My experience in Cambodia this past is high up on the list of best life experiences (so far).
Like I noted previously, I taught dance at an orphanage to help them prepare for their big Christmas show. The chance to choreograph and teach every day made my heart burst with glitter. But I must admit that some days were not so shiny because I would get tired.
The afternoon Cambodian heat sticks to everything and weighs on your body like a marathon.
It’s no wonder that in every home we passed I saw at least one hammock. I was often tempted to remain in the one at our orphanage with the cute littles (not involved in the dancing) while someone else (cue: no one) taught the dances. And when you teach kids, there are no short cuts. You must do everything to full performance every time so that they will do the same. This was even more important because there was no other way to communicate what to do because dance was the only language we shared. All this heat, all the entertaining, and all the adrenaline from dancing again would put my energy tank with the “low level” light on.
One day after we were finished learning I sprawled out on the tile floor (hint: this is the coolest place you’ll find without AC as an option) inviting the kids to join me. Personally, I thought the children were just as tired because their focus was gone and attitudes reflected my fatigue. The atmosphere left me questioning whether they were really enjoying this or just dancing because it was their required activity. As I lay there thinking “Ah, sweet relief,” and assuming they must be happy to be done… something unexpected happened.
A handful of the kids asked us to play the music again.
And they performed the dances for me while I sat on the ground propped up against the wall with a grin glued to my face. They asked to keep dancing! They liked it, they really liked it. My energy seemed to pick up as I enthusiastically cheered them on during their performance. It was like the “Little Engine that Could” moment that I needed. With them as my inspiration, I no longer wanted to use fatigue as an excuse to miss out on moments with these kids while I had the short chance.
This is the day I knew we were bonding. God showed me a new source of strength for that assignment by showing me what it meant to the kids. Their joy shone as strength for me. And in them I saw the greatness of our Lord. He can use anything to remind us of who He is and how we need Him. My little crew of dancers were his picture for me that day. In what ways have you been noticing Him lately?
