Now that we've returned back to Taiwan from our trip to Cambodia, we wanted to take some time to think back on the experiences that we had over the last two weeks. I asked my student Gabriel to write up his feelings on a moment that he'll really remember forever from this trip.
This mission trip to Cambodia has not only changed the lives of the people there, but has also changed some of the people on the trip. One of those people that it has changed was me. In reflecting back over the trip, I would say the trip has helped me have a better understanding about life and the world we live in. One thing that I have learned since coming back from this trip is to be thankful. Being thankful of what you have is a hard skill to master.
When we painted the houses for the orphanage, we basically were being shown a small portion of their life. I was one of the first groups to paint houses on the first day of work. Our team was shown around the house to help determine the areas that needed painting. We ended up giving the whole house a new makeover. One of the things that stood out to me was their bedrooms. In a house, there lives a “dad” and “mum” who take care of 15- 20 children. The rooms are separated by gender of all ages. When I walked into the bedrooms, everything that was in there was pushed to the centre of the room to enable us to paint. The beds that these orphans slept on were raw bunk beds made of metal and small thin straw mats. Some had pillows others had small rags sewn together to make a pillow. They didn’t have blankets because they didn’t need them in that weather. In our daily life, there is hardly a time when one doesn’t just stop and wish they had more than what they had. We usually already have enough to begin with and just want instead of need. We usually either can’t get it or waste time and energy trying to obtain useless material possessions. We run in circles and exhaust and frustrate ourselves. For me, I would always complain to my mum why I couldn’t have more things or I would compare myself to others around me who had more things than I did. Inside the bedrooms, every bunk bed had the few items of material possessions that the inhabitants owned. When I glanced around the room, each bunk bed didn’t have more than two small containers of “stuff”. In comparison to any student of TAPA, these baskets would be filled with what we would call rubbish or useless little items. To the Cambodians, they treasured these items. The weird thing was they were still so happy. Even with such little items that we think will bring us joy, they were smiling from ear to ear every time I saw them. It then dawned on me that living life isn’t about how much “stuff” you can collect to make your room look like a pig sty, it’s about the relationships with others that you build that are worth more than a fancy overpriced bag. Material things aren’t necessarily bad, but in most cases they are useless.
Another form of thankfulness that I have learned from the trip is being thankful for things I take for granted. Small things that we don’t deem important in our lives are actually hard to live without if they were removed from humanity. One example is the restroom. Using the bathroom doesn’t exactly take skill and flushing the toilet is as easy as zipping up a jacket. In Cambodia, the people there are so used to simplicity it doesn’t affect their lives. The toilets there are pretty much a hole in the ground with piping coming out from the other side and where flushing the toilet is actually manual labour. In order to flush the toilet, one must fill up the water bucket by means of a metal pump from the well. One must bring the bucket and dump it into the “toilet”. Other things around the house we may take for granted are things like the television, cell phones, and iPods. We say that without these things we might die, but then shouldn’t lots of people of the world be dead by now. The teenagers in Cambodia don’t base their life on the latest electronic gadget or what new television series has been added to NBC. Their life is based on loving God, helping others, and being happy with what they have. I bet some of them don’t even know what an iPod is. I can tell you that you can live without facebook; I’ve tried it and lived to tell the tale.
One last form of thankfulness I learned is to be thankful for the family God gave me. At the orphanage, the children have foster parents that they call “super parents”. Each family, like I mentioned, has 15- 20 orphans to look after; except they aren’t treated like foster parents or orphans, they treat each other like one big family. The parents do everything with their children together; cook, eat, sleep, shower. The children play with their “brothers and sisters” like one big family. As for my family, I hardly ever wanted to go out with my family as much as I do my friends. I know that some of my peers would sometimes rather see their siblings adopted than to live with them. I know from now on I will be happy with the family that God gave me.
If I didn’t go on this trip, I think I would have spent my spring break sulking in a corner because of the how bad my life “sucked”. If I didn’t go on this trip, I would not have been able to experience a new dimension of the world I live in. If I didn’t go on this trip, I would have not been able to have my life changed. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Webb, Mrs. Adams, Ms. Morauske, and Mr. Clifford for organizing a trip like this and allowing me to come along. It was AWSOME to go to Cambodia and it was sad to leave. I want to go back.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
What I learned: Linda
Now that we've returned back to Taiwan from our trip to Cambodia, we wanted to take some time to think back on the experiences that we had over the last two weeks. I asked my student Linda to write up her feelings on a moment that she'll really remember forever from this trip.
All of us have been through a lot during this trip. We left our warm and comfortable homes and joined this mission trip. Although there were tiredness, sadness and hardness during this trip, we did not complain but worked together to go through the difficulties. I believe after this trip, we all grew up a lot.
