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We have only had a couple of meetings so far, but already the team is excited. We have such an amazing group of individuals going to Battambang this July, and it is a good balance of veterans and first-timers. I remember preparing for my first trip to Cambodia and I know how many mixed emotions are involved. Without knowing much about the country and culture one would tend to picture jungles and villages and lots of rice paddies. Well you'd be partially correct. The city of Battambang is just a few hours North West of Phnom Penh (the capital of Cambodia).  Battambang has a typical small city feel with restaurants, markets, and shops, but there's no hiding the effects of poverty among the people.

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Some interesting facts about Cambodia:

• In 1975 the Khmer Rouge (a Communist force headed by Pol Pot) took control of Cambodia and embarked upon one of the worst genocides of the 20th Century. In the 4 years that the Khmer Rouge terrorized Cambodia, nearly 1/5 of the population (1.7 to 2.5 million people) were killed by starvation, enslavement, execution, or torture. One of the most shocking facts related to Cambodia's past is that Pol Pot wanted to purge all educated, professional, and wealthy Cambodians from the Country in order to build a new nation that he could dominate and control. The Cambodians were evetually liberated by the Vietnamese in 1979 and the Country has be rebuilding ever since.
• Only 3.6% of the Cambodian population is over 65 years of age. The median age is 21.7 years old. 35% of the population lives in poverty
• 75% of workers in this country are farmers
• Theravada Buddhism makes up 90% of population, Islam is about 8%, and Christianity is estimated at 2%

As I read these facts in the weeks leading up my first trip and identified where Battambang was on the map, my mind still raced.  I had no idea how bad it would really be there nor could I truly picture the conditions in which these poor orphans lived.  What we witnessed in Cambodia was nothing short of amazing.  These kids live in a nation that is still recovering from the horrors of its past, but much like the blossoms that spring forth from the withered branches of Winter, these kids spring forth with hope and expectations for the future.  They are orphans, but they have 30+ brothers and sisters as their family and many adults who watch over them and take on the role of their parents.  My trip to Cambodia was similar to what I picture in landscape, but the kids and the people that we met there we miles apart from what I had expected.  We believe that kids are the hope of Cambodia.  And our hope is that our team can encourage, equip, and inspire them to be that change for their country. 

Thank you for taking this journey with us!