10 months ago, I shared a little on the state of education in Cambodia, it's history, and the vision, a few years long delicately prayed dream, of Kit and Ream, the directors of A Greater Hope Orphanage, CCF, for a Christian school, and quite possibly the first one in the province.
Within this past year, outside the perimeters of the orphanage, faces have turned into more than just faces and prayers for the school have ended in "May your will, not mine (ours), be done." And after the long expected opening day, our seven teachers, students, and families, overflowing with excitement, together welcomed A Heart for Wisdom School's opening on October 3, 2011. Welcoming grades K-6, more than thought possible last January. A Greater Hope Orphanage (AGHO) children and local children make up the, a little over 100, children that are beautifully decorating the classrooms of our small school, the unused rooms of the church, where they study the Bible, Math, Khmer, English, Science/Social, and P.E., all while filling the spaces in between with their laughter and life.
Now, four months into an unknown time frame, equipped with an ever growing love for these children, this daunting beautiful honor to share God's love with these precious children, seems more incredible and more real than ever. Preparing each child for their future ahead and the challenges and struggles that the Khmer culture faces daily quickly brings into light that this generation is 'It.' They're the generation that is going to start the steep recovery process that this country faces. The importance placed on giving them the spiritual and academic tools needed to pass on to future generations to come, weighs heavily. To teach and encourage them to be the Josiahs' of their time, who with his whole heart sought after God, thus, transforming a nation.
Seeds are being planted almost parallel to the surrounding rice that gives this time of year the county's sought after photographic beauty. And like every year, "the God of the seasons...who caused the seeds to swell in the earth, burst with life, and send up their bright green shoots, the promise of harvest (Cormack, Don. Killing Fields Living Fields)," is ever so patiently waiting for this land, a demonstration of His mercy pointing to the unveiling hope that His eyes are on this country.
From Cambodia with Love,
Alicia
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Stars Forever and Ever
...He lay there, breathless, beneath the canopy of stars. His thoughts overtaken by the glorious riches that adorned the night sky. As all life slowly faded into a deep sleep, songs of hope rocked him in a most mesmerizing lullaby. Each night a peace welcomed his visits, inviting with them, a consuming cool breeze that joyfully danced around his heart. For He was wooing the one He loved. His eyes closed every few seconds to take in this moment, and breath in His fragrant presence. It was here, that he was reminded of promises that were once whispered so deep into his soul. The sweet melody echoed from within, "Look at the heavens and count the stars-if indeed you can count them...so shall your offspring be." (Gen. 15:5) The magnitude of this promise released into the midnight sky, blessings, illuminated with love, adding a brilliant beauty and wonder, forever, to the stars above.
Cambodia's children are beautiful. They have this brilliant sparkle about them, immediately exposing a subtle but yet striking beauty. As I watch them in passing, my heart grows within me. We all look back as we pass each other, smiling, then they fade from my sight as quickly as they came. Each playfully going their own separate way. As I continue home, their joy and beauty somehow, remind me of the stars. Upon reaching the off-white iron gate leading into the orphanage, my thoughts collide with the love story that is played out to all the world every night.
As the evening bides farewell to the day spent and the left over heat dissipates into the cool evening, the sky is clothed in a rich purple that slowly transends into a dark midnight, a color palette all unique to Cambodia, as the night, once again, is born. Not a cloud in the sky, as I stare up into the night. And with the same romancing whisper that longed to speak of love and faithfulness to Abraham, a singing grace fixes my gaze, and thoughts, on the stars, once again. In them, a reflection of His beauty. Giving light to the night, and illuminating His promises.
For they are each treasures, and as thoughts of them adorn my night sky, and end the day, I pray that each child I meet, each child I see in passing, each child I teach, and each child I live with, may come to truly understand the depth of the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:18) and to "shine like the brightness of the heavens...[shine] like the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:3). Being those that light up the world and fulfill the promises spoken so long ago to Abraham.
Then, "as the darkness is passing...the true light is already shinning" and whispering goodnight (1 John 1:8).