On Sunday, we went to visit the Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. Although I had already read about the book, first they kill my father; I was still shocked to see the horrible truth. First, we visited the Killing Fields. There, we saw many graves of dead bodies and bones of the bodies. There is a building that stores many bones of heads. It really made me feel so angry that how they could kill these people so cruelly. They are all from the same countries. Why they could do this? Later on, we went to the Genocide Museum. We saw a video about people’s memories of genocide. In this video, I learned the most important thing in the world, forgiveness. If people did not forgive others after the war, there would cause more blood and sufferings. Think of the children’s smiles there, I really believe forgiveness is very powerful.
All of us have been through a lot during this trip. We left our warm and comfortable homes and joined this mission trip. Although there were tiredness, sadness and hardness during this trip, we did not complain but worked together to go through the difficulties. I believe after this trip, we all grew up a lot.
On Sunday, we went to visit the Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. Although I had already read about the book, first they kill my father; I was still shocked to see the horrible truth. First, we visited the Killing Fields. There, we saw many graves of dead bodies and bones of the bodies. There is a building that stores many bones of heads. It really made me feel so angry that how they could kill these people so cruelly. They are all from the same countries. Why they could do this? Later on, we went to the Genocide Museum. We saw a video about people’s memories of genocide. In this video, I learned the most important thing in the world, forgiveness. If people did not forgive others after the war, there would cause more blood and sufferings. Think of the children’s smiles there, I really believe forgiveness is very powerful.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Done!
Weird day: the only goal we have for the day is to safely get back to Taipei, Taiwan. We'll be leaving around noon from Phnom Penh, back to the land of stinky tofu & homework!
There's still a lot of pictures, stories, and videos to post, but as the final thing I post while on the trip, I want to post a quick video of some of the precious kids leaving a worship we put on at Wat Preah Yesu.
There's still a lot of pictures, stories, and videos to post, but as the final thing I post while on the trip, I want to post a quick video of some of the precious kids leaving a worship we put on at Wat Preah Yesu.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Drawing to a close
Thursday and Friday were a blur. We accomplished more than I thought we could. Within two days we collectively visited four schools two times each, went to multiple classrooms, put on a total of 9 programs, say the "Oh, Oh Song" what felt like 40 times, got lost in Phnom Penh traffic, drank 90 bottles of water, and acted out Bible skits forward and backward (literally).
As our trip is drawing to a close and we are wrapping up our last minute activities and events. It feels like we are "old pros" at the art of entertaining children, putting on programs, coming up with classroom activities on the fly, and just all around winging it. "Our children" are leading children and are talking about ways that they can contribute and make a difference in the world.
Feeling rewarded... and ready for a nap.
As our trip is drawing to a close and we are wrapping up our last minute activities and events. It feels like we are "old pros" at the art of entertaining children, putting on programs, coming up with classroom activities on the fly, and just all around winging it. "Our children" are leading children and are talking about ways that they can contribute and make a difference in the world.
Feeling rewarded... and ready for a nap.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
The "Oh Oh Oh" song at Wat Preah Yesu
Happy Sabbath! It's taken me a long time to get video up, I know, but the hotel we're staying at in Phnom Penh has pretty slow internet, so uploading to YouTube has been just as slow as possible. But now, after a few days of trying to get this video posted, I think we're ready to debut what many of our students will remember most from this trip to Cambodia: The "Oh Oh Oh" song!
Lyrics:
I'll praise, I’ll praise
I’ll praise the Lord forever
I'll praise, I’ll praise
I’ll praise You Lord much better (2, 4, 1!)
I’ll do my best, I’ll do my best, Ohhh...
I’ll do my best for You, oh oh oh
I’ll do my best, I’ll do my best, Ohhh...
I’ll do my best for You
I'll serve, I’ll serve...
I'll love, I’ll love...
Lyrics:
I'll praise, I’ll praise
I’ll praise the Lord forever
I'll praise, I’ll praise
I’ll praise You Lord much better (2, 4, 1!)
I’ll do my best, I’ll do my best, Ohhh...
I’ll do my best for You, oh oh oh
I’ll do my best, I’ll do my best, Ohhh...
I’ll do my best for You
I'll serve, I’ll serve...
I'll love, I’ll love...
Special Feature: God's work in my life (by Alix)
Our trip is drawing to a close, and our group has spent some time reflecting on what we have seen and how it has impacted us. We did a Vespers program to start the Sabbath for the staff at our sister-school CAS. At that service, 6 students talked about Bible verses that made a difference in their lives and gave testimonies about their experiences, both on this trip and surrounding their Adventist education experience. One of our students, Alix, agreed to share her writeup with us for this blog.
