Recent events in Riah’s life!!
1) I successfully rode my motorbike to Taom for the second time now! (Phil has much more often.) When we do this, it usually takes us about 1.15 hours to get there. I have mixed feelings about doing this for sure. Part of the ride is very open and can be extremely windy at times or perhaps there is a lot of traffic. This makes for more of a tense ride, BUT the other half of the drive is beautiful and more relaxing. I catch myself with a huge smile on my face while I’m riding sometimes because I often remind myself how crazy it is that I’m in Cambodia, riding my moto, doing this. Two years ago, I never would’ve dreamt it. 🙂
Another recent event:
2) The student center welcomed eleven new students the other day. In doing this, we spent an evening getting to know each other playing games, musical chairs and answering questions about ourselves. We did the limbo and got doused in baby powder by all the veteran students. After this, the new students lined up and waited our turn for a blessing from each of the veteran students. They had a piece of red string that they tied to our wrists while giving us each their own unique blessing. There’s something about having other young adults, your same age, give you a blessing and good wishes that is so precious and heart-warming. After that, we all ate dinner together and shared many laughs, per usual. One challenge that comes with welcoming more students to the center now is not having enough bicycles for transportation to and from school. This causes students to be more flexible with their time, planning their days ahead to make sure every one can get to school on time. Another difficulty is sleeping arrangements. There are sixteen boys sharing one room and bathroom, with a few of them sleeping on the floor. This is a tight fit for sure.
3) I’m taking khmer lessons which includes learning how to read and write. I am learning from a student at the center I go to everyday, Chantha. She takes time out of her day every day to patiently–oh so patiently–teach me. This has definitely not been a fast process, not even close, and can be a very discouraging process as well. But day by day, step by step, we are improving. 🙂
One more thing!
Recently there was a group of twenty-five Australians that came to visit in Siem Reap for mission work- a couple of teachers and their students, grade 11. They were such a blessing to me and to the people they served while they were here. I got introduced to them on a random night when I was at the student center while they were visiting. Instantly, I connected with them and found them so easy to get along with. While talking to them and getting to know them on this one particular night, their personalities instantly reminded me so much of friends and family back home. It was a time that I felt the Lord was gifting to me to enjoy and befriend these students for the time being.
They were in Siem Reap for an entire week so I got to see them multiple times as they were introduced to both the centers I’m at and were connected with all the same people throughout the week. They brought me so much joy and a sense of home while they were here. This was a huge blessing recently so I wanted to praise God in that and share it with y’all! While they were here, we took a boat out to the floating village and spent time dancing and playing games with the students at the school. We were facilitated by Father Yacob who is head of the parish out at the floating village. The short time spent at this school left us all with the hardest goodbyes to the sweet kids. Some of these students enjoyed their time here so much that they have expressed interest about coming back in the future. Praise God! Thank you to all these young adults to the blessings they brought to Cambodia. 🙂
