I left the cold and freezing weather in Michigan on the 31st of March taking off my jacket for the first time in 3 months as I traveled to the airport. I arrived at the airport in Phnom Penh on the 2nd of April and was greeted by 100 degrees of heat and humidity. Hopefully, in a few days, I will be able to say I am glad to be back but even the Khmer people are complaining of being uncomfortable with the heat, and it will take me a while to recuperate from the trip.

The information I received from Mr. Dara on the way to the hotel was not good. Although all of the children have been placed with relatives or in other group homes, not all were good placements and more work still needs to be done to ensure the children are living in a safe environment. Many of the families will need support and that is what we will concentrate on in the coming months.

Phnom Penh has grown in the short time I have been gone and it is going to be a challenge for me to live here. I have found a large apartment to rent and have moved in, but it is nothing like home yet. Several problems with the electricity and telephone services make me question if I have made a good choice.

Some of the guys stopped in last night and made themselves at home. Chay even cooked me my first meal which was very satisfying.

Stuffed tomatoes with chopped pork… just one of the benefits of sending kids to culinary training. Several of our alumni have taken the training and are now employed in Phnom Penh.

I am not sure where this is all leading yet, but it is a start at trying to make the best of an unfortunate situation… one that I feel partly responsible for. I just hope that my health holds out for a while longer so that we can get a new program started. Now that I have good internet service again I will try to keep you more informed about what is happening here in Cambodia.