ON TO CAMBODIA
PHNOM PENH (Monday / Tuesday)
We arrived in Phnom Penh almost midnight Monday and was greeted by a large number of the Cambodian Methodist Church leaders. After a quick greeting and picture we boarded a bus to the hotel for some crash time. Yes, we had our first real bed after leaving home 51+ hours ago.
The City of Phnom Penh is very large, bustling with life. Yet the picture of life here is such sharp contrast to the Louisiana environment we all are accustomed to. As the light of morning allowed, our jet-lagged selves rolled out to the streets to see a bustling metro, swarming with motor bikes on the streets like bees at the hive. Traffic signals were merely decoration as we very carefully wandered the streets a couple of hours.
Esther Gitobu picked us up at the hotel mid-morning Tuesday for orientation and a visit to the Methodist Church’s offices here in Phnom Penh. We saw the youth camp leadership team hard at work in the headquarters conference room preparing last minute details of the Youth Camp starting the next day.
Youth Planning Team
Rev. Dr. Romeo Del Rosallio provided an overview of Cambodia along with usual customs, phrases and cultural sensitivities. He discussed at length the Global Ministries (GBGM) initiatives in Cambodia. It is just one of four international Methodist Mission Agencies working in Cambodia. The four agencies joined efforts late 2003 to form the "Methodist Church in Cambodia". In January 2004, the first meeting of the "Methodist in Cambodia" was held in Phnom Penh. The network team has about 20 UMC Churches in the USA partnered with congregations in Cambodia. Support is provided for the pastor and the ministry of the Cambodian congregations. They very much need additional USA partners as the UMC is getting a great foothold and the needs are great! The Lord is doing good things in and through the Church in Cambodia. The growth in the Church here is not only in numbers, but also more importantly, there is a steady growth in maturity and faith in the Cambodian leadership of the emerging Methodist Church in Cambodia. The primary purpose of the Youth Camp this week, the first one ever held in Cambodia, is to develop young church leaders to grow the church throughout the country. 
Our Team Orentation
Cambodia Methodost Church Offices
We left Phnom Penh in our little bus mid afternoon and traveled a 3-1/2 hour journey to the city of Sihanoukville, a small coastal city and beach resort (by Cambodia standards) in South West Cambodia. Eight of the youth from Phnom Penh shared the little bus with us, sitting in jump seats & on the floorboard. No way were they going to miss this camp experience. The journey took us along typical Cambodia countryside with rice field plains and jungle like mountains. At the outskirts of the city, many relatively new garment factories were scattered along the way. It was striking to see these large factory buildings which employ many people, yet there is no need for a large parking lot. Motor bikes, buses, wagons and walking seem to be the way one commutes to work and back.
Youth Traveled over with us to Camp
As the setting sun darkened to an orange glow in the west, we could see free cattle grazing roadside. Small huts in community clusters dotted the roadway every few miles. Home styles are very open-air so we could see inside easily from the bus. As the blanket of darkness fell on our path, no deeper dark have we ever seen. No street lights. Little traffic. Most of the rural homes had only a candle or two providing light inside and a "campfire" outside (for cooking). Those homes that did have electricity usually had only a single bulb burning. In a very few of the homes, we saw the blue flicker of TV as the light source. 
Cambodia Methodist Youth leadership Camp, Sihanoukville, Wed Dec 2-6, 2008
Sounds of music were heard upon our arrival at the Garden Hill Hotel atop a tall hill north of town. The youth band was leading the singing. Strong sounds of praise and worship poured out of the hotel meeting hall with 200+ voices singing songs of. What a great way to sense the open hearts of these young people.
There are 240 participants in this Youth Weekend. Over 200 are the youth, ranging in age from fifteen to upper 20’s. Several pastors of the Methodist churches around Cambodia are also here as are staff members from the Mission Office. Esther Gitobu, with here smiling face, is all over the camp greeting and loving the young people.
First (ever) Cambodia Methodost Youth Camp in session
Monday morning (we think)
We arrived in Seoul Korea this morning. We flew on a new (and I mean NEW) B777 airplane. All seven of us made it! We have received word that Dirk will probably not be joining us due to the unrest in Thailand. We will spend most of today in the Seoul Airport and then fly into Cambodia later tonight. Everyone is doing great! Keep us in your prayers.
Here we are as we arrived Seoul, all seven of us along with flat Sally (note her in Ken's hand)
Christ is Lord, praise His name forever!
We are off on our trip tomorrow, leaving from New Orleans Sat Nov 29th, on to Chicago, then on to Seoul Korea, then on to Phnom Penh Cambodia..... arriving Monday Dec 1 at 10:55 PM. Phnom Penh is 13 hours ahead of central standard time.
