Papa Steve
The Wat Opot Children’s Community gets many people coming through it’s gates… most are on Journeys that started long before they arrived. Steve Jessup is one of those who came to us in search of finding meaning to life. Unhappy in his work and his marriage and not satisfied with the advice and council he was getting from his Christian community he came to Wat Opot looking for sanctuary from a world that was caving in on him. He asked me one day what I thought of divorce and I told him that it would be better to ask me what I think of marriage. A short time later he started the divorce process and moved from Australia to Cambodia.
Although he had been a successful business man, his love was teaching and so he took a job teaching English here in Cambodia. That led to opportunities to teach in Viet Nam, which took him away from us but gave him much satisfaction. He was a frequent visitor and the kids all knew him as Papa Steve. I remember on one of his visit, he showed me a note written by one of his students. It simply read, “Mr. Steve, You are the best teacher I have ever had.” I could tell just by looking at him, that this note was more important to him than anything else he had accomplished in life.
He came to visit us about two weeks ago, just on the spur of the moment. He has built a new home in Ho Chi Minh and wanted to invite me there for a visit. He was also excited about a new school he was getting started there. I asked him if he felt he had done the right thing in getting the divorce and he replied, “Yes, because it has given me the opportunity to rediscover myself… and I am beginning to have a new appreciation for my wife and family that I don’t think I could have had, if I had stayed in the relationship as it was.
Steve died of a heart attack while at work on the 24th of July. He will be greatly missed by all of us.
Wayne
I am so shocked and sad at this tragic news. Steve had become such a dear dear friend, and I will miss him enormously.
I am very sad about this tragic message. i meet steve in watopot as a good friend, lovely and helpful during my visit in vietnam. i never forgett my time in watopot full of funny and jokey with humorous steve. HE LOVED SO MUCH TO LAUGH !
I’m sad never to have had wine and cheese with Steve, or found out the name of that expensive Australian wine he found for a few dollars a bottle at Lucky Market. He talked straight, always had an encouraging word, and lived with an appreciation for people and the moment before him. I miss him, and I’m glad to have known him.
Dear Wayne,
You live with so much life and death around you. Wat Opot offers a whole lot of life to people on their journey.
Blessings. Elaine
It was through Steve that I heard of Wayne and the Wat Opot Children’s Community.
He took me there on his motorbike and let me observe him teaching his English lessons.He was a born teacher, a wonderful person, obviously loved by the children and a good friend. When he found work in Vietnam we lost touch but I always thought we would meet again one day. I’m so sad to hear of his passing.
Like everyone who knew him , I will miss him greatly.
I am saddened by your loss of your special friend, and the children’s special friend. He sounded like a man I would of been inspired to meet.
It is sad that the world loses someone who is out there making difference in others lives.
Condolences to you and the children.
Fiona
ChCh
NZ