Day Sixteen: Thanksgiving

THANK GOD FOR THE LONG WEEKEND!

It's been 3 teaching days and only half-days for the kids, but I am absolutely knackered. This week, I got to sleep in until 8.30am. It was absolutely heaven. Yes, it was. Tomorrow, my roommate, Megan and I will check-in to a beach resort for 2 days to enjoy little luxries like internet, hot showers and warm breakfasts. 2 days of relaxation for $24 sounds not too bad. 

But before looking forward, let's recap the past week. Hmm.. where do I start? There's so much. I guess there's really no better place to start than thanksgiving. (Oh yea, it's Thanksgiving weekend in Canada!) Happy Thanksgiving!

Oh for one, I thank God that He brought me through the week. For His mercies and His grace over my life - for being my sustenance and strength when my tank is just empty. Empty. The 6am - 5pm days drain me. And for an introvert, having to talk for hours in the day takes away all of my strength. On top of that, there's cooking, cleaning and not a lot of time for resting with Jesus. But He has brought me through.

I thank God for teaching me how to teach. During the day, I stop in amazement that I'm actually doing this. Often, I feel like a fish out of water with teaching. And then there are moments when it feels like I've been doing this forever and I'm blown away by the God-given ideas that just come. 

Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to be Your hands and feet. Most of my kids are from traditionally Buddhist families. But for an hour a day, they get to listen stories about God. About a God who loves and who desires to have a relationship with them. I taught them the class memory verse for the semester, Philippians 4:13. And even though my days have been hectic and I rush out of the house wishing I had more time for quiet time with God, I get to remind myself over and over again (repetition helps learning) that I can do everything through God alone who gives me strength. Simple yet deep truth that I am nothing but He is everything and that is my treasure and prize.

Thank You, God, for answering prayers. Before I left, I prayed Micah 6:8 and that I would love the children. Thank You for helping me love the children with Your love. Sometimes, I look at the kids in their mixture of innocence and grime and I just don't know where this love I feel for them comes from. When Sarick looks up at me sheepishly with his mouth half open, or when I joke about Marcus yawning during class and he smiles shyly at me, my heart just melts. 

Thank you, Lord, for small precious moments when I get encouraged by people back home. Thank You, for giving my parents peace about me coming here. Thank You for their emails that touch my heart. Thank You for little posts on my Facebook wall that are such gems. Songs that uplift me and silly chatter on MSN with friends. Thank You that sometimes (like today) the internet works!

Lord, I lift up my kids: Chan Leaph, Nita, Reesa, Chivorn, Yeougin, Stef, Sarick, Isak, Srey Som, Sodavith, Seyhar, Chanreasay, Sothy, Meng Heang and Ravy. Teach them Your ways and teach them English, Maths, Science and Khmer. They may be six right now, Lord, but use these kids to change this nation. Lord, teach them to walk with integrity and honesty. And to live counter-culturally to stand up against corruption, status quo, poverty in the provinces and the sex trade. Lord, raise up this generation to make a difference in this country and the world. And may that change start in their lives and in their families.