Christa VonZychlin, an ELCA missionary in Hong Kong, started 2012 with a visit to Cambodia. More of her photos from the trip can be viewed online. To support Christa, or another of the ELCA’s nearly 250 missionaries, go to www.elca.org/missionarysponsorship.

The Mekong River.

Finally, a set of pictures from my first visit to Cambodia New Year’s 2012. In 2012 you will be hearing more about my new job as Mekong mission forum assistant coordinator. Our family trip to Cambodia was my first trip to the country and my first chance to see the Mekong River (from whence comes my fancy new job title).

Cambodia was beautiful. We landed in Phnom Penh. We saw some LTS graduates and took a river boat down to Siem Reap. We also visited the amazing temples of Angkor Wat.

ELCA missionaries Wayne Nieminen and Christa VonZychlin in Cambodia.

Later in the year I will visit again (I think), and one of our LTS alumni has promised me a motorcycle ride to her home and a home-cooked meal, which will include home-grown snails from her family’s pond. I love my life and can’t wait to see what else the new year will bring! I do know I have an upcoming trip to Myanmar (Burma) very soon. And what hopeful news we are hearing from that country lately.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”  — God, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah

Christa VonZychlin
Jan. 13, 2012