This week we got the opportunity to go to villages that are out in the country. On Tuesday we went to a home village of one of the members of the church. Instantly when we arrived we were given food and cokes. I’m not much of a coke fan, but when you’ve been on a sweaty tuk tuk ride and are boiling from the heat; it begins to taste refreshing. Our host said our aim for the rest of the day was to ‘fellowship with the members of the village and experience their culture.’ (Side note*** This month is a big holiday for the Buddhist culture, they offer many sacrifices at the pagodas and gather as families.)
During the afternoon we got to experience some of the typical games played by the youth. I’m sad to say Scott continued to beat me at one of them. But if you know me… You know that I was thrilled to be playing games for the afternoon. Dinner was served to us as if we were celebrities. The food kept coming. I tried cow intestine and starfish, two more foods to add to the list of ‘interesting foods.’ Their hospitality continued to be unreal!
After the music started bumping we headed for the dance party!
I’ve never walked onto the dance floor and have people be excited and encourage me to continue dancing. We got to see their traditional dance, and I attempted to learn it. It was so cool to see a village come together in the street and live up the night.
Later the evening we played cards with our new friends and laughed hard over the reactions and international language of competitiveness.
That night a family gave up their sleeping quarters for the team, we slept cold!! It was an amazing feeling to be cold! The family has slept in the child’s room in order for our team to sleep comfortably.
In the morning, after being served breakfast from our wonderful hosts, we learned to say ‘thank you very much’ and headed on the road. Their hospitality was unreal.
The second village was a bit more remote. We experienced seeing the family pet pigs tied to trees. We were given countless banana cakes as we visited homes. We got to see where their church originated and prayed with one of the men of the village. We taught English to the children. Teaching them ‘head and shoulders’ and making record timing. As they showed us their school, Megan and I sang in front of about 15 teenage girls. I never thought I’d sing in public so often.
After hours of cooking, the mom of the household served us dinner. Once again, showing tremendous hospitality. Later that evening Thyvenn preached to the family we stayed with and a few other members of the community. It was a neat experience to witness one of the local teenagers asking many questions of Christianity and why it was different from their innate religion in Cambodia.
After sleeping on the wooden floor, waking up a bit sore I was refreshed by witnessing this family’s morning routines. As I sat there I reflected on how many things I’ve gotten to experience. This experience can either make me selfish and have expectations of comfort OR I can soak up these opportunities and be encouraged and amazed by these people. They continually give so much and demonstrate such great joy! I pray I choose the second. That I’m continually in awe of those I meet. that it feels new and refreshing to witness each of these families. I pray that this hospitality is something I take in gratitude each moment. I pray for these individuals that they’d be blessed by God for their actions of hospitality and giving. I pray that they’d be encouraged by the light they give off. And I pray that I can show to others the gifts they’ve shared with me. In so grateful for each moment we get.
We had a ‘debrief’ convo as a team after our trip and it was encouraging to hear what people observed and took away from these 3 days. Their perspectives continue to grow me and help see greater opportunities of what this journey has to offer.
*Thanks for staying tuned in!
