I'm sure everyone is expecting this post to be about all the protests occurring in my neck of the lately, and while it is all very interesting, so far it hasn't really affected me much at all. So I'm actually here to tell everyone about something else...
Over my last few years of adventuring, if you will, there's only been a couple constants. 1. ants 2. teaching 3. church and 4. traveling. But today I've discovered a fifth, that is I've always had little kids to play with. My first year at CAS of course there were all the kids in the elementary school and I became close with a few of the younger ones even though we had the language barrier, all kids like to be chased and picked up and look at funny faces that we make and for that we don't need to speak the same language. There are two that jump out at me specifically and they are Neyha and Henry. Some of you may remember Neyha who was a wonderful outgoing little girl that made my day every time she talked to me. Henry is always going to special to me because I never understood what he saw in me but he always wanted to be with me in my arms, but why question it?
Last year I was blessed to have 3 little girls in my life. Srey Pich is about 4 years old and she was the daughter of one of the staff I worked with in Jombok Haos, I was able to see her almost everyday. Then there's Amelie and Jarrah the 2 daughters of my american boss in Preah Vihear. I spent so many Sabbath afternoons with these girls and ran around and around their house. They never tired of that game. When Jarrah stayed in JBH people would ask me if she was my daughter, I never saw the resemblance haha
Now here I am in Egypt. Here on the NUA campus there's one little girl that again has decided that playing with me isn't so bad after all. She's a five year old Egyptian and seems very bright and is picking up English really quickly. Her name is Donna, she can be a bit of a nuisance sometimes but she's getting better, or so I've heard.
I feel like God has prepared me to take every new step in my life since I've been on my adventures. Every new step I take will prepare me for the step after that step and so forth, so you want to hear the scary part of what this post is about? Could God be preparing me to have children someday????? I know mom would like that. If you would have asked me to take care of your 3 - 8 year old child 2 years ago I would've said no and you're crazy for asking me. Now, well, it wouldn't be the worst thing ever ;) Besides its always best to practice on kids who aren't your own right?
Monday, September 17, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Welcome to Egypt!
Alright so I've been in Egypt for almost 2 weeks and things are going pretty well. I'm sharing my apartment with 3 other guys, 2 from Washington state and one from North Carolina. We have a bathroom and two rooms that each have AC and wireless internet throughout the campus of the school where we're living. Not so bad.
School starts tomorrow so I'me excited to to start doing what I came here to do, that is teach. I'll be teaching 3 different math classes and a geography class in the first semester and a government class the second semester. I'm very happy to be teaching classes that I should know well. The people here are somewhat similar to Cambodians. The biggest exception is that all these people are Muslims instead of laid back Buddhists. And trust me that's a pretty big difference, but if you can look past the religious part it seems to me that the people are quite similar. Kind, love white people and live in what we would consider to be very dirty places haha
Anyways I suppose I should start taking some pictures to show everyone around but I haven't done that yet. I'm still getting used to life here and I'm sure things will change a lot once school starts but so far so good!
School starts tomorrow so I'me excited to to start doing what I came here to do, that is teach. I'll be teaching 3 different math classes and a geography class in the first semester and a government class the second semester. I'm very happy to be teaching classes that I should know well. The people here are somewhat similar to Cambodians. The biggest exception is that all these people are Muslims instead of laid back Buddhists. And trust me that's a pretty big difference, but if you can look past the religious part it seems to me that the people are quite similar. Kind, love white people and live in what we would consider to be very dirty places haha
Anyways I suppose I should start taking some pictures to show everyone around but I haven't done that yet. I'm still getting used to life here and I'm sure things will change a lot once school starts but so far so good!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Nearing the End
My fans are screaming for an update so here it is for the world to see. 2 weeks until I need to be out of the country according to my visa. My contract officially runs out on June 30 and it is fast approaching. I plan on leaving my home of the jungle in 12 days. My time is almost up. Although I do not yet have a flight booked out of here...
Anyway, the end brings questions to my mind like have I done enough? Will I leave an impact? Will my students forget all their English after I leave?
