"Worse than Hitler"

Today was a serious day for us here in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. During our stay at the beach we watched to film about the true story of two journalists writing about the Cambodian genocide and "killing fields". These true events occurred here in the Capital city. Though it took us only 4 hours to visit both the prison and the fields it drained us and felt like days. The two places we visited are smaller than imagined, however they held much more terror than anything.
We first went to the Tuol Sleng, the genocide museum, former Khmer Rouge S-21 (Security Office 21) Prison. This was used for interrogation, prison, and torture. The Khmer Rouge had inprisoned their fellow countrymen. Those with education, who could potentially harm the goals and power of the Khmer Rouge. Amongst the tens of thousands of Cambodians there were also Americans, British, Australians, Vietnamese, Laotians, Thai, Indians, and many more nationalities. All together, all suffering, all innocent, all but seven dead. These were not just men but also their families; their wives, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and parents.
After Tuol Sleng we went to the Killing Fields as they are now called. This was where they actually killed the prisoners. They drove the same path we took from Tuol Sleng to Choeung Ek, only they knew it was their last drive. Approximately 17,000 people were executed in four years from 1975-1979. Majority of these from Tuol Sleng. Walking around the rather small area you still see bones, teeth, and clothing littering the ground. They said this was "more cruel than the genocidal act committed by the Hitler fascists". "They had educated and transformed young people and the adolescent whose hearts are pure, gentle, and modest into odious executioners who dared to kill the innocent and even their own parents, relatives, or friends." Not only did they kill in mass, but they also "buried" those still living after being tortured. They were thrown onto the top of the "mass graves". There was a loud speaker attached to a tree and special chemicals used to mask the sounds and smells from the field. There is still a large area where they have not disturbed the remains.

Conclusion:
It is sad and disturbing to know people are capable and willing to do things like this. We come away from these sites after having walked where people had feared for their lives that were taken. Here we are not foreigners but fellow humans trying to grasp an understanding for how and why this happens. While there we saw one of the seven survivors of Tuol Sleng. He talked of where his cell was and that he wanted to know how someone could do this to their fellow man.
We have no answers for questions like these, only hope. Hope that people will remember the pain this and other past genocides have caused all involved. Whether you are the one in front of the "gun" or behind it.
Hope for a beter tomorrow, have faith God will grant that, and love your fellow man!

1 Corinthians 13:13

Love to all

Cambodia!

So my journey began last Sunday morning the 20th of January. I left freezing, snowy, icy weather in China and hopped on three planes to my destination of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The flights were interesting but did speed up the travel time! I was blessed to have made each flight and my checked bag made it through each time as well!
After arriving at the airport, I grabbed my bag, changed into a t-shirt, went through cutsoms, and hopped on a motodup (motorcycle) tot he bus station. I got a ticket to Sihanoukville, a very nice beach area. I arrived at about 3pm and found a hotel for 6$ a night with a private bathroom! After dropping my bags I grabbed my camera and headed to the beach for the sunset. I am a sucker for sunrises and sunsets at the beach, as many of you know! My first full day I spent on the beach. I fried my left side! You really do have to put A LOT of sunscreen on being so close to the equator! It hurt a little but it was fine by the time J-Bo (Jessica B) and Jess (Jessica M) met me on Thursday. It has been a nice relaxing time.
Ater they arrived on Thursday we found a place for the 3 of us and I led the way to the beach of course. We found another teacer from J-Bo's city in China. We all went out that night for dinner and saw the beach life at night!
Today (Saturday) we went snorkeling. It was 15$ for 2-50 minute sessions as well as the boat, breakfast, lunch, water, and fresh fruit! It was a lot of fun and we even got to see a small fishing village on an island. We applied sunscreen twice, at the beginning of the trip and after lunch. Yet, somehow, we are all still fried!! Especially on our backs!! We are constantly applying sunscreen! This burn will make it more challenging when we leave in a day or two to travel other parts of Cambodia because of our huge backpacks! I guess it is the price you pay.
Tonight we are each going to take time to stand under the cold shower. There is also a bonfire tonight at 11pm on the beach. This group of guys drove 2 little cars from Germany to the beach here to help raise money for the street children here. We are going to head down there to show some support! It will be fun though I doubt we will stay long seeing how exhausted we are!
That's all for now! Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

PLEASE PRAY!

