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  • Bill Rice 11:54 am on March 3, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , mission team, , return, travel,   

    Twin Oaks Rapha House Team Returning Home! 

    If all is going as planned Heather and the Twin Oaks Mission Team are stepping on a plane (right now) to start the long journey home. I can’t wait to see Heather and hear all the amazing things (sad and joyful) she has to tell.

    Things have been quite from the mission team for several days, but as Randy Wheeler always told us–on mission trips, in third-world countries, and with spotty communications, “No news is good news.”

    Here are a few links to places they were supposed to visit in the last two days. It should give you a feeling for what they have been seeing and experiencing over the last day or so:

    I really appreciate everyone reading and supporting Heather. This blog is just getting started though. We will be adding pictures, video, and Heather’s reflections on the trip (God Willing). So, stay tuned.

    Until then pray for the Team’s safe travel and return to their friends and family!

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    • Bill Rice 12:01 pm on March 3, 2010 Permalink

      Update from Randy:

      Thank you so much for all your prayers for our journey. We had the most amazing time and though we are anxious to get home we each are leaving part of our hearts in Cambodia. When you see the photos of the precious girls of Rapha House you will understand why.

      We are sitting at the Phnom Penh airport facing up to a 2 hour delay for our flight to Seoul. But we had a 5 hour layover is Seoul so we should be fine. We’ll arrive in Chicago at 9am Thursday and then drive home. So please pray that John and I will be alert and that the roads will be good. And that none of us turn into popsicles going from 100 degrees in Phnom Penh today to the 30s at home :) God bless,

      Randy

    • Bridget 9:52 pm on March 3, 2010 Permalink

      “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.”…Gen 28:15

    • Jennifer 11:15 pm on March 7, 2010 Permalink

      Happy your home, I want to hear all about it. Call when you get settled, love you.

  • Bill Rice 2:23 pm on February 28, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , songs, worship   

    Last Day at Rapha House and Exotic Food 

    Get the latest update from the Mission Team blog as Fred describes Church services with the Rapha House girls:

    “We began the day attending church at 8 AM. Randy introduced the team, we then sang (with much enthusiasm – so said our incredible tour guide and translator, Theara), and Randy gave the sermon. The sermon was based on the story of the Prodigal Son. Randy “”knocked it out of the park”, as he is always does when Grace is the topic. He would speak and then Sourm (the Cambodian Rapha House Director) would interpret. The Rapha House girls were very attentive and polite during the service and sermon and we were all quite impressed.”

    and sharing a meal full of America TV tunes:

    “The group of girls that John, Harvey, and myself sat with were a blast. They asked us to sing to them and we took full advantage of it, singing our favorite TV show tunes such as the Flintstones, Gilligan’s Island, and more!”

    Finally, check this post out for a few items of exotic Cambodian cuisine, not tasted!

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    • Bridget 10:55 am on March 1, 2010 Permalink

      “I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me . . they’re cramming for their final exam.”

      • George Carlin

    • Bill Rice 11:02 am on March 1, 2010 Permalink

      Priceless! And like a good teacher, Jesus reminds us how “cramming for the final exam” may not get the job done: Mark 13:32-37

  • Bill Rice 11:23 am on February 27, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: party, , welcome   

    Welcome Party Update from Randy 

    You have to read Randy’s update on the Rapha House Welcome Party the team received on their arrival.

    Warning: Don’t click over and read until you have a couple of tissues handy. These girls are so precious. And man can be so incomprehensibly evil.

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    • Bridget 12:56 pm on February 27, 2010 Permalink

      “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good.” Rom 2:9-10

      Do the good work God has for you…He will take care of the rest.

    • Bridget 1:59 pm on February 28, 2010 Permalink

      I miss you Heather! I had some silly question to ask you, normally i would just call, then forget what it was and have to call you back 20 mins. later :) …I can’t wait to have Becca this week!

      “Be joyful in hope.” Rom 12:12

  • Bill Rice 11:08 am on February 27, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: breakfast, , , pancakes, telephone,   

    I Got to Talk to Heather 

    Heather sounds great (until talking to her kids made her cry :( ). We only talked for a minute or two so there wasn’t much in the way of updates.

    Heather, we’re all doing great. The Cinderella dress was a HUGE hit. I’m not sure we’ll see her in anything else for the next week.

    You just keep focused on the wonderfully important God’s work you are doing.

    And just to make the mission team jealous (because I’m not so sure how well you are eating) Nick has requested, “Mr. Rice’s awesome pancakes” for supper–I’m cooking a big ol’ pancake breakfast for everyone tonight.

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    • Rebecca 11:28 am on February 27, 2010 Permalink

      Mommy,

      “I love you. I made a notepad holder–like yours–with stickers. But, it doesn’t have a pencil holder like yours. I need your help with that. I’ll see you when you get back.”

      Love,
      Rebecca

    • carter 11:30 am on February 27, 2010 Permalink

      hey mommy i’m doing fine. so stay safe. i miss you and can’t wait for you to come home! :)

    • Corey 11:33 am on February 27, 2010 Permalink

      Hi Mom it is Corey i love you. Mrs.MacNeil said she was praying for you. Hope you got our cards! :)

  • Bill Rice 2:36 pm on February 26, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , ,   

    Rapha House Team Update by Randy 

    Picture 763

    Here is a short update Randy sent via email:

    “Due to internet problems this may be a short update but let me just say I wish you were here (is it 90 degrees and sunny where you are? :)

    I wish you could have been here yesterday to see your Twin Oaks team in action. You would have been so proud (see the few photos I’ve been able to upload to Flickr).

