Just out of the airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Writing taken from my journal September 16th, on top of a roof somewhere in Siem Reap, Cambodia:
I hear chanting from the nearby temple, children’s voices, xylophones, and light drumming that seems to be a never-ending movie soundtrack to life here in Cambodia. There are birds chirping and motor sounds from tuk-tuks (a carriage pulled by a motorbike) motorbikes, and small cars.
I see blue sky above me, green hills in the distance, rice fields, lotus farms, masses of palm trees, and small homes raised on stilts over murky waters. I sit on the roof of the school we are assisting this month. Just over the railings lurk about a hundred lazy crocodiles.
Apparently, its normal to have croc farms here. They are bred here and then sent to China as babies to later become purses and boots and such. Our host informed us that they only get loose when it floods. But, he said not to worry they are fat and easy to catch. Today we are observing classes to know their language level and then we will begin making our own lessons to help improve their listening and speaking skills. Mustard Seed School is operating by Pastor Sophy and his wife Yuwat. Yuwat’s family started the first church in this area! It is inspiring to see their dedication to their people. Just yesterday people in need came to them. the only clothes they owned were the ones on their backs. Sophy and Yuwat gave them some of their own clothes. All day is full of classes.
Monday through Friday classes are taught all day by teachers they have raised up and they teach advanced classes in the evening. Thursdays and Saturdays Sophy drives to visit small villages.
“People say I should focus on the city, but if I don’t go to the villages how will they hear the Gospel?” Sophy asked our first night. In the little villages he gathers all the children and many adults come as well. They sing together, listen to a sermon, and then we play with the children and teach them a English lesson. “People here are terrified of the black magic.” Sophy tells us, “During this month people leave out balls of rice to appease and feed hungry ghosts.” He also tells us that he often brings medicine to the village and prays for their sicknesses. “The people tell me that the medicine works, but especially the “Jesus Medicine”.
Prayer Points:
-Pray for us to have good ideas for teaching English this month and the students would benefit.
-That we would adjust well to life here for the month and be a blessing to all we encounter.
-Pray for Sophy and his family to be refreshed as they are always pouring out.
-That they would have all the resources they need to continue their work.
-Sponsors for children to learn English. (At the school they are charged according to the family’s ability so that the teachers can be paid. But, for families that cannot pay they are trying to find sponsors for them.
