“Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” Isaiah 40:31
As we hit the halfway mark of our trip, that is my prayer: God give me strength, let me soar and help me to not grow weary. I have seen and experienced so much on this trip, and as I see it I have two choices: get overwhelmed and burnt out, or persevere and put strength behind whatever opportunities God chooses to bless me and my team with.
So far, we have been blessed beyond measure. I am truly grateful for those who have committed themselves to praying for myself, my team, and all those that we have come in contact with. It has definitely made a difference! So far, we have been given much more than we had hoped for and we are so grateful. We live in a very nice house (which belongs to a family who is in the states for the summer), and we are teaching at a very nice school. We even have the most amazing house help (her name is Nari and she is a great cook!). We are not just blessed, we have been spoiled!!
We have also had many opportunities to minister and teach the local kids. Another blessing God has given us is that there was a program that was set up when we got here which allows us to teach the neighborhood kids! This was something we were planning on doing anyway, but we were told we would probably have to go around town and recruit the kids ourselves. However, God made it easy for us and went before us and set the same idea in the mind of one of the Khmer teaching assistants, Sato, and he had already prepared and started the program. Through this program, we are able to teach the neighborhood kids who aren’t as privileged on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Our regular teaching job is Monday-Friday 8:15-11:30 and the outreach program is Monday and Wednesday 1-3pm. It is a great experience. Twice each week, anywhere from 40-90+ kids show up to learn English and to swim. These kids range from about 18 months old to 19 and everything in between! It is definitely difficult, especially when we group for English class and you realize that you have 20 kids in your class and they are all different ages and have a different knowledge of English. The funniest (and also most frustrating) thing is when you are trying so hard to teach, but the kids don’t understand a word you say and so they just repeat every word! It’s very difficult to get them past that point, but so rewarding when you see they finally get it! For example, I was teaching a group of girls one day and we were going over emotions. I had written out 4 emotions (happy, sad, mad, and surprised) and had drawn a face to go with them. After 10 minutes of repetition and games that incorporated the 4 emotions, it was time to go. I was slightly disheartened because I felt like the girls had no clue what I was teaching or what I was saying. So, when one little girl came back and drew the four faces and wrote the words out, I was so excited! She drew out the faces, said the word, and they proceeded with trying to spell it out. I helped a bit with the spelling, but she really wanted to make sure she understood! It was so great! Every day I have a different group of kids and I just pray that something I say will sink in, and that they will understand what I am trying to teach!
The kids at the school are no less special! Most of these kids are students at this school, and thus have been taught in English and understand and speak it quite well. These are also the best behaved kids I’ve ever had the privilege of teaching! Sure, there are a few rowdy ones. But for the most part, they are extremely well behaved and SO smart! We just started a new class rotation this week. Up until this week there was another team teaching here from Canada. So, our first week and a half was spent helping them and filling in wherever we were needed. Now, we are on our own and it has been great so far! I teach arts and crafts to the Kinder and 1st grade on MWF, and the 4th and 5th grade on TuTh. After that I have the middle school kids for an hour and a half of drama/theater, and they are so fun! I have really enjoyed it! I was worried about teaching middle school because I am used to working with the younger kids, but I enjoy these kids personalities and I love that they are higher level thinkers which makes class more fun. In fact, I got a new group of students today (4 Korean students that speak very little English) and I was trying to explain the class to them. I told them my name and that they were in a drama/theater/art/mask/puppet class (because we do all of that) and one of the other kids said “this is the fun class”, to which many agreed! That comment made my morning! I love that the kids think this is a fun class, that is my goal! They are constantly learning, and I have no discipline problems at all. I do have a few kids (teenagers) who think they are too good or too old for this class, but even they grinned and giggled when I made them act like 5 year olds while I read “Harold and the Purple Crayon” and “5 silly monkeys”! I have found that as long as you make them feel safe about breaking down that barrier, they will be much more receptive to acting silly and just being kids in class! We are putting on a production our last teaching day, and I’m so excited! I think my students will be performing ‘A Tale of 3 Trees”, for which they will be making their own costumes and set. I informed them of this idea yesterday, and they seemed to love it! They got so excited that they were going to be able to do this themselves! I hope we can video record it so I can share the final production with everyone!
