Monday, July 25, 2011

My New Wheels

Excited to have transportation!  My journey home is now only 5 minutes.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

End of My First Week

















I pass several traveling vendors on my way to school like the two pictured above. 


I also pass this little massage place...I may just have to stop for a massage on my way home from school one day.

My temporary roommates - Katelyn and Carin
They are teaching English at the summer camp program at Asian Hope.  They are so very sweet and have been wonderful company!
Outside of Central Market

Beautiful Flowers for Sale
 
 One of the vendors inside the market.  Mom, I posted this one for you so you could get an idea of what the market is like.  There are vendors just like this one side by side.  As you can tell there are many choices of lots of things.


It hardly seems possible that I have been here for a week already.  The time has flown!  I want to reiterate how grateful I am to have such a vast support network at home.  I know the many prayers that have been said on my behalf have been answered.  It is just so comforting to know that others are thinking of me and praying for me.  I am also grateful for technology...the internet has been an excellent avenue for me to keep in contact with everyone.  
 
I feel like I have already learned many lessons in just one week.  A few that come to my mind...1. Keep it Simple - I was already learning this one before I left NC with packing up my life so to speak.  I realized that all this "stuff" we accumulate in life can be very burdening at times.  Then sometimes I wonder why do I have all this stuff?  It won't go with me one day.  Then I get here to Cambodia and I feel like one is forced to keep it simple as the luxuries that are available in the US cost so much more here or do not exist.  God has taken care of my needs here and quite a few of my wants too.  I am blessed!  2.  Allow God to set my pace - We live in a world where everything is so quick and convenient.  It is very easy to get caught up in the hectic pace of life and just go along with the rush.  I know I need to trust God and focus on the present journey.  "For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness."  Psalm 18:28  3. Be Thankful - I know I take so many things for granted on a daily basis.  I don't have to worry about where I will rest my head, where my next meal will come from, having clean clothes to wear, or having clean water.  I am now surrounded by so many who have these concerns and many more daily.  It makes me so much more aware of how blessed I am.  I was so convicted by something I read out of Sarah Young's little devotional book, 40 Days with Jesus, "You need to resist the temptation to grumble when things don't go as you would like.  Remember that I, your God, am a consuming fire.  If you saw Me in all My Glory, you would be much too awestruck to venture even the tiniest complaint."  Who am I to complain about anything?  However, I know I am human and after writing this will yet complain about something that is probably trivial.  Maybe I need to post this verse somewhere that I will read it every day..."Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship  God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."  Hebrews 12:28-29

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

First Few Days in Cambodia

So I am new to this whole Blog thing but I am going to give it a try!  I can't make any promises as to how often I will update it, but I will certainly do my best.  

I spent the majority of my journey on this plane...15 hours!  Glad that is behind me!  Thank you for all those who prayed for safe travels.  After getting past a bit of confusion with my visa in Greensboro everything went very smoothly.


  A very nice gift basket with all kinds of goodies (coffee, tea, peanut butter, jam, sugar, toilet paper, and soap) was awaiting me on top of an already made bed.  

 The front of my house which I will be sharing with another teacher.  More pictures of the inside will come later.



Any who are concerned for my safety can be put at ease.  I have 3 padlocks to get in to my house!  It is not due to being in a dangerous area...I am guessing just safety precautions. 

The view down my street
 
 
  Made myself a cup of coffee my first morning and enjoyed a piece of the best biscotti in the world...thanks to Caroline (aka "Paula" of the north).


Taking a tuk tuk ride to the market with two other teachers I will be working with - Chrissie (from New Zealand) and Lousie (from India).

This is where I will begin teaching in August - Asian Hope International School.


My classroom

 
Another view of my classroom

 The Playground

Visited Thmey Orphanage - Sweet reunion with my buddy Huy 
It was so good to see all the familiar faces!

Productive afternoon...bought some fabric for my bulletin boards...due to language barriers I have PLENTY of green fabric!  Also picked up an adapter for my surge protector, a laundry basket, and a few other odds and ends.  I have a new appreciation for Walmart...I had to stop at 3 different places to pick up the items I bought and it took me 2 hours.  
The kind tuk tuk driver, Vibol, who drove me all over and helped me pick up the things I needed.