Betsy, Aiden and I on a tuktuk ride around town. Betsy was having trouble getting in the picture and I think Aiden wasn't really interested in the photo op.
I've been learning the ropes at the moringa office. The staff, Sombok, Paula and Mum, are fun to work with and they are very kind to me, even when I speak Khmer horridly. They asked me to lead the devotional one Friday, so now I am in the rotation. I spend most of the time puttering around on the computer trying to figure out to install programs that we need and keeping the finances in order. Sometimes I try to help sift the moringa powder or chop the lemongrass for the moringa tea, but usually Paula or Mum try to politely take over for me so it doesn't take the whole afternoon.
We were able to plant about 200 moringa trees in S'dao on the land we recently purchased. These moringa trees produce good seed pods, so we will use these trees as a seed source for the moringa oil we process and sell. Right now I am working on experimenting with making moringa tea so we can start packaging and marketing it. Moringa Oil Soap is another product in the works, so it's been busy.
Me with the moringa trees in S'dao (Chris is in the background digging holes for us)
Me, Betsy, Chris and Sombok - Children IN the Corn
Praise God for 2 new customers who came into the office this past week to find out about moringa and ask questions. They both bought powder and if they like it, they will tell others about it. Word of mouth is one our best marketers! And one of the ladies wanted to make sure Mum wasn't overcharging her and Mum said that she believes in Jesus and because of that she is honest. The woman responded that she is also a believer, so it was pretty much family time after that. =)I had some visitors which made all these transitions a little easier (at least I was more distracted) and my sister and friends that came ministered to me in many ways through just conversations, Bible Study and hanging out. We managed to travel all around Cambodia in 12 days, so they got to see the sights.
Next my friend Betsy from ECHO came to visit since she is just next door in Thailand. She was also a huge encouragement as we are very similar and it's so nice to be understood, especially when I don't feel like I can really connect on a deep level with those around me. Betsy also helped me pull weeds in the moringa orchard and she came twice to help plant moringa trees in S'dao (a nice break from studying she said!). AND she went on errands and cooked for me when I started getting sick and then she spent a week with me in Bangkok while I was in the hospital then guesthouse trying to get over Dengue fever. Crazy dengue. It's not fun at all. Fever, headaches, body aches, nausea, and dehydration...NO Thank You! But I am immune for 2 years now, so hah mosquitos. Like they care though, they still eat me up. Anyway, I am feeling much better and getting my strength back. And the moringa trees we weeded are growing great. Just another positive thing. =)
Thanks for reading, for praying and for being! God bless.