Besides teaching, we have had the opportunity to do so many things and meet so many wonderful people! One of my other group members said something on her blog that I find to be so true: I came here thinking that I needed to show Christ and show people Christ-like love. But I can’t. They do a much better job showing the way God wants us to live, and they aren’t even Christians. The Khmer people are the nicest, friendliest, most genuinely caring people I’ve ever met. They will go out of their way to help you, even if they don’t know you or can’t speak your language. If anything, I hope I can learn from them. They are so selfless and caring, and their whole attitude with one another is so opposite of anything I have seen in America. I am humbled after seeing this and realizing that the God of the universe cares just as much for me, in all my selfishness and greed, as He does for these people who are living the life He calls us to live, even though they don’t know Him. I wish everyone could get even just a glimpse of how life has been these past few weeks. I have had the opportunity to learn so much about myself and the way God has called us to live. And now, more than ever, I have seen been able to see God’s heart and his calling not only on my life, but on the life of Christians as a whole.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
I'm Diving In
Wow, how it has flown! Almost a week ago, I arrived in Pasadena California unsure of what to expect. I woke up at 3:30 last Sunday morning (June 19th) and headed toward Houston International to catch a 7:45 flight. In my head, I felt that I knew what to expect and in my head I tried to believe I had enough confidence to actually make it…on my own. Butterflies swarmed in my stomach as I tried to pretend I knew exactly what I was doing. An hour after arriving, I felt that I had done everything I needed- Checked in, got my luggage tags, got my tickets, checked my baggage. Then, the worst part: Saying good-bye. I hate good-byes, especially when they leave me by myself. This good-bye was hard because it was my mom that I was leaving. In my heart I knew (and still know) that this is the right decision, but that didn’t make it any easier. Going through security, I kept looking back and waving. Finally, after I cleared security, I looked back one more time, waved good-bye and walked toward my big journey. As I walked down the hall, a few small tears rolled down my cheeks, but I didn’t dare look back and show it. (Sorry mom!) I was on my own now, looking for God’s guidance in my every step.
So, about 4 hours (and plane and a shuttle ride) later I arrived on the William Carey International University campus in Pasadena California. On the shuttle I met two girls that were headed to training as well, Elizabeth and Spencer, and was a little less nervous because I suddenly knew I wasn’t in this alone. Almost instantly upon arriving on campus, God melted my heart a little and opened my mouth and eyes to new experiences before me. Anyone who knows me at all, knows that I am by no means a social butterfly. I tend to avoid large groups (sometimes to the extreme), and don’t really speak unless it is initiated by someone else. However, this journey began with that dropping. It didn’t take me any more than 30 minutes to be headed down the street with 5 other trainees headed out to get lunch! It was so amazing and weird to me that I began actually talking to people. I was interacting and not shutting people out! That night, we were formally introduced to our groups, and there was an instant connection. I’m not going to jump in and say after a week I know that I’m going to be ‘bff’’s with my group members, but God really knew what He was doing! In the Cambodia group, there are 8 people: 7 girls and 1 guy. I can’t explain it, but it didn’t even take an hour to see that God put this team together in His divine power for a divine purpose!
Sunday was a basic introduction to the organization and our teams, and Monday was the first long session day. Monday went by so slowly and by the end I was so drained. For all of you education majors and teachers out there, it was very similar to my experience at a workshop: packed full of informational sessions from 8am to 9pm. Luckily we had food breaks, and part of that was doing devotionals with our team. During these devotionals, we have really gotten to get to know each other and see that God did not put this team together haphazardly or as an afterthought. The Great Creator of the world, the one who knows us to the detail of knowing every hair on our head, also knows our personalities and our spiritual gifts and created a team who should be different in those ways so that we will all complement each other.
