Teacher Rotha's Engagement Celebration

The day after our final Christmas celebration in Phnom Penh, we again traveled to Kampong Cham for the engagement celebration of one of our staff members, Luk Kru Rotha. He and his soon to be wife Voechnear (Elizabeth to some) were pledged to each other during this celebration. In this picture you are seeing Tiffany, Mam Grace, and Mamel posing for a picture before the ceremony.


As with all Khmer celebrations, the part of the emcee or the master of ceremonies is very important. This person directs the ceremony, explains the importance, adds humor, and is truly one of the memorable points of the celebration. Rotha was very fortunate in the fact that he had four directors of his engagement, Pastor Sideth (pictured above) and three other of our most senior and respected pastors. Together, they added great enthusiasm and fun to the celebration.


Here you are seeing a picture of Rotha and Voechnear dressed in their engagement garb, bowing ceremoniously to each other.


As we were driving home, we stopped with the four “Masters of the Ceremony” to take this picture on the bridge that crosses the Mekong River. From left to right: Pastor Nit Banyon of the Siem Riep Church, Tim, Pastor Kong Kimsan the National Superintendent, Pastor Suthkahn of the Phnom Penh Church and Pastor Sideth of the Kampong Chnang Church.