This is the last month for my team, 42 Deep to be together. We are in Kompong Thom Providence in Central Cambodia. Here are some fun updates and stories from the month!!!
1.) We are teaching English at Good Seed International School. I have been with the Kindergarten class. The children really have kept me on my toes. I think I am a master at my ABC’s now. 🙂
2.) This past week was The Khmer New Year. This is the 3rd New Years I have gotten to celebrate while being on the Race! They have really fun traditions that the locals have introduced us to! In Cambodia, each year for two days straight, they have water gun fights. People just line the streets and anytime you walk by or drive by you get soaked by a water gun. If you are special, you get soaked by a water hose. Also, a few teammates and I went to one of the teachers houses and got to have a cookout with her whole family.
3.) The teachers are so fun! They are the best. Our second day here our host who is the principal of the school said put your nicest outfit on, we are going to a wedding. We met the bride and groom there, and now they are some of our favorite people
4.) Egight- the sweet Cambodian lady next door, it is super hot here so we have to go buy water from her everyday. She doesn’t really know English and we don’t know cami (the language of Cambodia), but every time I go over there she says, CC hello! And gives me a huge hug.
5.) Cambodia is hot. This has been the hottest month for us so far on the race. I like to think in my head sweating burns calories, so I’m getting in shape.
6.) The school was closed for a week due to the Kami New Year, so we got to paint! Our host asked us to paint something that would catch your eye as you drive by the school. We painted the front walls, and touched up the kids playground. See pictures below
7.) Last weekend my team got to travel to Siem Reap, Cambodia and visit one of the seven wonders of the world, Angkor Wat. Enjoy some photos.
8.) A few teammates and I got to go to the Cambodian Circus! They didn’t have any animals. This organization brings children out of poverty, and puts them in school to learn unique talents.
9.) I am in a major growing season right now! I am holding onto James 1:2-4. It says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Perseverance has been my “word” since day 1 of the race. I just think to myself, when times are hard and I just want to quiet, remembering that God is pruning me and bringing so much growth out of me.
Blessings,
Catie Collins
