Noelle will be undergoing a procedure at 9am (Bangkok Time) to ensure her safety and so that there will be no complications in the future.

Here is the email we sent out last night to our community.

Love,

Jacob and Noelle

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Hello friends and family. We wanted to take a moment and update you on some
important and sad news. As some of you know, Noelle and I went on Monday for
our first ultrasound to see our baby. We were so excited after waiting
nearly 11 weeks to see our little one. At that appointment we were shocked
to learn that there was a problem with the baby that had caused him/her to
stop developing several weeks ago.

After an appointment with Noelle's doctor in Phnom Penh, it became evident
that we needed to seek further medical care in Bangkok, Thailand. So early
Wednesday morning, we caught a flight in order to receive follow-up testing
and treatment at a hospital there. Noelle will undergo a standard procedure
tomorrow morning to ensure a healthy, safe recovery from the miscarriage.

It is difficult to describe the emotions that one feels at a time like this.
Pregnancy is, in so many ways, about expecting. In just a few short weeks,
our hearts have become quickly and deeply in love with our baby and all the
hopes and dreams that he/she represented. We are disappointed and very sad.
At the same time, we have been so incredibly grateful for our friends and
family -- in Cambodia, the US and around the world. Eric and Ginny have been
a huge help and support and we have experienced so much love from them, our
fellow Cambodian/international staff and our families back home. We miss all
of you so much in a time like this but are grateful for how God provides. He
truly sees, knows and acts on our behalf.

We will be in Thailand until Sunday. We have some wonderful friends who live
here and they have been taking excellent care of us...another sign of God's
grace and provision. We ask for your prayers as Noelle undergoes her
procedure today and for healing in every way as we move through this process
in the days and weeks ahead.

Much love,

Jacob and Noelle Goodlin

A few of our favorite things: Chili's chips dripping with queso, Starbucks lattes, Haagen-Daaz ice cream, perusing the vendor stalls in little India, being a part of a city which operates with organized systems and watching a movie in a theater with popcorn! The highlight of the trip, though, was spending time with the Hansons. Over the years, we have learned that building community takes time spent together, growing trust and memories established. Our trip to Malaysia was memory-building with Eric and Ginny and we loved that! We will always remember the taxi drive with the man who worked 100 jobs (it seemed like), Noelle banging her head on glass while trying to see a pen, being crammed in a booth watching the World Cup and eating ice cream at TGI Fridays, taking night pics at Petronas towers, and shopping for maternity clothes.

The trip also taught us an unexpected lesson. We loved the comforts and order of Malaysia but there was something deeply satisfying when our plane touched down on Cambodian soil. That night we took a tuk-tuk to do some shopping and found ourselves drinking in the sights and smells (some savory, some not) of this strange and wonderful place we are so privileged to call home. It encourages us that God is knitting something into our hearts here that is summed up in the word "home." And it has caused us to think...what is home exactly? It's not necessarily having all of your friends and family nearby (though that is incredible!). It's not having everything that is comfortable and familiar at your fingertips (though Starbucks on the corner is a beautiful thing). Our conclusion at this point is that home is following God. This is what the men and women of Scripture model for us in the midst of their faults, their triumphs in faith and their failures in doubt. God is the only ONE whom we are guaranteed to have as a companion for all of eternity. As believers, we are most at home when we are with Him. 

We are only beginning to learn this truth. Can't wait for more of the journey...

Enjoy the little photo journey...

Eating at Tony Romas. Yummy.

One of our favorite malls - below the Petronas Towers.

Pillow Bread? Something like that. These were actually quite tasty. Many new and interesting things to eat in Malaysia.  I (Jacob) stuck with mostly western food. I'm an American boy.

After the pillow bread.

Noelle and Ginny shopping for maternity clothes in Little India. Quite an experience. As you can see in this photo, Noelle is done with me taking pictures of her.

The beautiful pond opposite of the Petronas Towers. Beautiful!

Petronas Towers during the day.

Our friends, Eric and Ginny let us take a few pictures of them.  These are so fun!

