A Day in My Life

Some friends have told me they really want to hear about my day to day life in Cambodia. Well, yesterday was such an interesting day that I'd like to share the whole thing with you! It's pretty detailed, so if you want the good part, skip to the afternoon!

To set the scene: We've had groups of volunteers in Cambodia throughout the summer to teach English to the WR Cambodia staff. We have three teaching sites: Phnom Penh (the capitol city), Kampong Thom (near Siem Reap), and Kampong Cham (northwest of Phnom Penh). We are in the last two weeks of the ESL program. On Sunday, on the way to K. Thom, one of the volunteers lost his passport. Today, I help him get a police report, as well as try to get some other work done.

Here is the story of Wednesday, July 22, 2009:

7:15 am Wake Up; get ready for the day; eat American cereal with Lactose Free Skim Milk in a box (UHT—Ultra High Temperature milk). This week my cereal is Post Banana Nut Crunch. At $5 a box, it's one of my treats.

8:15 am Take a moto taxi from my house to the office: three blocks, 1000 Riel ($0.25). A major plus is that most of the moto taxi drivers on our street now know where our office is!

8:30 am Call the volunteers coming back to Phnom Penh to see what time they might arrive.

8:45 am Check with our office manager to make sure the driver can take me to pick up the volunteers.

9:00 am Search online to find some lessons and activities for the Advanced ESL class. I find a crossword puzzle about geography and a paragraph correction activity. I do them myself to see if I can and to find out how hard they really are. I'll look for more later.

Continue my research on how to replace a lost passport in Cambodia and how to acquire a police report.

Work on balancing a cash advance for the ESL program.

9:45 am Send an email to a local hotel to reserve rooms for the volunteers for one night next weekend.

Talk with Ashley, our ESL Coordinator, about the plan for today and the next couple of days as she travels to Kampong Thom to substitute teach. Also, make plans for girls' night on Friday and for a pool visit on Saturday!

10:45 am Receive an email from a hotel confirming rooms for the volunteers for next weekend. Send my own email with names, final confirmation, and a "thank you" for being so quick. Check that item off of my To Do list!

11:30 am Send some emails to people in the states to make sure details are set for the volunteer team. Hope that I get a response and everything resolved by Thursday.

12:15 pm Leave the office and drop Ashley off at the ESL house. Run in the kitchen, grab two pieces of cold fish sticks left over from dinner and stuff them in my mouth. Lunch will happen later!

12:30 pm Go with our driver to the bus station to pick up Randy & Tim (two volunteers from Lake Ave. Church in Pasadena)

12:45 pm Purchase a bus ticket for Ashley for 2:30pm today. Find Tim & Randy and head back to the house.

1:00 pm Eat some lunch: this time I heated up a plate of fish sticks and French fries and enjoyed them more.

1:40 pm Go with the driver again: to a police station to get the report necessary to get the replacement passport for Tim. (The first thing on the list from the embassy is "A police report substantiating loss or theft.") *I'll write more on my police station experience, but overall, it was a highly unsuccessful visit and a complete waste of time. (Thankfully, only 15 minutes.)

2:00 pm Drop Ashley off back at the house to take a tuk tuk to the bus station.

Go back to the WR office to find out which police station can actually help us.

Do some more research online and a PDF from the UK embassy called "How to Obtain a Cambodian Police Report," which turned out to be the most useful information I'd found so far. *Why can't the US Embassy have a similar document? 10 points for the British!

Solicit some help from Grace, our office manager, to contact the Tourist Police and type a letter from our organization. She is Cambodian (her Cambodian name is Rachny) and speaks English very well.

I find some more material for tomorrow's ESL class. Two lessons on adjectives: Comparative and Superlative. The lesson is complete! Print copies, punch holes (with help from the volunteers), and check it that off my To Do list!

