http://unreasonablefaith.com/2008/12/17/growing-up-with-fred-phelps/

Somehow, as I was internet surfing this evening I came across this blog which describes the journey of a man who’s discovering what it means to be a unbeliever. One of his most recent entries is linked above. In short, the entry talks about a Pastor who was very abusive to his own son and believes the bible supports his actions. He is also known for rallying up his church to hold up protest signs at homosexual events that are very inappropriate and hurting to many.

Read it yourself, then come back and let me know your reaction.

It was painful to read the whole entry. Perhaps painful to think about the poor son who now suffers because of his childhood memories. Sure there are people out there who spank their children for disipline or hold up signs to support what they believe in. They are not excused. But as a pastor? The Pastor is the role model for the rest of the church community.

The sad thing is, there are plenty of “Christians” out there who are not too different from this pastor. This is the reason we are known as hypocrites. Sure we’re not perfect, but why would anyone want to be a Christian if this is the way they are going to be treated?

Just a thought.

I’m getting really excited about going home. Friends are starting to arrive in HK one by one, and I can’t help but think about being back. Being able to walk down to stanley, hop on a bus to causeway bay or central and hang out… just like old times!

Yesterday, I got on webcam with my best friend who just got back to HK and got the chance to chat with her, and of course give her the chance to make me jealous! What made my day though, was the fact that by coincidence, we were both wearing grey and white stripped shirts. It was strange, freaky yet brilliant!

Unfortunately, I still have more than a week until I go home but it’s been pretty busy around here as well. The Christmas programs performed by both Elementary on Thursday as well as Middle school/High School on Friday went very well. The kids behaved well, and put on a good show. The middle school and high school choral group sang very well as well. The drama was questionable but it’s in the past now. I have uploaded videos of all the elementary performances on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/user/jolam08

I had a good weekend, more like a busy Saturday and a very lazy Sunday. We had a pot luck staff Christmas Party in the afternoon, with lots of food and dessert. Ate way too much but it was a good time to see all the staff out of the school setting, especially our Khmer staff including our cooks, cleaners and our gardener!I left early from the party and went to Touch Rugby for the third time. We had a good game, and I was amazed at how well I felt after I played. I didn’t feel like I wanted to die by the end of the hour compared to the first week I played. It’s incredible how fast you adapt and start to get back in shape. I had another Christmas gathering that night at “Grandma Peg”‘s house. It wasn’t a big party but we had people from all kinds of nationality. We had a great time singing Christmas carols, making jokes and having fellowship. As for Sunday, like I said… It was a  VERY lazy day.

This next week is the last week before holidays start. Good luck to everyone who has finals this week, whether they be in High school or university! Whether first grade will be busy or not, I’m not too sure but I do have to wake up at 5 in the morning on Tuesday to cover bus duty that morning! I’m not all that stoked about it… Praying for energy and strength. I’m sure no matter how tired I am, God will manage to get me through the day and through the week.

Ok. I’m counting now. 9 days!

No, this post is not about jeans. well not technically. This last week and a half have been absolutely beautiful here in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It is the perfect weather. It has dropped raining, Thank God! And it has cooled down, especially mornings and evenings when the sun is hiding. 

Honestly, I have been wearing a jacket to work every morning, until I start running around.. but even then, sometimes I get the chills and I still put my jacket on! The best part is going out in the evening. Anytime after 5:30 or 6pm, it is dry and chilly out. I have been able to wear jeans without sweating all night! My friends and I would walk along the streets for about 15 minutes, and even then, we wouldn’t sweat a drop. 

Praise God. 

On another note,  Christmas is coming up, hard to believe I am going home in just less than two weeks.  It will be great to see Christmas lights all around the city, to be in the spirit and most of all, be able to see and catch up with friends who have been leading their own lives in different countries! 

I’ll see you all soon!

Side note… wordpress changed the “new post” layout! It’s pretty nifty.

This morning, on my usual routine, I went to one of the elementary classrooms to take the students for their recess. Due to their lack of behavior while walking up and down the stairs to their classroom the last few days, they were in trouble and was therefore asked to walk up and down the stairs ten times before they are allowed to take their break. 

Cruel, I know. But I guess sometimes it’s the only way they will learn. 

The dilemma I was stuck in was where I should position myself while they walked their punishment. I have to keep an eye on them in case they are talking or are running, which is inappropriate because there are classes going on at the same time in the classroom next door. The first two times I walked with them, but began to get tired and lazy. So finally I decided to just give them some slack and stood in the middle of the two floors on the balcony instead. Perhaps it was a more selfish move but let’s just say I didn’t want to put pressure on them. Cause I’m nice like that.

Children these days, they are too smart for their own good. Well, they are in fact hysterical. I was on morning duty this morning and got engaged in a conversation with one of my first grade students. For some reason, we got into the topic of my heart and I mentioned “my red heart”. She goes on to tell me that my heart is not actually heart shaped, nor is it red. It is red, blue and green. “What is the blue and green?” I asked her. She then explains to me that they are called blood vessels, and showed me her blood vessels on her wrist. I looked at her in amazement. Perhaps I don’t give them enough credit but I was quite impressed. 

Working with kids every day, there are days where you want to get away from all of them because they are just too darn frustrating. But then there are days like today where though I was tired and restless all day, they manage to make me laugh through out the day with their wisdom, their knowledge, their wit and their smile.