The week ended up going by quickly over all, and was a lot of fun. We had a BUNCH of sessions on teaching ESL, spiritual discussions, discussions regarding how to deal with conflicts and culture shock, and soooo many more things. It was a lot of information to take in in a single week! Like I said, my team has had a great bonding experience! We competed in a scavenger on Saturday (in which we tied for first place) and preformed in the talent show that night (we did a remix of “Seasons of Love”). It has really been a blast getting the privilege of waking up each morning and worshiping with a bunch of believers, with the same goal in mind: GO.
So, after a week of waiting and anticipation, its finally that time. In just a few short hours I will be leaving the beautiful Pasadena California and putting the experiences I have had this week behind me. Thoughts of: In-and-out burgers, Connal’s Shakes, mountains and pigeons all in the past. American comforts put aside for another time. Time to move on to another grand adventure, another chapter in the book of life that God is writing for me. Its time to move past the nervousness, shake of the fears, and get past just thinking of tomorrow. Its time for me to do what God has commanded of me and to take His name into the world. It is time for me to GO!
Keep myself and my team in your prayers as we make this leap of faith!
Catch ya later! J
So, about 4 hours (and plane and a shuttle ride) later I arrived on the William Carey International University campus in Pasadena California. On the shuttle I met two girls that were headed to training as well, Elizabeth and Spencer, and was a little less nervous because I suddenly knew I wasn’t in this alone. Almost instantly upon arriving on campus, God melted my heart a little and opened my mouth and eyes to new experiences before me. Anyone who knows me at all, knows that I am by no means a social butterfly. I tend to avoid large groups (sometimes to the extreme), and don’t really speak unless it is initiated by someone else. However, this journey began with that dropping. It didn’t take me any more than 30 minutes to be headed down the street with 5 other trainees headed out to get lunch! It was so amazing and weird to me that I began actually talking to people. I was interacting and not shutting people out! That night, we were formally introduced to our groups, and there was an instant connection. I’m not going to jump in and say after a week I know that I’m going to be ‘bff’’s with my group members, but God really knew what He was doing! In the Cambodia group, there are 8 people: 7 girls and 1 guy. I can’t explain it, but it didn’t even take an hour to see that God put this team together in His divine power for a divine purpose!
Sunday was a basic introduction to the organization and our teams, and Monday was the first long session day. Monday went by so slowly and by the end I was so drained. For all of you education majors and teachers out there, it was very similar to my experience at a workshop: packed full of informational sessions from 8am to 9pm. Luckily we had food breaks, and part of that was doing devotionals with our team. During these devotionals, we have really gotten to get to know each other and see that God did not put this team together haphazardly or as an afterthought. The Great Creator of the world, the one who knows us to the detail of knowing every hair on our head, also knows our personalities and our spiritual gifts and created a team who should be different in those ways so that we will all complement each other.
The week ended up going by quickly over all, and was a lot of fun. We had a BUNCH of sessions on teaching ESL, spiritual discussions, discussions regarding how to deal with conflicts and culture shock, and soooo many more things. It was a lot of information to take in in a single week! Like I said, my team has had a great bonding experience! We competed in a scavenger on Saturday (in which we tied for first place) and preformed in the talent show that night (we did a remix of “Seasons of Love”). It has really been a blast getting the privilege of waking up each morning and worshiping with a bunch of believers, with the same goal in mind: GO.
So, after a week of waiting and anticipation, its finally that time. In just a few short hours I will be leaving the beautiful Pasadena California and putting the experiences I have had this week behind me. Thoughts of: In-and-out burgers, Connal’s Shakes, mountains and pigeons all in the past. American comforts put aside for another time. Time to move on to another grand adventure, another chapter in the book of life that God is writing for me. Its time to move past the nervousness, shake of the fears, and get past just thinking of tomorrow. Its time for me to do what God has commanded of me and to take His name into the world. It is time for me to GO!
Keep myself and my team in your prayers as we make this leap of faith!
