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.
Daily Report for Sunday, April 8th (Group A)
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, Kotomi, decided to focus her article on her experience at CAS.
We went to CAS which is Adventist School like TAPA today. Comparing with other schools and orphanage we went in this trip, they know a lot of songs and activities and can speak English well. However, there is a similarity which is that they are always into one thing. They work really hard and have fun with their whole bodies and true hearts even if they know the games and songs. I think it is amazing because I cannot have fun and work on one stuff so hard what I know for so long. I feel bored soon and sleep or do other stuffs I need in school days. Therefore, I was amazed at their altitude and pure hearts. I think God wants me to learn to work hard and have fun more because it is my responsibility for people who prepared the activities for me
I learned that they like songs so much, especially, I'll do my best and Superhero. They all sang out loud and did motion with us. Also they sang the songs after chapel by their own!! When I heard they are singing, I felt really happy. I also knew they can memorize things really fast because they work hard on them. I think they are so much better than me in many ways so I learned from them, not teaching them. I'm a little bit worried if I could teach, not only learning.
I really appreciate this trip. Every single work/program tells me important thing for my life. Therefore, thank you, teachers and Cambodian students/kids for teaching me a lot of things and giving chance and time to think about God.
We went to CAS which is Adventist School like TAPA today. Comparing with other schools and orphanage we went in this trip, they know a lot of songs and activities and can speak English well. However, there is a similarity which is that they are always into one thing. They work really hard and have fun with their whole bodies and true hearts even if they know the games and songs. I think it is amazing because I cannot have fun and work on one stuff so hard what I know for so long. I feel bored soon and sleep or do other stuffs I need in school days. Therefore, I was amazed at their altitude and pure hearts. I think God wants me to learn to work hard and have fun more because it is my responsibility for people who prepared the activities for me
I learned that they like songs so much, especially, I'll do my best and Superhero. They all sang out loud and did motion with us. Also they sang the songs after chapel by their own!! When I heard they are singing, I felt really happy. I also knew they can memorize things really fast because they work hard on them. I think they are so much better than me in many ways so I learned from them, not teaching them. I'm a little bit worried if I could teach, not only learning.
I really appreciate this trip. Every single work/program tells me important thing for my life. Therefore, thank you, teachers and Cambodian students/kids for teaching me a lot of things and giving chance and time to think about God.
More pictures!
Strangely enough, even though we are in a bigger city than before, our internet connection has been shotty at best, but until we get more stuff up and running, here are some more pictures of some of our adventures in Siem Reap!
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| Gabriel with kids at Wat Preah Yesu. |
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| Miss Lisa handing out bread to the kids. |
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| A scupture of mines and bombs at the Landmine Museum. |
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| Miss Lisa handing out even more bread at WPY. |
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| Fun in the van with Michelle. |
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| The Land Mine Museum (Sunday) |
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| Vivien working hard. |
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| Angel painting away. |
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| Kevin and friend |
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| Jessica and Angel doing the details. |
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| Painting houses at WPY. |
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| Our kids' awesome idea to play hangman. |
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| Hangman + making letters out of Play-doh. |
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| Miss Rachel |
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| Mr. Cody |
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| Alix + Friend |
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| Just chilling with the kids. |
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| Michelle doing what she does best. |
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| Relaxing after a hard day of work. |
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| Our group before departing Siem Reap. |
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| Exhaustion and a reward. |
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Daily Report for Sunday, April 7th
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 3 directions: to an Adventist academy (similar to TAPA and TAAS) called Cambodia Adventist School (CAS), a Vietnamese Illegal Aliens school, and a Feed & Read* school. One of my students, Angel, decided to focus her article on her experience at the Vietnamese school.
Today is our eighth day in Cambodia. After helping in the orphanage for two days in Siem Reap, we went to visit the Vietnamese schools in Phnom Penh today. The Vietnamese school we went in the morning gave me a big impression because of its locationand its mini size. The school is in downtown city but located on the side of a street with an unobvious appearance. At first, I thought its was an normal Cambodia apartment. It wasn't untill the van stopped that I realized we had arrived the school.
The children in the Vietnamese school have a big difference from those in the orphange we went the other day. They came to school with their own bag packs and were all well dressed. Under the teachers direction, the student behaved really well. They sang song and pray together. They lined up in lines by themselves when they were having assembly. Also, the teachers at the Vietnamese school speak better English than those in the oprphanage even though they were all really young.
