I’m here! Battambang, Cambodia! A piece of me is still in disbelief that I’m here living in a new country with people that I met for the first time in July. Sometimes life is weird, and then sometimes you look up and realize you’re riding a bike down a busy street in Cambodia, surrounded by wild smells and sights, and heading to teach my class of 6 year olds at the local buddhist school AND THIS IS NORMAL LIFE FOR ME. And to think, last year I imagined myself at a university right now.
I am already in love with this country and this city and the people that fill it. Life for me here is slow and sweet and simple. I’m slowing down and doing less of what’s not important and more of what truly matters.
Here’s a snapshot of life right now:
5 am!- yes. Really. 5 am.
I wake up early to have time with God in the morning, watch the sunrise, and maybe take a jog around the neighborhood
6:30 am- breakfast with the squad and devotionals and prayer together
7:30 am- my team heads out on our bikes to take the 10 minute ride to the local buddhist school where we’ve been assigned for ministry. This bike ride is so fun because there’s no traffic laws so it’s every man for himself. I get in a great adrenaline rush every morning on the way to school
7:50-10:30 am- teach my morning class!
I knew I would be helping in a classroom. I didn’t know I would be teaching. I have about 25 6-9 year olds that call me teacher. We do math, science, english, and chinese (yes I taught Chinese) I feel highly unqualified and very much way in over my head. It’s humbling to be trusted with the education of this sweet faces and a bit terrifying. God’s been so gracious and I’m learning fast. They already have my whole heart and hearing “hello Teacher Emma” melts me into a puddle.
10:30-1:30- I go home for lunch, sometimes a short nap, and another quiet time as a squad.
1:30-5 pm- I head back to the school and teach my second class of the day!
After my ministry, I head home for the evening to do laundry, eat dinner, play soccer in the street with our neighbors, spend time with my team, and spend even more time with God. I also go to bed as early as possible 🙂
I love my life here. I am so certain that I’m right where I need to be. Being in this new place has brought up a lot in my heart and it’s good and hard and sweet to wrestle through these things. Grateful doesn’t even describe how I’m feeling to be here with the faces surrounding me every morning and night. I’m experiencing God and friendship and service like never before and it’s rocking my world!
Pray for my team and my squad! Pray for health and grace and more of Jesus every day. Pray for my students and for wisdom and guidance for me as a teacher of young ones. Pray for breakthrough!
Love you all.