Catch ya later! J
Saturday, June 25, 2011
From the Airport
Written: 6/19/11
So, months of planning and preparing…and its finally here! I am currently sitting in the airport in Houston waiting on a plane to come and take me away! My flight to California leaves in one hour. Months of waiting and it all comes down to this, one hour away. So, how does it feel to be this close? I’m still not sure. I’m nervous, excited, happy, sad, scared and at peace all at once. I feel prepared, and yet completely unprepared. I feel happy to be going, and yet sad to go. The truth is, all I can feel is that God is in control. He has done amazing things these past few months. He has provided in ways I never could have dreamed. Thank you to all the wonderful people who have been so generous in giving to help me to reach my goals. Starting this adventure, I had no idea how I was even going to raise all the money necessary to go this summer. I have learned, and am constantly learning, never to doubt God and his plans! He is in control! So, here I go. My baby steps have gotten me this far, and I continue to move! I will update as often as possible! Got to go, airplane is boarding!
So, months of planning and preparing…and its finally here! I am currently sitting in the airport in Houston waiting on a plane to come and take me away! My flight to California leaves in one hour. Months of waiting and it all comes down to this, one hour away. So, how does it feel to be this close? I’m still not sure. I’m nervous, excited, happy, sad, scared and at peace all at once. I feel prepared, and yet completely unprepared. I feel happy to be going, and yet sad to go. The truth is, all I can feel is that God is in control. He has done amazing things these past few months. He has provided in ways I never could have dreamed. Thank you to all the wonderful people who have been so generous in giving to help me to reach my goals. Starting this adventure, I had no idea how I was even going to raise all the money necessary to go this summer. I have learned, and am constantly learning, never to doubt God and his plans! He is in control! So, here I go. My baby steps have gotten me this far, and I continue to move! I will update as often as possible! Got to go, airplane is boarding!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Easter
Thank you Jesus for your Sacrifice! Easter is such a great reminder of the love of our Lord and Savior and all He has given us!
God keeps showing me that His hand is on this trip as donations keep coming in! Thank you Jesus, and thank all of you who have made that sacrifice!
My plane ticket to Cambodia has been purchased by the group I'm going with, the only drawback is that it is $200 more than we originally thought because of gas prices. HOWEVER, I still know God is providing! :)
For those of you who can, I ask that you pray to see if God is leading you to help financially with this trip. And those that can't help financially, I continue to ask for your prayers knowing that our God is faithful to hear the prayers of His children and provide for us!
To those who have already made that financial sacrifice
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
I appreciate it more than words can say!
I should have an update next week as to how much more I need for my trip!!! :)
God keeps showing me that His hand is on this trip as donations keep coming in! Thank you Jesus, and thank all of you who have made that sacrifice!
My plane ticket to Cambodia has been purchased by the group I'm going with, the only drawback is that it is $200 more than we originally thought because of gas prices. HOWEVER, I still know God is providing! :)
For those of you who can, I ask that you pray to see if God is leading you to help financially with this trip. And those that can't help financially, I continue to ask for your prayers knowing that our God is faithful to hear the prayers of His children and provide for us!
To those who have already made that financial sacrifice
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
I appreciate it more than words can say!
I should have an update next week as to how much more I need for my trip!!! :)
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
UPDATE!!!
The fundraising is going well so far! Thank you to the wonderfully generous people at UHBC for donating money to help me with my Cambodia mission trip!
Currently, I almost have enough money to make my first (of 2) payments AND buy my plane ticket! God is so good! To those of you who have been so eager and generous to give, THANK YOU! It is such a blessing to know that so many are willing to help and contribute in order to benefit the kingdom of God!
If you are still thinking about contributing, let me encourage you to prayerfully consider giving in the way that God is leading you. Below I have a list of ways that will allow you to fit giving into your budget and will help me meet my goals!
35 people giving 10 a month for 2 months = 700
35 people giving 20 a month for 2 months= 1400
50 people giving 10 total= 500
20 people giving 20 total= 400
20 people giving 50 total= 1000
10 people giving 100 total= 1000
OR
10 people giving 10= 100
20 people giving 20= 400
10 people giving 50= 500
20 people giving 50 a month for 2 months = 2000
20 people giving 100 total= 2000
As you can see, every gift helps! :) Please join me in praying for this trip, and see if God is leading you to financially support this journey. Even if you feel like its 'only' $10, know that your $10 will be multiplied in the kingdom of Heaven!
