It’s difficult for me to know how to write about the past two months. I’ll try to do so quickly and reach this month eight before it’s through.
Month six in Cambodia was a fantastic answer to your prayers. I dove in to engage and serve the people despite the illusion of various obstacles. It was the most demanding and rewarding month to that point.
As a result:
- No one spoke English well; although Say (pronounced “sigh”) spoke some, he often jumped to incorrect conclusions about what we were saying, without listening. Commander looked to me to interpret because I spent time talking with him. Patiently listening (though neither of us knew each other’s language), and mostly gesturing with body language and a Khmer (pronounced “Kuh My”)/English Dictionary, we enjoyed persevering to understand each other. I loved talking with this incredibly endearing little man whose character reminded me so much of my dad. It was a high complement that he looked to me to communicate and understand for the team.
- Construction didn’t end up being our ministry at all; our focus was teaching English to the children and possibly to the men. The kids are split into two groups with one attending school in the morning and one attending school under the same teachers in the afternoon. After both were done they all came to the yard outside of the church and then I got to use plans I made to teach English. I didn’t know any Khmer, but thankfully I was able to talk with a few people who knew English, use a Cambodian language application I’d put on my phone, and buy a dictionary to have information to teach. It was really fulfilling to see how much they learned by the end. I greatly enjoyed teaching and grew in appreciating the moment and stepping back from feeling responsible for them all learning everything. I loved the kids. They rode their bikes for an hour each way to reach us. They often came at any time of the day to play with us, bring small gifts of food, and do other things to make us feel comfortable, and I got to teach them.
- I got to play with and learn from remarkably responsible kids. They are expected to be a certain way, so they are that way; it’s no big deal there, but they stood out from American children in many ways. Even the very tiny, very young ones played hand games involving very intricate coordination. The children are not spoiled, but they are treated like royalty considering the patience they are given and the careful purposeful ways they are listened to and interacted with. The older elementary school children – still rather young – were skilled at wielding a large sharp knife and preparing food. The very young (like 6yr) were still considered responsible enough to care for those younger than themselves. They walked all over the place far from home (though in company). Those physically capable of holding the handlebars of a motor bike were trusted to drive. It frankly sounds outrageous. But the thing is, it’s actually not ridiculous that these kids were trusted with these things; they actually were fully capable, responsible individuals and they were not worse off for their treatment. The truly ridiculous part is that we have lost our expectations of what people are capable of, in America. Our culture lacks high expectations and people meet that, rarely exceeding what little is expected of them. In the midst of that culture, when someone does expect greatness, it’s almost like fighting a battle dealing with the community of contrary beliefs
- They are all, not just the children, very physical. They touch each other a lot in affectionate and playful ways that aren’t awkward. The troupe of young and old men playing football (soccer) most days thoroughly disregarded any notion of personal space or of avoiding each other while playing. The parents who were gentle and kind and reasonable, were also surprisingly rough (though not harmful) to their children – it was very curious. But it wasn’t just more contact as much as different – for example, they found hugs more intimate than we do. I’ve honestly never seen more healthy kids or so much entirely asexual physical contact – such as resting their hands on another’s arms. It was a pleasure to witness the innocence and purity of their interactions though such interactions are likely unacceptable in America.
- Say was a blessing. He worked hard of his own initiative. He was funny and playful and easy going. He was great with the kids and spent most of each day just talking with them and playing with them. He attended Bible school and was placed at the church we were at by the Koreans who built the church building. He’s been the pastor there for a couple of years, mostly fathering all of the children of the area who attend his church. Many of the kids are practically orphaned because their parents are away working in other countries, and they are left living with other family members. These children make up most of the church and Say has a lot of influence in their lives. I was encouraged knowing he was working hard too and learning from his example.
- Besides teaching English we took many walks around the area to talk about God, pray for healing, share the gospel in school, paint a church, pray for church land donated by the Cambodian military, chat with the General who had arranged for us to come and teach him English, as well as visit a beautiful Buddhist temple. Walking through the palm-tree lined town, and looking someone right in the eye who was peeking out at us, and dipping a bow with my hands raised and a smile was one of the best memories of Cambodia. It meant so much to them for me to show them a little attention and respect.
- I’m also so thankful Lauren and Molly, two girls on an Exposure trip, got to join us. They challenged and encouraged me, called our team higher, and were a great help with ministry.
- My favorite thing I learned from Cambodia seems small but it means a lot to me. The way we lived right beside the people, eating their food, constantly with them, engulfed in their care, provided a close look at how they really interacted. They were genuinely cheerful with their slightly attenuated poverty compared to most Cambodians. They were so loving in their open hearts, unguarded and overflowing, independent of our reciprocation. But the best part was their courage. They all had a confidence and freedom to be themselves stemming from the unquestionable support and love their community surrounded them in, without judgment or challenge. This community loved so unconditionally and openly through actions that each individual was whole in a way I’ve never seen. The community wrapped them up in boldness.
Because of your prayers I got to experience all those blessings! Thank you so much for praying!
How are you all? I miss you and hope you are doing well.
In Him,
Mere