A few photos shot by one and only Eric Hanson. Thanks, Eric!

Buying some dragon fruit - one of Ginny's favorite!

Traffic near Little India.

Some local food.

The heart of Little India. Really fun!

Petronas Towers at night. Beautiful!

Fountains at night. 15 sec. exposure. I love this shot!

Another long exposure.

The front of our favorite mall.

We appreciate and love you all!

June Video Update from Jacob and Noelle Goodlin on Vimeo.

Check out the new look: click here

It's amazing how photos tell a story. You can sit there at your computer and stare into the eyes of a child and see the joy from 30 loads of dirt being dumped on his street to help prevent flooding, or perhaps get a glimpse into the life of a laborer helping to build a safehouse for children.

Working with In His Steps has been an honor. Everyday I spend in Cambodia, I see God on the move. He is working in the lives of many here and using a few faithful workers to share His love. 

Hope you enjoy the photos.

Here is a photo from Pheaktra and Heng's wedding.  They had a 100% Christian ceremony didn't participate in any of the Buddhist rituals as many do. This is unheard of.  I took tons of photos there. You can read more about their wedding on IHSI's blog here.

This is John. John is an orphan and lives at the Foundation Center, and I have the privilege of getting to know him. He has such a tender heart, and I love how God is meeting him.

This is Noelle and I with Pheaktra and Heng at their wedding. Such a long day - American weddings are short compared to Cambodian ones.

Eric Hanson (In His Steps Director and Founder) with the Governor of the Kandal Province. It was such an honor to be seated at his table.

Doesn't Aaron look adorable????  He's so precious.

I shot some photos of new Sak Saum product that will go in the catalog.  

Where do those coconut buttons come from? Read the blog here.

And of course, the safehouse! Eric and Ginny met with John and Lisa Bevere with Messenger Intl.  A partnership was started and all the funding for the safehouse was secured.  These are the plans. Can you read it??

The land where the safehouse is to be built.  This is also the same land where the Foundation Center is at.

The cheans (Cambodian word for worker) hard at work.  They are driving the posts in the ground.

Posts are done - now they are digging out the holes.

I have the opportunity to occasionally teach at the Leadership Development class in Saang.  This time, I talked about trust and did some trust activities. Tons of fun!

Sopheak is a stud. He's wearing my sunglasses well.

The countryside outside of Saang. Beautiful!

IHSI and IHSC worked together and provided some 30 loads of dirt to build this road up.  $500 will help prevent flooding and kids having to walk through sewage. God at work!

Arriving in Saang was so exciting! The guys (Cambodian staff of In His Steps) didn't have English class that night because the kids had school off, so we got to hang out. I watched a Volleyball game, went to the "Saang Carnival" and drove through swarms of gnats. I had so much fun. Spending time with these guys was water to my soul. It is frustrating I can't have heart to heart conversations with them yet, but I feel a bond sprouting, and that's what is important.  There are also a few other guys out there that are either orphaned or abandoned. Each of them has a sad story. Parents committing suicide or dying from preventable disease -- it's sad to see them having to navigate that, but I am so thankful that In His Steps has the Foundation Center. This has become a safe haven for these young men. They receive everything they need including education and English lessons. One of the reasons I was out there was to interview and gather information to develop stories for the In His Steps website. One guy I really loved talking to was John. John is about 15 and has lost both of his parents. Sad story, but I can tell you that he's happy at the Foundation Center. He loves being there and appreciates the wholesome environment he lives in. It's hard to put in words how my heart goes out to the people here. God has called us here, and I am so thankful. 

Sleeping in Saang, well, not so much. Most Cambodians that live in the countyrside sleep on the floor. It's just normal. We slept in the Foundation Center on a straw mat covered by a pink mosquito net. It was hot, and my body did not like the hard surface. In fact, I would wake every 30 minutes or so to wake up my arm or some other body part that had fallen asleep. Then I turned on my side and repeated the process 30 minutes later. When 5am rolled around, I was awakened to Gong Kia (IHS staff member) worshipping to "How Great is Our God." Wow. His passion for Jesus was evident. Sitting outside, I watched as he practiced guitar and relentlessly worshiped His God. A few minutes later everyone else rolled off their mats and began to get ready for the day. I tried to help, but I don't think I'm quite cut out for folding mosquito nets. It's like folding the sheet that goes over your mattress, but more difficult, like times 100. Then the guys began their morning routine which included time in the Word, chores, and a bath. 

