I’ve already been in Asia for five months, April I was in India, May in Nepal, June in Malaysia, July in Thailand, and this past month I was in Cambodia. It has been a whirlwind of cultures, colors, peoples, traditions, religions, and ministry. I have had hard times as well as awesome, amazing times. I have grown so much with God and I am still growing.
In Thailand, I stayed in the wonderful city of Chiang Mai. I volunteered at a safe home for abandoned women and children that is a little ways from the city center. I was very busy working in the daycare, cleaning, teaching English, and taking pictures to help broaden their social media presence. I also worked in their mushroom garden, which they harvest and sell at the market. During my last week I taught health and hygiene to some schools by the Yuam River (far outside the city).
This past month has been one of the best yet. I was in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Imagine so many palm trees, lotus ponds, rice fields, busy cities, more mopeds and motorcycles than cars, friendly people, and amazing Khmer(Cu-my) food, and that’s Cambodia! My team and I, Beautiful Things were very busy all month, but we loved every minute of it! During the day we would go to a primary school to teach English. We each had our own class and we even came up with our own material! I taught 1st graders and they were so smart and wonderful! I taught them animals, showed them pictures of snow, reviewed colors and numbers and even taught pizza toppings!
After our first classes, we would teach the little classes (I had 3 year olds). Once we were done with school we would go back home to the college dorms where we stayed. In the evenings we prepared Bible devotions for the college students living in the dorm. On the weekends we would go on adventures to visit places of interest in Phnom Penh. During our Sunday afternoons we would go and play soccer for a few hours and then go get some amazing local food. I have more bruises than I can count from soccer but I loved it! Our host in Cambodia, Pastor J is actually a missionary from India. He and his sweet family heaped the blessings on us. We were so blessed to be in Phnom Penh with the people there. Check out the video of what a week looked like for me in Cambodia!
Cambodia was the perfect end to my time in Asia and I will dearly miss the relationships I made here. This was also the perfect end to my team Beautiful Things. This team really helped me to grow in new ways and pushed me hard to strive towards my goals. I will miss hanging out with you guys 24/7. I love you Team BT!
So what’s next? Well I get to be in Africa for my last three months of my race! I am so excited for a brand new continent, three new countries, a new culture and new people that I get to share the love of Christ with. God is so good! I am excited to see the things that he will show me in Africa! I am also excited for a new team and the new adventures that are sure to come! Please be praying for my time in Africa, that the hearts of the people we meet would be open to accepting the truth of Jesus and the saving grace He brings. Thank you everyone!
Much Love, Jewel Brooks
