I still remember the strange sense of vertigo as I landed in Phnom Penh at 12pm. I navigated my way through immigration and out to a waiting teammate who brought me to the flat I had rented. We carted up my luggage to the 5th floor and I sat down on my bed, in the heat, thinking, “what have I done?”
But after a few good night’s sleep, meeting up with the rest of the team, and finding the nearest grocery store, I’ve started to feel a bit more normal. The days have begun to develop a new normal with rhythms and events. I’ve started language school, and so far I am encouraged. I new learning a new language would be difficult and that expectation is being met. However, I am starting to pick up a word here and there in the general conversation I hear around me and I’m quickly falling back into academic mode. We have good teachers who are kind and helpful. My favorite adjective for Cambodians is gentle. For the most part, everyone I’ve engaged with in practicing my Khmer has been very helpful and patient. And I find that I am anxious to go learn something else so that I can try again. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for my language acquisition. Please don’t stop!
Highlights
- Everyone arrived safely and with all their luggage and we are in the midst of settling.
- Language study has begun.
- I am meeting lots of new people.