3:00 pm Grace convinces me to drive (for the first time!) to take us (Tim, Grace, and me) to the police station. *I have my Cambodian driver's license, but have not been brave enough to actually drive a car here. More on this later! Note: I avoid telling Tim that this is my first time driving in Cambodia! Innocence is bliss, right?

3:30 pm I drive, Grace is the navigator, and we make it safely (in the afternoon rain) to the Tourist Police office. *Thankfully, it's on our side of town and traffic is a little lighter than the city center.

We meet with the police officer (I'm not sure what his position or rank is) in his office. He is very nice and seems quite helpful. Grace is invaluable in this whole process!

I play Solitaire on my iPod Touch (Thank you again Mom & Dad!), while Tim and Grace work things out with the officer.

5:00 pm The report is almost done! Tim pays the $30 "fee" to the officer and we arrange to meet him later to pick up the final report. He needs to get one more signature from one of his superiors.

5:30 pm I drive through a few ponds and lakes that have accumulated on the roads since the rain started and drop Grace back at the office.

Tim and I go to the ESL house to eat dinner and wait for the call to meet the officer.

6:00 pm The report is ready early! (Does that really happen in Cambodia?!) We drive 2 blocks to meet the officer and get the report. Step 1 of 'Getting Tim a New Passport' is complete!

6:30 pm Eat dinner!

7:00 pm I drive back to the office to leave the car and pick up my moto helmet. *My first nighttime driving. Only 4 blocks.

Blessings!: I get a ride home on a moto from one of the WR staff that is heading home late. And the night guard loans me his poncho to wear home in the rain!

7:15 pm Home!

Watch some TV on DVD with roommates. Send some emails. Eat some Pringles. Eat some ice cream.

10:15 pm Lights out! Sleep!

And that, my friends, is one day in Phnom Penh, Cambodia!

Two Months in Cambodia!

This week marks two months since I packed my life into two 50 lb. suitcases (as well as a compact carryon and a computer bag) and moved to Cambodia. One forth of my stint here has already passed by! Wow!

So, how am I doing? How is life in Cambodia? I am doing very well! And I am really enjoying life here on the other side of the world!

I am amazed at how normal my life seems after just a couple of months. I don't have a regular routine (and I may not for a couple more months!), but I feel like I'm settling into the Cambodian way of things. I'm continuing to take language classes; I'm learning my way around the city (and able to tell the drivers where to go!); and I'm starting to feel comfortable...natural...at ease. I have yet to have a dramatic "culture shock" moment. Perhaps it will come still. (But I hope not!) I do feel homesick occasionally, but I've only cried myself to sleep one time! But really, I do miss my family and my friends and my church family and the many, many people who are so dear to me back home. I am so thankful for technology. We have pretty good internet at the office and at home, so I can use Skype, facebook, email, and this blog, to keep up with those so far away.


[Chilis drying in a field near a Wat (Buddhist temple)]

I feel like I am getting into the swings of things. I’m merging into my role as Interim Partnership Coordinator. I’m thankful for the gradual transition process. Right now the main focus for partnership is our summer volunteers. Our summer ESL (English as a Second Language) program began two weeks ago and will continue through the end of July. Groups of volunteers from our partner churches come for two weeks at a time to teach English to the WR staff. This is the fourth year of the program and it’s evident that this is a great opportunity for the volunteers and for the Cambodian staff. I have really enjoyed meeting and helping to host the diverse teams of volunteers while they are in Cambodia. The teams bring lots of energy and enthusiasm for the work of WR and for building relationships with staff members.


[Fun friends at the Hope staff retreat in May]

I get to be involved in ESL in my own way this summer by writing new curriculum for the advanced class! No, I was not an education major, nor have I ever formally taught ESL (or any other course!), but it needed to be done! I consider this an opportunity to take advantage of my internet resourcefulness. I hunt down grammar and writing lessons, find devotionals and stories, adapt exercises and games, and put it all together in a lesson format. I can’t promise that it’s anything remarkable, but as long as our staff are practicing their English and feeling at least a little bit challenged, I believe I have succeeded.


