Interview With Deborah Joy Benefield

Over the last several weeks I have sat down with each of my children and interviewed them for our Anniversary Month. Angela and I have been blessed with awesome kids, and I want our friends and supporters to have a chance to know them better. I hope you will enjoy these interviews.

July 2010

How old are you?

I am 10 years old.

Where were you born?

I was born in America...in California.

So if your family has been here 10 years, you must have been really young when you moved to Cambodia, right?

Yes, I was 6 weeks old.

So...you remember a lot about that trip?

(rolls eyes) I was a BABY, Daddy!

Oh, that's right. So you've lived in Cambodia your whole life?

Yes.

What grade are you in?

I'm in 5th grade.

What is your favorite subject in school?

I like Social Studies, because this year I am reading parts of the Bible and studying about different people in the Bible. Right now I'm learning about Joshua.

Wearing the dress mom made her for her 10th birthday party,
which had a Felicity theme (American Girls), October 2010

What do you like to do in your free time? 

I always like riding my bike, reading books, playing with my horses, playing the piano, and playing with Bandit.

Who is Bandit?

That's my dog. He's black and white. Daddy got him for all of us kids, but none of the others really like him any more, so he's just my dog now.

Can he do any cool tricks?

He sits down and lets me put a treat on his nose, then he shakes it off and eats it. That's the only thing I've trained him to do, because I've never trained a dog before.

With Bandit Benefield the day dad
brought him home, February 2009

And you said you like to read? What kind of books do you like to read?

I like to read animal books, Sisters in Time books, American Girl books, and Little House on the Prairie.

Making bagels with mommy, February 2010

What is it like living in Cambodia?

It's hot, except during the rainy season. And it's kind of fun. And it's interesting, and sometimes very disgusting when you see like roasted tarantulas for sale at the market.

What do you mean when you say it's kind of fun?

It's kind of fun because there are friends at the church and other missionary friends and we can get together at Thanksgiving, 4th of July, and other special days.

And what do you mean by interesting?

Because you see so many new things.

Deborah and Emma were angels in
the MK Christmas Pageant, 2009

What is something you really love about living in Cambodia?

Getting to eat rice a lot!

Thinking back over your 10 years, do any memories stand out?

4th of July and birthday parties are always fun.

At the 4th of July BBQ and art show, July 2009. The white picture
over her right shoulder was her entry from 2008, and the picture of the Iwo Jima Memorial and the U.S. flag was her entry in 2009.

How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?

Almost every Thanksgiving we have someone over to our house. All of us kids always help mommy snap green beans and set the table. After the main meal there are pies and pumpkin bread, and sometimes we do a craft too. The grown-ups usually sit around and talk or play a game (like Chauvinist Pigs!). Sometimes we sing some songs.

So you have some really good friends here? Are all your friends missionary kids, or do you have some Cambodian friends?

I have good friends who are missionary kids, but I also have many Cambodian friends.

What do you like to do with them?

We like to share stickers and candy and write little notes to each other. And sometimes they ask me how to say something in English.

With her friend, Sonyta, June 2010

What do you do to help out in the ministry?

I go soulwinning, play the piano sometimes for the offering, and help clean and set up the church. 

What can you see yourself doing as you get older?

Maybe teaching young children or playing the piano for the services.

How about preaching?

Daddy!!! Girls don't preach! Well, sometimes they do...but they're not supposed to. When I get older I could help more in the nursery. I already help in the nursery some.

Playing the piano at her recital, May 2009 

Has anything ever happened in Cambodia that made you laugh?

Oh, yes! Like when some of the Khmer kids tried to say, "supercalafragilisticexpialadocious".

That didn't go so well?

No! (laughing)

Do you have a favorite Khmer food?

Rice is Khmer food, isn't it? I like rice. Also Khmer noodles.

Making cookies, October 2010

Here's a really important question. When did you get saved?

I got saved in 2006 at Neighborhood Bible Time at Sequoia Baptist Church. I don't remember who the teacher was, but I raised my hand that I wanted to get saved. My dad talked with me in the church office. He drew some pictures to help me understand how to get saved.

And what happened after you got saved?

I went and told my grandpa and grandma, Mommy, and Candace, and I felt really happy inside!

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

I really like Hebrews 11, the whole chapter, because over and over again it keeps saying that certain people did something "by faith". I like that.

Riding in a tuk-tuk decorated like a carriage to pick up guests for her 10th birthday party, October 2010

With little brother, Seth, on his 1st birthday, August 2010

With her sisters, Candace and Emma, July 2009

Tomorrow's interview...Emma!