At the Vietnamese school, we separeted ourselvese in to two to each class to teach the students. The thing that created us a great difficuties is that the students here usually speak in Vietnamese and only know a little English. They way that we got them interact with us is through out songs. These kids love to sing. They not only like to sing their own vietnam song but also love to learn new song from us.
At noon, we had our lunch at the school with the students. The food provided by the school was very nice. They children here also eat much more than the children in the orphanage. In the afternoon, we went to another Vietnamese school which had only started for three years. The school is located at the edge of the downtown city. As the sponsor of the school said, the the neighborhood of this school is the crimional area, and the students here are mostly come from a family with difficulties, such a single parent. The sponsor hope, through the school's system, these children can be raised up in the right way and be trained into great people who can contribute to the society.
It is really nice to visit these two Vietnamese school and see the culture difference in Cambodia. I appreciate the chance to perform skits in front of the children and teach them songs. Although it takes one a lot of effort to entertain these young kids especially only knowing them for the first time, I felt the efforts we paid is really worthy since the goal of this Cambodia mission trip is to learn to give rather than take. To give the love and joy to those students is the best gift and memories we can even give them. After today's great visiting, I really look foward to the visit to CAS tomorrow.
*From what I've determined, the Feed and Read school is a place that homeless (but not necessarily orphaned) children can come to get a free meal and a little education every day.
Today is our eighth day in Cambodia. After helping in the orphanage for two days in Siem Reap, we went to visit the Vietnamese schools in Phnom Penh today. The Vietnamese school we went in the morning gave me a big impression because of its locationand its mini size. The school is in downtown city but located on the side of a street with an unobvious appearance. At first, I thought its was an normal Cambodia apartment. It wasn't untill the van stopped that I realized we had arrived the school.
The children in the Vietnamese school have a big difference from those in the orphange we went the other day. They came to school with their own bag packs and were all well dressed. Under the teachers direction, the student behaved really well. They sang song and pray together. They lined up in lines by themselves when they were having assembly. Also, the teachers at the Vietnamese school speak better English than those in the oprphanage even though they were all really young.
At the Vietnamese school, we separeted ourselvese in to two to each class to teach the students. The thing that created us a great difficuties is that the students here usually speak in Vietnamese and only know a little English. They way that we got them interact with us is through out songs. These kids love to sing. They not only like to sing their own vietnam song but also love to learn new song from us.
At noon, we had our lunch at the school with the students. The food provided by the school was very nice. They children here also eat much more than the children in the orphanage. In the afternoon, we went to another Vietnamese school which had only started for three years. The school is located at the edge of the downtown city. As the sponsor of the school said, the the neighborhood of this school is the crimional area, and the students here are mostly come from a family with difficulties, such a single parent. The sponsor hope, through the school's system, these children can be raised up in the right way and be trained into great people who can contribute to the society.
It is really nice to visit these two Vietnamese school and see the culture difference in Cambodia. I appreciate the chance to perform skits in front of the children and teach them songs. Although it takes one a lot of effort to entertain these young kids especially only knowing them for the first time, I felt the efforts we paid is really worthy since the goal of this Cambodia mission trip is to learn to give rather than take. To give the love and joy to those students is the best gift and memories we can even give them. After today's great visiting, I really look foward to the visit to CAS tomorrow.
*From what I've determined, the Feed and Read school is a place that homeless (but not necessarily orphaned) children can come to get a free meal and a little education every day.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Daily Report for Sunday, April 6th
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 mostly spent the day on a 6-hour drive from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, so the action that we experienced was relatively uneventful. However, my student Sky decided to focus her article on her various adventures, feelings, and experiences on this trip.
This trip had been half way through, and all the things had been passing so fast that I have not recognized the time. We had spent five days in Siem Reap and spent lots of time with kids. I really love those kids. Even through their life is hard and simple but what on their faces is always happiness. When I was with them, I feel love and joy all the time, it is more than anything I had experience now! They don’t like us have phone, computer, video game, even eclectics are a hard thing for them; however, they get much better life than us. The simple life gave them opportunity to feel the love from God, and know the joy of life.
