It’s time for a photo blog! We are doing several types of ministry here in Cambodia. Most of them involve kids. My heart is happy!
We are staying at an orphanage in a village about 7km from Kampong Thom Town. There are 24 adorable kids (and young adults) there. When at home we get to play with them and love on them. I have a lot of love for them. In this picture, we had been rubbing our hands on the wall, thus covering them in chalk. Then I tried to rub the chalk on the kids’ faces and they on mine. I was vastly outnumbered, but amazed at how fun such a simple game can be!
We also help teach English at the church in town a few afternoons a week. Amy and I teach the younger kids (they’re my favorite). There are 21ish kids and they are crazy. But cute! A few of the girls in the back are a little bit older and I find great pleasure in singling them out to say things. They hate it.
A few mornings have been spent going into nearby villages. Twice we went to a preschool and the other times we went to a home with space for many kids. We play games (sharks and minnows, red light/green light which translates into stop/go in a place with no traffic lights, duck duck goose, Simon says) and sing songs (Father Abraham, Deep and Wide). The last couple of times I’ve also told the story of Shadrac, Meshac, and Abednego. I make the kids act out the story as I tell it. It’s fun.
Wherever we go I like to make a fish face to break the ice with kids. They go from staring at me in curious wonder to smiling and giggling. Smiling and giggling are my favorite. Sometimes I can get the kids to try making a fish face.
In our team time we have been studying the book of Daniel. Hence the inspiration to tell the story of Shadrac, Meshac, and Abednego. We also chose to do a version of the Daniel fast, since we have been cooking for ourselves. No meat or bread, a whole lot of veggies, rice or noodles, fruit, and sometimes eggs. I’ve been getting so many vitamins! (Just not enough iron.) This is where we eat:
Timothy took the picture and put a fantastic filter on it! Little kid is going to be a professional one day.
My team has also helped out at the services of the church in our village as well as in town. Many of us have had the chance to preach. If you want to hear what I taught, I recorded them and can share. The nearby youth home has discipleship at night, after English class. A few nights we went and taught/worshipped with them. Everyone we’ve met here is wonderful!
Cambodia has definitely been one of my favorite months of ministry. I was in pain for much of last month and so didn’t commit 100% to our ministry. I felt fantastic the first couple of weeks of this month and have enjoyed being fully present. The fact that we get to play with and love on so many kids has done wonders for my spirit! It’s going to be a tearful parting at the end of this week. I try not to think about it yet.
