Preah Vihear
I think this was the quietest day of my visit. About mid-morning, I went over to Joel's house, he is the other member of the World Team mission's team in this area. I had placed an order for coconut jewelry and he wanted me to check it out! The coconut jewelry is made by some of the young men in the church. It is made to help supplement their income for freedom to minister.
After visiting with Joel for the morning, Carolyn and I went to the Plas Prai to visit the girls. The Plas Prai is a dorm center set up for young ladies in the surrounding villages to attend school. Most of these families can not afford to send their children to school or if they can the family has to choose which child will go. If a family has to chose between children it is usually the boy that will go. The boys do not have much expected of them. They can do as they please. The girls on the other hand must be responsible. They care for their younger siblings and their home. Therefore in the Cambodian eyes the girls have no need of school. So, a church in Australia has built this dorm facility and pays for the girls to go to school and have tutors. They would not have a chance at school with out this opportunity. When I asked what the girls wanted to study and why, the majority said to be teachers, a couple said doctors and nurses. Their goal is to go back to their villages and help there people. I was able to spend a little time with the girls. It was a fun time. We shared about ourselves, played a few games, and then they attempted to teach me to dance Cambodia style. Lots of laughter and smiles. I became their older sister!
These are the beautiful young ladies. There are about 36 of them total, average age 18-22 and 6 to a room. School age in Cambodia doesn't matter. Most of them start really late, or have to quite for a while. In addition to paying to attend school, one must also pay the teachers to pass you. If there is not enough money sometimes it takes longer to finish school. Notice that most of them are in long sleeves? It was very hot, but they do not want to get any darker. There is a prejudice against the darker skin. It is a sign/symbol or being poor, having to work in the fields, and spending a lot of time in the sun. Satan's deception is so amazing! Never being content with how God made you!It is in every culture!
That afternoon, I was able to sit down with the missionary team that I was visiting. It was a great time of learning and sharing. They taught me about the history of the mission work in the area, their current plans and projects, and future hopes, desires, and dreams. We even talked about how I would fit in to the puzzle. One way would be to work with the Plas Prai girls. They are attending the mission church and some are Christians, but there is no discipleship. I would be mentoring, discipling and sharing the love of Christ with the others. This is just one of the many opportunities for me there and I am excited to see how God leads!
After visiting with Joel for the morning, Carolyn and I went to the Plas Prai to visit the girls. The Plas Prai is a dorm center set up for young ladies in the surrounding villages to attend school. Most of these families can not afford to send their children to school or if they can the family has to choose which child will go. If a family has to chose between children it is usually the boy that will go. The boys do not have much expected of them. They can do as they please. The girls on the other hand must be responsible. They care for their younger siblings and their home. Therefore in the Cambodian eyes the girls have no need of school. So, a church in Australia has built this dorm facility and pays for the girls to go to school and have tutors. They would not have a chance at school with out this opportunity. When I asked what the girls wanted to study and why, the majority said to be teachers, a couple said doctors and nurses. Their goal is to go back to their villages and help there people. I was able to spend a little time with the girls. It was a fun time. We shared about ourselves, played a few games, and then they attempted to teach me to dance Cambodia style. Lots of laughter and smiles. I became their older sister!
That afternoon, I was able to sit down with the missionary team that I was visiting. It was a great time of learning and sharing. They taught me about the history of the mission work in the area, their current plans and projects, and future hopes, desires, and dreams. We even talked about how I would fit in to the puzzle. One way would be to work with the Plas Prai girls. They are attending the mission church and some are Christians, but there is no discipleship. I would be mentoring, discipling and sharing the love of Christ with the others. This is just one of the many opportunities for me there and I am excited to see how God leads!
