Want to know what Cambodia is like? It’s HOT. It is by far the hottest country we’ve been in. We pretty much live in a perpetual state of sweatiness. We’ve learned to become extremely thankful for fans and cold showers. Besides these blessings, I also have the privilege this month of getting to work with KIDS again this month! I absolutely loved building relationships with teenagers and university students the past two months, but I am overjoyed to return to the ones that truly fill my heart.
This month my teammates Shanna, Tressa, and I are working in the village of Bakong, which is about 30-45 minutes outside of our city, Siem Reap. We hop on a tuk-tuk (small carriage attached to the back of a motorbike) and make the bumpy trek out to the village to teach English each day. I teach a class of about 40ish children around the ages of 4-7 years (and I thought my friends who teach Kindergarten had it tough!). I am teaching English for beginners, including phonics, reading, writing and vocabulary. I have learned that it takes a LOT of energy, songs, interaction, and a LOUD voice in order to keep these kids engaged.
But I love it. I love teaching. I love giving high fives and hugs when the kids get the answers right, or for no reason at all. I am quickly falling in love with these precious children. At first, I was a little less than comfortable in this new setting. It is by far the poorest group of people we’ve been around thus far. Most of the children don’t own shoes, they wear the same dirty clothing every day, and many of them have lice (my worst nightmare!). But more quickly than I thought possible, God, broke down these barriers in my heart, and I hardly even notice anymore.
These children are so full of joy, so full of love, I cannot help but hug them, hold their hands, dance with them. They are simply beautiful, and they have totally captured my heart.
Here’s a few photos of my new loves:
Playing a game with a piece of string, it's like the opposite of the limbo!
My sweet student, Polly
Washing with lice shampoo on Hygiene Day!
The greatest students ever 🙂
See what I mean? I'm in love.
