I am finally beginning to find the rhythm here in Kongtaneang village. Many answers to prayer have come in the past day and it feels the puzzle pieces are falling in to place.
First, our team has been seeking productive ways to use our ample free time between the daily English classes, and today we were given a project. Pastor Vrrack would like us to sketch and paint a mural on the walls of their small children’s room behind the church. It may seem like a small thing, but to a team with an artist and painter, and to five women seeking creative ways to spend time with the Lord, it is a blessing. After brainstorming some ideas and making a list of needed colors, we will anxiously await tomorrow and the commencement of our work.
Secondly, the will to exercise has become a very difficult thing to muster in the times we are not teaching; mainly due to barking dogs, melt-your-skin afternoon heat, zero air conditioning and the constant presence of curious villagers. However, we have had a breakthrough on this front as well! After asking around, we have been lent three bikes that we are free to ride around wherever we please during the daylight hours. Moreover, after my maiden voyage I discovered that the infamous ‘market’, located about 20 kilometers from here and the area’s sole provider of clothes/ snacks/ cell phones/ and common household goods, takes less than 45 minutes to reach. Once again, it may seem like a small victory, but will bless me with exercise, a change in scenery, and a way to buy more instant coffee when our team’s supply runs out:)
Lastly, and most importantly, we have finally begun to connect with our students, hosts, and neighbors on a deeper level and have been given opportunities to display our Christian faith. After a day of teaching, riding bikes, and following our general daily routine, we ate dinner. It was after dinner, as we sat with the pastor, our contact, and the family and friends surrounding that things began to change. First, our contact (Silas) pulled out a guitar and started playing a silly song that involved many funny motions and body contortions. Naturally our whole team jumped in and played along, to our onlookers delight and laughter. As the evening wore one we continued to sing songs to God and fill the space with His praise. We also prayed over Pastor Vrrack’s godson who is sick with fever. Many of the students and neighbors are not believers, and just having them around to experience true worship and sincere prayer was a gift. We also hope it will spark a curiosity in their hearts to find out more and seek answers from us over these next few weeks. You never know how the Holy Spirit can move in someone, despite language and cultural barriers.
We finally headed back to the church and were all too energized to let the evening end. Over the next 1 1/2 hours our team performed many of the plays we put on for the children at the schools we had visited in Thailand. Many were funny, a few were serious, but they all communicated a message about Christ that we made the pastor translate. It was a great time of letting our friends, neighbors, and the consistent handful of villagers peering through our window laugh and play with the crazy Americans and get a glimpse of truth and love at the same time.
Praise the Lord we have crossed this bridge into a place of deeper intimacy with the community to whom we are ministering!
