Normally it is really easy for me to write about the month that I just had. There is always something that stands out about what God did through me, my team, or my host. This month was a little different. I think it was because even though it was a good month; it was a hard one too. Our host runs the only Christian school in all of Seim Reap. Everything is Buddhist. He also farms, is a travel agent, and runs a tuk tuk business. To say that his plate was full would be a huge understatement. To top it all off he had two deaths in his family and was gone most of our time there.
Our jobs were teaching 6 English classes per day that started at7 a.m. and finished at 5 p.m. We then had a small time to work out and eat to be back for devotions from 7-9 p.m. then it was bed time. The living conditions were hot and smelly. The bath room a joke and beds were gross from all the sweat. There was no AC, 95 degrees, and I think a need a blood transfusion from the mosquitos. To top it off we were teaching classes by ourselves to kids, some who could speak English perfectly and others couldn’t say their ABC’s. It was a challenge to say the least.
It truly surprises me every time how a child can change your mind set so fast. If you have children or have been around children very much, you will know they say and do things that will melt our heart. In the middle of them driving you crazy, they can make you laugh more than any comedian I have ever seen. One day I was “over” trying to teach them things when only one-third of the class even knew what I was saying. I thought it would be a good idea to read a kids book to them and ask questions to see who was listening. I read the short story and on the board showed them how to number the paper 1-8. I made it multiple choice so I really thought that the worst that could happen is they get a 25%. I had to read each question 74 times and each answer choice that many more. After making sure that everyone knew what I was asking them to do, and I felt like they understood it, I asked for the papers back. This is what I got…
You know I couldn’t even be mad. He looked at me with a huge smile like he had done something great and said “Dit is you teacher tenne” my heart melted. I just told him thank you so much and he had done something great. I have had a lot of good laughs about it and it is now my book mark for my Bible. I don’t have a clue if he learned a single bit of English. Judging by his test I think it is a NO. But he did know I loved him. He saw me as someone he wanted to draw a picture of. Really that is so much better.
So that was my month in Cambodia. Hard, but as with most hard things–worth it.