I've been to a few schools in my life; the on I attended longest was, and probably still is, one of the best international schools in the world. Prestigious on a global level with state of the art technology, they boast of some of the best facilities and a student body of about 2000 and upwards. I enjoyed the privilege of being in a school that was advanced architecturally, technologically, and materially. There were so many students, however, that the teachers were mere acquaintances of familiar faces you see, but they never became friends, mentors, or anything much more than passer-by's in the hallways.
When I moved to Taiwan and was enrolled in an Adventist academy that consisted of only two humble buildings at the heart of a city, I instantly presumed the worst. On the first day of school, immediately, a difference became apparent to me; all of the teachers wanted to make friends with me. At first, I figured they had some ulterior motive, thus I withdrew from everyone around me. I barely, if ever, participated in any extracurricular activities, nor did I care to make friends with people. It took me a while to realize there was no hidden agenda, and that the teachers genuinely wanted to share Jesus with the students. Being exposed to the gospel of God's abounding love and grace, I became more and more interested in the Biblical Truth. I had exhausted all my external sources to obtain answers before I finally looked to the teachers in school.
At last, all my frustrations and confusions were being addressed to with answers that are not only satisfying but also undoubtedly Biblical. Months of Bible studies with the school chaplain and attending church alongside of my teachers became the foundation for the sense of community and belonging that soon resulted. My teachers became more than just teachers; they became friends, they became mentors, and they became the family I had always been searching for.
It is the wish of all teachers to see growth in their students, but only Christian teachers would strive towards the goal of helping students obtain eternal life. I have personally experienced how the Holy Spirit leads and guides teachers to spread God's love. I have seen how God works through the school to reveal Christ, and it was only through the teachers being living testimonies and becoming real life examples of Scripture that I came to know God and to finally become baptized. Their lives also impressed upon me to change my own. I began to understand the importance and potential impact of reflecting Christ. From withdrawn to displaying cheerfulness, from apathetic to empathetic I was transformed. If it was not for the influence my school and my teachers, as well as God had on me, I would probably not be here on this trip. I would not have been able to visit all the schools I was able to visit either. At the orphanage, I saw children who lived simply, deprived of many luxuries I took for granted back at home, yet they had so much enthusiasm and zeal for life. They had energy, they had hope, they had joy, but more than all that, they had Jesus, and I believe, they will have Him there to guide them, to lead them, and to love them for all of their lives.
They have something more precious than any other form of education could offer. In the end, it does not matter how much knowledge you have, ho much money you have, nor does it matter how much favor you can gain from mankind. The kids in the various Adventist schools visited on this trip have solidified the truth that only God is the source of success, the source of love and joy, but better than all that, He is the source of eternal life.
I've been to a few schools in my life; the on I attended longest was, and probably still is, one of the best international schools in the world. Prestigious on a global level with state of the art technology, they boast of some of the best facilities and a student body of about 2000 and upwards. I enjoyed the privilege of being in a school that was advanced architecturally, technologically, and materially. There were so many students, however, that the teachers were mere acquaintances of familiar faces you see, but they never became friends, mentors, or anything much more than passer-by's in the hallways.
When I moved to Taiwan and was enrolled in an Adventist academy that consisted of only two humble buildings at the heart of a city, I instantly presumed the worst. On the first day of school, immediately, a difference became apparent to me; all of the teachers wanted to make friends with me. At first, I figured they had some ulterior motive, thus I withdrew from everyone around me. I barely, if ever, participated in any extracurricular activities, nor did I care to make friends with people. It took me a while to realize there was no hidden agenda, and that the teachers genuinely wanted to share Jesus with the students. Being exposed to the gospel of God's abounding love and grace, I became more and more interested in the Biblical Truth. I had exhausted all my external sources to obtain answers before I finally looked to the teachers in school.
At last, all my frustrations and confusions were being addressed to with answers that are not only satisfying but also undoubtedly Biblical. Months of Bible studies with the school chaplain and attending church alongside of my teachers became the foundation for the sense of community and belonging that soon resulted. My teachers became more than just teachers; they became friends, they became mentors, and they became the family I had always been searching for.
It is the wish of all teachers to see growth in their students, but only Christian teachers would strive towards the goal of helping students obtain eternal life. I have personally experienced how the Holy Spirit leads and guides teachers to spread God's love. I have seen how God works through the school to reveal Christ, and it was only through the teachers being living testimonies and becoming real life examples of Scripture that I came to know God and to finally become baptized. Their lives also impressed upon me to change my own. I began to understand the importance and potential impact of reflecting Christ. From withdrawn to displaying cheerfulness, from apathetic to empathetic I was transformed. If it was not for the influence my school and my teachers, as well as God had on me, I would probably not be here on this trip. I would not have been able to visit all the schools I was able to visit either. At the orphanage, I saw children who lived simply, deprived of many luxuries I took for granted back at home, yet they had so much enthusiasm and zeal for life. They had energy, they had hope, they had joy, but more than all that, they had Jesus, and I believe, they will have Him there to guide them, to lead them, and to love them for all of their lives.
