It's been a while since my last post for numerous reasons but mainly because I have been busy. Seiha's wedding was January 13, Charles's host sister's wedding was Jan. 20, I went to Mesang the following Tuesday and Wednesday and I have been arranging homestays for Scott, the new MCCer who arrived yesterday morning, and the two Goshen SSTers. Wow, I believe the poor grammer from my language teacher is starting to affect my writing; that sentence is way too long.
Seiha's wedding went well, aside from the fact my purse was stolen and had Andrea's house keys and my keys in it. I didn't understand all of the Khmer traditions, though it was helpful to have some people translating for me. The evening reception was fun complete with dancing and MCC group pictures. I didn't enjoy Charle's host sister's wedding as well; I had never met the bride or groom before that evening. Charles and I arrived too early and the night was not as enjoyable as we left shortly after eating.
Mesang, a district in Prey Veng provience, was a delightful trip. ODOV, Organization to Develop Our Villages, used to be MCC Mesang several years ago. About 3 years ago ODOV became its own organization separate from MCC. Charles and I visited with Ben who has been the advisor during his term. For the day I travelled via moto with a wonderful lady, Sorm Sarit, who is an overseer of the projects in the villages. We visited a fish farm, a couple vegetable farms, a village manager, and some chicken farmers. During the day she spoke slowly in Khmer so that I could understand her. Despite having some stomach problems, the day was wonderful and the people I met incrediable.
Amy, SALTer, and Sherry, CR, visited Prey Veng that Friday and Saturday. It was nice to show them around and have other white people to talk to. In addition, it was nice for Sherry to see a typical language class and brainstorm ways to improve since I am not learning the language as quickly as I anticipated. During their visit we looked at several potential homestays for Scott and the Goshen students. It appears that most of the families want girls, which is a problem since there are two boys and one girl. But that will be worked out soon. But in searching for homestays, I have found a young Khmer woman who comes to my house and practices Khmer with me in the afternoons. Her name is Guntia and attends the same church I do.
This past weekend I went camping with several MCCers, some Cambodians, and two other guys that Ben knew. We went to Kiriom National Park and hiked, played Dutch Blitz, and explored trails during the day and camped out in tents for the night. We even had hot dogs and smores! The Cambodians liked the hot dogs but weren't too keen on the smores. Personally, I think they are one of the best inventions from the west.
Over the past two weeks I have been going through somewhat of a slump. After returning from Mesang I discovered my youngest host brother had been entering my room and drinking yogurt I bought I PP. I told my host mother and she took care of situation. But now whenever we eat, my host brother eats two and three bowls of rice. Each time he asks for more rice he holds up his bowl, says "bai" (rice) and stares at me. My host family thinks it hilarious that a ten year old can eat so much yet the foreigner only eats one bowl of rice. Needless to say it's a joke in my family now that they are going to grow up big and strong and I'm not because I don't eat two bowls of rice. Apparently they don't notice that I'm bigger than any of them.
But the real reason I have been going through a low point is because I feel incrediably young, inexperienced, and vulnerable. I keep getting things stolen from me, like Amy's bike, Andrea's keys, or yogurt, and frankly, I am the youngest service worker at MCC and in most groups in Prey Veng. But I am starting to realize the amazing opportunity that MCC gave me. I am young and inexperienced but they accepted me for this position and told me to go for it. Most organizations wouldn't do that. And being vulnerable isn't such a bad thing; slowly I am learning how to form deep, meaningful relationships in somewhat superficial culture and how to relate to people I have little in common with.