Because of them, I had the chance to learn work for people is a happy thing in life. I used to complain when I help people, about how hot the weather is, how tired the work is, but I never think about how happy they will be after they saw the work I did. In the time in the orphanage, others used to say how tried and sick they are, and how is they know the trip is going to be, they won’t come. However, when I was doing my work, all I thinks is,” When the kids came home and see all the new house they have, they will be so joyful and running away! ” When I think all of these, I really want to work hard and try to finish all the work! I hardly feel tried or sick, even my hand get really dirty and sticky. And those kids had always be the best things that make me feel energetic!
When is the time for us to leave, I got really upset. I want to be with them, and having them every day. They still get smile on their face; they didn’t know that we won’t go back. Their smile made me feel sadder, how they will feel when they find out we won’t be there the next day, the sad face they will have on their face. It just makes me feel more upset. I wish I will be able to be back there one day, and they will recognize me again.
The other more memorize view is the sun rise in Angkor Wat temple. The temple there were make up by stone and it is mostly gray color. When the sun rise and the sunshine shine on the temple, it feels like a new life began, and became very brighter and brighter. They had drawing on the stone, it show the story of the ancient time. They didn’t have colorful temple like Chinese, not huge White Church like West or Europe; but theirs are solemn and holy.
Because of them, I had the chance to learn work for people is a happy thing in life. I used to complain when I help people, about how hot the weather is, how tired the work is, but I never think about how happy they will be after they saw the work I did. In the time in the orphanage, others used to say how tried and sick they are, and how is they know the trip is going to be, they won’t come. However, when I was doing my work, all I thinks is,” When the kids came home and see all the new house they have, they will be so joyful and running away! ” When I think all of these, I really want to work hard and try to finish all the work! I hardly feel tried or sick, even my hand get really dirty and sticky. And those kids had always be the best things that make me feel energetic!
When is the time for us to leave, I got really upset. I want to be with them, and having them every day. They still get smile on their face; they didn’t know that we won’t go back. Their smile made me feel sadder, how they will feel when they find out we won’t be there the next day, the sad face they will have on their face. It just makes me feel more upset. I wish I will be able to be back there one day, and they will recognize me again.
The other more memorize view is the sun rise in Angkor Wat temple. The temple there were make up by stone and it is mostly gray color. When the sun rise and the sunshine shine on the temple, it feels like a new life began, and became very brighter and brighter. They had drawing on the stone, it show the story of the ancient time. They didn’t have colorful temple like Chinese, not huge White Church like West or Europe; but theirs are solemn and holy.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Daily Report for Sunday, April 5th (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. We actually will present two reports of today, being that the group that visited Wat Preah Yesu split into two groups: one that primarily focused on teaching and entertaining kids in classes, and another that focused on painting a few houses on the campus. This report, from Kotomi, is about the painters.
Today we separated into two groups to paint the second and third house. These rooms were really dirty. Several parts of the wall came off. We spent long time to paint whole walls of the houses. Some girls screamed at bugs and spiders which stuck on the wall. Everyone had fun to clean a lot although paint smelled horribly bad and had chemical and made us dizzy.
In the school we worked on we did a lot of activities with kids. They are really pure and can feel happy from small things. Every kid ran to us to play or asked for candy. I think kids who I saw in Taiwan and Japan used to get candy when they want and know a lot of activities because of high education. Staffs in Mission Trip are funny, friendly, and energetic. They gave us and the kids in the school new games. For example, today Mr.Webb suggested one game for getting closer with kids. First Mr. Webb says the number and we need to make groups which have same numbers of people he said. However, we cannot make groups including only guys, girls, or TAPA & TAAS students. All groups should have least one from these three groups.
I learned a lot of things from kids and our staffs. They gave me chances to have conversation and help kids every time when I got there. Also I appreciated teachers and kids giving chance to worship. From this trip I learned help and love kids, teachers, and God.
Today we separated into two groups to paint the second and third house. These rooms were really dirty. Several parts of the wall came off. We spent long time to paint whole walls of the houses. Some girls screamed at bugs and spiders which stuck on the wall. Everyone had fun to clean a lot although paint smelled horribly bad and had chemical and made us dizzy.
In the school we worked on we did a lot of activities with kids. They are really pure and can feel happy from small things. Every kid ran to us to play or asked for candy. I think kids who I saw in Taiwan and Japan used to get candy when they want and know a lot of activities because of high education. Staffs in Mission Trip are funny, friendly, and energetic. They gave us and the kids in the school new games. For example, today Mr.Webb suggested one game for getting closer with kids. First Mr. Webb says the number and we need to make groups which have same numbers of people he said. However, we cannot make groups including only guys, girls, or TAPA & TAAS students. All groups should have least one from these three groups.