Pray for us as we pray for you. Pray that Jesus Christ will be glorified through our efforts in Cambodia. Pray for a safe journey for our team. Pray for our families back home. Pray for youth attending the training event, and all the missions and people of Cambodia.
God Bless
Best of luck to you in your journey. Thanks for your web presence and for your support of the Methodist Mission in Cambodia. God speed. -- Howard
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Please pray for Dirk Smith as he travels from Thailand to join us. We are hoping the unrest there will not hinder his joining us!
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Greetings! We have been undergirding your mission with prayer & will continue throughout your trip. I pray that God will be glorified and the people of Cambodia edified through your loving service!
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Be safe, may God be with you and I love you!!! I will be praying for ya'll and the people you will help.
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Look among the nations and watch - be utterly ASTOUNDED! For I will work a work in your days, which you would not believe, though it were told to you. - Habakkuk 1:5
The people who sat in darkness have seen a great Light;and upon those who sat in the region and the shadow of death - Light has dawned. Matthew 4:16
Pray the blessing you give will too be the blessing you receive. May His covering be upon you in your coming and your going and upon your days between. Let His Light shine bright in every dark place;even should it be your own. Pray too the fruit is plentiful and huge! Thank you for the honor and privilege to pray and stand with you on this adventure.
Sam: “It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo, the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. . . . Those were the stories that stayed with you, that meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. . . . There's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for.”
—The Two Towers
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David, They say that missions change your perspective totally. There is nothing like meeting the people and experiencing the cultures. I can't wait to hear what God does through you and what he does to you.
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So good to get word of your progress! Love and prayers from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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Daddy and everyone else, please be safe! I'm praying for y'all!
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david, i was suprised when i heard you had already left. sorry for not contacting you bfore you left but thought you were not going until later.my prayers are with you and for the whole group. may God work wonders through you all.God bless and much love.
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David,
Our prayers are with you and your whole group. God Bless you and be safe.
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I am happy to know ya'll arrived safely and on the expected schedule of 52 hours travel time. I pray God will bless and guide you throughout this journey.
We are doing fine, just we are all missing you, including our four legged pets.
Love in Christ,
Beverly Bailey (Curt's wife)
Star Hill, LA (near St Francisville)
From Allison Bailey to her Dad, Curt Bailey:
Mrs. Welch is excited for you to come back and speak to her 9th grade World Geography classes when you return. I finished the 2nd Twilight Book. I am now on page 117 of the 3rd book in the series. I'm reading 3 chapters a night. Pray for me Mid- terms are coming up. Crimial Minds was canceled for Wed. night, instead they put the 2008 Victoria Secret's Lingerie Fashion Show on and it started recording before we got home from Youth Group and Bible Study. Sorry you will miss Crimial Minds. By the way, our youth group prayed for you and so did Mom's Disciple Class. Stay safe. You've got a big hug waiting for you.
Peace, Love Alli
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Curt, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your group. God Bless You, love from your next door neighbors! Looking forward to hearing of your experiences.
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Be safe Ken and all. Look forwared to the pictures and stories of your trip. Your mission is a powerful witness to all of us as well as to the folks in Cambodia.
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Jack, Mandy and All...Please keep up the good work! I am fascinated by the blog. All jet lagged, you didn't seem too worse for for wear. Take care, and prayers follow. GOOD NEWS: THE CHURCH HAS NOT FALLEN APART!!
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Hi gang,
The Youth camp is going really well. I am doing a presentation of the story of Samson this afternoon. We had an awesome bonfire last night. It was extremely powerful for both the kids and us. We go back to the beach this afternoon. Allison, for mid-terms you need to substitute some studying for the praying. Both are needed. Please tell Mrs Welch that I would be delighted to speak to her classes. I trust you are remembering the eye medicine for Ren. I love you guys and will call when I get back to Phnom Penh. cb
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St Timothy ia prayinag for the safety of the group in Cambodia, Korea, and on. This group of Methodists is a very helpful and thoughtful group and all prayers are that they will make a positive influence.
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Hi Chuck, great to see you on line.....and thanks for the prayers. We have been touched by God to come to this land and we are being blessed more than words can describe. Can't wait to share my journey with you.
love ya bro
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Thanks! I Love U....see ya soon
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to: Curt Bailey
Hey Mr. Curt. i prayed for you when i heard you left. i am glad yall made it safe. i cant wait til you get home. Allison stayed with me today for a few hours while Mrs. Beverly did something for work. Boston misses you to and so does the "bug-eyed rat" =D well i will continue praying for you. be safe.
Peace.
