If one word could be used to describe the entire trip it would be growth. Although we didn’t return to some of our previous destinations, the team and I had an amazing time growing in the Spirit, growing in our teaching abilities and growing closer with the team. Growth is clearly visible in the country from the new infrastructure being built to the elementary kids’ English skills. Even though over half the team had gone before, we were exposed to new things and hit the ground running.
After a long set of flights going through two American cities and one international destination, we arrived at Phnom Penh. Immediately I was thrown back into the slightly organized chaos that is a constant in the capital. After a slow drive of avoiding mopeds, stopping for school kids and constant honking we arrived at our hotel. From then until the next day we were preparing for the wedding that was to take place the entire following day. It started at eight in the morning and continued until seven at night. It was an amazing day with weird foods being served and catching up with old Cambodian friends. Many of you know that we did not go to the orphanage this year but with the wedding we were able to see some of the older highschoolers that made the trip up. It was rewarding finally having solid relationships with the Cambodians to where I could laugh with them and enjoy their company. That was a highlight of my third year in Cambodia.
The next day we drove out to the second largest city, but nearly as chaotic, Battambang. It’s about 180 miles north west of Phnom Penh but takes over 5 hours because of the road condition. When the team went to teach on the first day the kids were a bit aloof but as the week continued they warmed up to us. I was tasked with teaching Chemistry this year, very different from teaching English in previous years. It was hard teaching a different subject for the first time and being labeled as “experienced”. My lesson plans went well with lots of explosives and corrosive chemicals but I didn't enjoy it. During my daily prayers I would ask God why His plan was for me to teach Chemistry. Part of the answer came to me on our fourth day of teaching.
I was on break and the high school principle walked over and started talking with me and Heather, my science partner. After a while Heather had to go and prep her biology lesson so the principle, Sophal, and I talked for about 40 minutes. We discussed the history of Cambodia and the deep need for Christ and education in the growing country. The conversation really helped me understand the work of God and His plan for every person that has lived. When I was at the school in Battambang he also taught me and the team to continue our work as Christ did on earth and to pick up our crosses with Him daily. During devotions we discussed this and I came away understanding that our work here on earth is planned exactly how God has said although it may not be easy. When it becomes hard we are supposed to take up or crosses, whether it is daily work or a hard task, and to complete it just as Christ did.
After teaching and bonding with the kids at Battambang we traveled to Siem Reap, about three hours on the other side of the lake that is in the middle of the country. Our main focus there was the floating village on the lake, Tonle Sap. The village is basically a bunch of houses built on bamboo rafts and floats with the water. When we visit the village we teach at the school that was built by a missionary there for elementary students. In previous years the kids there were very apprehensive and slow to warm up. Not this year! As the fist of two boats pulled up to the school the kids were lined up on the railings, waiting for us to come on board the school. They were yelling and laughing when we walked onto the school. It was amazing to finally see an investment pay off and see the kids excited to see us again. Teaching there is very fun but unnaturally hot. It was probably 110+ when we were there and the school has one cooling system, the slight breeze that wanders lethargically around the lake. As I was working sweat beaded and rolled off my nose, chin, ears; basically anywhere that could sweat did. I was so into teaching that I forgot to drink water and had only two bottles during the four hours we were there. I was feeling fine with a slight headache on the boat ride back but when we got into the air-conditioned bus to drive back to Phnom Penh I continued to sweat and could not cool off. I became super light headed and my vision started to go dark. When we arrived back at the hotel I could barely stand and it took me about 6 minutes to walk 70 feet and up a flight of stairs. Fortunately one of our leaders is a nurse and she gave me some electrolytes and told me to take an hour nap with my feet up to cool off. I had gotten heat stroked and it was the hottest I have ever been. Talk about being crucified with Christ.
After exploring Angkor Wat for the fourth time we headed down through Phnom Penh to Takeo close to the Vietnamese border. There we taught at a small government school that is kept running by the Church down there. I taught elementary English with four other teammates for two days. Probably the highlight of teaching this year happened in Takeo.
It was the first day teaching and our first class was fourth grade. I thought it would be good for the kids to learn practical English and not just the alphabet and colors. When it was my turn to teach I decided that I wanted to teach them “Hello, how are you” and “I am good, thank you.” (We try to incorporate modern American English so that it doesn't seem like there are speaking textbook English). After ten minutes of repeating and conversation I could see their little minds trying to grasp a new language. The next day we came back having low expectations and doubting that the kids grasped the sentences. But I decided to ask, “Hello, how are you?” One kid stood up and said, “I am good, tha…” and stopped because no one else had followed him. I jumped off the ground with excitement and gave the kid a huge high-five and about four pieces of candy. I was thrilled that they had actually remembered the sentences form the previous day. After I congratulated him the other kids got the memo and remembered the phrases! The most rewarding part of teaching is when your students remember the material that you taught them and you know that you have made an impact of them as well.
Along with growth this year we were also able to see the impact that we made. The head of all missionaries in Cambodia told us in Takeo that we may be the highlight of their school year. It is hard to grasp the impact one can make whether it be words or actions but in both cases you may never know this side of Heaven. To impact someone doesn’t require tons of preparation or education, quite the opposite, to impact someone may simply come at a time least expected and after that one can watch the growth take place. God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.
