2010 Cambodia

ACTS 2010

Reflection of participant

It was the second last day of our Mission trip and most of the ACTs team was eagerly looking forward to the Christmas party and concert to be staged by the children of Teuk Thla that morning.

Whilst waiting for the concert to begin, one of the Grade 5 girls, Thi Da, also a boarder with the Sisters ran up to me with a broad smile and handed me an envelope. Dr John Lee, who was seated nearby teasingly commented, “receiving thank you cards even before the party?” I looked at him sheepishly, wondering whether to peel open the envelope. However, Thi Da was eager that I did – in it was a beautiful origami card with a handwritten message.

As I read the card, I could feel the warmth of this 12 year old girl resonating in the simply written words. My eyes filled with tears as I read the last line, ‘Can you to be my mother?’.

I had first met Thi Da in 2009, on my first ACTs trip and taught her catechism with her fellow Catholic boarders. Thi Da struck me as a girl filled with enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn more about her faith.

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