The wind feels cool on my sticky and bug bitten skin as I’m riding through the streets of Khampong Thom on the back of a motorbike. “I’m not wearing a helmet. I’m with a strange man. Jesus…PLEASE let me arrive in one piece. Okay. Okay. I’m teaching English tonight….somewhere. Where are we going? How many kids? What ages? I literally know nothing-what kind of missionary ARE YOU BECCA?!? I don’t have materials…how much English do they know?” And on and on my brain went as we continued to drive through town.
I arrive at a large house, the whole front is open-a new step into open concept(but they probably don’t know what that is or care for that matter)! Kids are arriving on their bikes AND motorbikes-yikes! I’m looked at with curious eyes as I climb off the motor bike and walk up to the house. I wave and say hello, some shyly wave back.
I make my way into the big room and introduce myself to the lady of the house. She ushers me to the front of the class and calls all the kids in…only they were not all kids. The ages range from 6 to 32! About 30 students in all! I’m handed the attendance sheet and left to take over the class. All these eyes were on me…suddenly a chorus of “Hello teacher. Good evening teacher. How are you. I’m fine.” Echoes through the class room, with their hands in the prayer position right under their chin. My heart is immediately overwhelmed.
I fumble with my pen and struggle to pronounce their names, but they are patient with me and eventually we begin class. I begin asking them questions, favorite color and favorite fruit. We all laugh as a little boy points to my pineapple tattoo and says “pane appel” Then we learn to spell and pronounce “pineapple”.
They asked to sing a new song, Go bananas was the first thing to pop into my head—-“why Becca why.” I make up hand motions and a little dance on the spot and start to sing: go bananas go go bananas. Bananas to the right. Bananas to the left….I feel absolutely ridiculous, but they all laugh and try to sing and dance with me.
We continued on with our class and then proceeded to have clipped conversations in English before they went home. I began to say my goodbyes as another chorus begins: “Thank you teacher. See you Thursday teacher. Goodnight teacher.” Again their hands held in the perfect prayer position. Then they say bye byeeee, waving both hands with the happiest faces I’ve ever seen.
I almost didn’t notice the lizards on the walls and ceilings and bugs covering the floor and my barefeet….until class was over…
I step outside into the humid evening and put my shoes back on, climb onto the back of my drivers motorbike and off through the now dark city we went-back to the Good Seed School where we are living and working during the day.
It all starts to sink in…this is what everyone talks about. This is the part of this journey where the heartbreak is inevitable. This is where the love you feel is too much. You wish you could do more, give more, be more, and stay longer. “ I don’t have enough time here. I need more time here.” I think to myself looking out over the river and watching the twinkling lights of the surrounding village. “I need to show them Jesus. I need to do more than teach English. They need to know how much he loves them, how beautifully He created them, and how they each have a unique and glorious purpose in this life. I need them to know”…..
Jesus kindly, although abruptly interrupts my thoughts: “This is the time I’ve given you for this. This class has been waiting for you. It’s okay to feel too much. Use that. Give this time with them all you’ve got. Don’t let up. Teach them English, teach them bible words, look at them with light in your eyes, speak to them with excitement in your voice. Show them how much you care. Give them your full attention, praise them, encourage them. Make them feel known. Help them to know they are important. They are your priority. And remember, what more could you possibly give? You have Me. That’s all you need, the cup I’ve given you is overflowing, so pour that out and pour into these kids and adults the truth, light, love, and grace that you know. This is going to make a mark. This is a kingdom calling. This is no small thing. Be confident. Love them well. This will mark their lives. But make no mistake, this will also mark yours.
