Ok, so maybe not as we know it but at least as I know it. As you may or may not know, I (Brady), have never been outside the USA until now and it has been an absolutely fascinating first week in Cambodia being in a culture completely different than what I am used to. I have so many insights/thoughts that it’s hard to put them in order so I’ve decided that I just won’t put them in any order at all (that’s the benefit of being your own editor).
So without further adieu:
- Pork buns are my new favorite food in the entire world. I have developed a code word for when we see street vendors selling pork buns which is “threat level midnight”. Its great because nobody here understands us anyway so its all cool.
- Cambodia was not built Brady sized. I’ve already broken a hammock, a spoon, and a cart. I’ve also hit my head multiple times on things. On the plus side, Cambodians love to play volleyball but they usually play with a shorter net so I can spike from just about anywhere on the court.
- The village we are in, Po Peyl, has lots of animals: The puppies are amazingly cute and their is a kitten there named Blessing that gives me my cat fix so I don’t miss Jasper too much.
- Cambodia is ripe for revival: Every missionary we have talked to thus far has a very positive outlook for the future. Cambodia’s Christian population is still small but it has grown greatly in the last 20 years. In addition, many Christian organizations have been doing humanitarian work in Cambodia and most people have a very positive view of the work that Christians do. Lastly, Cambodia is an open country which means its not illegal to openly preach the gospel.
- Their is a spiritually charged atmosphere here, especially in the village of Po Peyl. The villagers are afraid of evil spirits and practice Buddhism with elements of Hinduism mixed in. They consistently make different kinds of offerings to appease the spirits (some of which they believe to be evil and some of which they believe to be good).
- Most Cambodians are extremely kind. They are a very generous people and are very welcoming.
- Most kids know some english and they love to wave and say “Hello!” when they see white people.
- It is extremely flat where we are. The majority of houses are built on stilts to accommodate the monsoons. Additionally, the soil is very sandy where we are and their is less vegetation than I expected considering the great humidity.
- The pricing is much different here but the poverty is still very evident. It is very easy to get a really good meal for $1.50 and a 9 hour bus ride was only $8. At the same time, many jobs in the city only pay $40 – $80 a month so it doesn’t go very far. Many people outside the city grow rice or cucumbers and raise chickens and cows.
- Buddhism doesn’t help the poverty. Almost every person here makes consistent offerings of money and food to their ancestors. Additionally, monks will come around and collect money for the temples. Buddhists believe that a person must earn their way to a better future reincarnation or heaven. They will often give offerings to ancestors and/or monks to try to help improve their dead relatives standing in future lives/existence. It ends up helping to keep a lot of people in a continued cycle of poverty.
- Micro-finance is also common here and the interest rates are often above 30% per year which furthers poverty.
- NGOs (Non government organizations) and Christian organizations are helping a lot. Many kids are able to eat and afford school because they have sponsors or are being helped by a non-profit.
- I enjoy teaching the bible: I have had the opportunity to give 1 sermon and lead 3 bible studies here. (Bjouna is an amazingly humble Christian that interns with our missionary contracts Rodger and Deb – he generally translates). I thoroughly enjoy teaching the bible and pointing others toward the amazing freedom and grace found in Jesus Christ.
- During a house visit with one villager, the most interesting question he asked was “is everybody happy in America” because he knew that people there are generally wealthier. I thought about it and didn’t exactly know how to respond because so many people in America aren’t happy. I simply tried to explain that the possessions in America didn’t make people necessarily happier.
- The children in the village have so much respect for teachers (like us) and elders. Its amazing how obedient they are in English classes.
- The children also have an amazing amount of joy. Whether it be kicking a ball around, singing songs, or trying to climb one of us, the kids always seem so happy.
Thanks for reading all my random thoughts. Please pray for me and my team that we can be a great witness to Jesus Christ during the next 2 weeks in Cambodia.
We plan to post some pictures next weekend but here are a few “below” that my teammates have taken.
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Monsoon
Shoveling Rock for Concrete
Game Time with the Kids
The well where dishes are washed
