Christmas In Sihanoukville

I am about to celebrate my second Christmas in Cambodia...well technically it's my first, because last year we spent Christmas in Vietnam with a group of friends. This year I decided not to travel, so it will just be my daughter and I at the dinner table. We plan to cook our favorite holiday dishes, which includes her favorite candied yam and banoffee pie. Of course, we will Skype our family and watch some Christmas movies.

Yesterday, we got to bring a little Christmas cheer to the families in the village where I do mission outreach. We had a little party for the kids and thanks to my church back in Ireland (Living Rock Pentecostal), we were able to bless needy families with rice, noodle, toothbrush, toothpaste and some tin goods.  It was absolutely fantastic to see the joy on their faces. It's one thing to tell people about the love of God, but it's totally different when you can show them that love in action. I am so blessed to be a part of this amazing team serving in this community.

I see the love of Christ each time I visit this village, the people there are amazing. Believe me when I say that these people are very poor, some live in shacks and a lot of the children do not go to school because they simply cannot afford to send their kids. Nevertheless, the generosity of these people is amazing. While we were busy trying to bless them, the wife of the pastor who translates for us was busy preparing to bless us. She prepared lunch for us, from the chicken that her husband killed and the rice that her mother had shared with them. This was possibly a weeks meal for their family of four, but they wanted to show their appreciation to us for helping their village. And this is not the first time that someone from the village had offered to bless our team from the little they had. I am humbled by these beautiful people and their willingness not only to hear the gospel but to put it in action. Never forget the true meaning of Christmas.

                   Have a Blessed Christmas!