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Today was partly work and partly play. All of it was spent along the coastline, most on a beach on the Gulf of Thailand. Click here to see photos from the day’s activities.
DDP Staff Meeting #2
DDP Staff Meeting #1
Every year the Maryknoll Deaf Development Programme has a general staff meeting to bring all the staff together for two or three days. We work in different provinces and some of the staff do not get to know each other and see each other except at this annual meeting. This year we are meeting in Koh Kong in southern Cambodia, and because it is so far away, we allowed a day to travel, then two days of gatherings, and then a day to return. Click here to see pictures from this day, the travel day.
Inclusion
Sacrament of Confirmation
This weekend Bishop Olivier came to our English liturgy to give the Sacrament of Confirmation to nine of our youth. It turned out to be a pleasant ceremony, but different from other confirmations because we had to practice social distancing and wear masks. Click here to see photos from the ceremony.
Motorcycle Loads #273
Have a good day!
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Here’s a happy wave from a seller of sugar cane juice!
Bread Ladies
These three ladies are all within shouting distance on the same block of a Phnom Penh street. Their baguettes, one of the last traces of Cambodia’ French history, are much in demand.
Enough already!
COVID-19 has affected people all over the world and in many different ways. Last week I had a funeral in Phnom Penh and afterwards met a young couple, the man from the United States and the woman from Malaysia. They were married in March and came to Cambodia for a honeymoon–and are still here. Because of travel restrictions due to the pandemic, he cannot go to Malaysia and she cannot go to the United States. Seven months now….how long is too long?
Maybe they don’t understand?
In most countries it is common practice to protect the identities of those who are minors or vulnerable children or who are only alleged to have committed a crime. In such cases the faces of the people are pixelated or otherwise obscured in photos in the newspapers and their real names are not used so that they cannot be identified. Here in Cambodia it is the common practice to pixelate the face or place a black stripe over it, but then they also put the person’s name with the photo! So why obscure the face?
An Election Prayer
Let us pray . . .
For the world and its leaders, may all those in authority have the courage to walk the path of peace.
For our nation in this time of election and transition, may we be gifted with a spirit of reverence for what is right, charity for those with whom we disagree and concern for the common good.
For all who serve in our national and local governments, may they commit themselves to building a more perfect union.
For reconciliation among families and friends, may we learn to love each other not despite but because of our differences and may we focus fully on the work that continues beyond this election–the work of building God’s beloved community.
For those most affected by the choices we make, those who are made poor, those seeking safety in our land, those who are ill or without homes, those without food or meaningful work, and for all whose lives are undervalued, may they find welcome in our hearts and in our country.
Amen