Chim Reab Suah!
Your Khmer lesson for today is saying the above words with hands in prayer and a bow – the formal greeting here in Cambodia. Wait, what??
Yes. I am already in Asia, and it has been so wonderful – here’s a little more about what my first month here has looked like!
WHO:
This month, my co-leader Alyx and I are with all of the men on K-Squad at Cambodian Ministries for Christ International, which is partnered with International Hope School.
WHAT:
This month has been pretty simple.
In the mornings, I’ve been blessed to be able to teach music classes to some of the students here at the school four days a week.
In the afternoons, we travel by tuk-tuk to two villages on the outskirts of the city, where we lead ‘Sunday school’ type programs for the children, and then help with an adult bible study, where we sing hymns in Khmer (I accompany on guitar) and read the Word. Though it is an adult bible study, the amount of traditional education they’ve had is very low, not to mention many of them are young believers, so we teach a modified children’s lesson on whatever topic we happen to be teaching.
In the evening, we teach English classes to Cambodian students varying in age and ability. It has been a challenging and rewarding, and honestly just fun experience.
WHEN:
We arrived in Cambodia on February 28th, and will be here until the 27th, when we’ll depart for Thailand and PVT!!! We have official ministry Monday-Friday, and have the weekend off to adventure. The last week here (the 19th-26th) will be spent debriefing our last two months with our leadership team from the States, and we CANNOT WAIT to see them again!!
WHERE:
Siem Reap, Cambodia. Our morning and evening ministry occurs at the International Hope School, where we’re also living, and afternoon ministry occurs in the villages, about 30-40 minutes on a tuk-tuk both ways.
WHY:
In the mornings, my ministry looks like being a good music teacher, loving my students and my job. I believe that it ministers to my soul as much as it gives me the opportunity to minister to the students and teachers.
In the afternoons, we are there to support the pastor who knows God called him to serve these villages, and is seeing little fruit. While teaching the children and adults has been great for their growth, I also believe we’re there to encourage and pray for this pastor and his calling, encouraging him in perseverance despite the lack of obvious fruit. A big struggle he faces is cultural and devout Buddhists – many people will ‘accept’ Jesus…as another deity to give offerings to. There are maybe two or three who really get it and are allowing Him to transform their lives.
In the evenings, we serve the purpose of being native English speakers. We explain some of the ridiculousness of English, as well as speaking to and with the kids, working on their pronunciation or grammar from people who speak it everyday. Learning English is a big deal, because it can set them up for better jobs, as hotel clerks or business people, teachers, doctors, lawyers – all professions that are needed in Cambodia.
FUN NUGS:
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playing guitar almost every day has been such a blessing
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eating out is almost more cost-effective, and definitely more delicious
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visiting Angkor Wat (one of the 7 ancient wonders!) during debrief
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awesome girl bonding time with Alyx
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participating in international church services every Sunday
I hope this gives you a better understanding of what March looks like for me! Thank you always for your support through prayer, and through blog comments and emails. It (literally) means the world to me. 🙂
– ML
