Week 2 in Phnom Penh

My role here is becoming more defined as time goes by. Bec, the overall Project Supervisor is going away for a week and I will take up a couple of extra admin responsibilities. (Nothing too demanding as yet).

English Tutor; I am also now the English tutor for the three older girls. One of them goes to normal school in the mornings also, but they all learn English as an extra. They have just started in an English for Beginners program the New Life Church is Running, and I support them there as well as tutor them at home before a lesson, and on homework. As with most 15 year olds, we sometimes have attitude. SO THAT IS A TEST FOR ME, AS I AM NOT GOOD WITH ATTITUDE.
Today, you wouldn't envy me. I had a headache, period pain, a head cold and I had to teach 3 very reluctant 15 year old girls English. I'm afraid the mother instinct came out in me and I wanted to give them a clip around the ears for attitude. BUT>>>> I restrained myself, and through an interpreter, I explained that this was an opportunity that God had given them, and a lot of other people don't have, and they should apprediate it and do the very best they can with it. A lot of other girls never get this opportunity, and it will help them have a better future etc. Also, that they were wasting my time as well. (I think the interpreter thought I was a little harsh, but then she is about 23 years old and never been a mother of teenagers) They could tell I wasn't impressed, but they came around in the end. We got in about 20 minutes of our allotted one hour! But.....
After that I took them to their formal English class at the church,which they enjoyed and were able to participate in, because I had pre-tutored them, so they knew what the teacher was talking about... the previous lesson, they had no idea, and were quite lost....

I think (or hope at least) that a small lesson was learned today. I am not good with ATTITUDE!!! (But I am learning) think I lived with it for tooooo long, so I have VERY LITTLE tollerance with it anymore.....We all ended up with a better understanding/respect of each other I think. And hopefully the girls learned not to push me too far or I will pull rank!...They still love me! Phew!

All's well that ends well. Praise God.

Cooking Teacher; Not one of my stronger points, but hey anyone can read directions on a packet...can't they? I give a cooking lesson to all the girls (split into 2 age groups) on Saturdays. It's not so much the cooking, but not having the equipment we are used to that makes it more difficult. It could be FRIED CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS again.... That has to be better that deep fried spiders and locusts etc..... doesn't it..? What do you think?

I did suggest to Bec, that I do a fruit salad or something, but she said they chop up food all the time (when they help prepare meals), so that would be boring for them. They aren't into healthy, just a treat for that time. Still I think I may try it at least once, and add youghurt as they like sweets.

Craft Activities; I think out of boredom more than anything, I decided to have some fun with paper and stickers and have taught the girls to make little origami treasure boxes, and decorate them with pretty stickers etc. They are quite a hit. Tonight, on my way to the internet, I bought some more stickers, as there a a couple of girls who have yet to do theirs. I promised them I would do it today for them. So that will be my task when I go home.

My Visa; My visa may be a problem. I am going to see the Passport Office on Monday, to try to sort out what I can and can't do. Having a tourist visa, there may be a problem to keep extending it each month. Apparently they only extend tourist visa's once. And I have already done that. It looks like I may have to slip out of the country and return on a multi entry business visa. I have till the 6th of February to get it sorted, after that I am in the country illegally. So a quick trip to Vietnam (the closest country) may be on the cards. Whatever, I will make the most of it. Turn it in to an adventure!!!!!! (especially if I have to go to all that expense) It would be nice to have a friend to go with though...

I have no pictures with me now, so I will close off this blog. Love and Blessings to all of you who are interested enought o follow my journey with God in Cambodia.... Love and appreciate you heaps, Lane.