It’s been about 10 days since we got to Takeo and, though we haven’t had internet to Blog, I have been writing down some thoughts to share when we do get access. Today we are in Phnom Penh for our day off, so I thought I’d post an update.
Just to recap what I am doing this month:
We are living with the pastor of the church next door’s family in what we call “The Treehouse.” It’s really just a big room on stilts, but with the 20 some birds that nest in the rafters, and the constant animal noises below us, it feels as if we are in a treehouse. The living conditions are simple, but I have not really missed luxurious things much at all. The outhouse has a basin of water, and a toilet bowl in the floor, with ceramic tile all around it. This means you squat to use it. No plumbing also means you use a scoop of the water to “flush” waste. The outhouse and water basin also functions as the shower. Honestly, it’s not that big of a deal. I assumed this would be something huge to get used to, but it is no big deal. Additionally, they run a generator from 6-9 each night, and those 3 hours are the only electricity for the entire day. The outlets tend to be full each night with all of our computers and iPods charging. Water here is unsafe for us to drink, so we buy bottled water at the market down the path. It costs roughly 86 cents for a 12 pack of bottled water; try to find that deal at Publix this month.
Ministry this month is done at Teen Challenge Cambodia. The T.C. center is about a 15 minute walk down a dirt road from the Treehouse. We are responsible for teaching English class, Bible Class, Music, Art, and Sports, 4-5 days per week. We have assigned certain days and classes to 2 people each section. Everyday I am teaching music class, which has been quite fun. Marlena and I are teaching one student keyboard, and I’ve been teaching guitar and bass to another 3 students. I had never picked up a bass before coming here, but turns out, it’s noted just like a guitar. Simple enough. The first song they learned was Sweet Home Alabama, followed by Iron Man. Instant classics.
This month has posed unique challenges to the team. It has been a necessity to literally just stop…and just relax in fellowship with God and with each other. There is usually only 2-3 hours of T.C. ministry per day, and because literally no one speaks English here, street ministry is just not possible. It was a lesson we all needed to learn; not every single day of the Race is going to be filled with doing and working and going. Half of this journey is personal relationship with each other and God. That is what we are doing this month.
I’m not sure if we will be coming back to internet again this month before we leave; if not, we will be leaving Takeo and driving into Phnom Penh on November 8th. On the 10th or 11th the entire squad will be headed to Siem Reap for debrief, a 5-day unwinding session.
Happy Halloween to everyone. I wish I could be there carving pumpkins, roasting seeds, and eating potato soup with y’all. Someone let me know what Ally is going trick-or-treating as this year, and I better see pictures!
Thank you for your continued encouragement, prayers, and financial support. This is only possible because of my supporters; thank you so much!
Forever Grateful,
Jordan