Monday, August 8, 2011
One Month in Thmey Village, Takeo, Cambodia
Can't believe it's been a month already! Time is flying by and after a bit of adjustment to life back in the village, I am again feeling right at home. Here's a bit of what's been going on...
A Heart For Wisdom
Continually praying as we take A Heart For Wisdom primary school, the first Christian primary school in the village, step by step and day by day. As of last week it looked as though I was going to experience my first lesson in third-world bribing, due to the run around and excuses we were receiving from the Ministry of Education, which is the usual introduction to such. However, today, we have been encouraged to continue with our license application. While this is a less climatic introduction into Cambodia's government, it sadly still reflects the disheartening realization that a child's best interest isn't even a thought, none the less an expectation, despite the written laws that mandate otherwise.
Cambodia's oppressed state is slowly recovering from what has been called Cambodia's holocaust. Due to poor education, and the fact that you can buy a degree, it's hard to find qualified teachers. And after much translation, seeing that the public school curriculum isn't comprised of much educational material to equip these children, this task teter-tauters between being extremely daunting and such a beautiful privilege. And then again, daily, I am confronted with the hovering cloud of a spiritual darkness that my neighbors were born under, as Asia is considered the lost of the lost (K.P. Yohannan).
While a lot still has yet to be done before this October, the start of the new school year, the excitement is definitely building.
Cambodia's oppressed state is slowly recovering from what has been called Cambodia's holocaust. Due to poor education, and the fact that you can buy a degree, it's hard to find qualified teachers. And after much translation, seeing that the public school curriculum isn't comprised of much educational material to equip these children, this task teter-tauters between being extremely daunting and such a beautiful privilege. And then again, daily, I am confronted with the hovering cloud of a spiritual darkness that my neighbors were born under, as Asia is considered the lost of the lost (K.P. Yohannan).
While a lot still has yet to be done before this October, the start of the new school year, the excitement is definitely building.
A Greater Hope Orphanage
When you live at an orphanage on a farm, between the animals and the children, there is never a dull moment. The theme lately has been chickens, chickens, chickens. Chickens everywhere and anywhere. Dead chickens, alive chickens, even being plucked chickens, and my favorite, only one foot mixed in with the vegetables for lunch, chicken. AGHO has been trying out raising chickens for the past four months, this being the fifth. In short, the chickens are raised here and then picked up and sold, all while making a profit. It has been a good way for the children to invest their money and reap a little extra.
Lor, 17, and his brother Chow, 14
The biggest news lately is the oldest and one of the first to come to the orphanage, Lor, has recently graduated high school and will be leaving at the beginning of next year to attend a trade school about two hours away. He will be studiyng carpentry, welding, plumbing, and electricity in a 9-month program. We took him to check it out and the smile on his face said everything. One of the million moments here, that I wouldn't trade for anything. Lor is an amazing young man with a gentle spirit. He has touched the lives of all of the children here. The younger boys love to hang out with him and his playfulness encourages even the youngest, Nyget, 6, to cuddle up next to him.
Here is a piece of what he said when he arrived at AGHO in 2006.
"My life before I came to know the Lord was very, very hard and I was a bad kid. My mom and dad got divorced. First, my mom left and then my dad did too so I stayed with my grandparents. When I became an orphan, the other children were mean to me-they used call me "abandoned child." I was very, very sad and one day I came to know the Lord and he touched my heart. He encouraged me not to feel down anymore. My grandparents and I now have the love of Jesus in our lives. Since then, the Lord has provided for my grandparents, my brother and me. My brother and I were able to come and live in the orphanage. "
He is going to be missed! "Many O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you have planned for us no one can recount to you." Pslam 40:5
Here is a piece of what he said when he arrived at AGHO in 2006.
"My life before I came to know the Lord was very, very hard and I was a bad kid. My mom and dad got divorced. First, my mom left and then my dad did too so I stayed with my grandparents. When I became an orphan, the other children were mean to me-they used call me "abandoned child." I was very, very sad and one day I came to know the Lord and he touched my heart. He encouraged me not to feel down anymore. My grandparents and I now have the love of Jesus in our lives. Since then, the Lord has provided for my grandparents, my brother and me. My brother and I were able to come and live in the orphanage. "
He is going to be missed! "Many O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you have planned for us no one can recount to you." Pslam 40:5
Overall, it's been such a blessing to be back! There are always those moments where I am so amazed at the influence that children posses. It always brings me back to why Jesus mentioned them so much. Luke 10:21 says,"At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes Father, for this was your good pleasure." For His good pleasure. I just love that.
