Hello from Cambodia,

Can you believe that it’s February already? While the wetern hemisphere has been dealing with nasty cold weather, we’ve been enjoying pleasant temperatures from 22-30c (71-87f) with a nice breeze from the north. We’re enjoying it while we can, because the hot season is coming soon.

Lukas went out with Pastor Nourn to replace an old filter and to scout out a new location. One thing that we’ve changed recently is that we now visit new locations before we go to install filters. This adds an extra day or more to each project, but it increases the provability of the filter being used and the water being safe. In the past we would install a filter on referral from partner organizations, but sometimes after installing the filter and taking a water sample home, we would discover something in the water that wasn’t safe or that couldn’t be removed by a bacteria filter. Salt is a good example of something that our filters can’t remove. Or we would discover that they didn’t use the filter as often as we’d expected. So now, before we install a filter Lukas will make a scouting visit, meet the leaders, ask them personally why they would like to have a filter and how they plan to distribute the water to needy children, and collect a water sample.

We decided to try a new type of bacteria test in the laboratory, it’s different that the one we’ve been using for the last nine years. It’s produced in Japan from a reputable company, and Lukas is pleased with how well it works. The new test provides a more accurate reading and it’s more affordable. Sometimes we need to take eight or ten samples per location, so we’re happy that donors’ money can go a little further now.

We are doing another water project in partnership with the Kampot Minister of Health and a local missionary. A few weeks ago they made a trip out to see the new well that was drilled, collect some water samples and talked with the principal about the process. They also discussed how the filter system will be maintained, the water distributed to the children, and what the school can contribute to the project. This Sunday we will do the filter installation. We are also considering a much larger project in a rural high school with more than 1,000 students. This would be a new experience for us, but it needs a little more time to plan and administrate, and it would be in partnership with the government.  We’ll let you know if it goes forward. 😉

Family news:
We’ve always loved Cambodia and since we’ve decided to stay for a while longer, we thought it wise to try to buy a home instead of always renting. While we could never afford to own in Switzerland or Oregon, it’s possible here. We had a little inheritance money, and when we combined it with our humble savings, we realize that we could buy a small plot of land with a house. Last December we broke ground! It won’t be a villa ;-), just a simple two bedrooms home with a large outdoor patio by the river. We are very excited.

My dad is here visiting us. A nice mid winter break in the tropics is his idea of a great time! When we bought our property it came with an old one bedroom wooden hut. Instead of tearing it down, we decided to move it to the corner of the property and remodel it into a guest room. My dad has experience with wooden home construction, so he’s helping us convert the little bungalow into a cozy space for visitors. When he’s not working on the hut, he’s watching Benjamin or taking us out to dinner. He is such a blessing, and we are so enjoying his company and the special time together. ❤️

Benjamin started school! He doesn’t enjoy having to going every day, because he would much rather be riding his bike, swimming or helping Grandpa. But he likes his teacher and he usually comes home in a good mood. If you ask him what his favorite part of school is, he will tell you “playing football (soccer) at break time!” 😉

Well, that’s probably enough for this month, be blessed everyone. Here’s the photo link if you want to see some pictures from the last month.

Jenny and family