Title has nothing to do with the content of this blog- my bad. Just having a realization via the title bar.
We’re in Phnom Penh, Cambodia for Month 9. Oh man, I love Asia. It’s got to be my second favorite continent so far (behind South America, of course).
Cambodian people are just the best. They’re so sweet and welcoming. We’re working with a church called 5P, and the pastor, staff and congregation are awesome.
Throughout the week, we teach English at night and attend all their youth bible studies, programs and devotions. We live in a dorm with some university students and they’re really fun. Some of them can speak decent English so the language barrier is lessened but we make up for it in laughs and hugs.
We also go to visit members of the church congregation at their homes and their businesses and it’s so wonderful and casual and I love that you take your shoes off before you enter a home because barefoot is best. Once a week, we go to the nearby slums and play games and sing songs with the kiddos, but I wouldn’t recommend being barefoot for that.
Okay, so, a few thoughts from this first week here (I haven’t been using social media, so stay with me because I have a lot to say):
1. English is ridiculous. Why is “fish” the plural of “fish”? How do I teach that the same word is actually two different words (wound/wound, present/present, lead/lead)? I came in my first night ready to teach the students the days of the week, months of the year and maybe some colors. They were learning about the past continuous tense, and I was like oh, haha, okay.
2. The only constants in my life this year have been Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” and the remix of “Despacito”. They span across continents, countries, cities, towns, villages, and classrooms. They will outlive us all.
3. Life without social media is just…better.
4. Life is also just, like, exponentially better with a thankful heart. Everything changes when you take the shift off of what could be better and focus on the things you’ve been blessed with. I think, if anything, the Race has really been something that the Lord has used to shape my heart to be a thankful one. After Cote d’Ivoire, honestly, I think I could walk into any situation and be cool. Cockroaches? Whatever. Constant sweat? Normal. Honestly, anything goes. And it’s already shaped my outlook of this month into one of complete gratitude.
5. Speaking of this month- man. We’ve been doing this for nine months. I think we’re officially the oldest Racers on the field, which is kind of cool and makes me feel like one of the high school seniors looking in on the cafeteria full of freshman from the senior courtyard smoking a cigarette and saying, “Ah, yes. I remember my Month 1. It’s been 87 years…”
6. I miss speaking Spanish. I downloaded the Duolingo app to pick it back up so one day I can finally have full conversations with my best friend’s Bolivian grandparents and maybe tutor some ESL students. There ain’t no way I’m learning the Khmer language. Although, my team says I’m the best at picking up words and pronouncing them correctly, so there might be hope.
7. The remake of Stephen King’s “It” comes out this month and I don’t know if I’ll be able to see it and it’s eating at me. I’ve had a few nightmares from the trailer ALONE, which means it’s going to be absolutely terrifying and amazing. Also, I’m trying to ignore the fact that October is slowly approaching and I’m missing my favorite month/season/holiday back home. Okay, back to Race-relevant thoughts:
8. I lied. I would like to announce that I’m very disappointed with the choice for the new Bachelor.
9. Okay, for real now. God is so good, you guys. This right now is such a sweet season that Jesus has me in- he’s been cultivating me into someone I’ve always wanted to be all year and now I’m really starting to just rest in what He’s done in me this year. Who I was last September is not who I am this September.
10. I’ve had a lot of strange moments so far this month where a living area smelt like our house did in Colombia, or where the street vendors all looked like the ones we would see in Ghana, or one part of the city felt like where we were in Ecuador. It’s like God is purposely recalling all these places and memories in me to remind me where He’s taken me. He’s been so faithful this year. And, really, my whole life. Thankful heart, remember?
I’m missing my sweet Virginia because I know fall is just beginning and soon the leaves will be vibrant and the weather will be cool and the pumpkins will emerge. But God has more for me here, so I think I’ll stay a while longer.
Thinking of candy corn,
Natalie
