We are still here inn the hospital in Phnom Pehn and
hopefully tomorrow will be the last day to get out of this place. Nice hospital
but 7 days in a small room with your wife is not for babies. I am ready for a
home cook meal and my own bed. To put the cherry on the cake, I, Mordegai, got
a real bad flu with coughing a lot, so much that when the surgeon came to
visit, ask me if he can take an Xray of my chest. Feeling a bit better today
but now Twans most properly got it as well.
By the way, Toinette is doing just fine. She is as tuff
as nails, like they say. No more painkillers and no infection, Praise the Lord.
We are so thankful for a good hospital team to work with as well as staff that
are super nice. That makes our time here so much better. We hope to get back
home tomorrow. Isaack brought us his car and we can take out time going back to
Siem Reap. Please pray for a safe journey as everyone will be on the road
tomorrow as it is the end of Pchum Ben, the biggest holiday on the calendar.
Please pray for Anton as he is nearing the end of his Internship.
It is a real challenge for him working with these guys. We believe that he is
really challenged at the moment and that the Lord is preparing him for bigger
things later in his life. He learns now in fast forward what life is all about
in a foreign country working with non-Christians. Praise God for good Christian
friends and a good church to attend, that makes a big difference.
Just a short reminder what Pchum Ben is all about, so
you can pray for Cambodia as well:
Pchum Ben (Khmer: ភ្ជុំបិណ្ឌ)
is the culmination of this period, often referred to as the “Festival of the
Dead” or “Ancestors’ Day.” The name literally translates to “gathering” (Pchum)
of “rice balls” (Ben), reflecting the central practice of the festival.
This 15-day religious festival also fuses with the
Buddhist Lent period known as Vassa, which has been practised since ancient
times. During this time monks will take retreat in the pagoda during the 3
months of the rainy season, just as the Buddha himself had done. As the monks
rarely venture out during these days, Pchum Ben is an important time for making
food donations to the pagoda. These donations are taken as an act of merit
which is passed onto the ancestors.
Spiritual Significance
Pchum Ben is deeply rooted in Cambodian Buddhist
cosmology and beliefs about the afterlife. It’s believed that during this time,
the gates of hell open, allowing spirits to receive offerings from their living
descendants. A concept that can be linked to Yama, the Buddhist god of death
and the judge of souls, who is commonly depicted on the temples of Angkor.
The festival is a time when Cambodians pay respects to
deceased relatives of up to seven generations. It’s thought that some spirits
may be able to end their period of purgation, while others might temporarily
leave hell before returning to further suffering through the prayers and
meritorious acts of their siblings. Interestingly, relatives believed to be in
heaven or other realms are also thought to benefit from the ceremonies.
Pchum Ben is more than just a religious observance;
it’s a time for family reunions, community gatherings, and reaffirming cultural
identity. Many Cambodians return to their hometowns during this period, making
it one of the most important social events of the year. https://helloangkor.com/events-festivals-and-holidays/pchum-ben/
Next time we can write again from Siem Reap. Hope you
have a great week.
Love
Rossouw-clan
No comments:
Post a Comment