School

These are some updates about school:

1. New building. I mentioned in passing earlier that the school will have to move to a new building next school year to accommodate the fast-growing student population. There is a building on the premises but it requires major renovations and finishings. We are praying for $10, 000 so we can move the 120 students into a cleaner and safer learning environment. And perhaps this time we will have a playground that isn't a scrap-metal booby trap for kids. Please pray with us.

2. Our last quarter. That means about 7 weeks of teaching left. My Grade 1 class has come a long way from not being able to read at all and spelling 'blue' as 'mtyh' but there is still much more the kids have to learn. Besides academics, my class is also a challenge with behaviour. I have 13 boys and 7 girls. Of those 13 boys, I would say 1 or maybe 2 of them can manage to sit down cross-legged without spinning around, screaming or feeling up the boy next to them. On top of school, I get some of my weaker students to come back in the afternoons for extra tutoring and recently started a reading buddy system with some Grade 2 kids. I also have an extra student who does not attend morning classes but comes for English lessons 3 times a week. And while I love also being the Art teacher for Grades 1-4, it has been quite hectic to put together materials, plan and make activities easy to follow. Personally, it has all been quite overwhelming especially after many months of hard work away from home. But all is not gloom and doom, many of my kids can now read more competently, praise God! Please pray that we/I will be able to finish well and finish strong.

3. Bible Study. I meet up with a few Khmer university students on Sunday mornings to dig deeper into the Bible. It has been a challenge with inconsistant attendance, language barriers and lack of resources. Right now, we are doing a study on John 15 - the vine and the branches. It has been a blessing to me.

4. Health. In the past week 4 teachers have taken ill. That's quite a blow for our staff of 14 teachers. Besides physical health, many teachers including myself have been struggling with mental and emotional strength as the months chug on like a steam-roller. 

Despite the trials and challenges, I love Cambodia. I love Asia. I know this is where God has planned for me to be. It is a country with so much history, culture, stunning geography and beautiful people that is blows my mind daily. Plus, nothing beats riding on the back of a moto and feeling the wind in your hair, gravel in your sandals and having your knees barely scraping past other motorists!