[Reviewing last years curriculum...and working on my own!]

Thank you so much for praying for me and missing me! My parents tell me often about friends from home who ask about me and say “hello!” It means so much to me. I feel so loved. And God is so good. He continues to confirm that Cambodia is exactly where I should be right now. I would appreciate your continued prayers for my future and clear direction from the Lord as to where he would want me next.

Please pray:
--For the summer ESL program: that WR staff and church partner volunteers would each be blessed and be a blessing. Pray that volunteers would gain a vision and passion for the work of WR Cambodia and take that back to their church families.
--For me as I continue to write lessons for the advanced ESL curriculum. Pray for diligence and joy for the work. I do enjoy it, but it’s a bit daunting and seems never-ending! Pray too that I will do a good job and create lessons that are helpful for the students and teachers.
--That I would hunger daily for God’s word and time with Him. I am excited about how God is using this time in my life. I desire to learn more about Him and what it means to live a life devoted to Christ.

Photos!

Me and my Off! Deep Woods--we're bonding.


This photo goes with the post below on mosquitoes and their daily interference in my life.

You can see many more photos of my life in Cambodia, the crazy things I see while driving around the city, and my trip to Thailand in May!

Go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/Katherine.E.Williams

Buzzzz Off!

Mosquitoes. They love hot, humid climates. They hide out in bathrooms, in dark places (like moto helmets), and they greet me every morning when I enter the office. They are quick to bite and the bites seem especially itchy here in Cambodia! Oh, mosquito! How I loathe thee!

But, it's not just the bite that is bad; it's the potential danger that comes with the bite. Mosquitoes in Cambodia are carriers of two major diseases: malaria and dengue fever. The risk for malaria is only at night; it can be prevented with mosquito repellent and anti-malarial medication (thankfully!). The risk for dengue fever is during the day, especially in the morning and evening. There is no known medicine to treat or prevent dengue, so it is very important to wear mosquito repellent. I need to be better at this!

There are several "natural remedies" to repel mosquitoes: apple cider vinegar, garlic, citronella, etc. But, the very best way to shun those nasty little guys is with some good, strong DEET! I'm sticking with the strong stuff!

Sometimes it seems strange to spray myself with Off! Deep Woods while I'm in my air conditioned office. It's for the "deep woods," right? There aren't any woods to be seen from my window, but the mosquitoes are here and they are hungry. I think that I've gotten used to the "bug spray smell"–that reminds of camping and bonfires–but I don't think I'll get used to my flying, biting enemies.

They say that dengue fever is a high risk this summer. Ashley Weselo, from College Park!, is in Cambodia for the summer volunteering as our Summer ESL Coordinator. She came down with dengue two summers ago while she was here teaching English. She was very sick, but the dengue didn't keep her away for too long! Thankfully, she is back in Cambodia this summer with mosquito repellent in hand! Her advice: "Wear lots of bug spray!" I think that sums it up.

Note: I originally wrote this post for our Summer ESL blog. Feel free to check it out at eslcambodia.wordpress.com.

Posting Pictures!

I've been so bad about posting anything lately, I thought I should start with some pictues of my life here in Cambodia! Here are just a few from my visit to the field during my second week--almost one month ago! My roommate Kirsten and I traveled north to Kampong Cham province to meet staff and visit three World Relief programs: SPY (community health education), Hope (evangelism, cell church planting, and HIV/AIDS support), and CREDIT (micro-financing lending).

And I ate a fried tarantula!

For for pictures of this trip and life in Cambodia, please visit: http://picasaweb.google.com/Katherine.E.Williams

What's today? Thursday! Wow! Time flies at retreats. :)

It's my third day at Sihanoukville--one of the popular beach towns in Cambodia. Right now I'm sitting at a beach side cafe/restaurant--yes, beachside! My friend had her laptop and shared her wifi time with me. So, if I look up from the screen I can see the blue-green ocean and lots of boats waiting to take tourists to the nearby islands. It's beautiful!

