This was Friday’s newspaper. Fellow servant from the states and blogger Two M recently posted a message that I also intended to post with nearly the same photo from the front page of the newspaper.
Below I will share some of her post information as she already did a nice job and has been here 13 years so has a real understanding of how things look different now than during the past decade plus elections… (Thanks for the info Michelle)

Soldiers, Armored Vehicles Spotted in Phnom Penh

Below is an excerpt from Michelle’s post “…A government official is quoted as saying that these are armored personnel carriers and they are just being sent to Phnom Penh for maintenance. Wow, if you are going to attempt to fool people, you really need to say something at least believable, or get some younger people on their staff to spin it in the social media world.

With statements like that it is not a wonder that things are tense. Right now many of the adults have left the city to seek safety with relatives that live in a village. They are pressuring their kids to come and join them. Joe and I sat down with our staff and discussed their, thoughts, feelings, fears and obligations to their families. Then we made the decision that they probably need a break. So, we are closing Divine for the next 4 days – Monday through Thursday and will reopen Friday with our new reduced hours of 3:00pm to 8:00pm daily. We are hoping the chance to visit with their family, and as long as nothing happens they will return and we will continue abet with some modifications and we will be monitoring the situation day by day.

Saturday, it was announced that they came to an agreement to hold a joint investigation with the UN and various NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) will assist and/or observe the process. They will announce the resolution by the 8th of September. So, we and most of our friends believe that if there will be major problems we are probably looking at September. Constitutionally, the new government should be formed by the 28th of September 60 days from the date of the election. So, I think the three weeks between the announcement and the end of September will be the most tense.

A little history lesson for those that are not as familiar with Cambodia. If you are over the age of 40 you clearly remember the Khmer Rouge. That is about 30% of the population. But things like tanks rolling down the streets brings about feelings of absolute terror. Memories of a time they want nothing to do with. So, yes they are probably over reacting but I would too, if I had lived through what many of them have.

I have noticed a reduction in the traffic around town. Joe, Brian and I have a contingency plan, we are ready to get out of the city if need be or the country for that matter. We have given the employees a fair amount of latitude in making decisions regarding the business, and closing if need be, etc… I think typically employees are not consulted and their feelings not taking into consideration when decisions are made. This is God’s business and we know that he thinks people are way more important than money or things. That gives Joe and I confidence that this is the correct decision for right now…”

Dear friends and family,
Please know that we are safe and have felt no immediate danger or risk. I did comment to Gina this weekend that it was the first time that I have seen more than a single officer in one area and in fact we have seen military men armed throughout the city as we ran errands over the weekend.
Please pray for the country, it’s political concerns, and that peace will prevail as they work through the election issues and formation of the new government over the next several weeks.
Pray that we can be an uplifting presence with the children, teachers, volunteers and parents as we walk in confidence in our Lord and Savior and strive to share His love with his children here in Cambodia.

We love you and appreciate your prayers, love and support as we serve.

The Bricks