“Just Smile and Wave, Boys”
We seem to have adopted this phrase as we say goodbye to the children every day. They load about 50 (sometimes give, sometimes take) kids into a van meant for 12 in order to take everyone home. Then the kids proceed to wave and wave at us as we stand there and they begin to depart. It’s pretty adorable. As are all of the children in general.
By now you’ve probably guessed it, but Team Anchor Depths is teaching English at a school in a village just outside of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We sleep on our sleeping pads inside the school, use squatty potties, wear swimsuits to shower where there is no door, remove our shoes when going indoors, and are generally in love with life. Our host is amazing. She cooks us every meal. SO to all of you who were worried about me losing weight or eating dangerous food, this month is completely the opposite! I think I have probably gained about 5 lbs in one week from all of the delicious food that my team and I have been served. Really, I mean that. Speaking of our host…
She normally resides in Phnom Penh with her family but is staying with us while we are here. I feel so loved and covered by her. And after preparing for what conditions “could be like,” honestly, I feel a little bit spoiled. Her English is very good so communicating is easy and she answers all of our questions – which we have a ton. She helps us with transportation, general information, she treats us with green tea and pineapple, and truly helps us with everything we could possibly wonder about. With her is her 2 year 10 month old niece who is absolutely precious. She loves the slide on the small playground and sings “Rain, rain go away” during showers and storms. Did I mention how precious she is? Our host is a Christian and has hosted seven teams before us over the past few years, some from the World Race and some from other countries. We are blessed that she would spend her time on us and host us so well.
Daily activities include teaching English two or three times a day. The schedule is:
7:30 am – 10:10 am – First set of children. They have class for 45 min and then a 15 min break which they repeat 3 times. Next is a long lunch break. Ages range from 4 – 12 and there are 4 classes.
1:30 pm – 4:10 pm – Second set of children. They have the same rotation as the first set. Age ranges from 4 – 12 but there are 7 classes.
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Older kids class. Ages 13 – 15 and there are 2 classes.
In the evening, two of us help in classes and the rest of us have started painting some of the new classrooms that are being built. Hopefully we will get all the insides done and get to paint the outside walls too. This is where we will “leave our legacy,” Meaning, they said we could paint a picture or something on the outside of the building. Stay tuned to see what happens!
EXCITING DEVELOPMENT
The director of the school. Pastor Andrew, was here Wednesday night and Thursday of this week – he lives about an hour and a half away so he only comes once a week and is actually working on transitioning out of the position. While eating dinner Thursday night, we asked him what his suggestion would be for how we could integrate the Gospel into our day which is something we had been struggling with. He quickly replied, “Tomorrow you can do a story and a drama before the kids leave.” So, we did! His hlep was such an answered prayer. We did two skits – Jonah & the whale and when Jesus told the men to cast their nets again and they caught a ton of fish. Then we shared the Gospel. Around 200 Cambodians got to hear the Good News! Praise God!
I know this has been mainly an informational blog rather than a deep, heart blog. I thought I would start off the month letting everyone know what things are like. Don’t fret though, if it’s the heart things you’re looking for there is no doubt…that is well on it’s way! It could be a bit though because we do not have internet in the village. Which, if I”m being honest, has been amazing and so freeing. It’s cleansing to be away from the constant distraction it’s become in my life. God definitely knows what He’s doing.
PRAYER UPDATES/NEEDS:
— That the words we spoke to the kids and teachers about Jesus would be received and heard. Even if we don’t see the fruit we believe that God changed hearts this day.
— The kids! Going to school in Cambodia is not cheap. Some of these kids have sponsors in order to attend. Pray for more sponsors to speak up and help. ~If you feel like that could be you or someone you know, let me know!~
— Mosquito bites. We are trying to remain positive but the itching is so hard some days.
— I feel so selfish a lot of the time, which I’m sure I will go deeper into at some point, and I would love prayers to be more selfless especially with my team.
— For my team – that we would challenge one another and for more courageous and prominent boldness. I feel like there is a flood waiting to explode in us all!
— I am still working on being fully funded. $2,400 to go!
SO MUCH LOVE. Truly. SO MUCH.
Remember you can email me at [email protected]