I learned a lot of things from kids and our staffs. They gave me chances to have conversation and help kids every time when I got there. Also I appreciated teachers and kids giving chance to worship. From this trip I learned help and love kids, teachers, and God.
Daily Report for Sunday, April 5th (Group A)
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. We actually will present two reports of today, being that the group that visited Wat Preah Yesu split into two groups: one that primarily focused on teaching and entertaining kids in classes, and another that focused on painting a few houses on the campus. This report, from Jane, is about the teachers.
I started today with the sixth grade, it was our first class to teach. They were smart but clever. We first sang songs to them, they were go with motions. We had trouble with the games at first, but later on we found that we just need to make it fun and easy to understand.
Next, was the fifth grade, This is one of my favorite age of this trip. They were interacting with us, and we had fun playing the games. Their math teacher taught us a new game which is called two plus one. It's so fun and tired but I am so going share this with my friends back. They sometimes cheated on the game but most of them were very fair with the games. I love them so much.
We even went to library to stayed with the kids, they don't have that many of books but they love it. I was reading to a boy at first, but then I realized that he could read on his own. He doesn't understand the meaning of the word but he could pronounces the words. Very hard working of them. Now I feel like I should study more; I have all the resources and the educations that are given.
Last, I just want to say something for this one day of teaching. They don't have much of games or things like computer or Ipod, but they are much happier than we are. For their face when they are playing the games, the face of enjoying and and thankful. Now I wonder do we need that much for our life? This fits in our topic for the worship today: "Remember... early things will fail/disappoint, but God is forever." For them families, friends, school, and God are they have. However, they are thankful and faithful to these.
I started today with the sixth grade, it was our first class to teach. They were smart but clever. We first sang songs to them, they were go with motions. We had trouble with the games at first, but later on we found that we just need to make it fun and easy to understand.
Next, was the fifth grade, This is one of my favorite age of this trip. They were interacting with us, and we had fun playing the games. Their math teacher taught us a new game which is called two plus one. It's so fun and tired but I am so going share this with my friends back. They sometimes cheated on the game but most of them were very fair with the games. I love them so much.
We even went to library to stayed with the kids, they don't have that many of books but they love it. I was reading to a boy at first, but then I realized that he could read on his own. He doesn't understand the meaning of the word but he could pronounces the words. Very hard working of them. Now I feel like I should study more; I have all the resources and the educations that are given.
Last, I just want to say something for this one day of teaching. They don't have much of games or things like computer or Ipod, but they are much happier than we are. For their face when they are playing the games, the face of enjoying and and thankful. Now I wonder do we need that much for our life? This fits in our topic for the worship today: "Remember... early things will fail/disappoint, but God is forever." For them families, friends, school, and God are they have. However, they are thankful and faithful to these.
Playing with the kids at Wat Preah Yesu
Heading back to the orphanage in a few minutes, but before we go, I wanted you all to see the Chapel/Assembly worship service we did with 109 students (according to Lisa's check) yesterday morning. Pretty fun!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Daily Report for Sunday, April 4th (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. We actually will present two reports of today, being that the group that visited Wat Preah Yesu split into two groups: one that primarily focused on teaching and entertaining kids in classes, and another that focused on painting a few houses on the campus. This report, from Linda, is about the teachers.
Today is the first day to serve the kids. We split into two big groups, painting group and teaching group. Our group is the teaching group and we split into to small groups in order to teach different classes. Our first class is the 5th grade kids. Because they loved singing, we basically sang half of the class and used rest of the class to teach. We played simple games using easy words to teach them such as Pictionary, Hang man or spelling games.
At first, they did not seem very interesting in the game, but as we took out candies as gift, they became so excited. We taught three classes in the morning and during the break, we gave the kids some candies. However, as we took out the candy bags, all the kids ran to us and grabbed our hands. Although we told that they could only get one at one time, they just hid their hands with candies behind their back and asked more. I felt they were really cute, but at the same time I also felt so sad for them as we can eat candies everyday.
In the afternoon, Kotomi, Enoch and I chose to teach math together. At first we felt so excited; however, all the students are so shy that they did not even say anything in the whole class. The only sounds they made was laughing. We really felt strange standing there and speaking by ourselves. Later on, we taught the little kids in a bigger room. They are really cute and sweet. Although today is a hard day for everyone, we still enjoy our trips.
