Trip to Phnom Penh - Day 3 in Cambodia

Sophorn underwent surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid last summer, in August. She now takes synthetic thryroid hormone, and since her supply was almost depleted, she and Chheng needed to return to the hospital in Phnom Penh to visit the doctor and get a new prescription. So, after the twice-weekly prayer meeting at the church from 6am-7am, they loaded up in the RAV4 with Kris, Anna and David and headed off to Phnom Penh.
Kris and the kids had breakfast with Chheng and Sophorn in Ta Kmao and then headed towards Phnom Phenh where Kris and the kids were dropped off at the new mall that has the Lucky store. They wandered around for a while and even took a trip down the street to see if they could find a computer store to replace the dc adapter that burned out. Then they headed back to the Lucky store and did some shopping followed by a drink and ice cream. Then Chheng and Sophorn came back and said that they needed to wait an hour or so for the results from the blood test. They all had lunch at BBWorld (upside down Mickey D’s) and then went to the hospital for the results and medicine. They then drove back to Prek Ambel.
I enjoyed my morning with Thomas and Daniel, first visiting with my translator about the Sunday School lesson I was to teach the next day, and then I enjoyed watching the students practice the Christmas program. They are planning a big production for this coming Sunday, and thee PATC students have been working hard getting ready for it.
After we walked home, I did some laundry. Sophorn’s machine requires that you add your own water, because the water from the river that is connected to the washer not only isn’t all that clean, it also merely trickles into the drum, making one load take hours. But it’s pretty simple to add water at the beginning and then to come back when it is rinsing to add it again. And as long as you can lift a 5 gallon bucket by yourself and gently pour it into the washer, it’s no problem. (I need to work on that one with these wimpy muscles!
Kayleen came home early from her Saturday classes (they have school on Saturdays, too, here), because her teacher didn’t show up. She says that the teacher was probably sick, and the class waited about 2 hours there until they finally decided to go home. I was happy to have her company! Kayleen and I were on our own for lunch, but Sophorn left us some cut up pork in the fridge for us to fry. A little oil in the wok until it sizzles, and then stir the pork until it is crispy brown – she says to make sure it is brown. It’s really quite tasty! Kayleen offered to reheat the rice that sat at room temperature (30C) all night, but when I looked hesitant, she offered to make fresh rice, which sounded much better to me. I need to get used to leaving food out…they do it quite a bit more that I’m used to. They will chow down on browned meet from last night’s dinner for breakfast, or toss some pork and vegetables into a pan and refry/reheat them, even though they sat outside (the kitchen is outside behind the house) all night. I am not used to this, but we are all feeling good and healthy so far! Thank you for your prayers for this!!

Everyone returned from Phnom Penh, and Kris came bearing fresh milk for us (something that is quite a luxury here – they drink milk from a cardboard carton that needs no refrigeration until it is opened). He also bought some cereal, peanut butter, jelly, and bread, thinking that these things would help us feed ourselves sometimes to give Sophorn a break. She works so hard, but she is so cheerful about it! Every time I offer to help or ask what she needs to do next, she says, “You take care of you kids.”