In about a week we have a group coming from Australia to help us build a couple new buildings in JBH. The past couple weeks we have been preparing for their arrival by getting as much of the building preparations done as we can. What that means to me is finding trees that have fallen around or area, watching someone else cut them into posts and planks and boards, hauling them closer to the new building sites and digging post holes to put those posts in. That wood is heavy! It is not easy to move the wood around the jungle. We're talking about wood posts about 20ft in length here. The jungle trails are not made for such things.
The process goes something like this:
1. Roll the small cart we have off into the jungle to one of the locations where the house posts have been left after being carved into a cylinder by a local. This is easier said than done, new trails have to be cut, going up and down hills.
2. Somehow get this post up on the cart in a balanced position. This is also easier said than done, actually all of these are so I'll stop saying it. Usually 2 of us can pick up one end of the post and the third man shoves the two-wheeled cart underneath it as far as it goes. Than that man pushes down on his end lifting the post up on the other side. Then we hold it there and the cart gets pushed further underneath. This continues in the same fashion or a slight variant until the cart is relatively balanced so the wood is easy to lift on either end. When the posts are extremely heavy it takes some creative thinking by my two fellow wood haulers Cheat and Sem. These guys are pros. Sometimes I feel like their ideas are what some adventurous teenagers would of thought of. But it works.
3. Once the wood is on the cart we need to push and pull it to the building site. Or at least close. Fortunately this is usually downhill. Once we get going with that amount of weight momentum really takes over. Our system involves two men in the back holding a rope to slow it down and one man in front to steer and keep the log level. Cheat usually goes in front because he is the quick agile one, Sem is in back with me because he is really strong. I'm also in the back, not because of my strength but because I am not quick or agile. This part is the most fun. We get going pretty fast, we dont want to slow down because there are some big bumps and small hills that we have to go up and we dont want to lose the momentum. Sometimes Cheat will hop on the wood on the front and go for a ride. The whole scene is really hilarious, Cheat and Sem are laughing non-stop.
Throughout the whole process I'm teaching English. Or they're teaching me some new khmer words. Whenever we use the new words during the day it's more laughing. I think it's a great learning process.
Yesterday we encountered a big problem. 3 of the posts had to travel down a steep hill and up the other side. The cart could not be used. I asked what the plan was. I was then told that they have an idea that they could set up a cable from one tree on this side to a tree on the other side and uses two pulleys to fly the posts across the ravine, much like one of our zip lines. Another example of the creative fun exciting solutions to the problems that these guys come up with. I was unsure about it, I think they were too but thats part of the fun, to see if it would work. We set it up and as soon as the log was airborne it took off down the ravine we watched as it came to a stop half way up the other side. I said a new khmer word I learned the day before that you say when something doesn't go as planned (I think haha) everyone laughed. Then we used everyone to help us drag it up the rest of the hill, and i mean everyone. The other two full time staff, the cook, the assistant cook, the cleaner, the leader's babysitter, everyone. It worked out, and we had a great time even though it was hard work.
I've learned a lot this year, I've made new friends. I dont know what impact I've made on the people I work with, I dont know if they'll remember all the words I've taught them. I do know that they've had an amazing impact on me, I will remember what they've done for me. I'll remember what they taught me, I'll remember their smiles as we worked together, their jokes I didn't understand but laughed anyway. I hope I'll remember it all. I know I'll remember these people.
Anyway, the end brings questions to my mind like have I done enough? Will I leave an impact? Will my students forget all their English after I leave?
In about a week we have a group coming from Australia to help us build a couple new buildings in JBH. The past couple weeks we have been preparing for their arrival by getting as much of the building preparations done as we can. What that means to me is finding trees that have fallen around or area, watching someone else cut them into posts and planks and boards, hauling them closer to the new building sites and digging post holes to put those posts in. That wood is heavy! It is not easy to move the wood around the jungle. We're talking about wood posts about 20ft in length here. The jungle trails are not made for such things.
The process goes something like this:
1. Roll the small cart we have off into the jungle to one of the locations where the house posts have been left after being carved into a cylinder by a local. This is easier said than done, new trails have to be cut, going up and down hills.
