GRIFFITH GLEANINGS MARCH 2018

We look back, forward, around and above this month as we both have some different things to share. Deb shares a story from a shaded position under a banyan tree and Rob reports on progress with a work platform that leaves us feeling very thankful. Language and culture learning is still our primary focus at this point and well into the future.

ROB
A lot happens in a couple of weeks in Cambodia. In the past week I started volunteer work at our local village primary school. We last reported that I planned to keep applying for three month visa extensions until the right door opened to begin volunteer work in a capacity that satisfies the twelve month visa requirements. In the past month we were advised that the three month visa now requires the same conditions of employment as the twelve month visa. For work permit conditions likewise we need a specially stamped employment letter, as well as a health check and a certificate of residence. The government is now becoming very attentive to following up on work permit and visa requirements. Some foreigners are now reporting that they have begun being fined, or rejected for various applications that did not meet criteria. It has taken us some months to navigate to this point, but we now believe we have all the requirements in place to apply for both of our work permits and for my twelve month visa when it is due next month. The real bonus in this process is that I have been able to explore an opportunity to engage in the local community in a way I couldn’t have imagined a month ago. Cambodia does not produce enough fruit and vegetables for their own countries consumption needs, resulting in much of the fruit and vegetables being imported from neighbouring countries and many Khmer people have diets consisting of little more than rice and fish. What better way to assist the local community than to start a garden in the local school and help children and their families develop the life skill of healthy and nutritious food production? If nothing else I am on a steep learning curve of interacting with students and teachers in a language I feel like I am only at the starting point of becoming proficient in.

DEB

The banyan tree (pictured below) grows throughout Cambodia. It can reach a height of over 30 metres, and as it grows, new roots descend from its branches, some of which push into the ground and form new trunks. The roots grow relentlessly; many of the ancient temples of Angkor have toppled as these roots have become embedded in the cracks and crevices between their massive stones. A single tree might have dozens of trunks, and it is often impossible to tell which is the original.I am finding the usefulness of imagery and metaphor as tools in building Khmer relationships. This banyan tree provides a metaphor for Cambodia as they have a thousand intertwined branches, a thousand stories woven together.  As I sit in the shade preparing vegetables for market with those ladies in the village about me; listening to their fascinating stories and reflect on these and my own, I wish to share a story of my own. I am aware that within my Khmer relationships there is a limitation of my understanding and being able to relay. However I am experiencing through these relationships a willingness to establish roots of openness, understanding, connecting and sharing of the Khmer culture. I ask you pray with me to be enabled by God’s Spirit for ears to listen to Khmer and to be starting to think in and around Khmer culture as I listen. To be honest sometimes my own brain and inner voice of my own culture as well as my self awareness inhibits me. Being real and honest with myself and others as we sit together in the shade helps us all enjoy each others presence and I find the stories unfold more naturally.

The other day there was a funeral in our local village. Funerals in this village see every family attend or at least one member go. This funeral was for the family member of a Khmer friend and near neighbour. Roots are established together as I am prepared to sit with my friends through all seasons of their lives. Even though I may be navigating new and unknown cultural concepts I want to grow deep roots together with my Khmer friends.