The School Semester is coming to a close. Last night we had the School Christmas Concert. The infants school performed 'The story of Christmas' and the junior and high school performed 'The Grinch who stole Christmas'. Nathan was in the play, Naomi helped with hair and makeup, Graham ran the light desk and I took the still photos.
It has been a great term here at Hope School. And as usual, we will be losing some students who are returning to their home countries either permanently or on furlough, we will also gain a number more in the new semester early January.
It may be difficult for outsiders to consider what we do here in Cambodia as Missionary work. But we are left without a doubt as to how necessary a role we have here in Witnessing Christ. The predominant portion of our parents are Missionaries be it in relation to orphanages, training facilities, church planters, community development projects, woman/children at risk programs, advocacy agriculture or clean water projects. Often a parent will thank us for being here to educate their children, for without an affordable fee school many of them would not be able to stay in country, as expensive private schools, Khmer language schools and home schooling are impractical or unaffordable.
We have opportunities to work alongside other missionaries through school via service projects for which we and our students volunteer and also in our church missionary ventures (such as the Steun Mean Chey Dump).
Working with the students is particularly special for Graham and I as we manage the extra curricular program and run many activity clubs such as swimming, photography, film making, gardening, portrait drawing and sports etc. My film making club is particularly a joy as the group of students I have are so keen.
Please pray for our work here in Cambodia, it is simple but rewarding. We do know many families would like us to extend our contract, but at this stage have told the school we will leave in June. It is a very very hard decision to make. We miss Australia, our families, friends, the mountains and the sea, but we also have an opportunity to bless others and be blessed by them in a way that is just so different to life in Australia.
Have a great Christmas,
Fiona
2 comments:
My family and I were at the Christmas play and we enjoyed it.
We appreciate your blog. It helped us to understand some of the culture-shock issues Australians face coming to this country when we were at the stage of preparing to come here ourselves. Thank you for sharing from your experiences.
My daughter ended up going to Hope school. We really appreciate the school for the reasons you cited in this last post of yours.
We miss Australia also, but we have less of a reason to leave since we have only just gotten to Cambodia.
Love you pics. Thanks so much for all your help!
Post a Comment