Change in Cambodia
Cambodia was a place of reconciliation for me. It was the first month where I felt parts of myself actually return like my sense of humor, love of biking, movie times with the team and awesome chats with people who felt like old friends. June 29th, our last day came and I knew I would never forget this place. It’s tough to figure out what I would miss most because there isn’t just one memory, person, or place that stands out:
1.) The people- My team and I spent the month building friendships with the hostel staff, tourists passing through, Tuk Tuk drivers, vendors, neighbors, and learning history/culture. My favorite moment was spending time with the hostel staff learning about their families, favorite music, or food. One staff member loves the song “My Heart will go on” by Celine Deon. My team did a couple covers of worship songs and popular hits in the hostel lobby some staff sat and sang with us.
2.) Beauty of Cambodia- There is something about its roughed beauty that almost makes time stand still. The never ending rice fields with famers in round pointed hats slowly walking through. Daily sunsets changing color as if to highlight a new angle or point of view daily. Lines of worn clay/wood/cement/tin houses being repaired but full of life as the children run around playing. Heavy traffic with commuters of all kinds; on bikes, mopeds, trucks and cars.
3.) The Cow Chase- Naomi wanted to free a calf. His rope got caught on a wooden pole. He huffed and puffed frantically trying to leave with his small heard but couldn’t and they just kept going further. My idea was to yank it free while he was staring at her but as soon as I walked passed he turned around and started following me. BY the way, he was also picking up speed. It was hilarious and nerve wrecking for an on looker but he broke chase when he realized he was free. In short, chasing me set him free; goal accomplished!
4.) Ennaegram- Self awareness is key! You can find different ways to learn personality types from single letters, to acronyms, to colors but this time the method was within a single number. It’s a method where the individual takes a test that determines their dominant personality type numbers 1-9. On top of that a music artist named Sleeping at Last has started a project where he makes a song representing the number. I discovered that my number is four (lose titles are Individualist/Romantic) and even got to check out the podcast with my song in it. I was a skeptic at first but by the 3rd listen, I fell in love. (^_^) With the podcast I listened to it a total of 5 times and got to here why the artist chose each lyric and instrument, every decision is curtained around honoring the dominant personality of the number.
5.) Biking Adventures- It took me a while to just embrace biking as an efficient way to get around. I came into the month knowing it was an option but let me paint a picture for you. If you chose to bike, it will be in spite of the sudden downpours, heavy traffic typically w/o governing lights, vehicles of all types (Tuk Tuk, mopeds, vendors/locals on bikes, and trucks) fighting for road space. The major roads are smooth, but most times hold on tight, brace for major turbulence and dodge the pits. Here are two cool moments:
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Our new friend Katelyn invited us on an hour long bike ride to Angkor Watt. After 5pm, it’s free to enter around the outer perimeter. We biked there and took awesome photos! It was an hour there and an hour back. We faced traffic like it was nothing. Mission Accomplished as we maneuvered behind Katelyn since she was the most experienced.
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All the friendships we built came together in this moment. As a team we decided to host a party called Beauty for Ashes and one of the final steps was to personally invite the women we had already befriended. Mary Beth and I went on bikes to hand deliver invitations. The women were excited and received them with open arms; though most said they may have to work. It was a worthwhile mission and we even road back to our hostel with matching ponchos in the pouring rain!!
6.) Beauty for Ashes- The attendance was not at all what we expected but it was just right. All the pieces came together smoothly; the handmade decorations, our translator, the women in attendance, and or refreshments.
7.) Synchronized Swimming Piece- At debrief our squad had a summer Olympics. One of the parts was to perform a synchronized piece and for WHIP this was one of our lowest scoring events. We needed a redemptive moment; thanks collaboration and patience of the team we created a piece to the song “This is Me”.
8.) New Friends- I made so many new friends from the coffee shops, to hostel neighbors, WR alumni, and more. This one can be seen as a repeat but it was so encouraging to share testimonies of faith. These were moments where we talked of things we had learned, seen, or were currently walking through. But the best part is when you make a new friend that simply echoes the rhythm of your heart. <3
