Who knew a single word could cause so much commotion, laughter, and learning in English class in the middle of Cambodia.
Fart.
Our classroom translator wrote a single word on the dry erase board. He scribbled it up in the corner of the board, but it was enough to grab the attention of several students. In particular, this word stuck out to a boy that I have truly and affectionately nicknamed “Boombox” because of his random tendency to burst out in song- anything from Michael Jackson to the Black Eyed Peas.
“What does this mean?” Some of the students asked, followed by some giggles and a mischevious look from our translator.
“They want to know the meaning of this word.” He laughs some more, but Emily, my co-conspirator, I mean, co-teacher, for this class takes it all in stride.
Next thing I know, she is writing “Flatulence” and “Pass gas” on the board right along side “fart.”
The next five minutes included repetition and explanation of fart, flatulence, and pass gas to the entire English class. I would say that only in Cambodia, while pigs, chickens and dogs run around our feet during English class would this happen, but I really feel like this could be a universal occurrence.
In any case, this little “lesson” brought laughter and joy, to us, and to the students.
This month, our biggest ministry is teaching English to kids from the Kampot province community here in southern Cambodia. Our students range from three years old all the way up to some students who are in their late teens and early twenties.
These students bike or walk to our compound for one or more of four different sets of English classes throughout the day. There are nine different classes that we are helping to teach every day during our time here.
Our classroom material varies from entry level English all the way up to more advanced material. Which, can I just say, the English language is quite…interesting. And by interesting I mean very difficult to explain. When trying to explain irregular verbs and the reasoning behind them, there are very few reasons and rules I can come up with.
But despite these technical terms that I trip over at times, teaching English has been stretching, and a joy. The children we get to work with are incredible. Cambodia is full of so much life and generosity. Through these English classes, we are able to get to know these kids as we interact with them every day. We are able to share Christ's love with each of these children. By learning their names, by teaching them a new word, or covering material they have already known. They are eager to learn, and eager to love.
These next two weeks in Cambodia will be filled with more teaching, more building relationships with these precious children, and more lessons in life and laughter.
