g o n i a m a l l o r y @ g m a i l . c o m J u l y 2 0 1 7

Living Liminally in Cambodia

Always liminal again

One of my first blog posts, the inspiration for my title, was on liminality. It’s a positional word, expressing a concept of the “in-between,” a space or time that is somehow between two distinct places without ever being either of them. I talked about how living in

the present is a form of liminal space: an undefined moment between past and future. And so, to some degree, we are always liminal. Physically, at least. But liminality is as much a state of mind as it is a state of being; after all, like the illusion of time, it only exists because we perceive it to exist. Mentally, being present in the moment can be hard. It requires being truly with ourselves, in our own bodies, aware of the surroundings. That can sometimes be uncomfortable. And thoughts that take us out of the present are just so easy, so distracting. If being present in the moment isn’t the very definition of meditation, then it’s at least a lot like it.

I am back in the US, spending time with my parents as I figure out what the next step will be. With my thoughts often set to the future as I make plans, my year in Cambodia suddenly feels like a lifetime ago. But there will be moments, such as when I visit churches to talk about it or reunite with my fellow YAGMs, that it will feel fresh again. Both of these are important and necessary. But sometimes, to give myself a break, I take a walk around the lake nearby and watch the birds. To be present.

Leave-taking

My last week in Kruos was largely life as usual with a few exceptions. I took photos and videos of things I anticipated missing, my students prepared for their end-of-term presentation (both of my classes performed skits), and I worked on putting together a video montage of my year. A volunteer from Singapore came to spend some time in Kruos. She will take over teaching my classes for the month she is there. And instead of hanging out in the office in the mornings, I spent my time sorting, packing and cleaning my room.

July – August Newsletter

By Mallory Gonia

Group Photo with my 3:00 class

g o n i a m a l l o r y @ g m a i l . c o m J u l y 2 0 1 7

I started my last day in Kruos early when I joined Dara and his mother in their field helping to plant rice at 5am. The sunrise was beautiful. In the afternoon, the students put on an end-of-term performance for their parents. Each class presented a song or skit that demonstrated their English language skills. My fellow teachers and I presented prizes and certificates to the top ranking students in each class. Afterwards, I had a chance to say goodbye to my students and receive words of thanks from the parents and grandparents who came to watch.

An hour later I waved goodbye to people as Pastor Mose drove me to Phnom Penh where I joined the YAGM CamFam for our last week in Cambodia. We spent closing retreat at a guesthouse on an island in the Mekong River. Our time was filled with heavy conversations about goodbyes and expected

challenges that will come with our transitions back to the USA, but we also had moments of

laughter, games, and nighttime music jams.

Looking toward the future

There will be one more organized event for the 2016-2017 YAGM volunteers to meet: re-entry retreat at the beginning of October. In the meantime, I am staying with my parents while I look for housing and a job and contemplate going back to school. I’m also scheduled to present about Cambodia at one church so far.

It’s been an incredible privilege to get to know the students and staff at the church in Kruos and words cannot express my gratitude for their hospitality and generosity welcoming me into their homes and community. I am also thankful for the group of young adults who accompanied me this year as we shared in experiences and stories of our year. And for those of you have been reading my blog or newsletter, and supporting me with your thoughts and prayers, and those who have sponsored me: Thank you. Thank you for walking along side me this year. It’s because of people like you that the YAGM program is able to continue to provide young adults with a unique opportunity for international relationship building and growth. Our year in Cambodia is over but it doesn’t mean the relationships we fostered must end as well. And while everyone in the YAGM CamFam is returning to different lives and plans, I think we all hope to “shake things up” back home.

Thank you.

The YAGM CamFam group, L to R: Matt, Myself, Kyle, Rachel, Kurt, Savannah, Lindsay, Ashley, and Amanda. Jen not pictured because she’s busy taking it.

g o n i a m a l l o r y @ g m a i l . c o m J u l y 2 0 1 7

Blessings and peace – Mallory

Some Final Photos:

Making spring rolls for my final dinner in Kruos. Most of mine were pretty ugly. Many laughs were had.

Group photo with my 2:00 class. We never managed to take a single photo where someone wasn't making a silly face or whose head wasn't cut off. This was the closest we got.

Jen and Kurt being themselves.During out last week in Phnom Penh, the YAGM CamFam visited a local fairground and rode some of the rides. One of them was this carousel of odd-looking ducks.

We took a series of group photos with these shirts on but this is one of my favorite. It is also the last YAGM CamFam group photo we took before parting ways a day later.

Clockwise “Same Same”: Me, Rachel, Amanda, Matt, Kyle, Ashley, Kurt, Savannah, Lindsay“But different”: Jen