Home sweet home.

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to share a quick update on my trip to the States in March and April.  I had such a great time it brings a big smile to my face when I think back on it!  I truly feel blessed to have “family” in so many different places and to feel at home in each place.  It is good to be part of God’s family!

Back on the farm.

I spent the first four weeks of my trip with my God-given family in Missouri.  My folks still live a simple life on the farm where I was raised, so it is a wonderful place to transition from life in Cambodia to life in the States.  I’m so thankful to the Lord for the loving, close-knit, and supportive family He has given me and for the time I had to share with them.  Love you guys LOTS!  We didn’t do much other than share meals and enjoy each other’s company, which was exactly what I wanted to do.  

Little Hunter Brown

I did enjoy the special gift of spending time with my new great-nephew, Hunter, who was born just a week before I came home.  Isn’t he handsome?!

LaJolla from the Gliderport

I then traveled to Southern California where I spent about 10 days visiting friends and my ministry family - those I’ve met through the ministry and who have supported our Home and children in Cambodia.  A lot of teams and guests visit our Home in Poipet, most of whom I never get to see again.  But my time in SoCal was like a family reunion with long-lost relatives.  It was wonderful to reunite with so many who have visited us, supported us, and loved our kids!  Thank you for the opportunities to share about the ministry and for offering so much encouragement to me personally.  I was overwhelmed!

Bend and 3 Sisters Mountains

From SoCal, I traveled to Bend Oregon to spend a week with my church family at Calvary Chapel of Bend.  It is very exciting to see the missions ministry growing at CCB and so many interested in the work in Cambodia.  Thank you for opening your homes for me to share and your hearts to learn more about the ministry.  I look forward to seeing how the Lord may use this in the future!

Another highlight of my time in the States was simply enjoying the beauty of God’s creation:

The rolling green hills and farmland of Missouri... 

The snow-capped Rockies as I flew to California....

The ocean and beaches of San Diego....

The waterfalls and mountains of Oregon.   




I had forgotten how beautiful America is!  Although the country has its share of challenges and problems, it still bears the evidence of God’s goodness and favor.  I encourage you to get out and enjoy it!  And remember to be thankful for the small blessings that are so easy to take for granted in life…… clean paved streets without piles of garbage; safe, drinkable water from the faucet; grocery stores with refrigerated meats and dairy; a society where people know how to wait in line; traffic laws; flush toilets; etc.  I could go on and on! 

After a few last wonderful days, including Easter, in San Diego, I returned to my family in Cambodia.  It’s great to be back with the kids and staff, and it’s amazing how much some of the kids have grown in just two months!  I want to put a big book on their heads to stop them from growing!  

New Sport Court

Seems everyone here was busy with both work and play while I was gone.  In March, everyone pitched in to help with the construction of the long-awaited sport court in the front yard.  It’s huge!  And awesome!  The kids love it!  They’re starting to learn the basics of basketball and the court will provide a clean dry place for the kids to play outside during the muddy rainy season, which is now upon us. 

Mobile water fights

In April, the kids had several weeks off school for Khmer New Year, the biggest holiday in Cambodia.  Many kids were able to go home to visit family.  Some kids went home with staff members for the week.  And others remained at the Home.  But everyone enjoyed a special week of fun and water fights. 

Mom & Witt's bundle of joy

In other exciting news, Mom and Witt delivered their first baby by C-section on May 15^th in Thailand.  They had a healthy bouncing baby girl weighing 9.2lbs and measuring 22 inches long.  They are all doing well!

Well, that’s about all the news for now.  Thanks again to everyone who helped make my visit to the States so memorable and refreshing!  And a special thanks to Wayne and Sigrid, Steve and Kathy, and Burt and Suzi for your gracious hospitality!  Many blessings!

Ointment and perfume delight the heart, 

And the sweetness of a man's friend gives delight by hearty counsel.  

Proverbs 27:9