Seeds Planted in the Fall

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