As I sit in one of the two usual coffee shops in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, I think to myself, “Why haven’t I blogged about my stay in Cambodia?”
A few thoughts come to mind…
a) I have nothing to say.
b) I have too much to say.
How can that be? How could I have nothing and too much all at the same time?
My time in Cambodia is difficult to describe. I absolutely love this country. I have a love for Cambodia that I cannot even begin to explain. HOWEVER. I don’t feel as if I’m doing anything.
Monday through Friday my team and I teach English at the same church where we lead a Saturday night youth night type service and attend church on Sunday. This church is also next to the soccer field and volleyball court where we play on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Laura and I teach the highest level. I absolutely love our students. [ranging from 17-26 years old]. They are so smart and so willing to learn. I will have a hard time saying “good-bye” to them next week. They use words such as “dingy” and “shabby” to describe an old apartment. Who wouldn’t love students like that? [I hope many of you are thinking of Adam Sandler saying “not too shabby” right now].
Yesterday’s class had me laughing most of the time. We were talking about foods and different ways to cook. Apparently barbecued chicken is unheard of in Cambodia. My students gasped when they found out that I do not like fish. They were also very helpful in my pursuit of fried bananas – I haven’t had any since arriving in Cambodia!
We spend our Saturday and Sunday afternoons playing volleyball and soccer with some of our students and others who happen to be at the field. The first game – I scored two goals! [and that is where I am ending the story…]
The pastor had asked us to clean out an outside baptistery – which was comparable to “gardening” in the Philippines. We finished cleaning in a shorter amount of time than we had planned, laughed a little more than we expected, and helped the pastor more than we probably know.
But what are we doing here?
Why am I here? I don’t feel as though I’m making an impact on my students’ lives. I’m not preaching or even sharing the words of the Gospel with anyone. My soccer skills are definitely not something to write home about [except to evoke a laugh or two].
During an intense hour of alone time with the Lord – you know the kind – the curled up in a hidden corner with ipod in & tears/snot exploding from your face – God gave me two words.
SIMPLY LOVE.
That’s why we are here. That’s why all of us are here on this planet to begin with.
SIMPLY LOVE.
Love without expecting anything in return. Serve without making it a huge show.
SIMPLY LOVE.
No complications. No conditions. Simple.
SIMPLY LOVE.
Simply love my teammates. Simply love our contact. Simply love my students. Simply love the kids playing soccer. Simply love the pastor’s grandchildren. Simply love the people around the YWAM base. Simply love the Tuk Tuk driver. Simply love the waitress at the coffee shop. Simply love. Simply love.
That’s it. That’s why I am here. I am here to SIMPLY LOVE.
