We're here! We're here!
We flew in about 6:30 pm this evening and guess who was at the bottom of the arrival stairs... SOKHOM! PRAISE THE LORD!
Seriously, Sokhom was a life saver.
He met us as soon as we got off the plane, took our visa applications, loaded our luggage onto a cart, and then we got a VIP walk through customs. It was amazing. Then we were met by some students from the school who took all of our luggage and put it in the van. We were getting the rockstar treatment for sure. Once we had gotten into the van we took off down the street.
You know how movies portray driving in 3rd world countries?
They aren't making that stuff up.
There are rules when you're driving.
Sure there are lanes marked and street signs, but no one pays attention to them.
AT ALL.
It's INSANE.
Motorcycle type things are everywhere and sometimes 3 people are crammed on them.
They weave in and out of traffic and honk constantly.
The cars are all over the road and yet there are no wrecks.
It's ridiculous.
Driving through town was incredible.
It was dark but only like 7:00 pm so people were still out and all over.
There are stalls set up all over the sidewalks and vendors sell everything.
People are everywhere! Sokhom said that Phnom Penh is smaller than Abilene but there are over 2 million people that live here. The smells are interesting here as well. Lots of garbage and filth but also garlic and cooking smells as well as burning incense. It's also so green here! I had forgotten what vegetation looked like!
We arrived at the school and were immediately greeted by more boys *students* and we were directed to the kitchen where Sokhom's daughter had prepared a dinner of chicken wings, rice, and steamed water lily. IT WAS DELICIOUS! We ate and visited and talked about the plan for tomorrow. We will wake up and be picked up from the hotel at 7:30. From there, Sokhom's daughter will take us to the store where we will buy food needed to prepare lunch for the students. Then we will head back to the school and cook while the students are in Bible class. After lunch we will begin English classes at 2 and teach until 4. At 5 we will begin English classes for the children that come to the school after their school lets out.
After we finished eating, Sokhom , his daughter, and Tolah (a recent graduate of medical school and a current bible student) brought us to the hotel and we checked in and got our key. We said goodbye and settled into our room. It's extremely spacious but kind of lonely. Not like home, but we'll get used to it and we are EXTREMELY grateful to have it!
Now I'm in my room and Sarah is in her room. We both got to shower {PRAISE THE LORD} and now we're ready for the night. I'm not entirely sure if I'll be able to sleep since it's currently 10 am in Abilene right now. But I'm crossing my fingers since I'm so exhausted!
I'm not going to lie, I'm a little homesick right now. Blame it on the exhaustion or the fact that I just found a stack of letters from my sisters. But I've shed a few tears tonight. It's going to be a process for sure. I just really love my family. But I'm so grateful for that love. I'm so blessed.
So this is goodnight from Phnom Penh!! Thank you all for everything... seriously. Love to you all!
Cassie and Sarah
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