Today is the first day to serve the kids. We split into two big groups, painting group and teaching group. Our group is the teaching group and we split into to small groups in order to teach different classes. Our first class is the 5th grade kids. Because they loved singing, we basically sang half of the class and used rest of the class to teach. We played simple games using easy words to teach them such as Pictionary, Hang man or spelling games.
At first, they did not seem very interesting in the game, but as we took out candies as gift, they became so excited. We taught three classes in the morning and during the break, we gave the kids some candies. However, as we took out the candy bags, all the kids ran to us and grabbed our hands. Although we told that they could only get one at one time, they just hid their hands with candies behind their back and asked more. I felt they were really cute, but at the same time I also felt so sad for them as we can eat candies everyday.
In the afternoon, Kotomi, Enoch and I chose to teach math together. At first we felt so excited; however, all the students are so shy that they did not even say anything in the whole class. The only sounds they made was laughing. We really felt strange standing there and speaking by ourselves. Later on, we taught the little kids in a bigger room. They are really cute and sweet. Although today is a hard day for everyone, we still enjoy our trips.
Daily Report for Sunday, April 4th (Group A)
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. We actually will present two reports of today, being that the group that visited Wat Preah Yesu split into two groups: one that primarily focused on teaching and entertaining kids in classes, and another that focused on painting a few houses on the campus. This report, from Gabriel, is about the painters.
Today we had an earlier morning call of 6:15. By 7:00, we were on the way to the school/orphanage. Once we got there, we found out that we would be leading the school morning program. The teachers quickly threw their heads together and came up with a plan of songs and skits for the children done by the children. My team, which included me, Vivian, Sky, Alix, and James, ended up with 28 kids from grades 1 to 3 and had to teach them to act out the story of David and Goliath.
45 minutes later, the team for painting was getting ready to give a house a new coat. The whole house needed 5 rooms to be painted; the kitchen, main room, parents room, boys room, and girls room. We taped masking tape along the edge to keep paint from accidentally getting on to certain parts. Once everyone on the paint team started to paint, we soon had 3 three more volunteers. Each of the drivers decided that they wanted to help out and started to pick up paint brushes. We finished most of one house and had started to tape the second house by the time lunch came around. We moved to the cafeteria and were greeted by large platters of rice, curry, and fruits.
Our afternoon lasted only a few hours but we still painted what we could. By the end of the day, one house was officially finished and the other house two-thirds of the way finished. We used water pumped from a well and powdered soap to remove the paint from our bodies. The kids who had finished their school for the day, came around and watched us as we finished. We left the place around 4:00 and went back to our hotel for showers and rest. At 6:00, we went into town and got to spend $8.00 on food. The area we eat at is filled with an overflowing amount of shops, food, and souvenirs.
From 6:30 to 8:30 we got to eat and shop. We came back to the hotel and gathered for songs and worship. We finished that just 15 minutes ago and then I started to write this journal. By 10:30 I should be in my bed asleep, and blissfully unaware of the fact that I need to wake up at 6:00 tomorrow.
Today we had an earlier morning call of 6:15. By 7:00, we were on the way to the school/orphanage. Once we got there, we found out that we would be leading the school morning program. The teachers quickly threw their heads together and came up with a plan of songs and skits for the children done by the children. My team, which included me, Vivian, Sky, Alix, and James, ended up with 28 kids from grades 1 to 3 and had to teach them to act out the story of David and Goliath.
45 minutes later, the team for painting was getting ready to give a house a new coat. The whole house needed 5 rooms to be painted; the kitchen, main room, parents room, boys room, and girls room. We taped masking tape along the edge to keep paint from accidentally getting on to certain parts. Once everyone on the paint team started to paint, we soon had 3 three more volunteers. Each of the drivers decided that they wanted to help out and started to pick up paint brushes. We finished most of one house and had started to tape the second house by the time lunch came around. We moved to the cafeteria and were greeted by large platters of rice, curry, and fruits.
Our afternoon lasted only a few hours but we still painted what we could. By the end of the day, one house was officially finished and the other house two-thirds of the way finished. We used water pumped from a well and powdered soap to remove the paint from our bodies. The kids who had finished their school for the day, came around and watched us as we finished. We left the place around 4:00 and went back to our hotel for showers and rest. At 6:00, we went into town and got to spend $8.00 on food. The area we eat at is filled with an overflowing amount of shops, food, and souvenirs.
