Be Honest. Be Humble. Be Holy.
Samuel House is an international school in Cambodia that preaches and practices honestly, humility, and holiness. It’s a place where children from different ethnicities and religions come to get education in both academics and all things, Jesus.
Be honest.
Before entering Cambodia, and a few days into, I was pretty bummed that I would not have my own classroom in the U.S., like my other classmates that I graduated with in May, do.
I saw their super cute classroom doors—sail boats, sports, gardens, and others—and began to walk in instant self pity. Although I was ecstatic for them, a jealousy entered my thoughts and doubt clouded my mind.
These doubts made me think:
Had I not signed up for the World Race, I would have my own classroom that was decorated like I wanted it…even though that’s not what having a classroom is about. I would be on my way as an elementary school teacher, doing the exact thing I have wanted to do since I was a little girl who played “teacher” in her room and wrote on the walls as if they were her chalkboard (because chalkboards still existed when I was 4). I could have lots of things differently than what I have now.
Yet, I did sign up for this travel and I did know I would miss out. This absents from what my life could have been has only made me realize just how much I do want to teach and that to be a teacher does not mean you have to have a classroom. The world is my classroom.
Be humble.
Now I am in Cambodia. The Kingdom of Cambodia, and I get teach and do what I love. I get to feed little minds truth and A,B,C’s, and sounds, and rhymes, and songs, and words, and Jesus. They don’t understand half the things I say and I don’t understand anything they say, but there is still a great accomplishment of love, laughter, and learning.
And I’m humbled by that.
I am humbled by the fact that God chose me to be their teacher for this month. Their eager hearts and minds prove that they value and cherish this education and Him, even at such a young age.
I am humbled as I walk from class to class and see my teammates walking out the role as “teacher” and not just because they are given that title. I love to see their gifts in action and know that they are being used here.
We have been able to draw pictures for specific classrooms, create a school website, teach, empower women, and most of all love these children the way Jesus does.
-There’s nothing more humbling than knowing that the pictures that have been drawn will aid these children in months and years to come and will allow these students to learn Khmer and English and whatever language is taught under the roof of Samuel International School.
-Knowing that this website will guide people to the heart of this school is pretty impressive.
-Believing that the love and information imparted to these children will stick like glue to their hearts and minds makes this month so much more worth it.
-Empowering the women who work here to use their gifting in craft has advanced His kingdom in so many ways already and I know, for a fact, will continue to do so.
Be holy.
I’m pretty blown away by this month. It wasn’t the most challenging or the most magical month, but I’ve seen the Lord work in the small ways—and those ways are never overlooked by Him.
Holy is He (Psalm 99) and worthy is He to be praised for all things—big and small, deep and wide, long and short.
Be Holley.
Thank you to all who are following this journey I get to be on with God! Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Every child deserves a champion, and adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.”
-Rita Pierson
