Have you ever had one of those days where the Lord gives you a glimpse of His heart for His people?
We’ve been driving out to the location we use as a church and school on a tuk-tuk every morning and afternoon to teach a group of children from the ages 3-14 ESL, starting with the basic Alphabets, children’s songs and games. After a few days of teaching I noticed that the older kids weren’t really paying attention to the lessons we had prepared. I figured it was because it was something they already knew. I didn’t really think of it too much until earlier last week…
God gave me the determination to pull the teens aside and give them private lessons on things they haven’t learned yet. Although I was tired and it wasn’t my time of the day/week to take over the lessons, I chose to go with what my heart felt led to do.
At first, the teenagers were really shy and didn’t want to participate in any of the lessons and activities. So, I didn’t really bother forcing them to engage. I had the cute little ones I could pour into instead.
I could sense that they were bored and wanted nothing to do with the kiddie games. Even though there was a huge language barrier, I knew that they had the potential to learn more than just the alphabets. I started growing an eager desire of genuinely wanting more for these kids. There was a sudden shift in my heart where I couldn’t just avoid them, so I started approaching them with more patience, love and gave them the attention they needed.
Separating them from the younger kids, I gave them a new lesson plan that they showed a lot more interest in. What made it so much more precious was the huge shift in their attitudes and the willingness they had to learn. I slowly saw the walls come down where I felt like they were able to trust me more. These kids don’t get many opportunities to learn so I noticed how they were soaking in as much as they could from the short amount of time we had.
The Lord gave me a new perspective.
I no longer saw them as students or just another group of Cambodian kids from the block, but precious brothers and sisters in Christ, who I genuinely cared for. All I wanted was the best for them, just the way I would want the best for my own family and how God would want for His children.
I started thinking of how privileged we were to get education back in the States. To the kids here, education isn’t as important to them as getting food on the table. I’ve noticed that on some days, the older kids would miss school with us because they were being pulled out to help their parents make money, for example, by making baskets, catching frogs to sell, collecting wood, running errands, etc.
With all of these thoughts, I realized how rare it must be for this village to have Americans come in to teach English.
He’s given me an overwhelming love and a new genuine fondness for these teens. I’m so thankful for this new perspective and privilege of getting to build a closer relationship with the students, and getting to teach them this month! I love how God just reveals his purpose in such beautiful ways.
It’s been an incredible month so far finding joy through the children and our Cambodian family. I ask that you pray with me for the Lord’s presence to fill the homes and to move the hearts of the people over Kampong Chhnang, bringing an overwhelming fire of hope and love over this village.
Meet my students: Geeda, Neht, Chai, and Nang (missing from the picture)
Our classroom!
There is a song by Hillsong called Hosannah, and the lyrics say:
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart from what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your kingdom’s cause
