Good Friday

We experienced a clash of cultures today in Cambodia.  The Khmer New Year is coming up and today was the last day of school for our deaf students and they were celebrating with traditional new year games and food.  They are all Buddhist and have no idea of Good Friday and what it means for us Christians.

At the Deaf Development Programme

Today the deaf students and their teachers prepared a special chicken curry for a final meal together before their new year holiday begins.
We on the management team were invited to join the happy group and festive meal and it was a delight.
One of the students posing downstairs near a new year proclamation on the office wall.
Many Asian cultures celebrate happy festivals by throwing powder on each other. This young woman prepares to go home with her share of powder.

 

At the Good Friday service

Our Good Friday service was held in our hall at St. Joseph Church. Here Fr. Bob prostrates in silence to begin the liturgy.
Later after a reading of the Passion according to John, the cross was carried in procession to the front of the hall.
Then the congregation were invited to venerate the cross with a touch or kiss or a bow or other sign of reverence.