For those of you who don’t know, the past three months we’ve been in Cambodia my squad and I have been teachers at a nearby school. For me specifically, I’ve been teaching Pre-K 1.
Being a pre-k teacher these last three months has taught me a lot of things but one of the biggest is that it’s okay to not be perfect. It’s okay to only think about what’s right in front of me and find joy in it. To be in the moment. These kiddos have made me step out of my comfort zone in so many ways. At the start, I was hesitant to make worksheets or posters because I didn’t think I was good enough to create something that would stay on the classroom walls for awhile. I let myself think that the kids expected perfect worksheets so I always thought it’d be better to let a more creative squad-mate make them. I was more than hesitant to stand in front of the class and teach any bible story, not because I don’t like talking in front of the class but because I didn’t learn the classic children’s stories growing up. I got my first children’s bible last year from my mentor in college. I walked into this ministry thinking I was everything short of capable.
Turns out these kids smile the biggest when you do anything for/with them. They don’t care if it’s perfect and once I noticed that I stopped caring so much. I started giving more of my attention to the smiles on their faces than the self-doubt in my head. And I think that’s exactly what God wanted me to learn here. Joy is the word the Lord gave me for this country and man oh man I’ve found SO much joy here!! I’ve learned that joy doesn’t have to be circumstantial. It’s a choice. My Pre-K students have taught me way more than I think I taught them. They taught me some big life lessons without even knowing it.
This past month has been super sweet. Now, I jump at the opportunity to make a worksheet because who cares if I’m artsy? They don’t.
I’ve begun to love that getting my first children’s bible in college is apart of my story because it’s allowed me space to learn alongside of them. I get excited to teach them bible stories because, thanks to them, I’m also learning bible stories. I’m sure the kiddos have no idea that I’m teaching myself the story of Jonah & the whale the night before class and I love that. My Pre-K students don’t expect anything of me. They call my name, “teacha Cassi”, just so they can give me a hug or high-five. They love me just as I am, just like Abba does. Beyond grateful for this season in Cambodia. My heart is ten times bigger thanks to these kids and this place.