I was told that 2 days ago a girl, a friend, from the Friday night study I attend in Greensboro, was killed. Her name was Regan Bailey. This was very shocking news and saddened not only my heart but I am sure the hearts of all who knew her. I am sad I will not be there with my friends for us to help eachother get through this. I know who has control and there was a reason this happened. She will be missed. Please pray for her family and friends.
Thank you.

TRAVELS!!!!

My schedule for travelling!!
Sunday:
10:35am - Fly from Wuhan to Guangzhou, China
8:50am - Fly from Guangzhou to Bangkok, Thailand

Monday:
7:00am - Fly from Bangkok to Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Hop on a bus and travel to Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
Spend 2 days there at the beach, hiking, and buyign a souvenier or two to support The Starfish Group there.

Wednesday:
Bus back to Phnom Penh to meet Jessica Boffey and Jessica McClendon. Then we will travel around Cambodia for about 1 week.

After 1 week or so we will cross into Laos to spend a week there.

Following Laos we will spend the remainder of our time (until the 17th of February) in Thailand!

Please keep us in your prayers for safe travels and wisdom in choices we make!
Thanks!!

January 2008 Thus Far!

New Years was an adventure even here! We had a celebration with some students. They had curfew but instead stayed in Jessi's apartment to ring in the New Year. We watched American movies and had an assortment of chinese snacks. They were amazed to see how we celebrated the holiday staying up and watching the countdown on television. Of course our countdown switched between Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai. They also showed Vietnam and Thailand on tv as well. It was pretty exciting!
My New Years Kiss!!!

It has gotten extremely cold here. It changes much like NC weather. Last Monday and tuesday (7th + 8th) it was very nice outside in the upper 60's F. Well Saturday it snowed. It is supposed to snow again tomorrow or Tuesday! We went outside and played for a little while until our toes and fingers were numb. To go outside for only a half hour, I wore: long johns (top and bottom), longsleeve tshirt, a fleece, a sweatshirt, my coat, wind pants, socks, tennis shoes, 2 pairs of gloves, scarf, and an ear-warmer band. The middle of me was pretty warm! Snowmen and snowball fights are interesting in China. Snowmen or should I say snowwoman are very interesting. They are very detailed, with pictures to prove it. These were pictures taken of a snowwoman outside the Junior boys dormitory across from our apartments! It was not like having a snowball fight in America. The girls were very scared of snow and ran screaming and the boys didn't want to hit their teachers though we threw snowballs at them. Ah well! You live you learn Dorothy was right, "there's no place like home!"

Other than that we have been busy preparing for the end of our first term here in China. Our grades are due before we leave for our month-long holiday. It is now almost Chinese New Year!! I have to say travelling around China at this time is worse than the day after Thanksgiving sales in America with the amounts or should I say MOBS of people. There are so many people travelling and all they do is mob ticket counters. My plan was to get a train ticket to meet friends in Vietnam, however that is not the way it is working out. All the trains are sold out 9 days in advance! So my plans have changed. I am still planning to leave next weekend (the 18th) and head for Thailand where I willtravel to Cambodia to meet them instead. I will fly since this is the only mode of transportation available at this time. To fly from China to Bangkok it costs less than $200. Flights are actually rather inexpensive and of course the travel time is much shorter!I will be ok to get away from the cold and snow and lay on a beach with a good book in hand, while getting a tan!!

Anyway, enough rambling! I am sure I will have a wonderful time where ever I end up. I will have many stories to share and pictures of course. While I travel I will try to keep this updated as I will have some time to get online! So keep checking back for updates. I also had a wonderul phone call this afternoon from one Janet and Adrian Neely. As most of you know they are here for Adrian's business. I answered the phone and when I heard her I thought, 'who is this person speaking English so well??' I am hoping out paths will cross when I return from my holiday!

Hope y'all are having a blessed winter!!