Untitled and Unforgettable

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 NIV

February 27, 2012

                The above scripture was my scripture of the day from biblegateway.com today. I, as a person who lives by faith, felt the impact of this message completely capture what my heart was feeling. I had been thinking of how to introduce/ translate my love of our team to our partners back in the states. They are those who show love in actions and truth; I’m already tearing up, so this could be a typical Ci bawl-fest, but please hold on throughout the blog if you can. :) Our team working here in Siem Reap is diverse. There is a broad spectrum of likes and dislikes in movies, music, literature, pop culture and food. There are differences in sense of humor, fashion, priorities, family types, and skill sets. After reading the latter smattering of differences it would appear to be a cocktail ordained by disaster. One thing I’ve learn, when things appear to be mismatched but are ordained by God things become the perfect ingredients for the recipe of success. Though humanly we can let differences frustrate, irritate, perplex, and even alienate us, with the hand of someone larger creating the picture, differences can become the puzzle pieces that are needed to fit in the various crevasses left by sameness and lack of diversity. PHEW. That was a lot. Now if that sounded coded, it breaks down like this: I love our team. I wouldn’t survive without them. With weeks of hard work currently and ahead of us, I want you to meet our team. We’ll mention them a lot, and it’s important that I brag on these fantastic allies we’ve been given… I’ll never forget them, and this blog will hopefully help me continually remember the blessing each are to us. So meet our crew!

Abby Fletcher- She’s lovely, she’s cute, and she’s really smart to boot! She’s Abby…A A A Abby! Sorry for by poor attempt at making a cheer, but I wanted you to feel the spunk, joy, and laughter Abby brings. She’s a mediator who looks for both sides of the coin before saying “this is a quarter, and its tails.” I admire her approach to organization. No one is organized like Abby. She’s kind, and her ability to have fun is on-point. I constantly find myself smiling when I think about her, and when I think of the good times we’ve had so far a laugh with Abby is always in the highlight reel. She’s intelligent. She chooses to dedicate her life to teaching thus far in the U.S., yet has a master’s degree in the organizational side of the education system (she was even working on her second master’s degree before she chose to come over). She’s my (Ciara) best audience; she laughs at all my corny jokes (and we know those are not my strong suit). Abby is a true friend to all, and Friends just happens to be one of her favorite shows. 

Abby is the second from the left. She is in between her two sisters and her mother is on the right. I know her family means so much to her.

Stephen DeLoach- Thought provoking and deep, Stephen prides himself on new ideas and the art of knowledge as a whole. He’s a scholar of just about everything, in my book. He’s fun, yet his thoughts are always steeping, brewing, and fermenting for moments of warm, intellectual conversation. Stephen is a laugh-so-you-don’t-cry team member. Though I think he doesn’t get enough time for certain things, he always makes time to make us laugh. He may think his sense of humor is sometimes wasted on my straight-thinking, legalistic, oblivion moments, I so enjoy getting his jokes later and laughing about the whit I missed and the creativity in his humor. Nerdy in the kind of way we like, Stephen is a great mix or salt and sugar. He’s someone you’ll never forget, not because of his beard (for me) but for his Kodak way of living. What a treasure.

Catie Nelson- Catie is my Wikipedia of life. She’s constantly sharing, updating, learning, and imparting. She’s my go-to-girl for just about everything. Her “library” is filled with how-to’s to dance moves. She’s the girl who has so many facets you can’t help but love at least one if not one thousand. She’s strong and sticks to her guns. She’s independent but loves to be around people. Catie is a giver. When I was feeling sick who brought me pasta salad? Catie. Catie is bright and was made to help others. I love when she whispers things when we’re talking even if no one is around. She’s hilarious when she makes certain faces and emphasizes them with voice inflection. She’s full of laughter, but as outgoing as she is, I love the moments when she gets a little shy and her husband (who I’ll talk about below) has to convince her to do things. It just reminds me of that combination of humility and confidence that make a great woman. I also love her love for the children here. I think the Nelson family will one day be the family we can’t wait to see or receive Christmas cards from.

Matt Nelson- Matt is unassuming upon introduction, but he will quickly become your favorite. I promise. He’s respectful and introverted, but do not confuse that with quiet and muted. He’s hilarious. His sense of humor is always surprising the group, and if there’s ever a chance you can catch him dancing when no one’s looking it’s a treat. He’s just that guy who loves and serves. He is great with people of all ages. It’s hard not to feel appreciated around Matt. He listens when you speak and asks reflective questions that make you feel like he listened and is interested in what you’re saying. He makes a great pair with his lovely wife. Ryan and I love hanging out with the Nelson’s. He’s also intelligent. He seems great with numbers and business sense, and his hard work with Common Grounds is evident. I can often hear his voice wafting with the smell of food up to the second floor of Common Grounds.

