HOLY GROUND

Dateline:
Khnar Thmei Village/United Methodist Church, Sun, July 17,2011, 8:30 a.m.
Deanna Shimko

It's Sunday morning, and I'm on my way to worship service at Khnar Thmei Village United Methodist Church. It's my first Sunday in my two months stay, and I am exhiliarated at the prospect of this familiar experience.

I always sit in the front wooden pew. In my 12 years I have never seen the Khmer sit in the front pew. I have a clear view to the door to the church. Every year, every Sunday this view and its symbolism absorbs me. "Take off your shoes for the ground you are standing on is holy."

Musical accompaniment to congregational singing is guitar, maracas, tambourine, drum and thro. Here Mr. Sok, an expert in traditional Khmer music and instruments, plays the thro, a 3-stringed wooden instrument played with a bow.

The youth of the church are the worship leaders along with Pastor Sokha. Here Sopheap Sath is reading one of the morning's scriptures.

Pastor Sem Sokha preaching on the morning's scriptures.

This is Sam's and Pat's final Sunday as they depart in a couple days. They take a few minutes during announcements time to say their farewells. Mony Hun interpretes their English into Khmer language.

When service ends an hour and a half later, folks linger and take lots of time for fellowship. Ahhh, I'm back on Cambodia time!!