Although some people may see this as a hardship, I don't. It just makes me appreciate what I have back home. Appreciate what you have, especially if it is something that you take for granted every day, like clean tap water.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Bathrooms
I never thought that I would get excited at the prospect of brushing my teeth with tap water. This is and interesting way to start a blog post, but I thought that my bathroom is best way to illustrate the differences between how I live in Cambodia and how you all back in the US live. This is my bathroom here in Cambodia-
As you can see, it is all one room. the shower and the toilet are all in one tiny cubicle. I have no sink and even if I did, I would not be able to use it for anything other than washing my hands, as the water is not clean. Instead, I brush my teeth over the drain next to the toilet. I am fortunate to have both a hot water heater and a western toilet.
Although some people may see this as a hardship, I don't. It just makes me appreciate what I have back home. Appreciate what you have, especially if it is something that you take for granted every day, like clean tap water.
Although some people may see this as a hardship, I don't. It just makes me appreciate what I have back home. Appreciate what you have, especially if it is something that you take for granted every day, like clean tap water.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
A Wedding and A Lizard Among Other Things
Sunday's are quickly becoming my favorite day. I sleep in, have a relaxed morning, go over my school for the next week and make sure everything is ready, then go to church in the afternoon with Kelsey and Micah. I love the church I've been going to here. Every Sunday I come back feeling enriched in the Spirit.
This week has been my best school week yet. Sarah was sounding out words when she suddenly looked over at the next word and exclaimed, "that's fat"! I was so proud of her. And SJ has been having trouble remembering his letter sounds but something clicked and he's doing so much better. This has been validating. I'm not completely making a mess of things!
Yesterday there was a wedding quite literally on our doorstep. A giant tent was blocking the street. There was music blasting even before any of the guests arrived! The celebration went quite late into the night. Everyone thought that it was annoying, but it made me happy. It was that couples special day and there will never be one like it for them. If I have to listen to songs in Khmer until 1am, so be it.
Also yesterday I finally met the lizard who lives in my room. I knew that there was one living with me but yesterday was the first day he had made his presence known. He I nome more than four inches long and a light brown color. He pays his rent by eating mosquitos and other bugs. As long as he doesn't run across my face while I am sleeping, we should get along well.
This week we also got two new interns, Valerie and Kayla. Valerie is going to be doing therapy with the special needs children and Kayla will be assisting Rhonda and Micah with school. They are great girls and it's nice to have other people here. Unfortunately, Valerie came down with the stomach bug that's been floating around a few days after she arrived. She says that she is feeling like someone punched her in the stomach but that is better than throwing up.
In more cheerful news, I got Seth into a musical! I had shown him the trailer for the upcoming Into the Woods movie, which was one of my favorites growing up. He seemed genuinely interested and we started watching the Original Broadway Cast proshot with Bernadette Peters (I am still mad that she isn't in the movie). I am planning on taking everyone to see the movie when it comes out here.
I have heard that several people have sent me things. If you feel led to send me something, please don't send a package! Shipping is expensive! Id much rather you dontated to any of the links in my last post. A letter would be appreciated just as much. Things take a while to get over here, but they are appreciated when they do arrive.
This week has been my best school week yet. Sarah was sounding out words when she suddenly looked over at the next word and exclaimed, "that's fat"! I was so proud of her. And SJ has been having trouble remembering his letter sounds but something clicked and he's doing so much better. This has been validating. I'm not completely making a mess of things!
Yesterday there was a wedding quite literally on our doorstep. A giant tent was blocking the street. There was music blasting even before any of the guests arrived! The celebration went quite late into the night. Everyone thought that it was annoying, but it made me happy. It was that couples special day and there will never be one like it for them. If I have to listen to songs in Khmer until 1am, so be it.
Also yesterday I finally met the lizard who lives in my room. I knew that there was one living with me but yesterday was the first day he had made his presence known. He I nome more than four inches long and a light brown color. He pays his rent by eating mosquitos and other bugs. As long as he doesn't run across my face while I am sleeping, we should get along well.
This week we also got two new interns, Valerie and Kayla. Valerie is going to be doing therapy with the special needs children and Kayla will be assisting Rhonda and Micah with school. They are great girls and it's nice to have other people here. Unfortunately, Valerie came down with the stomach bug that's been floating around a few days after she arrived. She says that she is feeling like someone punched her in the stomach but that is better than throwing up.
In more cheerful news, I got Seth into a musical! I had shown him the trailer for the upcoming Into the Woods movie, which was one of my favorites growing up. He seemed genuinely interested and we started watching the Original Broadway Cast proshot with Bernadette Peters (I am still mad that she isn't in the movie). I am planning on taking everyone to see the movie when it comes out here.
I have heard that several people have sent me things. If you feel led to send me something, please don't send a package! Shipping is expensive! Id much rather you dontated to any of the links in my last post. A letter would be appreciated just as much. Things take a while to get over here, but they are appreciated when they do arrive.
Monday, October 6, 2014
How to Help
If you would like to help me, instead of sending a package please consider giving the amount you would have spent on shipping to one of these causes.
The Bergens- Micah and Kelsi Bergen are the primary teachers at the BYKOTA House school. They have three daughters, two from Bykota House that they are in the process of adopting and a beautiful 9 month old who was born here in Cambodia. These girls have stolen my heart! The Bergens are leaving this week! This will be the first time that Abby and Lily will meet their grandparents.
Fly them home!
Prayer- Tiffony fell down the stairs (they are incredibly steep) and got three stitches in her elbow. There were no other fall- related injuries Praise the Lord! However, she has had a reaction to the tetanus shot. It shouldn't be anything serious, but I know that she would appreciate your prayers.
I am struggling through some things personally as I am not able to be with my family during this difficult time we are going through.
Thank you!
BYKOTA House- The kids have started their school year but they need support to help pay for tuition, school supplies and their uniform. You can choose to sponsor a child for school or help pay for their yearly visit to the dentist or for immunizations, both of which are a large expense.
The Bergens- Micah and Kelsi Bergen are the primary teachers at the BYKOTA House school. They have three daughters, two from Bykota House that they are in the process of adopting and a beautiful 9 month old who was born here in Cambodia. These girls have stolen my heart! The Bergens are leaving this week! This will be the first time that Abby and Lily will meet their grandparents.
Fly them home!
Prayer- Tiffony fell down the stairs (they are incredibly steep) and got three stitches in her elbow. There were no other fall- related injuries Praise the Lord! However, she has had a reaction to the tetanus shot. It shouldn't be anything serious, but I know that she would appreciate your prayers.
I am struggling through some things personally as I am not able to be with my family during this difficult time we are going through.
Thank you!
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Sick
As of Sunday I have been in Cambodia for a month. How did I celebrate this? By getting sick. Rhonda, Danielle, Tiffony and I were all sick these past couple days. I was the first felled by the stomach bug and the longest recovering, unfortunately. It seems like I am missing a day since I spent most of Monday asleep. Danielle was wonderful and taught for me both Monday and today. Yesterday everyone was doing better, but unfortunately today I was not. If you wouldn't mind, please pray that tomorrow I am feeling well enough to teach.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)