From 6:30 to 8:30 we got to eat and shop. We came back to the hotel and gathered for songs and worship. We finished that just 15 minutes ago and then I started to write this journal. By 10:30 I should be in my bed asleep, and blissfully unaware of the fact that I need to wake up at 6:00 tomorrow.
One of the coolest museums ever: Cambodia's Land Mine Museum
Enoch wrote last night about his experience at the Land Mine Museum, and I have to echo his praises. It was one of the absolute most interesting (and sobering) places one could ever go to. There we a lot of pretty sad lessons you could learn as you wandered about. The one that stuck out the most to me? That the USA is one of the very few countries in the world that has not outlawed landmines. Yup, right up there with other great, progressive nations like Libya, Syria, Iran, and North Korea. (Seriously.) Very sad stuff, but again, a cool place to learn a lot.
The man who runs the museum is a former Khymer Rouge soldier who actually is responsible for laying many of the mines himself. However, with all the work he's done to remove them from Cambodia, he's actually gained quite an international reputation for being a good guy, earning him a 2010 CNN Heroes Top 10 nomination. Pretty cool stuff!
Can you see the landmines in the picture to the right? How about if you were running through a dimly-lit jungle with bullets whizzing past your head? Probably not. Scary stuff.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Daily Report for Sunday, April 3rd
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's article was written by Enoch. He's talking about the two main activities we did today: visiting a Landmine museum and a Cultural Center.
It takes 5 kg to press down the trigger, push away the metal block, release the a little bar with a spring, and trigger the explosion. Land mines are build to create severe damage.
We walked through concrete floors to see the next sign and land mine. On the sign was the story of the founder of this museum: He was a Khmer Rouge when he was ten, and had to handle an AK-47 that was as big as him. One day, he was in a jungle, the two armies were firing at each other. He sees his uncle, but didn't had the courage to shoot his uncle. His uncle didn't recognize him and started to fire at him. He fired around his uncles head to scare him away. "Why did you miss?", his friends asked him. "I had a headache and couldn't aim.", he replied. Many years later he met his uncle and tell him the story, They laughed about it. The next sign was about the structure of land mines. I started to feel my leg tinkle, I started to watch my steps, nothing exploded.
The cultural village was a big area, with many sections for different peoples in Cambodia.
There was even cages and local animals. I continued to think about the founder of the landline museum. He use to set land mines because he was taught that way, his life had always being full with war. Now he works with organizations to save people from injury. The monkey in the cage is climbing on the fence, it had a funny face. The park in the "village" is full with weird statue of faces. They were bold and their face squished by their expressions. I got tired of the swings and went in to a ghost house. It was stupid.
In the hotel room, I watched TV and waited for the sun to set. The air out side was too hot for dinner. When we are on the bus, heading toward to the restaurant, the air had become tolerable. The food street was filled with people, as usual. I had soup and pizza, it's very nice to chat with my fellow classmate and have fun like that.
Tomorrow we are going to teach kids. I think I'll go to sleep, 8 hours and 37 minutes until 6: 45.
It takes 5 kg to press down the trigger, push away the metal block, release the a little bar with a spring, and trigger the explosion. Land mines are build to create severe damage.
The cultural village was a big area, with many sections for different peoples in Cambodia.
In the hotel room, I watched TV and waited for the sun to set. The air out side was too hot for dinner. When we are on the bus, heading toward to the restaurant, the air had become tolerable. The food street was filled with people, as usual. I had soup and pizza, it's very nice to chat with my fellow classmate and have fun like that.
Tomorrow we are going to teach kids. I think I'll go to sleep, 8 hours and 37 minutes until 6: 45.
More of Angkor Wat
While we run around today touring more sites, here are some more photographs of the Angkor Wat facilities, brought to you by a pretty cool iPod app, Hipstamatic! Take a look!
Cambodia Mission Trip—Kevin's Pictures
Earlier, we posted some pictures of Kevin's at Wat Preah Yesu. We actually followed up and grabbed even more pictures from the guy and put them into a quick little slideshow. Take a peek at it!
Sabbath Pictures!
Brought to you by the great Kevin, here are pictures of our experience at Wat Preah Yesu on Sabbath, entertaining and playing with the school's over 200 orphans.
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