Run, jump, shout, but do not sin.

Run, jump, shout, play, laugh, sing… but do not sin (do no harm to anyone).
These famous words of St. John Bosco continue to remain valid in these times of ours.
In all my life and all the places I’ve been, I’ve never seen a Don Bosco School without any playground. Don Bosco always believed in training the mind and spirit by training the body. Mens sana in corpore sano!

So here in DB SHV we prepare for his feastday (31st) with a month-long series of competitive games (during lunch breaks) for both boys and girls.

Year of the Dog 2006

I was born in the year of the Dog, so I guess this description typifies and describes the "doggie" in me.
"Among the animal zodiac, Dog individuals are the most humanitarian. To the Chinese, Dogs represent justice and equality. These are the givers in life, prepared to sacrifice their own dreams, ambitions and desires for the sake of others, particularly for those they love. Fiercely loyal to those they love, Dogs are ever ready to jump to the defense of any member of their family or friends who is being attacked by either word or deed. They have a penchant for championing the underdog. Born with an innate sense of decency and a need for equilibrium in a chaotic world, Dogs strongly denounce injustice and wrongdoing, generously giving useful and effective advice to those around them. Their warmth, empathy and genuine interest in others win them many close friendships. Dogs inspire confidence in others, and the confidence is justified. They will always do their utmost for others, and their dedication can go to the point of sacrifice."

Reminds me of: "No greater love than this that one lays down his life for a friend."

Teardrops

A few days back I made some of my students and teachers cry. I’m not proud of it. In fact I feel bad about it. I had to execute a school policy. It was my duty. Unfortunately its compliance would result to painful separation for some. At first I wondered why it affected the others so much; too late did I remember these words:

… the rule of conduct in (Khmer) society will be “do not behave differently from the others" (khos pi ke), do not push yourself forward, do not take the initiative, for fear of finding yourself alone, of disgracing yourself in front of others, being derided for possible failure, judged. (Ponchaud, 1977)

And then with all my good intentions of wanting them to see reason behind such policy, I might have been too forceful in expressing my point. Again I should have known better and pondered these:

… (In Cambodia) the intents and attitudes of an individual should not be cause for exaggerated displays of anger or frustration. It is more respectful to indicate indirectly one’s position or feelings through physical demeanor or tone of voice, so that the recipient can intuitively judge the meaning intended and avoid unpleasant open confrontation.. (Seanglim Bit, 1991)

This becomes a real dilemma for me as an educator here: if I just follow what I have perceived to be right and in accordance with the more universally accepted rules of education, I would hurt their feelings. On the other hand, if I go down to their level and follow their ways, I feel I that I am bringing down the level of education in Cambodia 100 years behind the rest of the world. For now I can do nothing but simply ask for Your Guiding Light.

Korean Deacon

Last Sunday in Phnom Penh, I attended the Ordination for Diaconate of a Korean Missionary named Daniel. Although it's a fact that this year Koreans outnumber the Japanese in terms of tourism here in Cambodia, I never expected to see so many Korean priests and nuns (Carmelites) joining in this beautiful solemn ceremony.

The rite of ordination was done all in Khmer. No one spoke a word in Korean. The Korean superiors (it's their first time in Cambodia) spoke their lines in Khmer. Daniel answered and delivered his lines in Khmer including his thank you speech. Even the Korean priest who had to make a speech did it in Khmer. And we understood all they said. Now that's what you call inculturation!

The ceremonial advice of the bishop to a new deacon never ceases to enthrall me:
"Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach"
Whatever our state of life is, these words will always apply.

A Daughter's Gratitude

I am not fond of going out to parties and attending celebrations (very unlike of me when I was younger). But yesterday I attended a “Pithi Bon Katanyu” ពីធីបុណ្យកតញ្ញូ upon the invitation of Boneth, a former student of mine. It’s a celebration of gratitude organized by the children for their parents. When I arrived some time in the afternoon I saw some Buddhist monks from Veal Renh gathered in prayer to bless the couple. Afterwards all were invited to partake of the food at table. Incidentally Buddhist monks have a rule that they can eat only before noon so they were whisked back to their monastery (wat). Lucky for me - my monk-type affiliation allows me to fast only on Good Fridays. And I got to enjoy the chicken curry dish and pork stew.

Boneth’s father had a stroke a couple of years back. He used to drive their passenger van to and fro the Sihanoukville-Phnom Penh route as their means of livelihood. Now he sits half paralyzed on his wheel chair and unable to talk properly. But you can see from his gleaming eyes, vibrant hand gestures, and happy moanings that he is thankful for the gift of life and his beautiful family. Boneth now works to support her father and mother to show her gratitude to them. Her job at RHAC brings her to remote villages all over Kampong Saom province traveling alone in her motorcycle to distribute materials and instruct village people on family planning. She’s already had one fatal accident along these rough and dangerous Cambodian roads. But even this “brush with death” could not dampen her spirit nor cause her to lose focus on her life’s goals.

Now You know why I could not refuse her invitation. She is a witness to life.
Remember those guys Andrew, Peter, James, John, Philip and Nathanael? With a simple invitation You said: "come and see," ... and were they able to refuse?