This literally feels like the fastest month on the race. And I think
the reason for that is because I really don’t want to leave Phnom Penh,
Cambodia. The people here are delightful. They’re all smiles all the time.
Teaching English seemed really daunting to me at first, because in Tanzania I
learned that it definitely is not my forte. But I have had such a wonderful
time getting to teach each morning and evening.
the reason for that is because I really don’t want to leave Phnom Penh,
Cambodia. The people here are delightful. They’re all smiles all the time.
Teaching English seemed really daunting to me at first, because in Tanzania I
learned that it definitely is not my forte. But I have had such a wonderful
time getting to teach each morning and evening.
In the morning, we have been teaching the cutest kids in the world at
New Hope School. “Good mohning teacha!! How ah you?!” they always SHOUT in
unison. Those preschool kids are so dang cute. I definitely have a newfound
respect for preschool teachers. Keeping any sort of order is tough with little
ones! So I quickly learned that songs and games are the best way to teach them.
Which has been super fun! Shake your Hands Hallelujah and Baby Shark do do are
their favorites. We all taught our kids the phrases “Jesus loves me” and “Jesus
loves you” and now they run all over the property saying that to each other.
“Jesus loves YOU!!” 🙂
New Hope School. “Good mohning teacha!! How ah you?!” they always SHOUT in
unison. Those preschool kids are so dang cute. I definitely have a newfound
respect for preschool teachers. Keeping any sort of order is tough with little
ones! So I quickly learned that songs and games are the best way to teach them.
Which has been super fun! Shake your Hands Hallelujah and Baby Shark do do are
their favorites. We all taught our kids the phrases “Jesus loves me” and “Jesus
loves you” and now they run all over the property saying that to each other.
“Jesus loves YOU!!” 🙂
After the preschool class, I teach english to a 1st grade
class at New Hope as well. It’s really quite wonderful because the school is
connected to our Cambodian home, which the church is also connected to. It’s
all one big building! [Which is great because there is a lot of space to utilize for my team’s dance party’s and dodge
ball tournaments]. The 1st graders are eager to learn and get SO
excited whenever we sing. My favorite
part is when I’m leaving, they all jump around me and I’m flooded with HUGS!
“Sank You Teacha!” 🙂
class at New Hope as well. It’s really quite wonderful because the school is
connected to our Cambodian home, which the church is also connected to. It’s
all one big building! [Which is great because there is a lot of space to utilize for my team’s dance party’s and dodge
ball tournaments]. The 1st graders are eager to learn and get SO
excited whenever we sing. My favorite
part is when I’m leaving, they all jump around me and I’m flooded with HUGS!
“Sank You Teacha!” 🙂
I can’t talk about them without smiling. There is just something
special about these people.
special about these people.
Every evening, we teach English classes that are open to the community.
Mostly consisting of University students, there are 11 levels and hundreds of
students. I teach level 2 on Mondays and Tuesdays, and level 4 on Wednesdays,
Thursdays, and Fridays. Level 2 is for students who are just beginning and so I
assist a Khumer speaking teacher named Sharain (pronounced Sarhine). I teach
the level 4’s alongside a fantastic woman named Leakna. We have a lot of fun
together. I am getting to know the kids in that class really well, and they are
really interested in hearing about Jesus.
Mostly consisting of University students, there are 11 levels and hundreds of
students. I teach level 2 on Mondays and Tuesdays, and level 4 on Wednesdays,
Thursdays, and Fridays. Level 2 is for students who are just beginning and so I
assist a Khumer speaking teacher named Sharain (pronounced Sarhine). I teach
the level 4’s alongside a fantastic woman named Leakna. We have a lot of fun
together. I am getting to know the kids in that class really well, and they are
really interested in hearing about Jesus.
My level 2 class!
My level 4 class!
Lungdi and Peirdom are two of my
students who I just adore. They are both about 12 years old – Lungdi is very
open to talking about spiritual matters and asking for prayer, and Pierdom (whom
we call Bieber) sings and dances Justin Bieber songs with us all the time. It
all started when our first day, he came up to me and said “Do you know baby?”
Thinking he was talking about a particular infant, I cradled my arms, rocked
them back and forth, and gave him a questioning look. He responded “No, no. Do
you know baby?.. Like baby, baby, baby, oh.” Ah! The Bieber song. I started
singing it and dancing, and he joined in. Ever since then, all throughout the
month, random kids will come up and ask us to sing Baby. Our Bieber even
inspired us to perform a dance to “Baby” at the last youth service. It was a
hit!
students who I just adore. They are both about 12 years old – Lungdi is very
open to talking about spiritual matters and asking for prayer, and Pierdom (whom
we call Bieber) sings and dances Justin Bieber songs with us all the time. It
all started when our first day, he came up to me and said “Do you know baby?”
Thinking he was talking about a particular infant, I cradled my arms, rocked
them back and forth, and gave him a questioning look. He responded “No, no. Do
you know baby?.. Like baby, baby, baby, oh.” Ah! The Bieber song. I started
singing it and dancing, and he joined in. Ever since then, all throughout the
month, random kids will come up and ask us to sing Baby. Our Bieber even
inspired us to perform a dance to “Baby” at the last youth service. It was a
hit!
Longdi with Carrie!
Each day, we also spend one on one time teaching the teachers we work
with here. I have been working with Sharain and Leakna to answer their
questions about English and help them practice some more. These times have been
really fun. Sharain and I usually end up talking about Buddhism or killer
whales. And Leakna is such a gem. She and I talk a lot about what God is doing
in our lives, and she really gives me such encouragement. Even just yesterday
we were talking about how hard it is to not see our family and friends for so
long. She is from a Province far from the city and only gets to see her family
every few months. But she reminded me of how Psalm 23 tells us the Lord is our
Shepard, and He is looking after His sheep both here and there. So we can rest
assured.
with here. I have been working with Sharain and Leakna to answer their
questions about English and help them practice some more. These times have been
really fun. Sharain and I usually end up talking about Buddhism or killer
whales. And Leakna is such a gem. She and I talk a lot about what God is doing
in our lives, and she really gives me such encouragement. Even just yesterday
we were talking about how hard it is to not see our family and friends for so
long. She is from a Province far from the city and only gets to see her family
every few months. But she reminded me of how Psalm 23 tells us the Lord is our
Shepard, and He is looking after His sheep both here and there. So we can rest
assured.
Leakhena and I
