Ok you’re on. We were Teenagers when the Khmer Rouge murdered 25% of the population. What are some of the differences you observe between the generations say yours and those age 50-60? Is there a difference in their respective views on suffering? How do you make a meaningful connection with each group?
The difference I see between the two generations is by how they view life. People who were alive during the Khmer genocide seem to live in a lot of fear vs the kids my age. This is what I’ve picked up on by body language so I’m not saying I’m 100% sure that’s how they live. Since I’m working in a school, I’m not allowed to talk about Christ which is a bummer, but I am getting to share the love of God through my hugs and smiles. It’s been difficult to grow relationships because of the language difference and not having a translator. Most of our relationships are with the teachers at our school who speak English and go to Church with some of the people on the squad.
Culturally, with each country you have been to, what are the similarities and differences that have impacted you the most? What has surprised you the most about each country? What one thing do you want others to know about each country? What is a typical day like? Love reading about your journey, Chase! You are indeed one special young woman; whose impact goes much further than you know.
Every place I’ve been to has been stricken with extreme poverty, yet the people are always filled with so much joy. One of the biggest differences has been the language barrier. For the first 6 months of our race we were in south and central America, everyone spoke Spanish. Since being in Spanish speaking countries and having so many people on my squad who speak Spanish, it’s been difficult to talk with people in Cambodia. Like I said before, the people in each country I’ve been to are filled with so much joy and kindness. I left for the Race to see how much I had compared to the rest of the world, so that I could be more thankful once I got back to the states. What a stupid ignorant way of thinking I had. After being on the field for 8 months now, I’m learning that I lack in big areas where the people I have met in the 3rdworld countries thrive. I’m learning that they have so much more to offer me than I could ever offer them. They are beyond rich. They are rich in love, rich in kindness, and rich in compassion. I left with the mind set of coming home, being content with what I had, when in reality I was woken up to what I didn’t have, and now I want to have what matters most. I want to be rich in love, rich in kindness, and rich in compassion. I want to be more like the people I have met rather than be content with where and how I used to live.
I would love to hear how each different culture and people have changed your view of the world and of your own country. How have they forever changed you as you have been loving them with the love of Christ.
If it wasn’t for the south and central American countries, I wouldn’t have learned what hospitality actually was. I thought I did because I grew up in the south. Everyone says Texas is big on “southern hospitality”. But what does that actually mean?
We give people over priced and half way decent BBQ with a side of coleslaw and call that hospitality… That can’t be right, can it?
I’ve learned that hospitality Is about welcoming people into your home. Hospitality is giving people sweet treats and yummy drinks to show them that you care about them. Hospitality is looking out for the people around you and allowing them to have a place to go to in times of trouble. Hospitality is putting other people’s needs before your own. In a way, hospitality is a form of community. To be hospitable you have to be inviting, and to be inviting you to have to be pressing into the Lord, through that, He gives you His strength and eyes to see those who need to be seen and loved on. To be hospitable is to show the Love of God.
Once I get back home things are going to change. The way I live my life is going to change. After being gone from home so long I’ve gotten some perspective on how Americans are seen by other countries, and it’s sad. I don’t want to be thought of as a cynical heartless person who only cares about making a buck. I don’t want to be looked at as superior because I’m ‘American’. I want to be thought of as someone who is compassionate, kind, helpful, and loving. I want to live my life by serving others more than myself, and by that, I hope people will know the Lord from it.
John 13:34-35.
– Chase
