Greg's dream since he was a teenager was to live and work in another part of the world, serving less fortunate people groups. He had a glimmer of that dream realized in 2005 when he took on the role of General Manager of Sally Ann Ltd in Bangladesh for three years. Working with relative satisfaction for 8 years with a charitable organization at home, he became more and more comfortable with life there and waiting for the right opportunity to arise. The right opportunity did arise and he is so happy to be living his dream, working for a long standing NGO in Cambodia that is well respected and oozing with integrity. Only a happy Greg would be taking selfies! :) What a cutie!
Every time it is mentioned in conversation that Greg is with Ratanak, it is immediately met with a nod of recognition and respect. You can read about their programs and successes in helping restore the lives of Cambodians on their web site linked above.
Greg leaves for work at 7:45 every morning, hopping on a tuk tuk. We live just a 10 minute drive to Ratanak. He is the Monitoring and Evaluations manager. He received some good training and has confidence in his understanding and ability due to past work experience. Visiting projects has been a highlight for him and reminiscent of Bangladesh work travel days. I am not permitted to post photos of the projects or people being helped, but you can find information at Ratanak's web site. Here are some photos of his journey to the village.
In the classroom pictured above, sat a room full of adorable children. When Greg visited they were typing on their computer keyboards. One little boy was not slightly distracted by the foreigners visiting and he kept typing up a storm. This kid was like a typing machine and Greg had never seen anyone type this fast, which is really saying something if you knew how fast his sister and daughter can type!
One of the Ratanak Vancouver employees is currently working in Phnom Penh for a couple of weeks and we've had the pleasure to get to know her. As soon as you meet her, you can't help but see a beautiful combination of elite intelligence and graceful humility and love. I hope she stays in our guest room next time! She kindly invited me to attend one of the project visits and it was an honour to see Greg and his colleagues at work. We visited the "Granny" project, which is an effort to meet the needs of at risk elderly woman. They are few and far between, these "Grannies", due to the horrific genocide that occurred in recent history. These ladies witnessed family members and friends violently killed, surviving themselves to live at risk of exploitation lives.
These "grannies" work in the day and are sheltered through the project in the evening. They are given a clean, safe environment to eat, shower, socialize, learn, worship and sleep. The grannies desire the same thing we all desire - to see their families cared for. The money they collect in the day from the generosity of others at the market is counted daily and sent back to their villages to help care for their grandchildren. Diapers, milk, clothes and even roofs on homes have been the result of their hard work.
They were hilarious to converse with! I'd love to spend some more time there getting to know these ladies. Firstly, they had the funkiest pants/skirts on. I asked them about their clothes, via a translator who is another wonderful colleague of Greg's, and they laughed telling me their clothes were traditional, old lady wear! The sarongs would be considered hip at home. I will find one! They asked Greg's Vancouver colleague if she was married and joked that she should remain single - "it's an easier life" they said with bursts of laughter. Below is Greg's "single" colleague. :)
Here are the grannies with Ratanak founder, Brian, clearly having a laugh with him as well.
We continue to feel overwhelmed by the goodness of God in giving Greg the desires of his heart work wise. He feels great honour in serving vulnerable populations in Cambodia.
People in my life have commented, "Sure, Greg has his dream, but what about your dream?" My dream was to be a wife, Mother and a piano teacher. Check. It's a huge bonus that I've been privileged to see a lot of world living my dream, married to Greg and his dream. I have dreamed of slowing down and having time to visit with friends, cook and even start writing the book that's been in my head. (Secrets from the Studio, be warned, if I taught you, you may be in it with names changed of course!)
If there are people with children, there is always a need for music lessons. There is no shortage of teaching opportunities for me and I began work this week. I am self employed, but using space at Hope Int'l School and teaching private piano and voice lessons there during the school day. My studio and piano are a huge step up from my previous school. The teachers have graciously sent or brought the students to their lesson and there is a wonderful differentiation in ability levels - beginner, intermediate and advanced. The faculty have been gracious and kind in welcoming the private lessons program. I enjoy being part of a school, connected, but not on faculty, meaning I don't have the same responsibilities.
I am teaching three afternoons a week, from 12-4. These hours allow me to have easy mornings, with time to Skype and Facebook chat with my kids. I am transported via tuk tuk and there is always something interesting to see on the way to work, whether it be cows, duck farmers, interesting houses or people snoozing on their hammocks. We are considering getting motor bikes, called motos here, for both Greg and I. We are in the process of getting our licence and having our own transportation will certainly give us more freedom.
We come home to a very clean house three days a week, thanks to the wonderful Chanene. (pronunced like Jeanine, only with a Ch start) She is our house helper and this woman can clean! My screens and windows are always clean, the floors sparkling, all 5 bathrooms washed out...it's heaven. And to top it off, she is lovely. I like to do my own laundry and cooking. I don't want anyone but me responsible for my Shannon Passero clothes. :) I found Chanene's broom hanging up in my bathroom on Oct 31 and had a good chuckle. Just like Bangladesh, the house helpers like their own tools.
And so we begin to develop work routines, fulfilling God's leading in our lives which in turn is allowing us to live our dreams. He is good. Work is good. And, there's still time to shop, play and travel!
Love this! It sounds like you are really back on your feet and healing well!
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