From Cambodia with Love,
Alicia
From Cambodia with Love,
Alicia
Sunday, July 24, 2011
In Between Moments and Memories
 He was half monkey the way he climbed up the ladder to the abandoned water tower, a small detour on our way home after an evening bike ride through our village neighborhood. The sun was setting and the view was supposed to be beautiful and besides he wanted to do it. When language is a barrier, it's in those sign language spur-of-the moments that you just act, wanting to do something, anything. He reached the top before I even started. I knew that with each step up would mean one step down. But hearing his voice resounding with such excitement, and the memories that I foresaw, I kept going. I let out a scream, wiped my sweaty palms against my jeans, and with each bare foot sweaty step I took, I focused on one arm over and one arm under the small metal ladder, which got skinner the higher I got. Without warning, moments can forever beautifully impact the heart. Gently, the never before spoken about prayers that are hidden deep within the soul, lovingly embrace the invading beauty of each instant. Grasping, to forever hold onto these moments, time propels into the unknown, leaving behind fragments of emotion, that are felt, somewhere in between these moments and their memories. It is in the un-named in between, that a soul may intertwine with an un-describable familiarity. An extension of oneself, as if it was already there, and time was keeping it prisoner until the perfect moment for it to be free to be felt by the heart.  The view left me breathless and my thoughts at peace, wanting to hold onto this moment. Wanting to hold onto him pointing things out, the smiles, the laughs, and the silences. At last, we spoke the same language. The brilliant-green Cambodian countryside somehow seemed familiar. He seemed familiar. As if my love for both was just a matter of timing. Like it had been there all along, waiting patiently for me. Unable to be hurried. Unable to be humanly created. A beautiful orchastrating of a pre-designed plan (Psalm 139:16).  It was this moment and a dozen others that led me back to Cambodia. That led me back to the children at A Greater Hope Orphanage. That led me back to Samrang, Long, Nop, Wut, and Darow. That led me back to the need for better education in this country, and to help with A Heart For Wisdom School. To experience more of what happens when you spend your life on behalf of a child. "I want to see miracles, to see the world change...[Life's] more than a feeling, more than a cause."~Switchfoot; For life is but a moment (Psalm 39:5). Add Comment |
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
A Love Found
October 27, 2010
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints."
~Ephesians 1:18
Father, I pray this verse over my time spent in Cambodia and may I continue to grow in depth and knowledge of you and your love through experience.
March 21, 2011
I am sitting in the same spot, on the same chair and writing at the same desk I did five months ago. The only thing that makes this moment different from the last, are the months lived in between. Sitting here with me are the months of living in the Khmer culture, the relationships that were made and the Holy design of a love found. Realizing in this very moment, an answered prayer.
The hardest part about loving or being in love is the acceptance of losing yourself, that of taking on another's joys and sorrows within your own heart. To be blessed and to be burdened in a selfless manner, evokes a humbling self-discovery and deepens the depth of the heart to the magnitude of our Creator and the definition of His perfect love towards all He has made. To be God's hands and heart in spite of deep personal wounds and heartache, is something that we have not enough strength or insight to give on our own yet when we rely on His strength and seek His wisdom and guidance, it becomes the greatest thing (Galatians 5:6).
To know more of His love, I had to lose myself to 40 amazingly beautiful and loving children and young adults.
They have captured my heart with their strength, generosity, and gentle spirits as they love. Exposing a true faith and hope, through their testimonies, and how we must receive the kingdom of God...like a child. Mark 10:15. We shared laughs, heartaches, and dreams, in exchange for exposing our own vulnerability to each other while learning to trust despite pasts, weaknesses, and fears.
Their were moments that broke me and moments that restored me. Little do they know that God was using them. He was using them to show me Himself and the heart that I desire to have and the love that I desire to give.
