Summer 24

Summer has arrived in the southern hemisphere… time for the annual wind down for a lot of us. Also time for thinking about holidays - who with and where we will spend them. It’s the time of year where I love to reflect on the last 12 months. I’m always left humbled by the result. Some things are not quantitative, some just can’t be measured, emotions can’t be summarised but one thing I know is that we have all together made a difference in the year 2024 in Cambodia and for that I’m truly grateful. What we are doing together matters.

My heart is full.

This is my last month in my 50s decade. I’ve spent most of it (except during COVID) in Cambodia, serving and attempting to do things to make a difference with my life and the lives of others. I would like to humbly thank you for being part of this journey with me... for your financial support but more importantly for your trust and faith in me. 

As I look forward to my 60s I feel very fortunate that I have such a team of friends, family and cheer leaders behind me… not just for the project but for my life in general.

So as I like to do at the end of the year here is a wrap-up  of some of the gifted moments of 2024 and some of what I’m grateful for.

On a side note… maybe this is something you could all do as part of your annual end of year tradition… it’s always good to take stock. A gratitude habit is good for your brain. 

Fun fact; Gratitude has demonstrably been shown to increase the release of the “feel good” chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, giving you a more positive outlook on life and helping to rewire the brain to focus on positive emotions and experiences. Gratitude also helps to reduce the levels of stress hormones like cortisol leading to a general feeling of wellbeing. 

So since I love a good hit of dopamine here is some of my gratitude list.

I’m grateful I’ve been healthy all year.
I’m grateful for my new grandson and my sabbatical I was able to spend in Europe with Remi, Hannah and Ryan.
Im grateful for our family trip to Italy. 
I’m thankful I was able to travel home to Australia to see my parents and family and get to know Finlay a little more. Im grateful I could attend Sineads graduation for her PhD. Proud moment.
I’m grateful for all the prayers that have been said for our family at different points this year especially when Sinead was unwell. I’m more than thankful for her full recovery.

For the project: 
I’m grateful for the community support that have trusted and engaged with us here this year. Especially our local churches, Edge Kingsland and The Wave Church New Zealand for being behind what we are doing here and for Swan Christian College for the incredible computer donations.
I’m grateful for my dedicated team that help me do what I do.
I’m grateful for donors and sponsors for the resources to sustain the work here.
I’m grateful two of our scholarship students have successfully completed their Master’s Degree. 
I’m grateful we’ve been able to support six grandmothers in the provinces with food and shelter all year. 
I’m grateful we’ve been able to give out over 500 backpacks full of school supplies to underprivileged primary school children in the poor provinces. I'm grateful for their smiles.
I’m grateful we’ve been able to provide food for Food Fun Fridays to the urban poor in Phnom Penh and have had fed over 200 children multiple times throughout the year. 
I’m grateful we’ve been able to continue with our scholarship program with three more students near completion of their study and two more just starting. 
I’m grateful for our Small Business Enterprise that’s been consistently making us some pocket money to support the project and salary for our boys.
I’m super grateful that we were able to open our education centre with now over 90 students coming at various times during the week for English, Math, Science and computing classes.
I’m grateful we have found 5 teachers and have been able to provide a small salary as they teach at the education centre. 
I’m grateful for the cultural richness here and the natural beauty.
I’m grateful for the friends and family who are part of the 50/50 concept, I am blessed and thankful for the privilege of contributing to a cause larger than myself. 
I’m grateful the Aroha Project can be aligned with other organisations here and overseas and especially the Global Development Group.
I’m grateful to my family for always encouraging me and loving me in both my high and  my low moments. 
The people we live for make our lives worth living.

What are you grateful for in your life?

So, a little challenge is to maybe take a few minutes and start to scribble down your own list? It’s quite a fun exercise.

Those that know me well know my compassion for Cambodian people comes from the depth of wanting to live generously to affect generational change – that for me every day is valuable, everyone is valuable, and I have found in a small way we can give them a chance. I believe that giving one person a chance can change a country’s destiny, that young people making a difference in their own country step by step, piece by piece will effect change on a large scale.

I would like to take this time to say a huge thank you. Thank you for the love, care, trust and kindness you have given both to me and to my Cambodian family. I know I ask a lot over the year but giving everybody a chance to make a difference is one of my driving forces. 

So as this year comes to a close I have just few final needs to ask for for Christmas!

1) Could anyone consider sponsoring a student? I have four beautiful girls that have just completed the grade 12 exams that came through from our education centre doing extra classes and they are so excited and keen to go to university but have no financial capability for further study.

2) I need 17 more backpacks to complete our Christmas giveaway. $30 and a family is blessed for Christmas and beyond. 

Hoping to see some of you in Perth for Christmas, my 60th, or in New Zealand in the New Year let’s stay in touch and do more great things together in 2025.

God bless you all and I hope you and your families experience moments of love, generosity, kindness, peace and joy during this Christmas season. Memories to be made that you will always treasure, hearts and lives changed through your giving this season.