With our new home brought us many new friendly neighbor kids. The space outside our home is where they like to come together at all hours of the day. We step out of our door in the morning and are welcomed by them. They sneek peeks through our window as we have our team time. They bring their little siblings to show us. And they shout Camyi *Cambodian language, even though they know we only know our few words. There have been significant moments this week that I’ve witnessed with the kids this week, each teaching me a valuable lesson.
Dancing in the Rain: Yesterday as were waiting to go play soccer with our neighborhood kid friends, it began to POUR! I’m not talking sprinkle, oh maybe we’ll get too wet if we play. No, it was storming, huge drops, soak to the bone type of rain. We followed Chase and Carli’s lead, and jumped into the fun. The kids absolutely loved it. As if we weren’t getting wet enough, buckets began to be filled and poured on one another to create more laughter. It was so refreshing, spontaneous, fun, and crazy. We let our hair down (figuratively and literally) and just played in the rain. It was a moment of soaking up opportunity to play with the kids and to enjoy the moment.
Playing in the church: On Tuesday we started with our English classes for the adults of the church. During class the neighbor kids wandered up to the deck. In America these kids would have been instantly shooed away, as a disruption. It was encouraging to see how the adults embraced the children and let them be. After I started egging the kids on, and we were being louder, we were directed to go into the church. The kids find fun. They started playing instruments. They repeated English words as I pointed at images. They had fun together. It was so great to see what opportunities can arise if you don’t say ‘no.’ Something I want to work on is being loose, and flexible to new ways or unusual ways to experience God. This was a great example of that. I’m so glad for all the lessons I’m learning from this church and community.
Joining our Workout: Yesterday Andrea, Scott and I worked out to a T-25 disc in the church. Like always, if we are around but outside our house, the kids follow us and join in. As the video began and we began to move about the kids jumped at the opportunity. I recognized that they wanted to do what we did. Some of them trying desperately to keep up, while others sat and looked on as us silly Americans sweated up a storm. Although we were bumping into one another and the form wasn’t always perfect, it was an opportunity to be together and they seized the moment. It wasn’t something they typically do, but they were willing to try it as we, the foreigners did it. I loved seeing them embrace it and it demonstrated to me how much they look up to us and the impact we have in our every moment.
Getting a TukTuk: At the end of the visit from two girls from another team came, we needed to catch them a tuktuk. We quickly realized we wouldn’t be able to tell them directions of the church. Megan turned to one of the kids and said “we need tuktuk.” Without hesitation, the teenage boy took off. After a few minutes went by were confused to where he actually took off to. It had been pouring rain, and come to find out he ran down the street and found a near tuktuk driver to bring them back to the church. He even helped negociate the price for our fellow squad members. His act of kindness was herioc in our eyes. We could not stop giving him high-fives or saying “You are awesome.” His lack of selflessness and willing to help us was so encouraging.
Being Greeted by “Hello”: Every where we go, we are greeted with shouts of ‘hello’ from people we pass. It’s so fun as they smile back and welcome us foreigners. It’s a great excuse to always smile and great reminder of enjoying the blessings of each moment.
Village English Teaching: On Wednesday Scott and I got to ride a mo-ped to a local village. This in itself was an adventure and fun opportunity. However, getting to the village and class was a whole new experience. The class was complied of 12 children from ages 4-12. They bustled to get the benches in order and fought for the front row. Scott and I didn’t have a game plan but just went with it. As we started going over animals, they laughed at our actions. They knew the colors and love the word ‘yellow.’ And as the continually shouted out answers I was struck with joy. Their excitement to learn and desire to know was such a blessing to witness. The children’s joy reminded me of the example Jesus gives to have child like faith. Children ran to Jesus, seeking Him and hanging on his words. Their desire to learn helped me realize what it could look like in my life to desire God and soak up the opportunity He presents. I hope this will continue to be an example to me and to what He has to show me. Hope it can be some encouragement to you too, to seize the day and opportunity that life presents!
Thanks for reading! Hope you can be encouraged by these children as I have!
I can’t get over that I live in Cambodia. Every once in awhile I crack up in laughter, recognizing the incredible blessing in front of me. This Race has been astounding, every single moment.
