Two Schools, One Heart
By Melanie Waters - Principal HOPE International School
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Do you know that six of the BHCS community not only visited Cambodia over the holidays, but they also wrote, choreographed and implemented a musical for a group of missionary kids?
Andy and Daphne Callow, Colleen and Lance Peele and Colin and Merran Smith visited the 52 international and Cambodian students who call HOPE International School “their school” in Siem Reap in January.
Within just 2 weeks the BHCS team included every student in a song or dance, costumes were made, lyrics and lines were memorized and a boat was built for the finale!
When the evening performance began the auditorium was buzzing with excited parents and students, as the sound of didgeridoos filled the air and banners of coloured fabric opened the event, representing fire, earth, wind and water.
The performance, “The Heart of Home”, was based on the concept that many missionary kids find it really difficult to define “where is home?”.
The musical journeyed with a team of builders who tried to find a suitable place for a home. Obstacles came in the forms of wildfire, earth-quakes, rushing winds and rising waters. Finally, the builders resolved to build a boat to call “home”. Built on love, kindness and imagination, they concluded that home is where we are with the ones we love, and that nothing can separate us from God's love. An apt message for all, especially those living as missionary kids.
Highlights of the trip included having Andy and Colleen teach Science to the Middle School while generously donating new Science curriculum to HOPE School. Lance wowed the children with his antics and guitar playing (and he found a snake in the library!), Colin re-crafted the script to include a surprise scene that left everyone “happy happy” (…. ask Colin for details!), Daphne had the unique experience of bumping down a dirt road on the back of an ox cart and Merran sewed costumes and generally kept the team in the right place at the right time with enthusiasm.
As Principal of HOPE International School Siem Reap and as a friend to BHCS, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Andy and the team for visiting and to the BHCS leadership for allowing this to happen.
My observations are that many Christians come to Cambodia to help but not so many are interested in spending time with missionary kids, who typically have limited extra-curricular opportunities. Thank you BHCS for recognizing that these children thrive when they have a chance to use their gifts and talents creatively and when visitors come from afar they are reminded that they are not forgotten.
Finally, I want to thank God for his amazing interweaving of lives and hearts. HOPE School and BHCS have become inter-connected through several events that seemed haphazard. The BHCS team are friends with Jo Miller, who founded HOPE School’s main campus 16 years ago, Colin worked with the previous Principal (Mark Twine) in Darwin and I worked at BHCS too. God knows who to connect together for His plans and purposes, in His perfect timing.
Thank you BHCS for your generosity. I believe we are two schools with one heart: a heart for quality education, for service, creativity and for sharing God’s love beyond our borders.
With gratitude,
Melanie