Matt, getting his groove on… we love him for things like that.



Amy Davidson- Amy! She’s a moto mama! She is brave and rides her moto (like a moped) all over town. She’s well-traveled, good humored, and thoughtful. She works at a school where the children adore her. When she interacts with children I see the happiness within her and the children. She has a reliance on the Lord that’s to be admired. I see her succeeding in the areas that mean the most to her. Her aspirations are not within the ordinary adjectives of success. Though she could be famous, etc (she's got personality), Amy may never be a success by the world’s fame definition, but I don’t think she cares. She’s got things to do and people to love. She has a dog named Constantine who was a mutt she saved from a typical Cambodian fate. She orchestrated events for Ryan’s birthday and painstakingly downloaded most of the video messages sent from home for Ryan. Amy will move on from Siem Reap soon, and it feels too soon. 

Julie Martinez- Julie… wow. I just want us to all take a moment of silence in reverence…. She’s the glue holding it all together. Now let’s take another moment to pray for her…..she’s the glue holding it all together. While managing the numerous projects PCL does in Cambodia, she’s also training all of the new volunteers AND getting her doctorate. Exhale. She’s a mom to all, but she’s the proud and adoring mother of Caleb (16 years) and Rachel (12 years). I've really enjoyed the little time I've gotten to spend with them so far. She is a deep lover of people. It’s funny because she’s not expressive outwardly, but you can feel the essence of her inward contemplation and devotion. She’s efficient with words and deeds. She hears out both sides. Judicial in stature, Julie is someone who you want on your side for many reasons, including her reason. A talented leader (and writer I’m told), Julie is a marvel to me.

Rachel Massingale- Rachel has the heart of a humanitarian. She’s the kind of girl with tons of convictions burning inside. She wants to make a difference. I doubt that her hands will ever lack the spiritual hand of another. Beyond her love to help others, she has a fantastic interior eye. Her room here looks beautiful. She makes lots out of a little. I like that about her. I think she sees a little in people and makes it worth a lot. Don’t we all need someone like that? Rachel has a voice that is strong enough to make an impact, but sweet enough to linger. Just yesterday I heard her singing down the line from me in a little village, and I felt blessed. She and Abby singing side by side made me think of the beautiful vibratos I may hear one day in heaven.  What little time I’ve gotten to spend with Rachel so far has been wonderful. For all you Lee Singers out there, she’s “once a singer, always a singer.” :) I hope I’m allowed to say that.

Mia Baker- Mia is our little travel bird. Gifted in the arts, Mia is currently taking photographs all around Asia and beyond. She’s up for anything. Outspoken, yet reserved. Fun, yet serious. Mia offers just the right blend of personality. She’s knowledgeable, and, like Catie, I feel like she knows what’s going on this world no matter what the topic. She eats wherever anyone wants to go, and I have really enjoyed her go-with-the-flow attitude. She and her husband are always up for hanging out, and they are uniters by nature. Mia has a giving heart, and she has already done so much for Ryan and I. I see her future with her husband (also named Ryan) being one of adventure, and if anyone is lucky enough to grow old with/ around them, they will be the most fun pair of old people. I can just imagine them now. Mia is a keeper of a friend, and I am blessed to know her.

Ryan Baker- Ryan is a jokester extraordinaire! He is fun defined and living proof that you shouldn’t let anything hold you back. He and my hubby enjoy manly/ sporting moments. He is an includer. It may be his past as a young adult with his parents alone (for his age group) on the mission field that inspires him to leave no one lonely or it may be an innate desire to uplift, but either way, Ryan is refreshing. He served our country in the military and serves our world now as a humanitarian and faith-based worker for a fantastic foundation located in the United States. He’s also a knowledge seeker, and recently helped take apart and fix/ look at a motor bike. He’s dedicated and meticulous. He’s an all-around cool dude.  

Matt Bohlman- Matt has been living in Siem Reap for over three years (I think). He’s in charge of the children’s home here. He has lots of ideas that are so creative and stem from his love for the children who affectionately call him “Papa Matt.” He, along with our whole male team, has a great sense of humor. He makes Khmer class interesting. He’s always “b-bopping” around from meeting to meeting. I think his twin, the Energizer Bunny, has nothing on him (although Matt’s not as pink unless he laughs hard). I have enjoyed progressively getting to know him a little more, but he’s a man of mystery. I must confess, my real goal is to crack the Matt code and learn more about the real Matt. He’s a team member we couldn’t do without.  

Well, that concludes the catalogue of friends on our team. I know my words were many, but I am just too blessed with this team to not share with you now, so you can continue to share in our experiences throughout this year! Thanks for reading if you made it all the way through. We love and appreciate you!