I got to come along with the Hope program and Country Office staff for a four day retreat. They do it every year as a time for the staff to get away and have some spiritual refreshment. It has been a great conference so far with lots of chances to get to know some of the Cambodians better. (There are about 150 people here!) I'm learning the language, but just know a little bit right now. Thankfully many of the staff speak English, so we can chat a little!

There is a couple from Norway, Erik and Kjersti, who are serving as missionaries in the Phillipines. They are friends with Joke Van Opstal, the director of Hope and the acting country director while Tim Amstutz is away. She invited them to come for a second year to lead the retreat. They are a fantastic couple with a great love for the Lord and a passion to teach and disciple people in the Truth of God's Word. I have been so blessed by the worship and teaching. A large part of the sessions are only in Khmer (Cambodian language), but most of the songs (while sung in Khmer) have the English words on the screen as well, so I'm able to sing along with everyone the songs that I know! The teaching is done in English and then translated into Khmer, so I can follow that as well! Cambodians are quite passionate in their worship, prayer and singing. While the worship time has made me a bit homesick for church at home, I am thankful that God's Spirit is everywhere on the earth!

The week has been great so far, but many people became very sick last night, perhaps from some bad seafood at dinner last night. I have been somewhat picky in my eating and thankfully I did not eat whatever it was that made everyone sick! I am praying that I stay healthy--this week and for the rest of my time in Southeast Asia!

Some other news:
-Last week was a Cambodian national holiday, the King's Birthday! Everyone gets three days off! My roommate, Kirsten, and I traveled to Chiang Mai, Thailand for 5 days! We stayed with the Miyakawa Family (from College Park) and had a lovely time with them and getting to know Chiang Mai! We took a day trip up to the highest peak in Thailand and I thoroughly enjoyed getting out of the city for a little bit! Thai food is amazing and I even got in a trip to Starbucks! (I know! I'm a tourist and a hopeless froufrou coffee lover!) I must say that my Raspberry Mocha was just perfect!

Even though I've been in Cambodia for just one month, the vacation was nice timing. My first few weeks were full of "orientation" and some touristy things to get to know the city and culture. It can be exhausting to be a tourist--and to start a new job at the same time! Now, it's time to get to work! The time off was a nice transition for that.

In the second week of June, the teams will begin to arrive for Summer ESL (English as a Second Language). World Relief Staff in Cambodia have the opportunity to study English for 8 weeks this summer as teams from our partner churches in the US. Ashley Weselo from College Park will come the first of June to serve as the ESL Coordinator for the summer! I'm looking forward to having a friend from home here for several months!

Please pray!
Immediate prayer request: Please lift up the 50-70 WR staff who have been struck ill from some bad food. There are many at the local clinic or are held up in their hotel rooms. The schedule today was altered because of so many people being sick; the soccer match that was planned for the afternoon was canceled. Please pray that everyone would recover quickly and have a chance to enjoy the rest of the retreat. Pray that those who are not ill would be faithful to attend the remaining sessions and have their hearts and minds open for what God might teach them.

1. Pray for Kate Pieper and me as we prepare for the Summer ESL program; that all would go smoothly as we copy materials and organize the sites.

2. Pray for me as I continue to adjust to life in Cambodia. I don't have a "routine" yet and I don't know if I will, but please pray that I would be disciplined in spending time with the Lord each day and really meditating on His Word. Also, pray that I would learn the language well and really remember all the things that I am taught! I am taking lessons in the afternoon will two other girls in the office. Our teacher is wonderful and makes learning Khmer quite fun!

3. Please pray that God would be glorified by my being in Cambodia. I desire to shine with His light and grace in all that I do here. I want to have eyes to see people and circumstances as Jesus does--and then respond in a way that demonstrates His love and care for others.

you all so much for your prayers and fun messages and notes on Facebook and email! You are such a blessing to me!

My First Week in Cambodia!