Now, a Cambodian shower is interesting. Cambodians are generally modest in what's done in public, so that includes taking a bath. We use these scarves called Kromas. They wrap around your mid-section and everything shower-wise is done without that thing falling off. It's a science. So what would you do if you saw a pasty white man walking down a dirt street with a Kroma wrapped around him with a bunch of dark Cambodians? Create a picture in your mind and you have Jacob. :)

The rest of the day comprised of evaluating classes taught, tons of photography and gathering information to help develop the website. Spending time there was not a one-time event. I hope to get out there at least 2-3 times a week. I've started relationships  that I plan to develop, and there is something special happening in Saang that I can't explain, but I will tell you, God is moving is and doing something big in many lives. It's incredible to participate.

Here are a few photos I took while I was out there. Enjoy the journey.

A water barrel at the Foundation Center.

Gong Kia preparing his lesson for the day.

The beautiful sunset at the Foundation Center.

Kids doing acrobatics in the hay.

Some of Gong Kia's students learning from their home.

A few of Sopheak's students.

Lunch time at the Foundation Center. A perfect picture of prayer.

Please listen. It will change your life. And you will laugh really hard.

Just click on the picture to download the click...be patient.

Most of us spend quite a bit of time at our kitchen sinks. We wash dishes, prepare food, clean fruits and veggies, grab a glass of water (unless you live in Cambodia) or maybe even eat a meal. Living in a foreign country where 96% of the people practice Buddhism has caused me to think quite intentionally about every area of my life, including my sink. I take less for granted and am more aware than ever of my need to keep truth -- God's truth -- present before me. I find that the challenges and adjustments of life here can quickly consume and a little reflection during mundane moments like dish-washing proves quite helpful to center my gaze again.

Without further adieu...the view from my sink.

* * *

A verse from Proverbs which Jacob wrote for me early in our time here. It talks about love and faithfulness. Below it hangs a small bag of mustard seeds given to me at our wedding by a dear friend. Of course they always bring to mind Jesus' words about faith and its power.

We want to share with you our latest newsletter! You can read it here.  It's crazy to think we've been in Cambodia for 6 weeks now - it feels like so much longer in some ways.

As we move forward with our lives here, we want to communicate a few ways you can stay in touch.  You can count on an official update (like this one) every other month.  We will, however, be updating our blog with more current information including photos and videos at least once a week

Twitter: Noelle and I are both on Twitter and actively use it.  It's a great tool to share tidbits of information throughout the day about activities we are involved in, what we are doing, etc.  It's basically a mini-story of the day.  If you don't use Twitter, you should read about it. 

Here is where you can follow us: twitter.com/Noelle_G & twitter.com/JacobusM.

Facebook: Of course you can also find us on Facebook.com as Noelle Goodlin & Jacobus Maximus (long story).

Skype: You can find Noelle at Noelle_Goodlin & Jacob at Jacobus.Maximus.

Email: We would love to hear from you! You can reach Noelle at noelleg@ihsionline.org and Jacob at jacobg@ihsionline.org.

Phone: We do have phone numbers here in Cambodia. If you need to contact us, please shoot us an email for our phone numbers. 

We miss you all AND love being here at the same time. Talk to you soon!

Rain is perfect for sleeping, so since I wasn't feeling well, I curled up on the couch and took a nap.  I woke up to find it still raining and the road parallel to the market was flooded. It was at least two feet.  

Here are a few photos.  I suppose once rainy season officially begins, I will be able to experience more of this.

(*Click each photo to see larger version*)

This guy was not a happy camper. He got water in his engine...bad day.

It was deep!

I would not want to be delivering packages today...