Wow what a busy time this is and that in the midst of a national holiday. Bonn Pchum Ben is the festival held for commemoration of the spirits of the dead. The highlight is on the 15th day of the waxing moon during the tenth month of the Khmer calendar, called Pheaktrobotr.
The festival does not just begin and end on one day. In fact, it lasts 15 days, each of which is called a day of Kan Ben. A Ben is an offering. The word of Ben is derived from Sanskrit pinda, or balls of rice to be offered to the souls of the dead. During the first 14 days, people take turns offering food to the monks of their local pagoda in the hope that their offering will reach the souls of their ancestors by virtue of the monks’ sermons.
Read more: http://www.camboguide.com/cambodia-culture/festivals-ceremonies/bonn-pchum-ben-honouring-the-ancestors.html
Cambodians rise early to give offerings to the Spirits of the Dammed. Feeding the spirits of the dammed is not for late risers. The pagoda loudspeakers begin their call at 4am reminding Buddhists to make offerings. By the time the sun raises glutinous balls of rice litter the ground. This is nourishment for the Spirits......
Cambodians rise early to give offerings to the Spirits of the Dammed.
Feeding the spirits of the dammed is not for late risers. The pagoda loudspeakers begin their call at 4am reminding Buddhists to make offerings. By the time the sun raises glutinous balls of rice litter the ground. This is nourishment for the Spirits of the dammed; such offerings allow individuals to attain merit. The offerings can even go to feed the dead who have been reborn in non human form. “For those becoming animals such as small insects-even ants could receive such food."
Greg, Lois and Carmen came over from the Philippines to hang out with the Rossouws for a while. We went straight away to Ratanakiri for an outreach. Seems to me that was stretching it a bit too much. It was a long drive and when the truck broke down even became a worse drive. We made it into the night hours into the village. The next day was medical as much as we could handle. A whole new village came out to get some meds. Recently a number of people died because of Cholera here in the village. Clean water is a problem and basic sanitation even a bigger one. Now that people start dying, some NGO came out and help them. I always ask the question; ”Why must someone always die first when people start doing something?” Wish so that people care more for the poor tribal people out here. The boys of Water of Life had a ball of a time with the kids. I overheard a comment that nobody else want to come and play with the kids! Well that is true. The children are just as much part of the tribal group as the older people.
I went ahead on my own for the next outreach as the rest were a bit ill and over-driven-if you get a word like that. Too much of my Landy for them……It took me 9 hours to reach Anlong Veng up on the Thailand border in the North West of Cambodia. The pastor there is trying to plant a new church and he is in the beginning stadium of the process. Great to work with the people that still need to know Christ. The Health worker that helped me is a Christian and it was such a joy to see her praying for people. The government did not want us to visit the believers in the village so we had to do the outreach in town. We got swamp by people. Ran out of meds soon and head home. Please pray for this little community of Christians as they are trying to make an impact on the bigger group of non-Christians. Needles to say that I was beyond tired when I reached home at 9.30pm.
Back at home we tried to keep the boys busy. O my, what a job that is. It is holiday for them over the festivals. School is starting again tomorrow. Twans is busy with the clinic and try to get her one student enrolled into University. That is such a big thing as you basically need to bribe someone to get in. Such a shame that we all need to be under such a thing of corruption. We are glad to report that 2 of our friends started a small church group near the clinic and they will help to bring these girls closer to God. Please pray for Ivan and Marcos as they are seeking God’s guidance in the neighborhood.
We thank you all for all you support in this time. Even if it’s financial or spiritual, we need both. God is good to all of us and we can not complain. May God be with you all in these days to come. Please keep in contact with us please. We love to hear from you all.
Rossouw-clan.
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