No internet this month means little contact with home. Sorry Mom. And for some reason, I have entered a bloggers block. I just don’t know what to blog about. But I’m sure it will come to me. But since it has been awhile since I have updated, and who knows when I will be able to update again, I thought I would write about my time in Cambodia so far. The Holiday is finished and it is time to work. Or just live life being a missionary in Takeo, Cambodia.
We came into this month not really knowing much about anything involving our time in Cambodia. We could only wait and see what it would be like once we pulled into our ministry site. We arrive in Takeo Province (not the city like we originally thought), only 45 minutes or so out of Phnom Penh. Our contact came to us with a schedule full of 16 days of ministry and even opportunities for our off days. At first I was a little overwhelmed, but deep down, this is the ministry I love (random things at all times of the day) and was excited to jump right in alongside of the ministry that is already taking place here.
This month will be full of village visits, children’s activities, Bible studies and English classes. Our contacts this month are Seth and Sam-ole who are a Cambodian couple with a heart for the people of Cambodia. Sam-ole cooks our meals and she is a fantastic cook. We are very blessed this month in the food area. Seth is a laid back and easy going guy. Just yesterday I jumped on the back of a motorbike with him in order to go to a church to teach an English class. He was surprised it was my first time on a motorbike, but I was excited and showed it by taking video (Look! No Hands!). There is also Ted and Janeth. Ted is an American who has been overseas for 8 years now and he is married to Janeth who is actually Pilipino but could have fooled me with how well she speaks Khmer and looks Cambodian. This month we are jumping into this ministry they have started and hope to strengthen and continue it.
Cambodia is HOT! I knew it would be hot coming into the Race, but it is nothing like actually being here and experiencing it. Fans are best friends and rooms with A/C are rare but welcomed. I think I have succumbed to the fact that: I am going to be hot, sweaty and sticky for the next 50 days. (I don’t expect Malaysia to be any cooler). For the most part it isn’t too terrible… okay wait, maybe that is a lie, but hey! I try to be positive. We set the hammock up today in a shady spot with a nice, almost constant cross breeze. I wonder where I will be spending a lot of my future days here.
Mode of transport this month? An oversized tuk tuk, which is a motorized bike with a wagon type of thing on the back. We have already experienced riding this through bumpy terrain for a max of 45 minutes. Hold on tight and pay attention or you may be falling on your neighbor or hitting your head on a bar. I have also had the opportunity to ride on a motorbike. No not driving, but riding 3 people to a 2 person bike is always fun. But I do enjoy the freedom a moto gives and how it cools your body off after an afternoon of sweating profusely.
“Hello! My name is Jamie. What is your name? I am 22 years old. How old are you?” is common phraseology when teaching English every day. English is definitely an ‘out’ for the youth here. English is what will give them an advantage and hope for a good future rather than going to work in the fabric factory (that makes the clothes we buy from Old Navy). Most of the youth have an energy and passion to learn English and they will earnestly (though sometimes shyly) come up to you asking if they can practice their English. Though it may be repetition of questions with numerous youth, every conversation adds to that hope they have.
Some of the villages we have went to are very remote. Driving to our village site today a teammate looked around and stated, “We really are in the middle of nowhere.” Yes. Yes we are. Wherever you look around you see fields and fields of rice. Houses on stilts made out of wood and cows tied up in the middle of the road. We are in the middle of nowhere. Some of the kids in the villages have had the opportunity to see their first white person! Yes, I do feel like a celebrity, but no autographs please. These kids are precious. They are so humble and polite and just desire to be loved on, and I am excited to be able to be the person to share God’s love with them. Everywhere we go there are kids. Tons of them. The majority of the population in Cambodia (I’m talking 60%+ is under the age of 20). It’s an insane amount. Every time we go somewhere—kids are everywhere always waving, smiling and yelling ‘HELLO!’
I am excited for what this month holds. Yeah it is nearing the end of the Race. (Month 10—already? Wow.) Yeah I can sense myself getting tired. But there are still 2 more months. 2 more countries. 2 more ministries. 2 more places of people. 2 more areas that need the light of God. My desire is to give as much energy to the villages and children in Takeo Province as I did during month 1 in Huaticocha, Ecuador. (Random fact: these two places are scarily similar).
It is going to be a great month.
A great ministry.
A great community (Family Force 6).
Tons of laughter.
Professional English Speaker.
Delicious food.
Fans.
God.
