I am a teacher in Cambodia. Imagine that! Me, a teacher!
I have absolutley no formal teaching that qualifies me to be a teacher. The only thing I have to offer is that I know something that they do not, therefore in their eyes I am a teacher. Never mind that knowing somthing and being able to teach it successfully are not synominous. But, there is a need, and I am all they have. Therefore, I am teacher Kim – at least for this month.
Last night at dinner, we discussed the effects of the war on the education system here in Cambodia. The Khmer Rouge killed all educated people in an effort to cleanse the country of foreign influence or “contamination”. You can imagine what that would do to a country. There where no educated adults left to teach the kids.
All of the teachers here in Cambodia are either people who escap0ed to western countries to get and educdation and then returned here to teach, or they are foreigners that moved here to teach. Many of the teaching force here are volunteers such as our team that are here short-term and then move on.
Although this creates a great opportunity for kids to receive free suplimental education, you can imagine that it is difficult to track the progress of students and establish any kind of consistancy of long term goals for the students. The result is that our classes are filled with students of varying ages all at defferent levels of education.
It is challanging to teach a class so diverse in abilities. How do you keep them all occupied while still providing the individual attention they all need to meet them where they are?
Some days I get so overwhelmed at he idea, but I realize that I am all these kids have right now that can make a significant difference in their futures.I can help to make the differnce between selling stuff in the market for the rest of their lives, making a few dollars a day, or getting a job that can actually support their family and give them hope for a better future.
Beyond that, we are the only representation of Christ they may ever see. We can only tell them about the gospel if they ask about it, so our lives have to be compelling enough to make them ask questions. That is a pretty tall order, but it’s how our lives should be all of the time. If we are in Christ and living for Him it should be automatic, but sometime I fall very short.
As you may know by now, teaching is a bit of a challenge for me. I know now that I can do it, but I don’t really enjoy it. At least not in the formal class setting. Little things like flat tires and getting lost can be just enough to put me on edge.
My 6pm class is teaching basic reading to young kids. I have a really energetic class, and they like to run around, jump off of chairs, climb on me, hit each other…
I have not yet figured out the art of controlling the class without functioning out or anger and frustration. Some days I yell a lot to “sit down, stop hitting, listen” and other common things. On other days, I try my best to be patient, but they just get out of control and take over the whole downstairs and interrupt other classes.
I am pretty sure there is something for me to learn in this, because it makes me confront one of the things I still fear in myself. I have been known to have a bit of a violent temper in the past. Although I believe the Lord is able to transform even that, I guess I still don’t trust that it is already done.
When I get pushed past my patience, my tempter still flares. But, looking back on camp in Africa and up to teaching here, I can say that I am more aware of my anger. I catch it a lot sooner, and it doesn’t get out of control.
I still yell sometimes, and sometimes I even grab the kids and lift them off the stack of chairs they are attempting to jump from. But even then, I have learned to do it with a more playful and gentle attitude instead of just being forceful.
I still have a lot to learn. I would like to learn how to earn their respect as an authority before they go crazy. And when a firm hand or a stern rebuke is in order, I want to have a heart that can do it our of love and not frustration.
I guess it is a really good thing that I have a very patient and graceful teacher to learn from.
So for all of my supporters at home, this is where you come in. I need your prayers for God’s grace in my heart for these kids, and fod His wisdom in leading them.
I teach from 5pm to 7pm, which would be 6am-8am EST. So please, if you feel led to pray at this time, especially from 7am-8am, please lift up this class to our father. I know that prayer can make a huge difference, and I need all of the help I can get here. I want this month to serve my father and bring glory to His kingdom, but I know that in myself that is impossible.
If you would like to send a message of encouragement these kids, please feel free to send me and email and I can read them to the kids. I think they would love that.