Wow! I cannot believe that I have been in Cambodia for over one week! I have already had the chance to do so much and see so much! I sometimes get overwhelmed when I think about recording everything that I do, but I really want to remember these first days and share with you about what I see and do! So, here is an overview of Week 1!

Saturday, April 25

I had spent two nights in Phnom Penh and I was ready to see the city! Kerstin and I headed out late morning to hail our first Tuk Tuk (a covered cart with a bench that is pulled by a motor scooter—or "moto" as it called here). Not speaking Khmer (the language of Cambodia), we gave direction using the one of the few landmarks I knew yet, and made our way to "Blind Massage". A one hour massage given by a blind person: $6. This is just one example of the many businesses in Phnom Penh that are providing jobs and training to the disabled or less advantaged in the community. I'm definitely planning to support these establishments, especially since it's so relaxing!

[Kerstin and me on our first tuk tuk ride!]

The massage was followed by another tuk tuk ride to Café Yejj (a not-for-profit café) located near the Russian Market (major outdoor market). Iced coffee, couscous salad, and a ham and cheese crepe made me wonder if I was still in Cambodia. So yummy and refreshing! After lunch we were ready to hit the market! Hundreds of stalls, in I don't know how many rows and columns, had stall keepers ready to sell us anything we might need: all types of clothing (many from US stores that have factories in Cambodia: GAP, Old Navy, Banana Republic, as well as brands I recognized from Walmart or Kohl's), kitchen supplies, bicycle tires, handicrafts, table cloths, silver jewelry (is it real I wonder?), various tools and hardware, and, of course, every CD or DVD known to man (illegal copies of course) in various levels of quality. I walked out with a North Face computer bag for $11 (I bartered down from $14). Apparently it didn't pass the test to make to the store shelves in the states, but I think it's perfect for toting around dusty Cambodia!

Our last stop of the day was at the grocery store—that is designed for the Westerner—where I purchased yogurt, boxed milk, Pringles, and a few other basics. All in all it was a fantastic day. A great taste of life in the city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia!

[My view from inside the tuk tuk: a street in central Phnom Penh.]

Sunday, April 26

Kerstin and I joined Kate at her church for Sunday morning worship. There are several international churches in Phnom Penh and I would like to visit as many of them as I can and then find one to attend regularly for my 8 months here. So, my visit to Kate's church was the first and a great intro into church in Cambodia. It is called Jubilee Family Church and is a church plant of Newfrontiers. It's a small congregation (about 25 that Sunday) and is a mix of Cambodians and Ex-patriots from various countries. The pastor and his wife were very welcoming and full of energy!

Monday, April 27

This was my second day at the World Relief Country Office. The day began with all staff worship time—very lively in Cambodian style—with prayer and singing (I recognized the tune to several songs, but not the words!). I spent a little time with Kate going over some of upcoming things we would be working on and then I got to sit in on a program meeting. We heard updates from a couple of the program staff and enjoyed a great lunch from a nearby bakery. That evening I joined Kirsten for dinner at the home of Tim and Dar, missionaries here in Cambodia, whose daughter is Kirsten's boss in Baltimore! Small world! They live in between the WR office and our house in beautiful, newly built house that they use as their office and home. One of their projects is to sell crafts handmade by people living in the village where they work. There were baskets of woven rugs, wooden boxes, and other beautiful things! I hope to buy some gifts and souvenirs from their shop. Tim and Dar are great, so hospitable and so fun! We had a delicious Thai dinner (Dar grew up in Thailand) and enjoyed a lovely evening out on the rooftop terrace. It was so nice to get to know some other ex-pats living in Cambodia, hear their story, and fellowship together.

To be continued…

So much in just three days! Of course, there is so much to share about everything, since it is so new! On Tuesday we went on our first "Field Visit" out to the rural parts of Cambodia. That is a big story of its own and I will share about in my next post. Thanks for reading and thanks always for your prayers! If would like to hear more about something or just want to comment, please do so! I'd love to hear from you!