Another day of sight seeing..

Well last night was my first full night's sleep. I feel so much better. None of us are ever sure what day it is and it we usually have to ask someone to find out. How goofy is that?

Today we drove around on at Tok Tok had lunch then visited Central Market. Kaley got lost because she refused to go through the smelly food area. We were a little frantic trying to find her but she turned up. The beggar's were pretty annoying to the girls. Hilary actually go tough and told them "No" in a very stern voice (that's my girl) Once inside the guards would not let them enter and we were good. Lots of bargains on knock-off purses and beautiful fabrics.

After we left the market we drove by the Nutrition Center where Hilary spent the first two years of her life. The children were moved out about a month ago to go to the new orphanage and it is scheduled for demolition. The hotel next door bought the property. Upon arrival the hotel guards were hesitant to let us go through it. Once we explained why we wanted to see it they were only too happy to take us over. Hilary saw her room which she only knew through pictures. It will be demolished soon so we were luck to have seen it.

We are trying to arrange another visit with Hil's family tomorrow. It is really difficult to know we are so close and not together. They called Yoen yesterday because they were afraid we went back to Vietnam. We assured them we will visit again. The last visit will be with the sisters only. Hilary was overwhelmed by all the attention and would like the next visits to be more personal and low key. I forgot to mention that when we were leaving her family the other day we were stopped by an old woman walking our way. She is Hilary's grandmother's sister and was on her way to the reunion. We stopped the van and opened the door. The woman practically pulled her out of the van for a sweaty hug. Again Hilary handled it beautifully smiling the whole time. I am so proud of her! Looking back I'm not sure the crowd could have been avoided.

Being 3 hours away is a little tough because for each visit we need to arrange a translator/driver. Yoen, our usual driver, is busy with Leann's family but is going to try to set us up with someone for tomorrow's visit. We are definitely going on Sunday to see what kind of help we can work out for Toeun. She is the sister in the picture walking the field with Hilary. She is in desparate need of medical care as her baby is due next month. The little hut you see is where she, her husband and her mother-in-law live. The bucket they are looking in is dinner. A dirty bucket full of fish. I am going to try to get her a little bassinet before we go. We are still taking donations to help her so please consider this. Donations from here on out can be sent directly to me or Hilary.
Hilary's sister Sophorn is deaf. I am meeting with a missionary on Monday. He is the director of a school for handicapped people. There she can learn a trade and possibly be guided to be more independant. She currently is living with her uncle Lek Nol.

Hil seems to be really enjoying this trip. Of course meeting her sister's on the first day was stressful, but the country is sinking in and the she is enjoying learning words, using them and being called by her Khmer name Sopheap (pronounced So Pee Ip). Again please keep us and the Lek family in your prayers. Gotta run. Please click on the comments page to keep in touch as my email is not working.. Love you all..