We made it to Cambodia!
By far, this is my favorite month in a long time. It has been quite difficult to write blogs in the last couple of countries, for I did not necessarily feel a connection to the ministries. That is nothing to do with the people who hosted us, or the ministry contacts, but something about Cambodian culture has brought my heart and joy back the same way I felt in Mozambique.
I'm starting to realize that I have a major heart for people who live in a culture with nothing. We are back to living with the basics…. no internet at our location, squatty potties, dirty pond water to shower with, sleeping in our tents (in a bunk bed to keep mice away from us at night), mosquitoes, bats, weird food like duck eggs (yes literally eating a duck egg with a baby duckling inside), cows, chickens, ducks, and puppies everywhere, dirt roads, motorbikes, coconut trees, etc. Country livin'. I knew I was raised going to my grandpa's farm for a reason. I love it here!
Another great thing about this place is, it's a school for children! My schedule consists of teaching from 8 to 10, 2 to 4, and then 5:30-6:30. Morning and afternoon classes are 7 to 12 year olds, and night classes are adults. I teach English alongside Savannah Howard. It is absolutely amazing because she went to school for teaching, and I went to school for art — so we have a ton of fun and creativity in teaching!
Finally the big bonus of this month is that I get to play soccer ALL THE TIME. I have prayed and prayed to play for most of the race and have surprisingly not been placed at a ministry site with children & soccer. Last month in Thailand, I got one night where I babysat missionary kids and we played, but it only lasted 2 hours. This month I get to play almost everyday!
We usually just play pickup in the school yard with our contact and some children. However, last weekend, our contact Vuthy, invited me to play in the village wide soccer tournament that happens every Saturday and Sunday! I was stoked. I didn't really know what to expect other than I had to wear long shorts to cover up. Haha
When we arrived, I realized it was myself and almost 40 or 50 Cambodian men. AHH! Haha I stepped on the field and quickly began to realize I was the laughing stock of the game. I don't believe they had ever seen a girl play, let alone a white, blonde girl wearing Thai pants, and able to carry her own weight against some rather large Cambodian men. Anytime I got the ball, took the ball from someone, did a move, or even slide tackled my mark, the whole entire place would light up with laughter and amazement. They couldn't believe I could play.
At the end of the game, we had won about $45 dollars (they bet $5-$10 a goal) and we walked away with a victory! It was amazing. It brought me back to all of the different teams I have played on in the last 17 years of my life.
I love this month. I love every thing about it. Soccer and teaching are definitely major highlights and favor's and I can't wait to see what other great things the Lord will bring to my team and I this month!
