Hello everyone,
Just wanted to give an update on what has been going on and how I have been doing on this side of the world. I have about a week left here in Cambodia and I will be completing my seventh month on the race. WOW! Let me tell you, the race sure does have a weird concept of time. When I look back at month one in Costa Rica, it seems to be so long ago but at the same time, I cannot comprehend that it is going to be month eight soon! I swear time works differently on the race!
As I sit here with only a week left, I am trying to prepare my heart for leaving. I love it here so much! I have to be honest; the Asian countries were countries that I was not excited about. And as a matter of fact, I never had a desire to go to Thailand or Cambodia. However, I am so glad that I followed the Lords plan because they have been my favorite so far. In both Thailand and Cambodia, I taught English and let me tell you teaching is growing on me… The students here are such hard workers and have such beautiful souls. They are very eager to learn and value in learning English and love the chance to speak with a native English speaker. I feel honored! 🙂
(Some of my students and I celebrated Khmer New Years together. It’s basically a country wide water and baby powder fight. We had a blast!)
I can’t say that I have healed from the last goodbye in Thailand though and as the race continues on goodbyes are getting harder for me. My heart literally aches because I have left my heart in six different places. The irreplaceable friendships that I have made are getting harder and harder to say goodbye to when I have not a clue if I will see them again.
(This is a picture is with some of our friends here in Cambodia.They have took us under their wing, and truly showed us what sacrificial love looks like. They bent over backwards for us. This is just some of the group that we would gather with every week to have a bible study)
This month in Cambodia my team and I really got the feel of what a full time missionary would look like. Our host family entrusted our team with running their ministry for them while they took a much needed vacation to Thailand. They are family of five, originally from Canada and Australia that felt The Lord calling them to Cambodia to teach underprivileged kids and have not had a break from the time they have arrived three years ago. So we had the opportunity to take over for them to teach these kids, run Sunday school, Host a Vacation Bible School for the kids and also, volunteer at the local hospital. They have on total around 200 students but, also have paid teachers for some of the classes.
(Cambodian kids have my heart <3)
The first couple of days here were super tough for my team. Travel days in its self are already pretty tough. Because of the fact that they always consist of PB&Js as meals, water that always seems to get warm, long hot bus rides and of course….carrying our heavy bags. But, it was especially hard this time because one, I hated to leave Thailand; I fell in love with the country. I loved the culture, the school that we worked for and the amazing people and students that I was blessed to meet. So on top of my emptiness from leaving Thailand and on the exhausting travel day, we had a lot to do when arriving to Cambodia.
(At the border of Cambodia)
We had three days to learn how these missionaries survive and what all they do here. So basically we had 3 full days packed with information and meeting everyone that we needed to meet. We met the teachers that we would be working with and also, the local missionaries here if we needed anything. We learned our new schedules, the curriculum for the students, and last but not least, where we will get food from. 
(At the local markets; I do not eat meat from the market but the meat and the produce are super cheap. 50 cents/watermelon and Bags of produce for only $2. Can’t beat it!)
Our schedule on a day to day basis looks like:
Monday through Friday:
8:00-9:00am Morning English Class
2:00-4:00pm Hospital
4:00-6:00pm Evening English Class
Saturday: Adventure Day- This may be only time we come to some of these countries, so we are able to take advantage of it and see what the country has to offer. Thank you AIM
Sunday:
8:00-11:00am Church
4:00-5:00pm Sunday School for any of the kids that want to come! 🙂
5:00-6:00pm Bible study for anyone that wants to join! 🙂
(Meet Saleap: This little one and I have grown a relationship on playing games, coloring together, smiles and laughter. He is one of the cuties I get to play with at the hospital)
We are quite busy but all in all, Cambodia has been incredible and unforgettable.
(Adventure day with some of my students: Bamboo Train)
If you could be praying for my transition from Cambodia to the Philippines, for travels and for my heart to be prepared that would be great. We will be leaving Cambodia the 29th. My team and I will be doing disaster relief in Tacloban.
May God Bless You,
Rebecca
