I still vividly remember my first day at New Hope School. I remember stepping into the tiny classroom that was packed full of students, all starting excitedly at their 10 new American teachers. In that moment, I never could have imagined the love I would develop for those precious faces, or the things they would teach me, or the amount of laughter and blessings I would experience over the coming 2 months.
Of course it hasn’t been all rainbows and ponies. Some days were very far from picture-perfect. While teaching is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, it has also stretched me in just about every way possible. I’ve been on the verge of pulling my hair out more than once, and my blood has reached its boiling point multiple times. There have been discouraging days, when I’ve felt like my efforts were all in vain, and days that I’ve wanted to do nothing else but curl up in a real bed and take a 6 hour nap. However, the frustrating times don’t come close to measuring up to the good times.
Yesterday, when we had to say goodbye, the memories of my time with them flooded over me. As we sat in the dirt crying, clinging to each other and putting off actually leaving, I realized the impact we had made on each other. While I was bawling my eyes out, my heart smiled as I remembered teaching them shapes, colors, food, adjectives, songs, and so many other things. I will always chuckle when I think back on teaching them to skip, and how it took them so long to figure out. I’ll never forget laughing hysterically while teaching them the chicken dance (which may be my proudest accomplishment). Their beautiful voices singing 10,000 Reasons on that first day, and then again as we said goodbye yesterday, will always be something I hold onto.
My students have constantly reminded me that it’s the little things that truly make a difference. Every day, they gave me hugs, kisses, flowers, letters, pictures, or origami. They braided my hair, held my hand, told me I’m beautiful, taught me hand games, and bought me snacks. And while I hated when they put giant rhinoceros beetles on me, it’s very amusing looking back. Their small actions showed me such a great love, and I’ve been so blessed by them. While they don’t know it, they helped me grow as well. Since I’ve arrived, I’ve seen how being pushed out of my comfort zone has multiplied the fruit of the Spirit in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. God gave me so many circumstances where I could choose to be patient. He gave me countless instances when I had to choose joy. He gave me peace out of nowhere, and self-control when I was going crazy in my head. I’ve grown so much, and while I know I will continue to grow over the next 7 months, I am so grateful for the work God has already done in my heart.
I will miss New Hope so much. I will miss my classroom, the students, and the incredible staff, who have treated us like family. I will continue to pray for them daily: that the students will come to know Christ, and that the Lord will provide for the school (if you feel led, please consider giving to the school. They need supporters right now, and I can assure you that it is an incredible organization that puts their money towards great things: https://www.gofundme.com/outhsarith)
Battambang, thank you for everything. You treated me well. Next stop: Honduras! (right after our 2 day retreat in Bangkok, Thailand).
Thank you for all the encouragement! It means the world to me, and I couldn’t do this without the constant support. Love you all!
