I have finished my time as a teacher, at least as a teacher in Cambodia. It was a fantastic time to become friends with many of my students. This last week was a little different than the previous three. A week ago marked the beginning of a unique holiday here in Siem Reap. This is a 15 day holiday that has some interesting rituals. My students began telling me about how the holiday is in honor of their ancestors. So from sunrise to late in the evening, we can hear the prayers and cries of all the people who are flocking to the temples. But it is a very dark ceremony, their prayers call upon the spirits of the ancestors and demons to come to the temples, where they offer sacrifices of food and incense to the spirits. Last week I went to temple to say hello to some of my students, many of whom are leading the prayers. I stopped at the entrance, hearing the cries of the mass of people whom were inside. I could feel at the very threshold of the doorway the heaviness. It was very apparent the weight of the spiritual atmosphere. I could not even get myself to enter the temple. They are literally calling for the demons to come be present to be appeased for another year.
With this ceremony, I was unable to meet with them during our normal morning times. The only other time of day that they could meet was from 6pm to 7pm. So each evening this week I would finish my class at the other center, hop on my bike, and pedal as fast as I could over to the monastery, to meet with my wonderful monks. Tuesday, Chad and Jimmy came in town to visit and joined me in class. That night we broke down the gospel again, the three of us separating and answering questions on a one on one basis. These guys are very analytical, and they are hungry to know about God. Last night was my last night to work with them. My final lesson was how to hug. It was maybe a bit awkward, as I could tell they have little experience hugging people. But we all laughed and said goodbye about 30 times before I actually rode my way out of the gates.
My purpose in being here at the monastery was not to try to debate to win converts, but to show them the love of Christ every day. They are my friends, not my targets. It is not my responsibility to change their hearts, but to share Christ’s love with boldness. So my prayers will continue to be with them as I leave Cambodia. It is possible that another World Racer will come here next month and continue teaching at the monastery. Their stories will continue, as will mine as I prepare to leave for China!
