Greetings Dear Friends and Family!
I can't believe Christmas is already here! I hope that you are all enjoying the appropriate music, hot beverages, and jolly company of loved ones around you.
There are signs of Christmas here in Cambodia as well. The other day I saw a Christmas tree made out of yogurt containers and tinsel(which sounded pretty oregonian if you ask me ;] )
No signs of snow yet, but I check my window each morning, just in case.
Technically it is the "Cold Season" here in the kingdom, but with the 88 degree temperature and 49% humidity you wouldn't be able to tell. It has cooled off tremendously!! I wore a sweater today, for about 30 minutes. I refuse to not wear a sweater at least once in December, no matter where int he world I am.
The term for our little school as Spein Neak has closed. We held a large closing program for our students, and gave them their progress report cards. Boy were they ever anxious to get their report cards! My students did exceptionally well! Each one made massive progress this term. And each is looking forward to expanding their skills in this new opening term. Khmer schools don't have a Christmas break, and neither does our school. The YWAM base however does take Christmas break off. We are very blessed to have a team from France come and take over our classes until our return on January 4.
This was my first full term of teaching ever, I am blessed beyond words to have this opportunity to teach and learn so much from my students. They have opened up their homes to me, invited me in with all the love and generosity I could ever ask for. This country is rich with the kindness of khmer hearts. (Some pictures from graduation)
After the term ended, all of the teachers put together small short Discipleship Training Program for students who had shown interest this past term in knowing more about God. We planned skits, stories, lessons, and small group sessions.
Hallelujah Praise the Lord!!! My student that I am the closest with accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior last week! :) Her name is Reachany (pronounced- Ree-chan-ee), she has been searching for answers and desiring to know more about God for months now. She got a Bible, and is so excited to grow in her relationship with the Lord. I can see the change in her, she really honestly glows with joy and new life. I have to be careful though, every time we eat together, and I forget to pray for our food, she always reminds me, "ahem teacher…..pray for that first." She is onto me ;)
Reachany and I will be meeting on Saturdays for discipleship and help on her homework. Please keep Reachany in your prayers!
Starting on the 19th is Christmas break!! I am so excited to rest and spend time in the Word, and praying for the coming season. I will be trekking down south to Phnom Penh, to stay with my non-biological aunt and uncle, Dave and Lisa Everitt. They are the first people I stayed with when I came two years ago.
Funny enough, they are from Portland Oregon. The Christian world is so small! I will also be spending some time in a village called Prey Chhor in Kampong Cham province with a lovely khmer family. They pastor a church there, and I got an invite for the Christmas service! (Here are some pictures of my time so far!)
(The demon Christmas turkey and chases you if you don't watch your back.)
There have been some concerning issues with my health the past few weeks.
I have had stomach problems for the past 14 days. When I went in to the doctor two weeks ago to see what could be wrong, they didn't find anything. It doesn't seem to matter what I eat, nothing helps so far.
Last week I was having serious nausea and abdominal pain. The doctor here believes that it is colitis, and gave me an antibiotic, which didn't work. I was so blessed to be able to get in touch with Dr. Julie Gilbert, who recommended the correct meds.
Unfortunately, I was too late to catch the colitis before it triggered a serious asthma attack.
Needless to say, it has been a mess of trying to find the right meds, and struggling to breathe while doing the simplest of things. The air pollution, dust and smoke here makes breathing with asthmatic lung more challenging.
I am praying that I am on the upside of all sickness, but I just don't know yet. Clinics here are quite frustrating. It's only money to them.
It breaks my heart, and makes me 100% more appreciative of my doctor back home.
Will you please pray with me about all of these things? Some other expat missionaries here are telling me to get home and stay home. I only want God's will in this situation.
One last thing! I just wanted to say that my birthday was on the 20th!
And wanted all of you to know that the past 23 years of my life would not be the same without you. When I think of home, my first thoughts are not about evergreens, the Pacific ocean or even the green forest trails for hiking. No, my first thoughts are of the people who I love so dearly. I have warm memories with each one of you, and those memories are tucked deep inside my heart. On the hard days, I pull them out, and dwell in nostalgia to help ease my homesickness.
Thank you for welcoming me in with open arms and loving me with a love that is more than any girl could ask for.
God be with you all, and have yourself a merry little Christmas
With Heart,
Beth
(Khmer Santa!)
