February 6, 2009

Dear friends and partners,

Happy 2009 to all of you – we are always fortunate for New Years is celebrated at least three different times: The internationally celebrated new Years, Chinese New Years and in April; Khmer New Years. As with all new years' celebrations – we think of the year that lies ahead and the new things we would like to start.

In Tabitha we started a new project area in the province of Kompong Channang. I had the privilege of seeing the new area last week. Once again I am reminded of how full my life is of grace. We saw many families for whom life is a daily struggle. The poverty and meanness of their lives is hurtful to see. In one small community we met 3 families living in one small house. There were 25 children and seven adults living in a space of 4 meters by 6 meters. I thought to myself, how long it would be before I lost my composure if I lived in such a circumstance. They didn't have access to clean water – this community walked through the fields to a small swamp where they fetched their water. I thought to myself – how many hours would it be before I developed diarrhea or had sores on my feet that would become infected from standing in swamp water.

We met a group of ten widows – their husbands had all died from malaria or from AIDS – contracted when the men had to leave home to find some kind of work that would supply some funds to feed their families. The women lived close together for security – children of all ages surrounding them. They were sharing how they earned an income. They gathered tamarind beans from nearby trees and gathered insects from other trees – these were sold at nearby markets. It was hard to find out how much money they earned so I asked – how many nights do you go to bed hungry. One woman replied – we go to bed hungry 18 nights out of one month. I thought to myself, how many days of hunger would it take before I despaired – saddened beyond words that I could not supply the daily needs for my child.

A few days later and I visited a project area in Treang Trayeang – an area where we started 2 years ago. It was an area that suffered as those in our new area. This day we celebrated. I met families who lived in desert and barren surroundings the first time – families who now had many varieties of fruits and vegetables. I saw banana and papaya trees. I saw lemon grass and morning glory – a staple in Cambodian diets – I saw green onions and peppers. What struck me most is that I saw men at home – working their small plots – men who were honored to have me visit and proud to show what they had done. I tripped over pigs and chickens pecked boldly around my feet. I saw families together – smiling in pleasure at my visit. I thought to myself, would I have the strength and courage of these families – to work long physical hours – tilling soil that is unrelenting in trying to keep its treasures from mortals such as I.

We have so many dreams this year of 2009 – 30,000 families with 240,000 dependents over eleven provinces. I think to myself, how I will be able to help so many. I think of my God who has never failed me in all these years. I think of all of you who have never failed these people in all these years. I think of the financial crisis and how many are so hurt by this yet despite all the hurt, you all still respond. 30,000 families sound impossible and yet as I reflect – it has always been possible.

I thank my God for His grace and I thank each of you for being a part of that grace. Happy 2009 to each of you.

Janne