Thanks Kit and Ream for your obedience to the Lord's calling. I can't stop thanking you for your eager willingness and self-sacrifices so that these children may have a Greater Hope. They are so blessed because you.
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints."
~Ephesians 1:18
Father, I pray this verse over my time spent in Cambodia and may I continue to grow in depth and knowledge of you and your love through experience.
March 21, 2011
I am sitting in the same spot, on the same chair and writing at the same desk I did five months ago. The only thing that makes this moment different from the last, are the months lived in between. Sitting here with me are the months of living in the Khmer culture, the relationships that were made and the Holy design of a love found. Realizing in this very moment, an answered prayer.
The hardest part about loving or being in love is the acceptance of losing yourself, that of taking on another's joys and sorrows within your own heart. To be blessed and to be burdened in a selfless manner, evokes a humbling self-discovery and deepens the depth of the heart to the magnitude of our Creator and the definition of His perfect love towards all He has made. To be God's hands and heart in spite of deep personal wounds and heartache, is something that we have not enough strength or insight to give on our own yet when we rely on His strength and seek His wisdom and guidance, it becomes the greatest thing (Galatians 5:6).
To know more of His love, I had to lose myself to 40 amazingly beautiful and loving children and young adults.
They have captured my heart with their strength, generosity, and gentle spirits as they love. Exposing a true faith and hope, through their testimonies, and how we must receive the kingdom of God...like a child. Mark 10:15. We shared laughs, heartaches, and dreams, in exchange for exposing our own vulnerability to each other while learning to trust despite pasts, weaknesses, and fears.
Their were moments that broke me and moments that restored me. Little do they know that God was using them. He was using them to show me Himself and the heart that I desire to have and the love that I desire to give.
Thanks Kit and Ream for your obedience to the Lord's calling. I can't stop thanking you for your eager willingness and self-sacrifices so that these children may have a Greater Hope. They are so blessed because you.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The dust from the from the dirt yard blows around as laughing children run by. From the outside the buildings are falling apart. The orange-ish paint is chipping and there are bars on all the windows. Pad locks lock up the blue shutter-type doors, that hang on their hinges. Inside, the classrooms are dimly lit, as the sun is relied upon as the main light source. Wooden desks are pushed together to ensure that all 30-50 students can fit in the small classroom.
Cambodia's schools are evidence that this country is still recovering from the devastating Khmer Rouge Regime, where all educated were inhumanly treated and killed. While the state of education is improving, the speed of it's improvement is slow. Although, The Ministry of Education has set in place great student-centered goals, the implementation of these goals have no follow through and no middleman to insure that each child's best interest is being sought, leaving numerous amounts of children illiterate upon entering middle school. Not to mention the corruption that takes place between the walls of these tattered classrooms. For most, their grade is dependent upon their attendance to extra classes, meaning extra school dues (personal money for the teacher) - stretching their schools hours until 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and their compliance in helping their teachers harvest their personal rice fields during harvesting season, and the occasional providing their teacher with rice, the staple. Too often teachers use education as a leverage combined with coercion to supplement their small salary.
Due to poor finances, lack of resources, and a large population of uneducated adults, the Khmer Rouge has left this country struggling to pull out of it's oppression (Isaiah 1:17). Initially, the more I learned about the state of education, the more overwhelmed and frozen I felt in my attempts to help. Frozen yet inspired. Knowing and seeing that the children are the country's future hope, and their education is at stake, We (Ream, AGHO Director, and I) have started to focus on 5 village preschools. We have visited and observed each one with the goal of being able to guide them towards a greater education. To educate the teachers on child development and how to build a classroom environment that enhances and encourages learning.
In the Cambodian education system a child enters school at age 6 into grade 1. The desired hope for working with preschools is that children will be beginning readers and writers before they enter school. To give a child a jump start. As of now, in the public school system if a child gets left behind, catching up is a losing battle.
In the Cambodian education system a child enters school at age 6 into grade 1. The desired hope for working with preschools is that children will be beginning readers and writers before they enter school. To give a child a jump start. As of now, in the public school system if a child gets left behind, catching up is a losing battle.
