Not to say we haven’t had tough moments but, so far we’ve been pretty spoiled in terms of World Race living accommodations.
Now its month 4 and the initial excitement that made squatty potties and sleeping on a constantly deflating sleeping pad an “adventure” has begun to wear off because we’re in South East Asia during some of the hottest months of the year!
There needs to be a new word created for how hot and humid Cambodia is because there is no English word that could possibly describe it. Being comfortable in this country is not an option. You are ALWAYS sticky!!! Even when you shower you sweat; and its cold water how is that even possible?!
We are sleeping on the floor of our hosts church that has no air-conditioning and is also the home to cockroaches the size of cats (yuck!). On our first night, we laid on our sleeping pads feeling the beads of sweat constantly drip off of our bodies and saw our first cockroach scurry across the floor and up the wall and that when we knew things just got real! In my head all I could say was: “welcome to The World Race!”.
I have been praying for the Lord to take me deeper to show me what the next step is and He responded by showing me a new level of abandonment and uncomfortability. We have had to abandon the simplest of comforts this month that we truly take for granted and be challenged to press into God when all we want to do is go search for a fan to feel dry for just 5 minutes. However, I am grateful for constant uncomfortability because its teaching me what it means to actively choose to have a good attitude and look for God’s purpose even when the conditions are unfavorable. God is showing us where we need to lean into Him more and although we may be uncomfortable in our physical conditions there is much more favorable things in those same moments if we just trust Him.
I am really enjoying ministry this month. I love that we had a route change and came to Cambodia after Vietnam instead of before since we have the awesome opportunity to be working with Vietnamese refugees here.
Becca and I are teaching English while the rest of our team is helping out with odd jobs of manual labor (building and painting things for the church and school). I have 5 grades I am responsible for lesson planning and teaching English to, that meets the different levels the kids are at.
The kindergartners are beyond precious and have their shapes and colors down like pros. My first grade class is so large there are 5 different levels in one class but they do not have the staff to separate them so they’re all in one class. Its been a challenge to teach them as some students are much more advanced than others. I am struggling because as much as I want to empower the more advanced kids I do not want the other children to feel they don’t matter.
My fourth graders are probably my favorite – they are so smart and eager to learn! There is only 8 of them and its given me the ability to really get to know them and work one on one with each. They are learning the days of the week, today, tomorrow, and yesterday as well as how to put those concepts into sentences.
The 5th and 6th graders Becca and I share, we decided to create a lesson plan that focuses on dream building. Many of these kids do not think they are capable of achieving much so by 4th grade they drop out to collect trash for money or worse willingly go into prostitution because “it pays well”. We have taken many different careers that are available in Cambodia and are pouring into the students about their worth. Becca is also having fun teaching the students creative writing to build their imaginations back up.
The school we are working with is a Christian school and Jesus is so present everyday and we love that we can talk about Him in our lessons!!! God is active and moving in Cambodia and I can not wait to see what else He has ready for us this month!
Fundraising Update : Last month God provided $4,337 through all of you!!!! AHHHH that is so amazing! I only need $1,289 to be fully funded!!! How crazy is that?! Please continue praying about the remaining funds to come in as our final deadline is approaching quickly! I need to be fully funded by April 30th, and I am confident that God is going to make that happen!
Thank you for your continued support, I can not express my gratitude enough.