Thank you again to all of you who have been so giving and I will try harder to keep all of you updated more frequently! :)
Currently, I almost have enough money to make my first (of 2) payments AND buy my plane ticket! God is so good! To those of you who have been so eager and generous to give, THANK YOU! It is such a blessing to know that so many are willing to help and contribute in order to benefit the kingdom of God!
If you are still thinking about contributing, let me encourage you to prayerfully consider giving in the way that God is leading you. Below I have a list of ways that will allow you to fit giving into your budget and will help me meet my goals!
35 people giving 10 a month for 2 months = 700
35 people giving 20 a month for 2 months= 1400
50 people giving 10 total= 500
20 people giving 20 total= 400
20 people giving 50 total= 1000
10 people giving 100 total= 1000
OR
10 people giving 10= 100
20 people giving 20= 400
10 people giving 50= 500
20 people giving 50 a month for 2 months = 2000
20 people giving 100 total= 2000
As you can see, every gift helps! :) Please join me in praying for this trip, and see if God is leading you to financially support this journey. Even if you feel like its 'only' $10, know that your $10 will be multiplied in the kingdom of Heaven!
Thank you again to all of you who have been so giving and I will try harder to keep all of you updated more frequently! :)
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
20, 20, 20 Challenge
In an effort to raise funds for my trip, I am hosting a challenge.
Do I have 20 friends who are willing to sacrifice $20 in the next 20 days to help me share the Gospel with children in Cambodia? This may be one of the only times some of these kids and their families EVER hear about Jesus and His sacrifice for them. Please help support this mission trip. Imagine, you could be one of the reasons a whole generation is changed and brought to know Christ!
$20, that's all I'm asking! If you don't have $20 then donate what you can. Every bit helps! If God has blessed you more, and you are able to give more it will be very much appreciated!
To give, go to Teachoverseas.org and click on 'contribute'. From there, choose for your gift to go to a teacher and put my name in the boxes. ITS SO EASY! AND ITS TAX DEDUCTIBLE!
Every gift is appreciated! Thank you!
Do I have 20 friends who are willing to sacrifice $20 in the next 20 days to help me share the Gospel with children in Cambodia? This may be one of the only times some of these kids and their families EVER hear about Jesus and His sacrifice for them. Please help support this mission trip. Imagine, you could be one of the reasons a whole generation is changed and brought to know Christ!
$20, that's all I'm asking! If you don't have $20 then donate what you can. Every bit helps! If God has blessed you more, and you are able to give more it will be very much appreciated!
To give, go to Teachoverseas.org and click on 'contribute'. From there, choose for your gift to go to a teacher and put my name in the boxes. ITS SO EASY! AND ITS TAX DEDUCTIBLE!
Every gift is appreciated! Thank you!
Monday, March 21, 2011
LET THE FUNDRAISING BEGIN
Pamper yourself or someone else all while supporting a good cause!
All profits will go to TeachOverseas to fund Mandy Lee’s mission trip to Cambodia this summer.
Makes great Mother’s Day gifts!
**Bath salts**
4 oz- $3 8 oz- $5 20 oz- $10
**Bath Fizzies**
(With added coconut oil for soft skin!)
4 (individually wrapped)- $3
10 (in jar-unwrapped)- $5
**Soap Bars**
Small- 2 for $3 (available in turtle and frog shapes)
Medium- $3 each (available in cross and cherub shapes)
Large- $5 each (available in a cross or oval shape)
· All above available in the following scents (please specify when ordering)
- Black raspberry vanilla, baby powder, relaxing blend, papaya coconut, honey almond, and spiced apple
· Larger quantities/sizes can be ordered at negotiable prices – all prices above are a minimum donation price
**To place your order or for more information on my trip, please call Mandy Lee at (361) 438-0667 or email me at akl004@shsu.edu. Your support is GREATLY appreciated!**
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