A Greater Hope Orphanage, AGHO, where I am currently volunteering, has started one of these preschools. The directors Kit and Ream Carson, have a deep passion for offering a greater education to Cambodia's children. As 'Daddy and Mommy' to 40 children, daily, they are instilling Biblical foundations into each life, raising them up to impact their country for Christ. Their vision is to start a public school that will be rich in education and void of all corruption. Their foundation being, that these children may 'gain hearts of wisdom' (Psalm 90:12). They are opening the doors to grades 1 and 3 this fall and will continue to add more grades as the Lord provides.
Please keep the Kingdom of Cambodia's childrens future in you prayers. It is the children that are running home to share with their parents what they have learned in school. And in these 5 preschools, where they are praying, singing and learning about God, as they are educated and becoming the next generation, it is their beautiful feet causing the dirt to blow as they run home bringing the good news! (Romans 10:15)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Christmas Child
She is beautiful. Her smile lights up the room as she stands in front of everyone, eager to share what's in her heart. She's about 10 years old. Her black hair is messily pulled back into a low ponytail with random pieces framing her sun-kissed face. Her almond shaped brown eyes smile as she flattens her navy blue pleated skirt, evidence of her previous whereabouts, resembling the others. Worn-in stains ad a hint of color to her white button up blouse that she has neatly tucked in to complete her school uniform. "Aht," she answers ("no"). I continue to try and make out what is being said with the little Khmer that I know. And then, slowly I stop and just watch her. I get lost in the moment as I watch her share her heart...a language that needs no translation. After she spoke, she found her seat on the floor amongst her girl friends. Then I got the translation. She was asked 'if she had ever received a present before.'
One of the hardest parts about living in a third world country is having the knowledge of and having been exposed to the "more" that's out there, "for with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief," Ecc. 1:18. In Cambodia, for the majority of the culture, around Christmas time, there are no beautiful twinkling lights to admire, no trees to trim, no presents to give and or receive, no holiday performances to attend to, no cookies to bake, and no knowledge of Jesus to thank.
The past week has been a whirlwind of cracking a dent in the 10,000 Christmas shoeboxes that are a part of Operation Christmas Child, sent from Western Australia. We have visited schools and churches in the surrounding villages to bring the "Good News" along with, for many, their first present. It was hard choosing which pictures to share but I hope the emotions are conveyed. It's almost one of those "need to be there" moments. To hear the screams and laughs at the first sight of what's inside. To see them hold their boxes so tightly never wanting to let go. To watch them rig their boxes on their bikes and ride off. To be amazed at how 5 children fit on a moto and a 10 year old drives them home. To smile as they run into the picturesque Cambodian landscape and stop and open their gifts in the distance. To see on the ride home, the red and green boxes adding color to yards. To pray with the children to God in a land that prays to Buddha. I admire them with their eyes closed so tight and so quick to give thanks. "For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14
One of the hardest parts about living in a third world country is having the knowledge of and having been exposed to the "more" that's out there, "for with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief," Ecc. 1:18. In Cambodia, for the majority of the culture, around Christmas time, there are no beautiful twinkling lights to admire, no trees to trim, no presents to give and or receive, no holiday performances to attend to, no cookies to bake, and no knowledge of Jesus to thank.
The past week has been a whirlwind of cracking a dent in the 10,000 Christmas shoeboxes that are a part of Operation Christmas Child, sent from Western Australia. We have visited schools and churches in the surrounding villages to bring the "Good News" along with, for many, their first present. It was hard choosing which pictures to share but I hope the emotions are conveyed. It's almost one of those "need to be there" moments. To hear the screams and laughs at the first sight of what's inside. To see them hold their boxes so tightly never wanting to let go. To watch them rig their boxes on their bikes and ride off. To be amazed at how 5 children fit on a moto and a 10 year old drives them home. To smile as they run into the picturesque Cambodian landscape and stop and open their gifts in the distance. To see on the ride home, the red and green boxes adding color to yards. To pray with the children to God in a land that prays to Buddha. I admire them with their eyes closed so tight and so quick to give thanks. "For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14
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