The Beauty of Simplicity

Yes, I celebrated Christmas many miles away from home. I didn’t spend Christmas like I have the past 23 years with my family, I didn’t sleep in sleeping bags underneath our Christmas tree with my sisters, I didn’t get woken up by a dog licking my face, I didn’t wake up Christmas morning and share the wonder of Christmas with those closest to me, I didn’t see the faint covering of snow on the ground outside, I didn’t have a Christmas tree with ornaments and lights, I didn’t participate in my family’s traditions of eating way too much food all day long and playing countless games, but I did still celebrate Christmas.

This year I was in Cambodia. This year was different.  I did go for a 5 mile run on the streets seeing the sunrise along the riverfront.  I did serenade the girls we teach with Christmas carols that they surprisingly loved. I did enjoy bargaining in the market for gifts to fill up hand-made stockings for my flatmates. I did sing nearly every Christmas carol I knew of with a group of unknown friends who opened up their home as we joined together to eat, fellowship, and sing songs alongside two violinists. I did have a sleepover under our Christmas tree made out of string and construction paper balloon balls. I did wake up Christmas morning to two friends dear to my heart pouncing on me shouting “It’s Christmas morning!” I did receive more than I could ever want in one small gift alone, I did spend a large sum of the day doing a puzzle. I did help bring a plate of cookies to our landlord and say Merry Christmas in Khmer (kind of). I did see my entire family and join in with Becca’s family for Christmas over skype.

Christmas in Cambodia was unforced. With little to no decorations, lights, signs or symbols, or anticipation of the coming of Christmas, it could easily have been forgotten. Very few people only have one day off, for most it is just another day in the streets of Cambodia. However, there are several good things about Christmas in Cambodia. Since it’s barely celebrated, it is cherished so much more. Christmas is simple and that’s what I enjoyed most about it. We spent a few hours making decorations, a few hours cooking, a day or two of Christmas shopping, and then it was done. Don’t get me wrong, it was challenging for a lot of reasons, but I enjoyed experiencing an uncommercialized not overly done Christmas. People didn’t spend days, weeks, or months in advance excessively planning or preparing, instead it was refreshing, simplistic, and original. This year, I was reminded again that the little things, the rare things are what are most sacred and precious in life. I cherished the simple things surrounding Christmas, because it was limited.

Hope you have had a wonderful time enjoying friends and family and holiday traditions surrounded by the birth of Christ. Merry Christmas from Cambodia!

 

Settling In

Many apologies for not writing sooner.

Recap

It’s been nearly 2 weeks since Becca and I have returned from our first trip. We spent 3 days and nights in the city of Kep, a few hours south of Phnom Penh. This city was quiet, green, open streets, and friendly. We spent some time at the beach, swimming and laying in hammocks along the coast. There was a waterfront view where we got to see a beautiful sunset one evening and even saw several storms on the water. We did some hiking, got a sunburn, and explored. Our favorite moment of the trip was renting a moto and learning how to ride one for the very first time. We road in the empty streets around the outskirts of the city where there were many open fields and lots of greens.

Next we traveled to Phu Quoc which is a Vietnam Island. This island is visible from Kep, but unfortunately involves a very long and strenuous process that includes vans, a border crossing, a boat, and another van ride.  Becca and I felt like we were on our honeymoon as soon as we had arrived. It was pretty tourists, but very beautiful as well. In our 3 days here, we explored the streets and markets, walked along the beach, kayaked in the Gulf of Thailand, and did a little shopping. Our favorite moment was hiking through  a deep forest of trees, plants and streams of water to reach a waterfall.

Overall our trip was very enjoyable and exciting to travel to new places – but truth be told we greatly underestimated the stress level of traveling in South East Asia. We expected to have glitches and several bumps and bruises along the way, but we were not anticipating all the difficulties that surrounded our traveling. We are thankful for our time, but were more than ready to come back to Phnom Penh.

When Becca and I returned to the city, something amazing happened. First, we realized how much we missed Phnom Penh, and how many places and people are now familiar to us. It’s crazy to think how much my world has been flipped upside down and adjusting to new ways of life that have been ingrained in me over the last 23 years – yet how quickly change can take place. Returning to the market after our travels was, surprisingly, not overwhelmed. I didn’t break out in sweat. I wasn’t nervous or flustered. Instead, I felt much more comfortable, not feeling like I was being cheated on each item I was buying. When I made a language mistake I stayed calm. It was wonderful. In all honesty, I never thought I would get used to shopping here in the market. What a great surprise to return home to!

Tutoring

Tutoring has been going really well. We had a few emotional and behavioral issues last week, so Becca and I decided to make one class into a fun day. With a combination of lots of patience and laughter, the girls began to break down their walls. Having them braid our hair and teach us Khmer words, resulted in lots of laughter. It’s amazing what can take place through spending time and truly enjoying each other’s company. The day further developed our relationship with the girls. Since then, our time has been much better, and we are now teaching them personal pronouns.

There’s Always Something New to Learn

I came across this quote that says, “I designed you to need me…rejoice in your neediness which enables you to find intimate completion in me.” Our relationship with God is based on our dependence on Him. It’s not a part of the relationship but it encompasses every aspect. I’m constantly reminding myself that dependency is not a sign of weakness; it is a gift. I should NEVER be ashamed of my dependency or need of God, but instead embrace the way God has designed me to need.

Highlights of the Week

-successfully removing (not killing) a gecko from our bedroom at 11pm with lots of screams and a jump rope :)

-decorating our apartment with cut out snowflakes, Christmas garland chains, and Merry Christmas signs

-running the longest distance since being here - 4.5 miles

-celebrating Becca’s half birthday

-feeling like a true Cambodian helmetless riding 3 people on a moto for 40 minutes

-getting a big hug from one of our previous tutoring students we haven’t seen in a few weeks

-spending lots of time together with our roommate, Aimee - decorating, baking, trying new foods, movies, laughter, and meaningful conversations.

I want to leave you with the December 9 devotional from “Jesus Calling.”

“Be willing to go out on a limb with me. If that is where I am leading you, it is the SAFEST place to be. Your desire to live a risk-free life is a form of unbelief. Your longing to live close to Me is at odds with your attempts to minimize risk. You are approaching a crossroads in your journey. In order to follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your tendency to play it safe.

                Let me lead you step by step through this day. If your primary focus is on Me, you can walk along perilous paths without being afraid. Eventually, you will learn to relax and ENJOY the adventure of our journey together. As long as you stay close to Me, My sovereign Presence protects you wherever you go.”