While I’m Cambodia I have realized how much my spirit has been filled with joy and confidence from the Lord. On the first day of ministry I was put in a classroom of 20 students around the age of 12 and was told to teach them English with no translator, no leader, and no guidance. As overwhelming as that sounds I knew God would give me the confidence and strength to do this. I have always had a dream to teach English abroad and this was my time to use the gifts God has given me with teaching!
The first day was hard since I didn’t know any names (and couldn’t pronounce any) and the students couldn’t understand me at all. We played a few games and I was kind of disappointed with how the day went.
Then the next day I found a teacher guide to teaching English book laying around which had lots of English vocabulary to teach. I started with the basics- repeat after me, drew lots of pictures, acted out many actions. I could tell they were starting to pick up on a few English words and terms. My spirit was lifted and I knew I could do this. As the week went on I started learning names and taught them English bible verses and many songs. I was building these amazing relationships with each of my students and I was confident that each student learned more English than they had already learned previous. At the end of the first week, every student would give me a hug me goodbye and I have never felt more loved.
The next week went even smoother, and I couldn’t wait to see each student. I was amazed at how much these students had a desire to learn English. They pushed me as their teacher to learn more and wanted to be challenged. It made me so happy when I would hear the students outside of class using some of the English I taught them. The last day of that week I took the class out for a big game of soccer in the soccer fields. That moment was the highlight of this trip so far. I looked around at each of my students running and laughing and just playing a simple game of soccer and I felt this spirit of joy throughout my body. I looked around at the beautiful sunset and palm trees in this rural country and felt at home. I am so thankful for this opportunity and how much I have seen God work in my life and those around me in this country.
