Traveling in the Kingdom Day 3-4 ~ A Trail Between the Bridges
Stroeng Treng is north and east of Phnom Penh. It touches borders with both Laos and Vietnam because of a spectacular juncture where the Mekong Falls are situated. Actually in this area we are told that there are over 4,000 islands out there terracing the landscape. Viewing leads me to believe that some of their presence to the viewer is relevant to the rainy versus non rainy season.
In this area there is also the ability to see the Mekong Falls. While I’m not into waterfall dialogue a whole lot and I’ll leave this to George to elaborate on later if he wants, I will admit that it was a spectacular sight. For one, I can’t compare it to Niagara Falls. This area was a series of cascading drops and stair stepping water rock formations with an almost canyon event or two. The water in itself takes on a greenish hue and because of forever warmth, it has a certain odor with it, even though it looks clear.
Until recently travel in this province meant using a ferry between areas as no bridges existed. Whew, we are happy to hear that there are two new bridges now that make daily commute for locals much safer. Poor maintenance on the local ferries had, of recent, caused a lot of worry using them, especially in the rainy season. The bridges are less than a year old and already the area is transitioning from the ferry areas to the bridge areas where people can sell their wares and foods.
There is a Jarai village who live along the river and migrate back and forth. There are floating fishing communities in the distance and a wide prevalence of use of long tail boats. The province is lush green red soil. It’s miles and miles of driving from one area to another, or it seems so, dependent again on the roads.
Stroeng Treng will be the site of a Garuna School in the new year. As we visited it now and climb the hill at the road entrance, it is as yet just deforested land totally undeveloped. On the same road/area there will also be farm investments made, as well as a goal for a theological training center. Even at one stop at the base of the larger bridge we investigated some land that was on the river itself and under discussion as a retreat center.
The other reason for our visit to this area was to celebrate Christmas with Pastor Vesak and his flock. We were humbly impressed with Pastor Vesak’s family who have so unselfishly incorporated their daily life into this church. Vesak’s wife during the week opens up her veranda and it has a restaurant position. She is a great local cook and her notoriety for such is well known. Her food is clean meaning we could enjoy it as well. While dishes were washed by hand in a large dish the water to do so was running clean. We did notice she had a fridge but the orange ice chest seemed to hold the foods that needed to be there.
Church services that night meant the young folk had quick learning of a few songs prior to their performance. Gladly it can be said here that they made all their mishaps beforehand and glorified Him in their performance. The one downside was the flat tire that happened (and couldn’t be quickly repaired) that was to have brought another 120 to share time with. That being said, way to much food existed for the remaining folk, so lots of food went home with those present for the next day. The service held probably a tad less than 50 till the end and when darkness erupted around us, when meal fellowship began under a single lightbulb or two hanging above us.
The next morning we continued to Ratanakiri and the Jarai village. What pleasant addition to all this is that Pastor Vesak, his family, and some others close by hopped into a pickup truck and rode shotgun all the way there. Again Pastor Vesak’s wife shined her culinary skills in managing the meals for everyone while we were there. Many women joined in to help in the prep process beforehand, cutting veggies and meat for over 120 people. This included the arrival of people from four other churches who came alongside to stand with the Jarai folk who are still so young in their faith. While some could not speak the Jarai language, the love of Jesus was everywhere.
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