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
