Month 2 has arrived and I have a new ministry this month! After debrief three out of the six teams came back to Battambang: Kaleo, N’sync, and Covenant. We are all combined as one big team working for Ezra ministry (our host here). Life is way different than it was last month on cooking ministry, my team was together 24/7 but now I only have ministry with a few of them everyday. It’s been a really awesome experience being able to connect deeper with people on other teams during ministry and makes it even sweeter when Kaleo comes home and we get to all talk about our days together. A little breakdown of what my daily routine looks like is:
5:15- wake up and go for a run
6:30- eat breakfast and short devotional with Sharelle (our ministry host who runs Ezra)
7-8:30- spend quiet time at home or go to a coffee shop (like I am in now) and write a blog or just get caught up on life
9:00- bike to the hospital
9-11- we work with Anne McCormick who runs a program called ‘busy fingers’ at the hospital. This hospital is specifically a trauma hospital so most of the patients are victims of landmines (from the Khmer Rouge) or moto accidents and are missing limbs or severely injured. During our time we either go out to the common areas and play games, read books, etc with the caregivers. In the hospital the nurses don’t help with basic tasks for the patients like bathing them, helping them go to the bathroom, etc. so usually the patients mom or wife has to be their caregiver. Sometimes we bring ukuleles and sing worship songs in the common areas to entertain the patients and caregivers because they don’t have much more to do than sit around all day. The other part of the program is making homemade paper cards to sell in Australia/New Zealand to support the program. We got to make two batches of white paper this past week and it was the coolest experience. Right now we are helping with making Christmas cards but we also make cards for birthdays or get well soon cards too.
12- bike home and eat lunch
12:30- quiet time/ devotions together
1:00-3:00- I don’t have scheduled ministry at this time but we usually do ATL (ask the Lord) walks through the city, plan our lesson for that day of teaching, and for example today Josie and I made it our mission to get on a boat in the river during the water festival, and we did it! (we’re adventure buds) We also hung out with the Prime Minister/Governor (not totally sure what he is) in his vip tent for a while. So really everyday looks a little different during this time. This time is also really good for having conversations with squadmates, posting a blog, or just spending time in the word. I have freedom this month in this block of time to do what I need each day.
///This is us freaking out about the boat we got on and hanging out with the Governor of Battambang!
3:00-6:00***- I teach English! We teach at Ezra which is right next to where we live, some classes are held in the downstairs at our house and the other classes at Sharells. Our first class is at 4 but we’re outside by 3 o’clock to play with all the kids as they arrive. We play soccer, tag, dance, and just love on them and have fun before class starts.
***4:00- our first class starts and each month we have two verses we focus on, this month it’s on seeking God. We also have a theme for each week with vocab words that go along with them. We have freedom to teach what we feel is important to learn English and teach them about God. In this class the kids range from 5-11 years old and are the sweetest ever.
***5:15 – our second class starts and we usually do the same lesson as the first class just tweaked a little bit because they are older and more advanced. They range for 8-18 and I love watching them pick up things so fast. It’s super cool getting to help their English skills while also teaching them bible stories and showing them His love for them every single day.
6:00-6:30- we play with all the kids some more before they get picked up and I try to go see Khang every night! We don’t always get to play for too long but I make sure to see him as much as I can now that I’m teaching in the afternoons.
6:30- eat dinner as a squad
7-9 – team time. Each night is something different, we have journey markers, feedback, storytelling, free for all, and debrief each week. We usually go somewhere like a coffee shop or our favorite smoothie stand during this time just for fun. Sometimes we have time after team time to hangout or get some roti (the best Cambodian street food). Just like our other free block of time this can look very different, like going on a Ferris wheel at the ‘amusement park’ or going to a dance party that’s set up on the side of the street. We’re in the heart of holiday season here so all the festivities are out all the time!
9:00 – we have to be inside and the doors are locked to our house.
9:30 – I usually and so tired from the day I’m passed out by this time getting good rest for the next day!
This is everyday life. It’s the best. I get to do it with some pretty amazing people that always push me closer to the Lord. Super thankful for everything He has given me here.
