11 and counting.

I have 11 bug bites right now (mainly mozzies but some ants). 5 on my left leg. 3 on my face (awful yes). 3 on my right leg. They ich. The mozzies (my new Australian friend introduced me to that term) usually come out at night, but the ants are everywhere all the time.

Well, its Saturday here. I feel like I have experienced a lot for only being here three days. My role with VOICE is a “floater.” Most the volunteers are here for 6 months to a year so they have specific roles; since I am only here for 5 weeks, I float. But, I will mainly be working at VOICE’s community center. I help out with the pre-school, outreach, and tutoring.  The kids are SO cute. I cant communicate with them very well since they only speak Khmer and Vietnamese, but I smile, point, tickle them, and let them cling to me. Yesterday we were looking through kids books so I just made all the noises that matched each animal. Animal noises are pretty universal. I have learned some Khmer. I can count to ten, say “no,” “pretty,” “stop,” and “thank you.” I use those words as much as I can. I am really hoping to pick up a few more words, but these languages are SO different then English.

 In the few days that I have been here, I have seen how much there is a need for people to just come and love on the community. They are such friendly people and very welcoming (wait, quick story. Yesterday at the pre-school, a little Vietnamese boy came for his first time. He was about 3 yrs. He took one good look at me and BURST into tears. Literally was sobbing. All the kids were just pointing at me and he just kept crying and crying and crying. I think I might have been the first white person he ever saw… I had to leave the area. Oh gosh. I was so confused, but definitely laughed it off). Anyhow, God really is growing my heart for these people and I am excited to see what four more weeks will do!!!