I’ve been in Cambodia for about two weeks now. The accommodations are extremely comfortable… probably the most comfortable we’ll have for the whole year. Aaron and I are living in a room by ourselves with two bunk beds, two fans, and a sink separate from a bathroom separate from the shower. There is a kitchen complete with a sink and a gas powered stove top; we are supplied lunch and dinner; a lady does our laundry every day (included in the cost of staying here); and half the country sleeps from 12:30-2:30 in the afternoon, so we do as well.
Cambodia has a vast amount of motorcycles (called “motos”) and “tuk-tuks,” or moto-drawn carriages. Because of this, there are gas stations and then there gas stations. This is a picture of the latter.
Most of Cambodia goes to bed at about 8:30 or 9:00pm and wakes up at about 4:00 or 5:00am. After we teach English at night, we’ve got a lot of free time before going to bed at about 10:00. Some of us play cards, others do various other things… like eat this lowly banana.
In the morning we venture off in three different directions. Some go to an orphanage, some go to teach English in schools, and help disciple/teach English to young adults. I have been spending every morning so far in the orphanage. I have never seen a group of kids more hungry for love. They cling to us at all times. It is not unlikely to have eight children hanging off our limbs, necks, and backs. And then their are those who cling to the clingers. They hug, kiss, play, and fight each other to be noticed. There hasn’t been a day yet where one kid hasn’t been beat up by another kid yearning for love and attention.
Also, they don’t know any English, but they do say “Deddy!” an awful lot. My theory is that when the previous World Race team was here, they said “Ready!?” a lot before swinging them in circles or doing some other activity with them. Yesterday one of them said, “Goodbye! Deddy, goodbye!” As with most small children, they love being swung in circles. This child weighs about 2 pounds and is constantly hanging on my fingers and squealing, “Wee!” as he drops his legs from under himself.
God is teaching me a lot about how he wants to refine us and I have prayed that he would do so with me. I am excited about it because I know the more I give up of myself, the more I discover my true identity. So far God has blessed me and my team tremendously.
Looking ahead:
Some of my teammates are going to Vietnam this weekend. Aaron and I opted to stay behind to have some guy time with a few other guys from two other nearby teams. I am looking forward to this.
Somewhere between Nov. 2nd and 7th we will leave Phnom Penh for Bangkok, stopping by Angkor Wat for a couple days on the way. We’ll then catch a plane from Bangkok to our next destination: the Philippines, where we’ll be for the next month. I was thrilled to hear that my mother and father will be meeting us there for debrief.
