s always a moving experiences.
Kevin Krueger
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Sunday - Father's Day
It will be a blessing and an honor this morning to worship with the Transform Asia team in a church service put together for the Rice for Cambodia team. Later this afternoon we have an official state visit with the prime minister’s wife.
It was a treat to receive a nice little card and bookmark from Bobby and Lee at breakfast this morning wishing all the dads well on Father’s Day. I had forgotten about it totally. What a nice gesture. Made me homesick for my wife and two precious little girls.
I’ve got many pictures and a lot of video from last night’s TV show – Boom Boom – to share with everyone. I’m hoping to get back on a computer this afternoon to upload some more. I’m late so better run…
Kevin
Interview - Steve, Scott and Jill on the Killing Fields
A quick interview with Steve, Scott and Jill all from the Inland Northwest after we visited the Genocide Museum and Killing Fields. You'll see Phnom Penh going by in the background.
Rehearsal for Boom-Boom TV Program
As I write this it’s 3:30 Saturday afternoon in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I’m at the facility for the Musicianaries performance that will be broadcast to 4.5 million viewers tonight. It’s a new experience in concert and TV facilities. An all cement structure – setup amphitheater style – with trash everywhere wiring that would make a building inspector run the other direction and one toilet in the green room area that probably hasn’t been cleaned in 15 years. The cement stairs are crooked and appear to be an afterthought.
But you know what, the mood is upbeat, we’re excited to be here, the TV production people have been marvelous to work with and it’s going to be an amazing evening. Several teams will be performing. Lino – the youngest guy on the trip will do a couple numbers – one that’s a more up-beat almost hip-hop style song. A worship team from Indonesia is here with some great music – they’re whole church band is here – sounded great in the rehearsal. And of course the Musicianaries team made up of people from around the states and Indonesia will do several numbers. And of course Bobby Michaels will do a couple of his classic solo songs that are always so moving. It’s going to be quite an evening. One that I believe will changes thousands of hearts for Jesus.
I’m told the floor in front of the stage is crowded, standing room only and that the cement amphitheater style seating will be very crowded. No stage diving is planned, however. J
What is my role tonight? I’m on standby to act as stage manager – getting people on and off the stage at the right times – and quickly, during commercial breaks. We’ll see if they put a mike in my hands at some point. That’s happened unexpectedly a couple of times already. Or, another option is that they’ll have me sitting off to the side of the stage with Pastor Setan Lee as a special and honored guest for the program. Let me say again, it’s an honor to represent the Positive Life Radio family in this way. We’ve not even started the rice distribution portion of the trip yet and I’ve already been overwhelmed with appreciation for what Positive Life Radio is doing for the people of Cambodia
Friday, June 13, 2008
Driving through Phnom Penh
Driving through some of the nicer streets in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. You'll hear some of the Rice for Cambodia team members reflecting on their visit to the Killing Fields in the background.
Genocide Museum and Killing Fields
Friday was another amazing day in Cambodia. It started early with a quick breakfast then right off to TV3 - a primary television station for Phnom Penh and the entire country. Bobby Michaels and other team leaders met with the producers of the Saturday night TV show called, Boom-Boom to discuss the evenings program and they invited me to tag along.
Boom-Boom is a weekly 2-hour show that's really a variety show - something 4.5 million Cambodians tune-in to watch each week. They've asked Bobby and Musicianaries to provide the content for the entire show (about 90 minutes after the time for commercials is allowed for.) It's a major honor to receive this request and an amazing opportunity to share Christian music with that many people at once in this country. Pray for God's blessing on the evening. The program begins approx. 10 hours from the time of this post.
The rest of the day was spent visiting the Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. I won't try to explain it all but I'll provide a link here to the story and also will upload some video of our team talking about their experience in visiting these two places. Here's more information and background.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Bobby Interviews Jill and Scott from Zillah, Washington
People from around the world come to Cambodia to help distribute the rice that is purchased through the generosity of the Positive Life Radio family of listeners. There are people coming in from South Africa, Indonesia, Ireland; from Florida, Hawaii and a number as well from the Inland Northwest. Just before a rehearsal this afternoon I asked Bobby Michaels (team leader of the mission trip) to introduce Jill and Scott to our listening family.
Bobby, Jill, Scott, Kevin
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Arrived in Cambodia
I’ve always had a great deal of respect for those that regularly travel long distances working for Christ. But now I have a whole new level of appreciation. Prayers were answered in that I made all my flights and my bags arrived in Phnom Penh as planned. Thank you to everyone that offered up a prayer for all traveling for the Rice for Cambodia mission trip. It was an hour long hop to Seattle. A two hour hop to San Francisco. A 12 hour flight (about 12:45 by the time we landed) to Seoul, then 5 ½ hour flight to Phnom Penh.
On the flight from Seattle to San Francisco I sat next to a woman from Philadelphia who felt like talking. She started off talking about how long the flight was from Seattle to San Francisco – 2 hours! She had done some overseas traveling, however, and was excited when I told her I was headed to Cambodia and why – the connection with Positive Life Radio and the rice distribution. She had all kinds of advice for me which was great – provided some good conversation.
The connection in San Francisco was fine. Even had enough time to grab a salad before getting on a completely packed – not one empty seat – Boeing 777-200. I flew on Asiana airlines based in Seoul. Wonderful South Korean hospitality abounded on the flight. And we got food! Even in coach we had real utensils which was a surprise. One side note… I flashed back to when I was 19 or 20 when I noticed that a young guy about that age sat in the window seat on the row I was in did get up once! I was on the aisle and got up several times as did the woman next to me. But that young guy didn’t budge! And he was drinking just as much water, orange juice and coke as everyone else! With the time before and after the flight he must have sat in that seat for 13 ½ hours without getting up. Oh to be young again.
