Wat Opot Children's Community

24 December 2009

For many people, a four hour bus ride to the top of a small mountain would not be all that exciting… but for our children, any opportunity to get out of the hot dusty country side for a day is a great experience.

They started off at 6:30 AM in two buses, but one broke down on the way and so they all piled into the one remaining bus and continued their journey to the top of Kirirum Mountain, returning to Wat Opot at 7:30 in the evening.

The trip was made possible by Andy Gray (pictured with glasses), his wife Hitomi and their three daughters, who are seated between them. They were able to raise the funds through their organization PROJECT FRIENDS and you can read their version of the story by following this link http://www.photosensibility.com .

The trip was organized by Wat Opot’s new Community Leader Channa Nov, pictured above in the white T-shirt with some of our older boys. Channa grew up in an orphanage as well and his father also died of AIDS related causes. He is now married with two children and has just finished a Masters Degree program in Phnom Penh.

Joining the expedition was our new long-term Volunteer, Mark Masingale, who came to us quite by accident a few weeks ago. A Follower of Jesus and a Jack of all trades, he wasn’t sure how he could be of any use to us… but soon found out that he was just the person we were waiting for. With several innovative projects already started and others in the planning, we should be able to keep him busy for a long time to come… that is of coarse if we can find the funds to allow him to stay with us. Any one wishing to contact him can do so at marktmasingale@gmail.com .

The group ate their rice with chicken and soup, at the top of the Mountain and everyone got more then they needed.

That was followed by a cool dip in the crystal clear water of the river… a new experience for most of them as well, since the water we swim in here is always cloudy because of the clay.

And so this was Christmas 2009 for the children and staff of The Wat Opot Community. We are so very grateful to Andy and his family for sharing their Christmas with us and also to the many people who have contributed to our community throughout the year, for without you this all would not be possible.

Wayne Dale Matthysse