Brianna Alexa.=D
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Diane, Jack, and Mandy - Praying for a great mission adventure and your safety and health. Diane - take lots of pictures! Seeing your postings makes the phrase "It's amazing!" from Our God is an Awesome God song come to mind!
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Your safe arrival is answered prayer. It's such a blessing to be able to follow your experiences.
I sent my granddaughter the picture of Flat Sally in Seoul so she can share your travels with her class in Pearland, TX. God bless each of you with good health while you are doing His work with the youth of Cambodia.
Your brother in the boat,
Harold
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Hey Ken -
Glad you survived the long trip! Hope things go really well with the Youth Camp! Have a fabulous trip! God bless!
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Allison and I are wishing you were here to take the garbage out tonight. It has turned cold and very windy, making it feel even colder. Talk to you later!
Love from Star Hill,
Beverly
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Greetings to all. A big THANK YOU to all for your willingness to share the love of Christ with the people of
Cambodia. May God Continue to Bless You Greatly!
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Hi Curt,
Mr Joe Kelly called to invite us to the Methodist Men's breakfast tomorrow. The egg commission is cooking and our town will be more than doubled in population for Christmas in the Country.
This afternoon I took Alli & Bri to the EBR Animal shelter for an orientation to being a 4-H Jr Leader shelter volunteer. They were both very excited girls. As volunteers they can pick a dog to train to sit, stay, not jump, etc to improve their behavior and social skills.
Brianna wants to work with a dog that has been in the shelter for over a year, is very withdrawn and depressed. Allison wants to look at the dogs again to select her dog. The Assistant Director of the shelter told the kids they could give the dogs a name if they didn't have one and they can make a sign to put on the cage stating that they are the dog's trainer. We had 6 youth and 3 adults attend today. I think we will try to go back one day after Christmas for Mr. Richard Byrd to work with the 4-H members on techniques to train a dog. We need to come up with some good incentives for the kids to reward them for helping find a good home for their dog. If we don't come up with some good incentives, I'm afraid we will end up with too many dogs at our house. Just wanted to give you an heads up.
We pray all is going well for your trip and that God is blessing you abundantly.
Love Ya,
Beverly
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The joy on the faces of the youth is awesome. The campfire sounds like an experience not to be missed. God bless all of the team and the participants. Looking forward to a review of everything when Ken and David return to B.R.
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Hi, Ken & David!
Isn't it AWESOME following God's calling? Isn't being a Christian such an adventure? Arnold and I can't wait to hear your stories! David, we will be praying for you all at Bible Study tomorrow night, and Ken, our group does not sound right without your bass! Continue to take pictures!
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Hey Bri, Greetings from Cambodia. We made it here safely. We have been at a youth rally and training session for the past 4 days. It was really great. I got to go swimming in the Gulf of Thialand a couple of times. We went and participated in the Christmas program at an orphanage here in Phnom Penh today. We will do the church thing in the morning, and then are going to another orphanage-type thing at a garbage dump site. It will be a little sad. Thanks for keeping in touch with AEB while I have been gone. I miss her very much. Thanks for your continued prayers. Tell your mom and dad Hi for me. Love, Curt
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Thanks Tom & Andrea for your prayers and keeping up with our journey on the blog. This is a really moving experience. Cambodia, so primitive yet with such a sweet spirit among the people. It's been incredible so far and God has more in store. We will be here until Thursday.
Ken
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To Dianne and all of the Louisiana Team:
We are praying for this wonderful testimony to the awesome power of our Lord and for all of the people involved. May the Holy Spirit's presence be your guide. Tell the young people that their picture looked great on this blog
God Bless and Keep you all
Fran A.
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To Ken :
Suzie and I, as well as your brothers of the Wed. morning "Lost then Found" group pray that God continues to use you and blesses you in your mission. The pictures are excellent.
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Curt, it has been good to follow you in your trip to cambodia. Maryknoll has been there for many years, living and working around phnom penh. They do all kinds of things, including working at the University, Social work, AIDs ministry. I have been keeping you in my prayers these days. Loved your picture with the big vitamin bottle. Keep safe....Aunt Charlotte
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Ken & David,
I've loved the pictures, esp the ones from the orphanage. Ken, I kept thinking of the words to our advent song, "Some Children See Him" when I look at their faces--what a wonderful reminder that Jesus is savior of all. God is good...all the time. Prayers to your entire team.
Georgia
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Curt and team, We know that you are having a positive impact on the people of Cambodia. They must surely be impressed that your love of the Savior has motivated you to travel so far to share your testimonies with them. So few of them are familiar with Christianity, hopefully many are curious and will respond to your efforts to bring Christ into their lives. Frank and Anita
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