I’ve been to Angkor Wat — been there and done that. I’m glad to have seen it, despite the rain. I’ll show a series of photos soon, but I thought I’d open with this one. It’s a bit different than the others, but I like it.
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Room to Read in Cambodia
Last month I went to Cambodia again with Global Adventure (Japanese link) (bringing volunteers from Japan to connect, serve and learn. We spend most of our time at an orphanage outside of Phnom Penh, and we also visit some other projects to get perspective and contribute in very simple ways.
This time, one of the participants was interested in Room to Read, an NGO that creates “reading rooms” all over the world. Room to Read had a special “site visit” opportunity in September, so we attended.
We visited two “reading rooms” (small libraries) located near Siem Reap. When we walked in the first library we saw the potential impact of such a simple idea. Most children in Cambodia, especially children in poor communities in the countryside, have no place to discover and read books. Actually, most have no books at all. Children go to school and return home to work and play.
The “reading room” stood out in stark contrast to the surrounding community. It was quiet. Neatly arranged racks held hundreds of colorful books. We looked up and saw origami overhead suspended on strings, and the walls were lined with crafts. A group of children were reading at a table. Some others were playing a game, and another group had an open origami book and they were carefully folding paper.
The librarian impressed us as a passionate person. She survived the Khmer Rouge. During those years she was denied any form of education, and she seemed to relish this place rich in books and knowledge. I had a strong impression that a “reading room” will succeed or fail depending on the librarian. He or she is the one who will inspire children to begin searching for and discovery the potential of books and games (and to take care of them).
There is a lot of talk about poverty. I don’t like to label people as “poor” (which may be a subject for another time), but one mark of true poverty is the lack of time and space to reflect. Reflection is critical for people to gain a perspective and control over their lives and direction. When I saw the children absorbed in their books and games, I pictured other children who I know (from the orphanage and other places) entertaining themselves any way that they can (swimming, petty gambling and games, working, and attending whatever classes they can). Most of their activities are concrete and done in the moment with little thought for the future. Living in the moment is wonderful, but the children I know need more than just that. The children in the “reading room” seemed to have found a place to be alone with their thoughts, explore the world through books and other means, discover new possibilities, and imagine plans for the future.
I was so intrigued that I returned to Japan and contacted the orphanage that we work with. It’s actually more than just “an orphanage.” They have a community center that serves over one thousand families in the area whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS (providing weekly food distributions, medicine, and basic counseling). Now the director is very interested in have a “reading room” to serve both the kids at the orphanage and the wider community. I’ve submitted a proposal to Room to Read that says we are willing to raise the funds for the project ourselves, and the director is working with a German NGO to construct a building.
On a side note, I don’t think every Room to Read project is as ideal as I have perhaps implied either in my words or these pictures. We attended a special “site visit,” which means we visited two carefully selected sites that had time to prepare a real show for us. The students were on holiday on the day we visited, and I was quite sure the children we saw had been recruited just for us (because at both sites they all left when we left). I’m sure if we showed up at numerous sites with no advance notice, then we would see more mixed results. I’m convinced (from what I saw and past experience) that the success or failure of a “reading room” will rest on the leadership of the librarian and on the support of the school and community. That’s a large order to fill, actually, because the school system is notoriously corrupt.
One thing I do know is this: if our proposal to build a “reading room” at the orphanage is approved, then I will personally do my utmost with our partners there to insure it succeeds. If you’re interested in contributing money to this project let me know and I’ll keep you informed, or just follow this blog for updates.
The reality of God becoming human
Here’s a great post about the reality of God becoming human and how that affects the way we live in this world. There are many people who agree with the idea or the theology but hesitate the dive into the reality that God is really here in the flesh. In people, and in me.
Where have you encountered God?
In the Bible?
In yourself?
In others?
Here’s a key quote:
“…too many of us are profoundly uncomfortable with the idea that our flesh and blood could be infused with God. So we keep things abstract and heady. For to really live as if the depth and breadth of God is within and among us means that we have to love these bodies – honor and cherish them as well as all those other bodies all around us – and that sounds a lot like justice and compassion.”
Mother and child
Her child was born with a heart defect. She held him with obvious love, knowing he would likely die within a weeks or months. They live in a very poor village outside of Phnom Penh. Children born in such poverty with disabilities of almost any kind have dim chances of living long and healthy lives–but they may still experience love.
I know a Cambodian man living in that community and devoting all his time to helping people like her. He can’t save this child, but he works every day (literally all the time) to help give the thousands of parents and children living there a chance at a better life. If you’re interesting in supporting his work, or have questions first, let me know and I’ll tell you more.
I also posted this at GlobalCompassion.com a couple days ago. Please check out the new format over there and tell your friends.
Are you shedding your religion
Are you shedding your religion but holding onto your faith? There is a significant and documented trend of Christians in the West distancing themselves from the religion but still following Jesus. Many say separating from religion has reinvigorated their journey with Jesus. They want to follow Jesus in reality and live beyond pretense. They reject being labeled, manipulated by controlling leaders, used politically, etc.
Some even reject the label “Christian,” because it has been loaded with so many connotations that have nothing to do with following and trusting Christ.
Are you one of them? Or does this touch an itch you’ve been wanting to scratch.
Jim Palmer describes some symptoms of moving off the religion reservation. Maybe you can relate to some or all of them.
1. You don’t go to church anymore.
2. You are reading some really weird books.
3. You are in danger of going off the deep end.
4. You can’t give a straight answer.
My favorite is #4, since I’m prone to being perceived that way. Here’s a taste from point #3:
Perhaps one of the most annoying things (to those who judge them) about people who are shedding religion is that they begin thinking for themselves. Some Christians have come from churches where the idea is fostered that congregants should only expose themselves to church-approved leaders, teachers, writers, musicians, politicians etc…because doing otherwise would be the equivalent of purchasing a one-way ticket to the flames of hell. Apparently, only a very select few people are capable of discerning truth on their own, the rest of us are ill-equipped for doing so and would be easily lured into all kinds of error if left to our own. I know this may be difficult for some to believe, but people are capable of being exposed to all kinds of differing views of God, and can discern for themselves what truth is present in these views, and what of these views seems inconsistent with truth. I have a Buddhist friend; i have detected truth is things he believes but i did not become a Buddhist. I have an Atheist friend; i totally agree with this person’s views on various things but i did not become an Atheist. I have a N.Y. Yankees friend, i agree that the Yankees have some of the best baseball players but i did not become a Yankees fan. People are truly capable of doing this sort of thing.