MANistry. (Sensory Overload to Sensory Glorified)

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MANistry began Wednesday.

(11 dudes, no women)

These next 3 weeks I have an amazing opportunity to see growth, as I am surrounded by 10 men that are all connected to the wellspring.

These next 3 weeks will be strenuous mentally and physically.

 

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Day two

I can already say this is a packed schedule.

Teaching English all day was not the exact ministry I was thinking of landing when we were sent off on a bus from Battambang 6 hours away for MANistry. I was thinking that maybe it was going to be MANual labor. I had expectations before and since they were not met the morale fell under. 

Teaching English/Babysitting is rough, trying to get thirty-two four-year-olds to sit in a chair be quiet and listen is near impossible. It just doesn’t happen. I absolutely love kid’s, but this is definitely sensory overload… Screaming, crying, running, making as much noise as possible, you’d think oh easy, but when it actually comes down to running a class of thirty-two four-year-olds it’s not easy.

 

These first two days at the ministry have been DRAINING physically and mentally. I knew MANistry would contain physical and mental DRAINING tasks.

 

(The selection above was written on February ninth, 2018)

 

I had my breather days… I could relax, get into the word, and ask the Lord how do I do this?

 

February twelfth was a game changer.  When I arrived at class, I asked the Lord to give me his eyes to see his children. That’s exactly what he did. I let his sight takeover. This day gave me the excitement for the week to come! I grew closer and closer and closer to the kiddos/my students! It’s awesome to see their unwavering joy for the normal everyday life, children are a true masterpiece. All of them impacted me, bringing me back to absorbing joy from the simple things yet major things in my life. 

 

Such as,

The water filter cycling through, so I can have water clean water to drink. (Plastic clear trash container, with a clay flower pot in it, and a dripping faucet. Fill the pot with water and it slowly drips through and fills the bucket with 98% clean water.)

(Picture of the pot)

Or…

 The power at the school staying on so I can enjoy the luxury of a fan while teaching, preventing me from sweating from head to toes. Although, this is pretty major! It’s hot. I mean scorching heat inside these classrooms… I casually bring my multi towel and wipe my face down every five minutes. 

Or… 

Everyone is healthy for a full week… This is a rare occurrence.

 

When these little simple things happen, Worship the Lord. It’s simple to say “Wow this food is great!” But, it’s even simpler to say “Thank you Lord for this food” It’s a two in one. God delights in your enjoyment of the World he created for you. 

 

“Worship is far more than praising, singing, and praying to God. Worship is a lifestyle of enjoying God, loving him, and giving ourselves to be used for his purposes.” – Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

 

This brings Glory to God.

 

February thirteenth through the seventeenth 

 

I was able to enjoy and thank the Lord for the ministry he has put me.

Although, throughout the week I had thoughts that what I was doing didn’t have an impact. I asked my evening class, “Why do you want to learn English?” The common answer was, “So I can get a good job.” 

This struck me… God completely flipped my perspective on teaching. This taught me that English can and will provide good opportunities. Most importantly, I am setting an example for what it looks like to live in Christ and I believe that’s the biggest lesson I can deliver.

 

February eighteenth to the twenty-fourth (Today)

 

 

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P.S. 

To all the teachers, 

Thank you for your diligence and patience.

You are a true light and impact in all of your student’s lives. I think we should start giving credit where credit is due, and that’s to YOU! Teachers here in Cambodia are prestigious and well appreciated. I know for a fact that in the States we take our teachers for granted.

We, students, whizz by school with no thankfulness for all the time OUR teachers put their life into education for each and every one of us. YOU have the power to impact lives, students look up to YOU. I hope that our generation can see that Teachers should be lifted and appreciated more often!

Thank You

 

Sincerely, 

A Student