Our time in America is coming to an end.  We will be leaving Friday morning and heading back to Cambodia for another two years.  For the past seven weeks we have done so much.  We acted like tourists and visited all the theme parks, museums and zoos in the surrounding area.  We ate amazing food and way too much of it.  We also got to meet with family and friends.

As I reflect on our time here, I realize the number of things I am so grateful for here in Texas, but also grateful for the things we have in Cambodia.

Food – I love having dozens of selections of all my favorite foods including BBQ, burgers and Mexican food. But the price shock was considerable just in the past two years since we have been here.  On the other hand, we have learned to love the food in Cambodia, and my lunch costs $1.50 per day.  Try to find a full meal including drink in Texas for the same.

Air Conditioning – It’s everywhere; in all the rooms of your house, in your car while you drive and in every building you enter.  But on the other hand, I have somewhat gotten used to being in the heat.  I was able to go golfing with three guys a few weeks ago at about 2:30pm in the afternoon.  The temperature was about 95 with a heat index of 101.  This is a typical temperature for Cambodia and while it was hot, I did not have the same level of heat exhaustion typically associated with spending 4 hours outside.  My normal “9-5” is outside without air conditioning, so I am “maybe” getting acclimated to the heat.  Who knows…

Driving – New completed toll roads, entrances and exits and all different forms of construction.  People stay in their own lanes and drive at a considerable rate of speed.  For the first few days driving 70mph down the highway felt like flying.  A typical highway drive in Cambodia is about 45mph for short intervals until you hit the next town or run up behind a slow moving truck or moto.  But driving here was orderly.  Although it was orderly, we actually had to stop at red lights even though no one was coming.  We also had to watch for pedestrians and faster moving vehicles.

Shopping – Walking down the chip or cereal aisle in Wal-Mart is an amazing thing.  I can choose from 200 different types of chips or cereal.  Back in Cambodia, my selection of “western” chips or cereal is limited to six flavors, maybe ten of Pringles.  But we have learned to adapt and find all the things we need.  Buc-ee’s!  Wow, that place is cool.

All Forms of Generosity – the use of vehicles, staying in parent’s houses, donated wakeboard gear, visiting/hanging out at ShredTown, lunches and dinners with friends and family, an AMAZING garage sale,  time volunteered, monetary donations, prayer

All in all, it was a wonderful summer. Thankful for our time here in America but am looking forward to the next two years in Cambodia. Thank you guys!

John