Hopes and goals.

This is perhaps the more heavy and emotional part of what I will bring with me into Cambodia because I do have a lot of hopes and desires for my time there as I build relationships and become part of the community.

1. Academics. The best way to describe the Global Learning Term is service-learning. I want to learn about development and how a rural community sustains themselves. My research project might focus on the issue of water scarcity in Southeast Asia, why is it a reality, the effects and what is being done to counter that. I hope to become proficient in Khmer. Having Cantonese as my first language, I think the familiarity that I have with tonal speech patterns will help. I will have five papers each ranging from 25-50 pages. Everyone says to not procrastinate on them and write while you are there. Staying on top of my school work seems like a lofty ambition but a really important one, nonetheless.

2. Faith. I want to experience God in all ways. To know him with more depth and honesty. To feel him through the humbling of myself and the surrendering of my spirit to his will. To act and move because of his love. To seek him and hear him in prayer and silence. And to speak with courage about the truth that I believe.

3. Self. I don't want to just go away for these couple of months and become this radically different person who has made this big gesture with drastic changes. I want growth to happen through a more natural course. I hope that while I'm there that I will develop a clearer, more refined understanding about what it means to have an identity in Christ and how this commitment genuinely shapes my life.

4. Service. My role at the organization doesn't seem to be too defined right now. Which means there leaves a lot of room for initiation and creativity. I know I will spend time helping at the school, learning about the water wells, the micro-loan programs and going out into the fields to learn more about agriculture. (Maybe I will learn to fish!) I want to be helpful where I can and be aware of how my strengths and interests can be used to serve specific needs. I really look forward to getting to know the kids. I have a feeling they will be a very important part of these coming months.

5. General. And here are some general goals I have: to become a harder worker both in mind and with my hands. To take joy in small victories. To face fears with bravery and strength from God. To have patience with myself. To be aware and cautious about male/female dynamics so that social and ethical boundaries are not crossed. To be flexible when inevitable changes and disappointments happen. To not wear makeup or worry about my hair.