2. Somehow get this post up on the cart in a balanced position. This is also easier said than done, actually all of these are so I'll stop saying it. Usually 2 of us can pick up one end of the post and the third man shoves the two-wheeled cart underneath it as far as it goes. Than that man pushes down on his end lifting the post up on the other side. Then we hold it there and the cart gets pushed further underneath. This continues in the same fashion or a slight variant until the cart is relatively balanced so the wood is easy to lift on either end. When the posts are extremely heavy it takes some creative thinking by my two fellow wood haulers Cheat and Sem. These guys are pros. Sometimes I feel like their ideas are what some adventurous teenagers would of thought of. But it works.
3. Once the wood is on the cart we need to push and pull it to the building site. Or at least close. Fortunately this is usually downhill. Once we get going with that amount of weight momentum really takes over. Our system involves two men in the back holding a rope to slow it down and one man in front to steer and keep the log level. Cheat usually goes in front because he is the quick agile one, Sem is in back with me because he is really strong. I'm also in the back, not because of my strength but because I am not quick or agile. This part is the most fun. We get going pretty fast, we dont want to slow down because there are some big bumps and small hills that we have to go up and we dont want to lose the momentum. Sometimes Cheat will hop on the wood on the front and go for a ride. The whole scene is really hilarious, Cheat and Sem are laughing non-stop.
Throughout the whole process I'm teaching English. Or they're teaching me some new khmer words. Whenever we use the new words during the day it's more laughing. I think it's a great learning process.
Yesterday we encountered a big problem. 3 of the posts had to travel down a steep hill and up the other side. The cart could not be used. I asked what the plan was. I was then told that they have an idea that they could set up a cable from one tree on this side to a tree on the other side and uses two pulleys to fly the posts across the ravine, much like one of our zip lines. Another example of the creative fun exciting solutions to the problems that these guys come up with. I was unsure about it, I think they were too but thats part of the fun, to see if it would work. We set it up and as soon as the log was airborne it took off down the ravine we watched as it came to a stop half way up the other side. I said a new khmer word I learned the day before that you say when something doesn't go as planned (I think haha) everyone laughed. Then we used everyone to help us drag it up the rest of the hill, and i mean everyone. The other two full time staff, the cook, the assistant cook, the cleaner, the leader's babysitter, everyone. It worked out, and we had a great time even though it was hard work.
I've learned a lot this year, I've made new friends. I dont know what impact I've made on the people I work with, I dont know if they'll remember all the words I've taught them. I do know that they've had an amazing impact on me, I will remember what they've done for me. I'll remember what they taught me, I'll remember their smiles as we worked together, their jokes I didn't understand but laughed anyway. I hope I'll remember it all. I know I'll remember these people.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Update May 4th
So it's been a while, again. I've written a couple blogs over the last couple months but I never seem to finish them, or the power or internet goes out and I'm unable to post them. Then time passes and the blog is out of date. So today I'm just going to write, right here and now.
Less than 2 months left for me in Cambodia, my contract ends June 30. I'll probably go straight home once I'm finished unless I can think of some interesting place and find a cheap flight. I think I've seen everything in this area of the world that I really wanted to see. Of course there's always a lot to see everywhere but I don't think I will ever feel like I missed out on something.
Anyway that's not my main reason for being here anyways. My main reason is to teach English and lead worship for our staff. I have realized that I'm the kind of person who loves travelling though, I thank God that He has put me in positions to really enjoy what I love. I bet if we always followed His will we would all be doing things we love.
That kind of leads me into my plans for next year...
I cant remember what I said last time and I can't be bothered to look back now (I'm on a roll here). So forget whatever I said before. Now I'm focused on one thing and it's not quite official yet but I'd say it's really close so I can say it I think. I plan on going to Egypt starting in August to be a math teacher at Nile Union Academy. I'm pretty excited about it, I want to teach math and I want to be somewhere new. I've really enjoyed Cambodia, but I have this desire to go to new places all the time so that's what I'm doing. Spending 2 years in a country I think is the way to go, I've learned so much not just about Cambodia, the people, history and culture but just about people, history and culture of the world. We're all connected, our history is all connected. Everyone has troubles but there's only one Way we can be saved. I hope to gather more evidence of these "theories" next year in Egypt haha.
