I started writing this post on Wednesday and am finishing it up today on Thursday, so the days might seem a little off in my post.
It’s Wednesday and I
need rest. Since we are teaching at two
schools and helping with VBS in the evenings, there is just a lot on my
plate. I have to fight the urge to want
to slack a little since things are coming to a close. I’m trying to think of it like this....It is
my last week to teach here, my last time to see these students and kids. Make
the most of it and do it all for the glory of God.
I’ve decided to catch you up to today, but
also include some things I’ve learned about Cambodia that are more on the
comical and/or weird side, just because its interesting and I could use a
laugh!
After visiting the
orphanage on Saturday, we had plans to attend Vibol’s (tuk tuk driver) church
the next morning. They do a lot of filming there of sermons and things and have
cancelled the last couple of Sundays and this Sunday was the same story. So our team got together that afternoon to
have devotion. Logos has a missionary
church in English at 4:00 so we have attended there every Sunday and it has
been a blessing to speak with others that are serving in Cambodia and listen to
their stories of what brought them here.
The pastor and his wife came 10 years ago and while here they have
adopted 9 children! I think that is so
cool! Following church, we went to Mike’s
Burgers again because Stephanie was sick the first time we went. I ordered the same exact thing including
another Mountain Dew, and it was just as delicious as the first. Yum!
I am doing a unit on
the 5 senses with my Kindergarteners this week. On Monday, we made special Spy
glasses for sight. Tuesday, I had them listen to certain sounds and guess what
sound it was, and today, for touch, they had to reach into a sock and draw what
the object was just by feeling it. At New Life School, the preschoolers are
learning about the letter Ss this week. I read to the preschoolers Mister
Seahorse on Monday. They made seahorses using tissue paper and a
pencil. It’s good for fine motor
practice because they are not allowed to cut with scissors, which makes it
really hard to do craft projects. I have
to do most of the work beforehand. Yesterday, we sang the “Cool Itsy Bitsy
Spider” song by Jack Hartmann and I taught them about positional words. They made a book and had to draw the spider
in certain positions next to the pumpkin, cat, gate, dog, and bat. Next, we made spider hats. They were so cute in them, but I do not
recommend making these unless you have a helper or they are old enough to cut
and glue independently. LOL!
I am doing
the same lesson for both schools, today.
The preschoolers will do Letter Ss Bingo and then a modified version of
“What’s in the Sock?” game. It was hard to say goodbye to my preschoolers. I have enjoyed them so much! I love how when I open the door, they get
excited and I hear over and over again, “Hello Teacher!” I have to give each one of them a high five
and for most of them, one is not enough. They are ready to learn and during the
lesson and they repeat everything I say! They need guidance and encouragement
because their English is very limited.
This reminded me of how I should look to God.
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew
19:14
I have learned so much from children in the years I have worked with
them. Seeing their enthusiasm and faces
light up when I entered the room is the same look I want on my face when I
experience Jesus. I want to look at Him
and mimic who He is! A lot of the time I
look to other things and people to affirm me or find my value, but I should
always be looking to My Creator! Only He can define who I am because He is the
one that made me. Children get it!
My last day at Logos with the Kindergartners is Friday. They have been a bit of a rough class. I have several who do not speak English and
others that are very proficient and at times has the “I know it already”
attitude. I’ve also learned that no
matter where you are in the world, kids are kids and they will still talk when
you are speaking, not listen the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th
time you tell them to do something, and of course, there will always be the
ornery ones. I have still enjoyed them so much and they have shown me that I
can go back home and challenge my students more because these kids know a lot! We are having a program tomorrow that Deanna
(the music teacher) is putting on. Each
class will sing and/or dance to something they have worked on in class. In one class, she is doing a Stomp showcase
where the students are playing on pots, pans, garbage cans, etc. It should be
pretty cool!
Tonight(Thursday) was our last time with the VBS kids. I will probably miss them the most. Even though we couldn't speak to one another, so much love was given and received. It rained most of the evening and God painted a huge rainbow in the sky. We have seen a few since it rains so much here, but this one you could see from end to end! The colors were so bright and beautiful! It made my heart smile that even though we will not see these little ones again, God promises to take care of His children!
 |
| This little girl brings me a flower to VBS in the evenings. |
1)
Traffic
laws are rarely ever followed and pedestrians do not have the right of way. If
you want to cross the street, no one will be stopping so you just have to step
out, on to the extremely busy road, and dodge.
It is very typical for motos, cars, and tuk tuk to drive on the opposite
side of the road for any number of reasons.
For example, if you need to turn left you just go to the opposite side
(there are no lanes) of the road and drive until your turn. Even better, a gas station on the side of the
road is a perfect turning lane.
2)
Guys can
pee wherever they please. There have
many occurrences of riding along in the tuk tuk and you look over and see men
standing by the wall taking care of business.
This isn’t in an open pasture somewhere by the way.
3)
When you go
inside someone’s home or the school, it is customary to take off your shoes. However, most people are barefoot even
outside as well. My feet are pretty disgusting
by the end of the day!
4)
If you go
to the market and look at someone’s booth for more than 3 seconds, be prepared
for a series of 30 questions from the seller.
Then, if you waste their time bartering for more than a few minutes and
decide you don’t want to buy…be prepared to be yelled at while you walk
away. One girl from our team got
cornered and the lady would not let her go until she bought something.
5)
Children
like to shout “HELLO” and wave anytime they see white people.
6)
Cows are
just hanging out on the streets or in small grass areas, and they really like
to eat trash or anything really. And
this is what I’ve been eating????
7)
Lucky is a
grocery store we go to often to stock up on snacks and things. So, instead of “I need to go to Walmart”,
here it is “I’ve got to go to Lucky, today!” Our group has made it a tradition
to always stop at the little ice cream shop outside of Lucky to get a scoop.
8)
Movies here
only cost $3 and 3D movies are $5. If
you want a coke and some popcorn, no need to smuggle it in! It will only cost you $3!! This is awesome!
9)
If you are
American, getting 6 on a tuk tuk is packing it.
For Cambodians….If you have got less than 10 on your tuk tuk, you are
wasting space and money. (*We broke our record and got 8 on today).
10)
There are
no Starbucks!!! Have I mentioned that before? They do serve iced coffee here
that has sweetened condensed milk in it. Let me tell you, it is AMAZING!!! :)
We will be going to
Siem Reap this weekend to see Angkor Watt.
I’m really excited about getting some pics of the old temples with tree
roots taking them over and also riding an elephant! It will also be nice to sleep in another bed
that hopefully is more comfortable than mine.
Monday will be our pre- plane pampering. We are going back to Daughters
of Cambodia to get massages and some mani & pedis. Maybe our feet won’t swell this time.
LOL! Our flight leaves at 12:05AM on
Tuesday (noon your time) and I will get home around 10ish Tuesday evening.
I can’t wait to see you
all! It has been a wonderful
experience!!!
I still need to raise
$500 to pay TeachOverseas for the remainder of the program. If you would like to donate, click on this
link.
https://www.teachoverseas.org/give/make-a-donation/
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