Yesterday provided a brief sketch of an influential time in Cambodia’s history. Today we get a glimpse of a very special area One Child Matters serves in Cambodia – the Mechrey Floating School on the Tonle Sap Lake.

The largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, the flow of the Tonle Sap changes directions twice a year, and expands to six times its size during the rainy season, creating great breeding grounds for fish. Families live in floating homes on the Tonle Sap – simple, single-roomed dwellings that follow the flow and the fish.

To ensure the children of these fishing villages receive an education, we helped build a floating school. Hundreds of students have learned and grown in this floating schoolhouse, and now some have the opportunity for secondary education at our Dream Center in Siem Reap.

We’ve written about the Floating School before, and perhaps, like us, you’ve wondered what it’s like to live in a home and attend a school that’s never in the same place twice.

Well, here’s your chance – Kaliyan welcomed us into her boat to follow her on her journey home.

Journey Home - Cambodia from One Child Matters on Vimeo.

Throughout Scripture, we have the ability to see God's hand at work in all situations, even the painful ones. We can read about how God positioned Joseph (through more than a decade of slavery and prison) to save his brothers’ lives during the famine in Egypt, or how God would be glorified through a man born blind.
 
It's harder to have that perspective in our own lives, especially in the midst of deep personal tragedy. When Bill's daughter Emma died four years ago, his entire world changed. Yet God is continuing to work through that terrible loss and is ministering to Bill (and others) through children around the world.

Watch the video below to hear what God did in Bill’s heart and how he ended up on a trip to Honduras with his church.

Mission of Mercy child development centers are a refuge for many children -- a safe place to learn, grow, eat, and play. The centers are often a stark contrast to a child's neighborhood and home. In this video, we follow a young boy eager to take us to his house. Walking home with him will open your eyes.

Human trafficking is often an invisible crime – no punishment for the perpetrators, no justice for the victims. But by sponsoring a child with Mission of Mercy, you can fight the desperation of poverty and the helplessness of a child. You can be a different voice in that wilderness – because one child matters.

Praise God! The medical team consisting of 8 medical professionals from Arizona have returned from their 5 day first-responder mission to Port Au Prince, Haiti. Over their stay they cared for over 750 individuals addressing severe cuts, broken bones, dehydration and malnutrition. Thank you to those who have prayed for this team. Your support is felt and appreciated!

Updated: 01/25/2010
Live interview from Haiti with Medical Mercy Director, Dr. David Beyda

Medical Mercy Director, Dr. David Beyda describes the accomplishments from a medical team sent from Arizona to Port Au Prince, Haiti, to respond to the growing humanitarian crisis after the January 12th earthquake.



During the first week of November, a medical team of over 20 people traveled to Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. They examined more than 1000 children and distributed 600 lbs. of medicines. Click on the video below to share in their experience.