The Cambodian New Year started yesterday. It is a three day celebration where most people return to their hometowns to celebrate with their families. The first day of the celebration is used to welcome new angels who will come for one year periods of time to take care of the earth. People often go to the temple to get blessed or mediate at home in hopes that an angel will stay with their family throughout the new year. The second day is a time when gifts are exchanged and donations are given to the poor. The third day is filled with more ceremonies at the temple centered around forgiveness for misdeeds against the elderly and blessing for the new year. Many businesses are closed and the city looks a bit like a ghost town, since most people return to their hometowns in the countryside. I am enjoying a few days without language school and trying to keep cool as we are now in the midst of the hot season.
Speaking of language, last week I started my second class at the Institute of Foreign Linguistics. Here is the course description of the class I am currently taking: “Students review consonants, vowels and consonant feet, and construct sentences. Topics include shopping, going to the restaurant, going to the post-office, family, school, housework, and seeing a doctor.” I have learned much in the past six months, but still feel like I have just begun the process.
I recently had the opportunity teach an intensive one-training session on the Gospel of John in another country in SE Asia. While I was teaching one group, Lloyd was teaching another group of students the Synoptic Gospels and Acts. Lloyd is the team leader for Cambodia and currently he and his family are completing the last few months of home missionary assignment before returning in June. I took several intensive one week classes in seminary and now have a new appreciation for the work that is involved in preparing an intensive course and the energy it takes to teach a compact course. My translator had learned most of his English in Singapore. I had a good laugh when he told me part way through the week that it was getting easier for him to understand my accent. It was encouraging to be around church workers in another country that are growing in their understanding of the doctrines of grace and desire to have their teaching founded on the Word of God.
My roommate, Daniel, has helped me make a blog. I have posted the previous updates there as well as a couple photo albums.http://lifeincambodia.org . Also, Here is a video Daniel made of traffic in Phnom Penh: traffic video
Thanks for your prayers and support,
Luke
Speaking of language, last week I started my second class at the Institute of Foreign Linguistics. Here is the course description of the class I am currently taking: “Students review consonants, vowels and consonant feet, and construct sentences. Topics include shopping, going to the restaurant, going to the post-office, family, school, housework, and seeing a doctor.” I have learned much in the past six months, but still feel like I have just begun the process.
I recently had the opportunity teach an intensive one-training session on the Gospel of John in another country in SE Asia. While I was teaching one group, Lloyd was teaching another group of students the Synoptic Gospels and Acts. Lloyd is the team leader for Cambodia and currently he and his family are completing the last few months of home missionary assignment before returning in June. I took several intensive one week classes in seminary and now have a new appreciation for the work that is involved in preparing an intensive course and the energy it takes to teach a compact course. My translator had learned most of his English in Singapore. I had a good laugh when he told me part way through the week that it was getting easier for him to understand my accent. It was encouraging to be around church workers in another country that are growing in their understanding of the doctrines of grace and desire to have their teaching founded on the Word of God.
My roommate, Daniel, has helped me make a blog. I have posted the previous updates there as well as a couple photo albums.http://lifeincambodia.org . Also, Here is a video Daniel made of traffic in Phnom Penh: traffic video
Thanks for your prayers and support,
Luke
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