Seven of us went in total, on three mopeds...you do the maths. The village was 7km or so east through a very sandy patch of land, it was like going dirt biking through the Sahara or something. Alvin has never driven in such conditions before, so needless to say I was very worried for my life and his. We were slipping and slidding around the place, I was sitting behind him holding on for dear life and trying not to scream everytime we skidded. Anyway, after the nightmare sandy patch we reached a muddy patch. Great. It was too wet for the motos to drive through so we had to abandon them...and walk!! Alvin had unfortunately worn his big heavy Timberland boots with socks, so he ended up with very wet shoes. I had my quick dry trekker sandals on so was ok. Alvin told me afterwards when we got home that there was a small white wiggly thing that was trying to bore it's way into his boot. I freaked out and ran to the bathroom to scrub my feet. I'd hate to think that something had burrowed into my skin, only time will tell if I have Bilharzia or not! No rashes since that day so that's a good sign.
The village itself was very small, there were around 10 or so huts on stilts. The people were indeed very very poor, and none of the children or the adults there are educated. The water they drink is not filtered or boiled and is the same water that they urinate and excrete into, but for some reason there is no illness. The children were all very healthy looking, with dark hair and white teeth. It was strange, I thought they'd all be suffering from diarrhoea from drinking dirty water. Although the water is dirty there was no sign of rubbish anywhere, the river looked very clean. One of the things we have observed in Cambodia is that there is rubbish absolutely everywhere, people will throw a wrapper or plastic bag straight onto the floor without a thought about littering their country. On the river however there wasn't a sweet wrapper floating anywhere, spotless.
Although the huts they lived in were sparse and not very sturdy, there was something very beautiful and serene about the way they lived. The place was so peaceful, and the view was beautiful. The simplicity of life there is strangely attractive. One man told us how he had moved to live on the lake 30 years ago, straight after the Khmer Rouge lost power. He had no land so had to settle on the river. This has been his view for the last 30 years.
He was kind enough to give us a ride in his boat part way through the muddy water when we left. Here's him and his boat with his house in the background.
Whilst we were on house visitation, three of the team taught the children of the village on the long boats. Balloons are a must have in Cambodian Sunday schools, the kids love them and it seems to help them absorb the teaching!
Pastor Kea explained to us that the plan is to start up a temporary school there when the area has dried up some more. By March the waters will have receded by approximately 50metres, leaving a dry patch of ground on which the school can be conducted. Whilst the youth are there teaching the childern how to read and write Khmer, the adults will have a cell group. They hope that through the cell group and the school the village will all come to know Christ. Following this there is another floating village across the river that haven't heard the gospel yet, so there is still much work to be done!
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