Sorry for the delay on this post, but it is hard to find the words to describe an experience like spending two months in Cambodia when you haven’t fully processed what exactly happened. My time in Cambodia was absolutely amazing and will forever hold a special place in my heart. It was a place of many firsts, a completely new culture, and a place that I made my home for two months. It is a place that I will miss forever.
Cambodia is a place where it was okay to drive on the wrong side of the road until you could move to the right side (which made riding through traffic a little scary, but I am still alive). It is a place where everyone rides “motos” (motorcycles). Cambodia is a place where coffee was only 50 cents at the street stands (although it was mostly ice and sweetened condensed milk with a little bit of coffee). Cambodia is a place where cafes are everywhere (I spent way too much money on coffee). It is a place where seeing (and holding) a naked baby is normal. Cambodia is a place where people are bitten by strange things like piranhas and centipedes (ask Drew and Ashley about their experiences). It is a place where eating bugs is normal and rice is served with EVERY meal. It is a place where we had our own personal Tuk Tuk driver (thanks Sam). It is a place where animals are often mistreated. It is a place where I fell in love with pineapple. It is a place where Buddhism is the main religion. Cambodia is a place where the language is beautiful (both written and spoken). Cambodia is a place where when asked the women will say they are not beautiful because their skin isn’t white like Americans. It is a place where there is extreme poverty. It is a place where the people are friendly, but don’t want to let you into their struggles. It is a place where white people are so admired, parents make their children wave when one passes by. It is a place where you feel like the paparazzi are always following (EVERYONE took pictures of us). It is a place of beautiful children and incredibly respectful students. It is a place where New Hope School exists. It is a place that now, and forever, will hold a little piece of my heart.
From beginning to end New Hope School was a safe haven for me. It was a place where I always felt loved by my students, the teachers, and our hosts. A place where I felt a sense of peace every second I was there. A place where I always left exhausted, yet ready to go back the next day. A place where so many relationships were build. A place where the goodbyes were gut wrenching.
On Friday, November 3rd, I had to say goodbye to a place that had become home after 2 months. It was so hard to walk away for the last time knowing I may never see the beautiful faces of my students again. There is one specific story that I must share. There was a little girl named Ariya who wasn’t in my class, but soon after I arrived was attached to my hip. I knew right from the start that saying goodbye to her would be tough, but I didn’t truly know how tough. On our last day we were walking out to the rice fields (one of my favorite places ever) and she was asking me about what my favorite toy was. Being 18 years old, my automatic response was going to be my phone, however I knew this wouldn’t be what she wanted to hear, so I told that when I was little I really liked to play with dolls. She had to leave at some point when we were out in the rice fields and when walking back to say our final goodbyes to the teachers I was stopped by a student that I didn’t know as well. She handed me a little bag that said “From Ariya” and inside was a note and a little doll with a bear and a change of clothes. She gave me some of her toys even though she probably had little to none.
This is just one example of why saying goodbye was so tough. I wish I had the time and space to write about each of my students and the impression they have left on my life. These kids, teachers, and hosts gave us everything they had and loved us with all of their heart. I went to Cambodia to be a blessing to these kids and adults, but little did I know how much they would bless me.
Dear God, I pray that you continue to work in the lives of the people in Cambodia. I pray that these kids and teachers know they are loved and prayed over by me even though I am now miles and miles away. I pray that one day every single one of them know who you are. I pray that you continue to bless New Hope School financially, so the teachers can get paid for the amazing work they are doing. I pray that the memories of our time together will last a lifetime. I pray that maybe, just maybe, you bring me back to Cambodia someday. I can’t thank you enough for the time I was able to spend at New Hope and in Cambodia. Amen.
**Disclaimer: When I say Cambodia, I am referring to Battambang, Cambodia where we spent the majority of our time**