Of course if you follow the news (which I don't to be honest) one might think that Egypt is a bad choice at this time. Like my dad said "I would love to visit, but....." But here's the thing about going to a place you know God has sent you to, if He's sending me that I know He will also protect me and trust me there's no one better to have on your side. I'm not saying that something couldn't happen, but whatever happens, if I do God's will then it's for the best. I have no worries, but please direct your prayers to my parents to ease theirs. Keep in mind I'm not saying to leave me out of your prayers though. Thanks
As for my work now, today I'm heading down to Phnom Penh. I have to work in the office there next week so I might as well spend the weekend down there as well. I'm looking forward ton seeing all my friends and former students, and eating non rice/noodle related food. The weekend after is the CAS graduation, I think so it will be great to see my former students achieve that milestone. The week after that is a holiday, the king's birthday, but I don't think I'll be going anywhere too exciting.
Well that's probably enough for now. Special greetings to all my family back home, especially my aunt and grandfather who read this together (Hi!). Sorry I haven't provided more reading material recently.
-Phil
Less than 2 months left for me in Cambodia, my contract ends June 30. I'll probably go straight home once I'm finished unless I can think of some interesting place and find a cheap flight. I think I've seen everything in this area of the world that I really wanted to see. Of course there's always a lot to see everywhere but I don't think I will ever feel like I missed out on something.
Anyway that's not my main reason for being here anyways. My main reason is to teach English and lead worship for our staff. I have realized that I'm the kind of person who loves travelling though, I thank God that He has put me in positions to really enjoy what I love. I bet if we always followed His will we would all be doing things we love.
That kind of leads me into my plans for next year...
I cant remember what I said last time and I can't be bothered to look back now (I'm on a roll here). So forget whatever I said before. Now I'm focused on one thing and it's not quite official yet but I'd say it's really close so I can say it I think. I plan on going to Egypt starting in August to be a math teacher at Nile Union Academy. I'm pretty excited about it, I want to teach math and I want to be somewhere new. I've really enjoyed Cambodia, but I have this desire to go to new places all the time so that's what I'm doing. Spending 2 years in a country I think is the way to go, I've learned so much not just about Cambodia, the people, history and culture but just about people, history and culture of the world. We're all connected, our history is all connected. Everyone has troubles but there's only one Way we can be saved. I hope to gather more evidence of these "theories" next year in Egypt haha.
Of course if you follow the news (which I don't to be honest) one might think that Egypt is a bad choice at this time. Like my dad said "I would love to visit, but....." But here's the thing about going to a place you know God has sent you to, if He's sending me that I know He will also protect me and trust me there's no one better to have on your side. I'm not saying that something couldn't happen, but whatever happens, if I do God's will then it's for the best. I have no worries, but please direct your prayers to my parents to ease theirs. Keep in mind I'm not saying to leave me out of your prayers though. Thanks
As for my work now, today I'm heading down to Phnom Penh. I have to work in the office there next week so I might as well spend the weekend down there as well. I'm looking forward ton seeing all my friends and former students, and eating non rice/noodle related food. The weekend after is the CAS graduation, I think so it will be great to see my former students achieve that milestone. The week after that is a holiday, the king's birthday, but I don't think I'll be going anywhere too exciting.
Well that's probably enough for now. Special greetings to all my family back home, especially my aunt and grandfather who read this together (Hi!). Sorry I haven't provided more reading material recently.
-Phil
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
A Few Pictures
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| Home sweet home, wood floors and big windows can't ask for better... |
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| Repelling |
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| Me with 3 out of our 4 staff (Sunny, SoPhoan and Cheat) |
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| My transportation device |
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| The Church |
Monday, January 30, 2012
January Back in Cambodia
January is ending and with that in mind I’ll let everyone know how my month has gone.
