Butterplys

Sunday and Monday have come and gone and they were equally wonderful.

So sorry I haven't blogged everyday, I've been exhausted at night! 

*Exhaustion=sleeping all night=good thing*

*I would also like to apologize for my depressing last post, there were just a lot of emotions to process. So thank you for bearing with me. *

We woke up Sunday morning and headed to church. We arrived and I was surprised by the amount of people that were at the school for worship service. We walked into the building and one of the woman that we had met on Saturday *who had hugged and held on to us a lot* was there. Pure JOY. 

We continued on our walk to the kitchen and put our bags down. Sokhom came in and asked if we wanted to lead children's worship and bible class instead of just class. He said it's hard for the children to sit quietly in regular service *heard that* and so we could lead a separate service if we wanted to. We agreed to do it and immediately made our way to the back room where nearly 30 kids were waiting for us on mats. Srey Nam said she was going to be our translator *thank you Lord* and so we removed our shoes and got started. 

We started by singing songs, which is there favorite thing. They know several great ones:

Father Abraham

Ha-la-la-la-la-la-leilujah *no idea how to spell that*

I've Got the Joy Joy Joy Joy

Jesus Loves Me 

and If You Love Jesus 

We sang through all of those pretty quickly and so Sarah and I decided to teach them one. I quickly thought of The Caterpillar Song *climbed up in a tree. He wiggled once, he wiggled twice... You know it* Sarah didn't know it so it was solo time for Cassie again. I tried to teach them as well as I could, but the English was hard  for them. They couldn't get caterpillar but they shouted butterfly when it came to that part. Sure, it was more of a "butterply," but hey. It works.

Then we got the children's bible out and began with the story of Jonah. Sarah held it up and showed the kids the pictures, I read the story line by line, and Srey Nam translated for us. After Jonah, we read the story of Daniel. After the stories, someone prayed and then it was time for everyone to go home. 

Sokhom brought us communion which consisted of bread and a red juice that tasted like strawberry koolaid. *Fine by me, it took me back to childhood* 

We all helped to prepare lunch, we all ate lunch, and then we were asked if we wanted to go buy souviners or go see the Killing Fields. We did but it was raining and we want to watch "The Killing Fields" before we go so we can get a better grasp of what happened. So we headed back to the hotel and stopped in the mini mart downstairs to grab some 7-Up. Once upstairs, we popped some popcorn and settled in to watch "The Killing Fields." Sarah fell asleep 30 minutes in *she said she didn't but yeah right* so I stopped it and rested as well.

After our nap we were picked up in the tuk tuk by Pum and Sythourn *my students* and went back to the school. We got inside and they asked Srey Nam if they could take us to the river, she said yes and we recruited 2 of Sarah's students as well as Cha Keo *the little girl I always talk about* and Daniel. *her little brother* 

We got in the tuk tuk and drove for a while. The sights and smells are all new to me. The strong smells of garlic and incense and garbage mingle with the sweet smells of mango and rain and everything is so green. Sometimes it feels like we are literally in a jungle. We passed many fruit and vegetable stands set up a long the road. Entire families would be sitting by their stand with their house in the background.

We got to the river and it was pretty crowded.

Good thing the Mekong is HUGE.

We piled out of the tuk tuk and walked along the top of a concrete wall. The wall is very tall and slanted down with a valley-type thing that meets the river. People farm down in the valley area but the students said that during the rainy season, the water reaches to the top of the concrete wall. It's crazy to think about. 

We walked the length of the river and were given a tour of Phnom Penh from across the river. They showed us the ferry boats and the tour boats, as well as the Royal Palace and a casino where the wealthy people all go to play cards. There is a man-made island *Lemon Island* that was created a couple of years ago. The students said that they made it very beautiful. 

Once we reached the end of the road, Pum drove up in the tuk tuk and we piled in again and headed home.

Quick word on Pum's driving. The tuk tuk is a standard and *it seems like* Pum is just now learning how to drive it. So yes, there is a LOT of stalling out happening in the middle of roads.. It's pretty funny. 

Once we got back, we had dinner and  then headed back to the hotel.

Sunday was over.

Monday morning came pretty early *I think we're finally getting used to the time difference stuff* but we got up and made to the school on time. I taught my class about "Who, What, When, and Where." It was a little difficult at first, but they quickly understood and were making sentences in no time. 

Lunch time rolled around and we helped prepare it. Right before we all sat down to eat, one of Sarah's students came down the stairs in a new change of clothes. He had on a girls shirt *you could tell by the neckline* and immediately one of my students cried out "Oh what a beautiful girl!" 

It was literally the funniest thing ever. Plus I was so proud of his English. It was wonderful. Have I mentioned how much I love my class? 

We had our afternoon session and then helped prepare the vegetables for dinner. As soon as we were done helping we went outside to watch the boys play their afternoon volleyball game. *They are So good* 

Y'all.

It is hilarious.

They only speak in Khmer but I can tell when there is trash talking going on. I got invited to play.. Obviously I said no. I would be made fun of, no doubt.

I'll play someday.

Maybe. 

The children arrived and we began our lesson. They were SO hyper and the mid-lesson thunderstorm did not help at all. But we made it through an hour and then said our goodbyes. 

Dinner was served and we were brought back to the hotel. 

Another day is done. 

We are finally getting into a rhythm and it is rocking. It's hard work but this is an internship, it's not like we're on vacation. *Even though it feels like it sometimes*

Sorry this post was kinda like a list. But that's kind of how it is right now. 

Routine.

But don't worry, God is showing up daily and showing us new things constantly. So there are many MANY more stories to come.

I just know it. 

Until then,

Cassie