Major Outreach Pt III: Cambodia

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Ankor Wat

We arrived at the Thai - Cambodian border, crossed and then made our way to Siem Reap. My first impression of the city, as we are passing glamorous hotel after hotel was that the city was making some pretty good money. Turns out, Cambodia itself is pretty low on the list of richest countries, and in Cambodia, Siem Reap is the second poorest province. Even in the main part of the city, once you leave the tourist areas, it is all dirt roads with 3 foot deep potholes.

My team got to leave the city and stay at a school run by YWAMers in a village nearby. The Blue House in Pouk is run by two main staffers, a 20 year old young man from the states, and a 24 year old young lady from Cambodia. Both of them were quite impressive. Kyle is probably the best example I have met of a foreigner adapting to the lifestyle of the people he is working with. And Nary keeps the other staff and the students in line quite well.

Road to the village
after the flood

During our time there we visited two different villages to play games with the children, teach a little English and share about God through skits and dance and song. The kids in the villages were actually a lot of fun to play with. We went to one of the villages twice, and the other once. In the afternoons we built a walkway for the students to use during rainy season when the entire yard turns to mud and in the evenings helped with teaching English in their classes. Personally I was very impressed by all of the students and the Cambodian people in general. Majority of the high school students who came, woke up at 5 or 6 to help with chores and study for the days classes. They would go to school in the morning, during their lunch break they would take additional classes, then continue in the afternoon. After school finished at around 4 pm, they would come to the Blue House and study more.

Kyle, Nary, and kids at one
of the villages

The most amazing this is, not a single one complained about any of it. They all recognized that to improve their lives and their country and the lives of their friends and family, they required education and hard work. They are not afraid of pushing their limits to achieve their dreams.

The entire outreach was a trying time, as I have already said. But God used people like the kids in Pouk to alter how I view life. From what I believe about how God interacts with us, to the things I complain about to the little things in life like consistent running water I take for granted. God has done many huge works in my heart. My priorities have be re-aligned several times through out the DTS. But I'm become more OK with that. What God has to offer each of us, every person, is the most important thing. Now I'm learning how to live my life in that belief. It's challenging, but by far the most rewarding thing I have ever undertaken.

Thank you again. I would not be where I am today with out the prayers and support of all of you who read this, and others who don't. Thank you for believing in me and vision that God has put in my life.

Students, Teachers & our team at the Blue House