After returning from the states for Christmas I was able to ride back up here to Jombok Hoas with the group that we were having for the week. That group was the CAS senior class. Most of you may know that CAS is where I spent last year teaching so this was an especially anticipated week. I had taught all the kids Geometry last year and they are a fun group of students. So the week was really great.
The next week we had a group from East-West International School. This was a great opportunity for the staff here to explain and facilitate all the activities here in English which is the main purpose of me being here in the first place. They did a great job, I was really happy to see that their confidence has grown to the point of wanting to try it. Of course I helped a little but they did most of the work.
The third week of January I went down to Kompong Thma to participate in PROCOM. This is a series of meetings between different ADRA people from around the country that are held every quarter. I learned a lot about other things that ADRA was doing here as well as how they were doing it. I even gave a couple of short verbal reports about JBH related things.
I had plenty of electricity and internet for these few days so it gave me the chance to take the next step in deciding what to do next year. I completed an application to grad school at Andrews University for the Community and International Development program. My grades in college are not as good as they should have been, they’re not very good at all basically, but I hope my test scores, recommendations and essay will give me a chance. We’ll see. I plan on applying to a few more places; I would also like to figure out what I would have to do to become a high school math teacher, specifically at an Adventist high school. Teaching math last year was something I really enjoyed and I could see myself doing that for a long time. But I could also see myself working for some place like ADRA in the international development field. I guess I’ll open a few windows and see which one God doesn’t close. Is that the right thing to do?
Last week we had a group here for a couple nights. ADRA has a new project starting up and are recruiting staff. JBH is an interesting place to conduct interviews but I think it was beneficial for everyone. If only the grad school application process had something like this…
Friday, December 30, 2011
It's a little past midnight here in Minnesota, that's right I'm in the states. I've got a great family that found a way to get me a flight here for a week so I could celebrate Christmas with the family. It's been great. Early tomorrow morning I start my journey back to Asia. The change in culture from the USA to Cambodia can be difficult to get used to, maybe I've gone through enough change in my life to be ok with the radical change in cultures. I know what life is like here, I know what it's like there. No big deal.
My last few weeks in Cambodia before coming here were pretty busy but I had a good time. We had a group of young kids come to Jumbok Haos and as usual its great to spend time with them. I can see the improved confidence as the week goes by, the activities at the beginning of the week are less scary than later on in the week and I think each kid hits a point where they really question if they can do it or not. Once they realize they can do it they believe they can do anything, which is one of the main goals of the Jumbok Haos.
The week after that I went down to Phnom Penh with a couple ladies I work with to give out some questionnaires and surveys to groups of kids that had previously attended JBH. The best thing about doing this was seeing all the kids again and realizing that they were really happy to see us again. It seemed like JBH left a significant impression on these kids. Friday night we had our ADRA Christmas party then late that night I went to the airport and made my way here. Just in time for Christmas.
I'm looking forward to getting back though. I arrive late Sunday night, Jan 1st, then I will get a ride with my former students, the senior class from CAS the school I taught at last year. They're coming up to JBH just like we did last year. I've been looking forward to this all year, so I'll let you know how it goes...
My last few weeks in Cambodia before coming here were pretty busy but I had a good time. We had a group of young kids come to Jumbok Haos and as usual its great to spend time with them. I can see the improved confidence as the week goes by, the activities at the beginning of the week are less scary than later on in the week and I think each kid hits a point where they really question if they can do it or not. Once they realize they can do it they believe they can do anything, which is one of the main goals of the Jumbok Haos.
The week after that I went down to Phnom Penh with a couple ladies I work with to give out some questionnaires and surveys to groups of kids that had previously attended JBH. The best thing about doing this was seeing all the kids again and realizing that they were really happy to see us again. It seemed like JBH left a significant impression on these kids. Friday night we had our ADRA Christmas party then late that night I went to the airport and made my way here. Just in time for Christmas.
I'm looking forward to getting back though. I arrive late Sunday night, Jan 1st, then I will get a ride with my former students, the senior class from CAS the school I taught at last year. They're coming up to JBH just like we did last year. I've been looking forward to this all year, so I'll let you know how it goes...
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