I arrived in Phnom Penh about 11:15 p.m. local time, 30 hours after kissing the kids and my wife good-bye early Tuesday morning. Our team leader, Bobby Micheals, met me with a traditional Cambodian floral garland. It was so good to see a familiar face! He had our team coordinator and the local person in charge of transportation for the trip with him. After several days prior to leaving with no more than 4-5 hours of sleep and then the long trip (unfortunately I don’t sleep well on planes) I was pretty exhausted.
On the drive to the hotel I noticed a number of things…
- It was midnight at this point (after getting my bags, going through customs etc.) so I wasn’t expecting to see so many people out and about. The roads weren’t busy but there were still people just kind of hanging around. One guy looked like he was probably selling things at an outdoor market and decided just to sleep there until it opened up the next morning. He was sitting in a chair, slumped over his table with trinkets laying around on it.
- Like Guatemala, stop signs and red lights are merely suggestions here. Our driver slowed down when going through an intersection at one point. We had the green but the oncoming vehicle just kept going right on through the red. I’ve driven in this kind of driving environment in the past but am glad we have people to take care of that part of things for us here.
- Another thing that strikes me is this unusual combination of old and decaying trashy look and new and modern. In developing countries like Cambodia (or Guatemala where I was last month) it all seems to co-exist in an odd sort of surreal conglomeration.
- What I am most aware of is the kindness of everyone I’ve met in Cambodia. It’s going to be a good trip.
Today is a final preparation day. The musicians are in a small room in the hotel practicing as I write this (Thursday morning about 10:30), our team coordinator is working with the producers of the country wide TV show Bobby Michaels and the rest of the team will be on Saturday night. Our head nurse is off with a couple others to get the medicine. When they return it will be time to begin counting out the pills and putting them into little packets – about 7,000 of them will be distributed over the next few days.
I’ll be headed to the music rehearsal soon to see if I can help and as soon as the nurses get back with the pills I’ll be counting them out.
Prayer items…
Pray for the price of rice. We’re just about ready to purchase the rice off of the big rice barges (then it will be packaged into the 50 pound bags). Last night Bobby told me that rice had come down to about 550 per metric ton. We’re rejoicing because just a couple months ago it was at $1,000 per metric ton. But at the same time, 6 months ago it was at $330 per ton – when we did the annual fundraising event on Positive Life Radio in November. The cheaper the rice is, the more people we’ll be able to feed.
Pray for the remaining team members that are traveling right now. Quite a few people are still in the air – arriving later today.
Pray for the people of Cambodia – that God would soften their hearts so as we distribute the rice and share the Gospel they would understand that it is a gift of love from Jesus and that a desire to know him would grow in their hearts.
Kevin Krueger
General Manager
Positive Life Radio Network
Listen Live at www.plr.org
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Leaving... On a Prop Plane
Hi everyone,
I'm on my way out the door of the house on the great adventure to Cambodia with Musicianairies and the Rice for Cambodia mission trip.
First stop Seattle. Second stop San Fransisco. Third stop Seoul, Korea. Fourth stop Pnohm Penh, Cambodia.
Thank you for your prayers for the mission team. They're traveling from around the world and gathering in Cambodia all this week.
Take care,
Kevin
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Planning for a Mission Trip
I asked Rachel at Musicianaries to send me a quick note outlining where things are at for the trip now that it’s just a couple of days away. I also asked that she provide a bit of an overview of what it takes to put a major mission trip like this together. I’m happy to share her message with you. - - Kevin
It’s amazing to realize all of the planning that has to go into these trips. On my end for the past 3 months here is what I’ve been working on in the office:
- getting the entire team (in the U.S., South Africa & Indonesia) all of the information they need regarding the trip
- figuring out how many vehicles we will need
- figuring out how many hotel rooms we will need (as we will be in a new city almost every day)
- who is rooming with each other
- getting everyone’s flights in order so that the transition of picking everyone up will run smoothly
- receiving the rice donations
- transferring money over to Cambodia so KFCI can begin purchasing rice, school supplies, etc.
- ordering from the bank the money needed for our team (housing, transport, food, museums, etc.) and figuring out what denominations we need for each budget
- helping my parents prepare for a 7 week trip to Asia
Rachel Estehuyse
Friday, June 6, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Final Preparation for Cambodia Mission Trip
Just a few days now until I head to Cambodia. I'll be leaving early, early in the morning June 10 and arriving around 11 p.m. June 11 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I'm sure it'll go fine, but I'm anxious about the long trip and the many flight segments - too many places for something to go wrong!
But that all aside, wow, what an opportunity! I'm so grateful to Musicianaries for inviting me along on the trip. It's going to be amazing and life-changing.
Thank you for praying for:
I'll be sharing pictures and video whenever I can find an Internet connection fast enough to do the uploading. Otherwise, I'll update the text of the blog and have our team at Positive Life Radio add the audio reports we call in from Cambodia to it.
Thank you again for praying for the trip. God bless.
But that all aside, wow, what an opportunity! I'm so grateful to Musicianaries for inviting me along on the trip. It's going to be amazing and life-changing.
Thank you for praying for:
- The price of rice. It's high. We're praying it will come down.
- The people of Cambodia. Pray that God would open their hearts to his message as we share it.
- Safe travels. Volunteers from around the world come to Cambodia for this annual mission trip.
- My Cambodia visa - which hasn't arrived yet.
I'll be sharing pictures and video whenever I can find an Internet connection fast enough to do the uploading. Otherwise, I'll update the text of the blog and have our team at Positive Life Radio add the audio reports we call in from Cambodia to it.
Thank you again for praying for the trip. God bless.
Friday, May 9, 2008
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