They have something more precious than any other form of education could offer. In the end, it does not matter how much knowledge you have, ho much money you have, nor does it matter how much favor you can gain from mankind. The kids in the various Adventist schools visited on this trip have solidified the truth that only God is the source of success, the source of love and joy, but better than all that, He is the source of eternal life.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Daily Report for Sunday, April 8th (Group B)
Many of my English II students have decided to join us on this trip to Cambodia, even though they are missing 3 days of classes and a 2-3 page essay on Autism. In exchange for skipping that assignment, I decided to offer my students write daily blog reports on what kind of things we were doing in Cambodia. Today, we split up, with groups heading in 2 directions: to an Adventist academy (similar to TAPA and TAAS) called Cambodia Adventist School (CAS), and a Vietnamese Illegal Aliens school. One of my students, Curtis, decided to focus his article on his experience at the Vietnamese School.
The first day we arrived Siem Reap, Mrs. Webb told us this trip will change our lives. Honestly, I didn't believe her, because I've heard the same thing when I was in the China Mission Trip and I didn't think our lives can be changed more than once. She tells us that God has a purpose for each and every one of us here in Cambodia. I didn't believe God had any purpose for me.
There is one thing you can always depend on finding in the two Vietnamese schools, and that is smile on everyone of their faces. It's hard to imagine how poor their families are when they are laughing and cheering with the brightest smile a person can ever have. It was fun to talk to them and play with them.
I have a new Vietnamese friend today and he tried to communicate with me using hand motions, but then I asked a translator to tell me what he was trying to say, she told me the kid wants to drink water!!!, and then another time he was trying to ask me to count numbers in Chinese and so I count the numbers using his fingers and then his friend sitting next to him at that time counted numbers in English. For some reasons, he pulled each one of my fingers and I did the same to him and when his friend next to him was trying to touch my hand, he shouted something in Vietnamese and then his friend backed off, that was a funny incident.
Even though sometimes they can have no idea what we are speaking in English and we need a Vietnamese translator to communicate with them, we still had fun singing, playing games(like telephone sherades) with them and finished the program successfully.
In Taiwan, I was depress for my broken relationship with my friends and some other important people who were once meaningful to me in my life and also my failing grades for my depress feelings. I thought my life was worthless and that no one loved and cared about me. I didn't look around me and appreciate the things I have,not the things I lost and I didn't notice those people in my life who actually cared about me. These couple of days when I see those kids having poor living conditions, poor health care, poor education system, their smiles tell me that even when my life is in the worst place, there are always things in my life, like the friendships I have left, the joy of living in a country with good health care and a house with everything I ever needed, that can make me smile and praise God for everything I have.
The first day we arrived Siem Reap, Mrs. Webb told us this trip will change our lives. Honestly, I didn't believe her, because I've heard the same thing when I was in the China Mission Trip and I didn't think our lives can be changed more than once. She tells us that God has a purpose for each and every one of us here in Cambodia. I didn't believe God had any purpose for me.
There is one thing you can always depend on finding in the two Vietnamese schools, and that is smile on everyone of their faces. It's hard to imagine how poor their families are when they are laughing and cheering with the brightest smile a person can ever have. It was fun to talk to them and play with them.
I have a new Vietnamese friend today and he tried to communicate with me using hand motions, but then I asked a translator to tell me what he was trying to say, she told me the kid wants to drink water!!!, and then another time he was trying to ask me to count numbers in Chinese and so I count the numbers using his fingers and then his friend sitting next to him at that time counted numbers in English. For some reasons, he pulled each one of my fingers and I did the same to him and when his friend next to him was trying to touch my hand, he shouted something in Vietnamese and then his friend backed off, that was a funny incident.
Even though sometimes they can have no idea what we are speaking in English and we need a Vietnamese translator to communicate with them, we still had fun singing, playing games(like telephone sherades) with them and finished the program successfully.
In Taiwan, I was depress for my broken relationship with my friends and some other important people who were once meaningful to me in my life and also my failing grades for my depress feelings. I thought my life was worthless and that no one loved and cared about me. I didn't look around me and appreciate the things I have,not the things I lost and I didn't notice those people in my life who actually cared about me. These couple of days when I see those kids having poor living conditions, poor health care, poor education system, their smiles tell me that even when my life is in the worst place, there are always things in my life, like the friendships I have left, the joy of living in a country with good health care and a house with everything I ever needed, that can make me smile and praise God for everything I have.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)