    We spent the early morning at the babies and moms ministry that Theara’s family has at their home. About 20 moms and babies receiving basic instructions on hygiene and nutrition and childcare along with Bible lessons and prayer. We also passed out medicine and vitamins that you helped provide. After that we traveled by boat to the Women’s Island where Theara’s family (assisted indirectly by your offerings through the ARM mission that we support) established a church that now runs anywhere between 100-300 (something lost in the translation) adults and children. The population of the island is only 300-400. Not only have they led most of the island to Christ, they also provide food (and in a couple of cases housing) for many of the families. That afternoon we were back to Theara’s for KIDS CLUB which is a ministry to the children of the neighborhood. Anywhere from 100-400 children flock to their backyard for games and Bible lessons and just a safe play to be loved. It is amazing what one family can do to impact a community for Christ. We ended the night with the best meal of the trip cooked by Theara’s mom over small pots filled with wood.

    Every single one of our team was right in there today connecting to the children and passing along the love of Jesus. I wish I could write more but I’m late for breakfast and we’re skipping lunch for the long drive to Rapha House. More later as internet access allows.”

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    • Bridget 12:49 pm on February 27, 2010 Permalink

      Bill has some competition for family photographer!! Great shots, Heather! just hand off the camera once in a while so we can see you too :)

    • Shannon Hamet 1:28 pm on February 27, 2010 Permalink

      Ditto what Bill said! Pass the camera off to someone… :) We continue to pray for you, Heather!

  • Bill Rice 10:45 am on February 26, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , poverty, , team,   

    Team Update: They are all precious! 

    Just in case you’re not checking in on the Rapha House Team blog too, I want to point you to some highlights from Jessica’s great update:

    “Yesterday we spent our day at Kid’s Club, which is a ministry run by Theara for children in her backyard. During their time there, they are able to play, share, and learn about God’s word. During our time there, we played with the children, read a Bible story, and helped them make their very own faith bracelets. The children got a huge kick out of our cameras, and they loved having their pictures taken. They were so precious–their smiles could light up an entire room, and once they came up to you to hold your hand and ask for your affection you knew that God was at work in their hearts and minds–that He was keeping them safe and happy in His loving embrace. It was wonderful to share that moment with them.”

    Jessica goes on to describe the abject poverty they are witnessing, but least you feel it’s hopeless I thought Greg’s devotional story puts what these wonderful are doing in Cambodia into perspective:

    “A man is walking on a beach when he notices a bunch of starfish washed ashore. The sun is out, and it’s a very hot day. The man knows the starfish don’t have a chance of surviving in the heat, yet he wishes that he could save them all. He continues his walk and sees a young boy throwing starfish into the sea one by one. The man asks the boy, ‘Why are you even trying? You will not make a difference, for you cannot save them all. They will die in the sun anyways…’ The young boy looks at the man, throws another starfish into the sea and says, ‘I just made all the difference for that one.’”

    Read the rest of Jessica’s post.

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  • Bill Rice 9:43 am on February 26, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: call, , ,   

    Missed Heather's Call–Ugh! 

    In the middle of dropping Rebecca off with one of my wonderful neighbors I missed Heather’s call. Snap! But, I did get to hear her sweet voice on my voicemail (I miss my baby. My phone is now permanently affixed to me).

    She says everyone is good and have met all the girls at Rapha House.

    I love you darling! I won’t miss the next call :)

    (Heather, you are doing fine on the posts. Just login in below on the sidebar. Then use the Quickpress, to the right, like you did before. Type a title in the first box, your text in the second box, and click the “publish” button. It will show up. If you want to just reply to any of the posts on this page you can just click the “reply” link to the right of anything on this page and do the same thing.)

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  • Bill Rice 8:50 am on February 26, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: cold, michigan, snow, winter   

    A Blast of Cool Air 

    I figured by now you guys are ready hot. So, here is a blast of cold air straight from your Michigan winter.

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    • Bridget 9:23 am on February 26, 2010 Permalink

      “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” psm 31:22
      Snow everyday here. It’s like we’re in Cleveland or something!

  • Bill Rice 9:33 pm on February 25, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: leadership, , seminar   

    Heather,

    It looks like (according to your schedule) you are on a long, hot bus ride to Rapha House to meet the girls for the first time. I know this is going to be a hard part of the trip for you. Just remember God’s love can heal anything. Just share your smile and hugs with them.

    We’re doing great. We went swimming last night–Wahoo, “Fun Dad!” G-Ma is keeping us well fed and we’re trying to make just enough of a mess of the house so she knows how much we appreciated her :)

    Also, tell Randy we are praying for his leadership seminar on Saturday. I want to hear how his signature jokes go over in Khmer.

    Keep up the wonderful work I know you’re doing!

    God bless. I love you!
    Bill

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  • Bill Rice 3:55 pm on February 25, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , ,   

    Update from the Rapha House Mission Team by Randy Wheeler (Pastor) 

    “Arrived at our hotel safely Tuesday about midnight. Yesterday we visited the killing felds and S-21 prison and got a sobering lesson on Cambodian recent history. Our guide at the prison lost both of her parents in the purge. Our Rapha guide, Theara, was born in a Thailand refugee camp during the Khmer Rouge reign. Today we are going to Theara Kids Club ministry on Women’s Island and hand out rice and milk to moms with babies and spend the afternoon playing games and telling Bible stories to 100-200 neighborhood kids.”

    Thanks for your prayers.
    Randy

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