A Message from Mary

I thought that I would pass on an e-mail from Mary Haag, freshly back in Cambodia:

Hi you all.
I just wanted to let you know that I'm here! Currently in the OMF
library which has aircon. One of the missionaries hooked me up for
WiFi and now I'm off! The trip went well though I got very little
sleep even with a sleeping pill. Though I had a headache earlier, I'm
actually not tired though being awake for over 36 hours, minus maybe 4
hours of sleep on the plane. I think I must be getting by on
adrenalin. I'll not go to bed till night, so still have 8 hours or so to go. I had some amazing conversations on the journey.
Strange and wonderfully confirming. I had three extended conversations
which lasted for hours and hours. Two were Filipinas and one was a
Cambodian American who was returning to Cambodia for the first time
since escape from Pol Pot in 1979. I admit that with the first lady I
just felt exhausted at times by the heavy conversation and sometimes
wished she would be quiet. But when I sat by another Filipina and she
warmed to me I began to just go with it trusting to give energy and to
see how God might lead in just using counseling skills indirectly. I
feel I really was able to help these ladies, and practice my skills.
It was fun (most of the time). They thanked me many times for
listening. I'm left with some thoughts about it all. First, is the
very real opportunity of doing counseling naturally with Asians.
Amazing that they really did warm up to me, a stranger. But another
thought has to do with my own sanity. It was a bit intense. I can see
the danger of doing it naturally without boundaries. Also, I feel
confirmation of the need for me to have a safe home where I'm not going to need to do more intense interacting with an extrovert housemate or her ministry friends.
I was able to get my visa smoothly as everything happened just as I'd
been told. There was a man with a sign from the airport waiting for me
and had my government letter of attestation to get my visa. I was
directed to the head of the line with my official document. A good
group of old friends were at the airport to greet me. I felt so warmly
welcomed. We laughed with joy all the way "home" to the mission home.
So fun to see the folk from the team. Oh how blessed I feel to know
these wonderful folk! I've already seen three students. Two lovely
ones came with flowers. Over the weekend I'll be hanging with one
couple mostly unless others invite me out. The mission home staff are
on a retreat so no meals are planned. All is well as it gives me a
chance to be with the team in smaller groups. So, nothing much else to
tell you at the moment. The thought, I could actually send me in a
picture now that I have a digital camera. But, won't at the moment.

Thanks for all! Much love, Mary