Last Friday, we had ‘conversation day’ in one of our English classes. About twenty of us got in a circle and started talking about …well, pretty much whatever topic was brought up. The students (who are about our age) first went around and talked about what they wanted their careers to be after they finished school – one wanted to be a controller in an airport tower, one an engineer, one a missionary, one a Japanese teacher, and so on.   (Side note: I can pretty much guarantee you will never meet students who study more than the students here. No matter what day of the week (or weekend) it is, they’ve either just finished studying, are going to study, or have plans to study)

About halfway through class, the girl sitting next to me, Nou, asked why we had come to Cambodia.  We talked about this briefly when we first started teaching in the beginning of the month, but it hasn’t come up outside of one on one conversations with the students. I began sharing my testimony of where I was at prior to the race and that I felt the Lord was telling me that He had a different plan for my life. I shared what we’ve been doing on the WR, and the joy that He had brought me as I was following the path that He had laid down for me. She then asked why I believed in God. With God’s help, I shared the gospel with the students and told them how much He loves them and has a very specific purpose and plan for their life. 

After class, Nou came up to me and thanked me for answering all of her questions. She said that she is already a believer but she wanted her classmates to hear about Jesus. She said that there are so many different belief’s and religions and she knew that they needed to hear the Truth.

Man, how encouraging! This is an amazing example of what it looks like to be obedient in what the Lord asks us to do. Many of us would think we’re doing our part as Christians by simply believing in God, but that’s only step one of what the Lord asks of us.  ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’. (Matthew 22: 37-39) We are made to bring others to Him, to share the Good News that we have already heard and accepted. We are made to glorify Him. It would have been easy for Nou to ignore God when He was asking her to ask those questions so her classmates could hear about Him. The fear of man is so present in Christianity. We’re afraid of what others might think, we’re afraid of saying something wrong, we’re afraid of being embarrassed in front of our friends, we’re afraid of failing… The truth is, no one’s opinion matters but God’s. Success is not measured but how many people accept Christ. In God’s eyes, success is measured by our obedience to Him.   Nou had absolutely no control over anyone’s response to us sharing the gospel, but she did exactly what she was supposed to do and that is success.  Most of the time when we’re sharing what the Lord puts on our hearts, we have no idea what the ending ‘result’ will be, but we must completely trust that the Holy Spirit has moved in that moment and long after.  

Acts 20: 22-24, Paul writes, “I consider my life nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”
 
Another quick story…On Saturday, we went to the store to get some cookies for youth group the other day after soccer and while we were there we met a 26 yr old guy that was working.  We chatted with him for a bit and then invited him to youth group that night and to english class on Monday.  He seemed genuinly interested and we were so happy to see him there last night!  After class, him and I were talking about where we were going after Cambodia, and again with God’s help (and the help of our amazing translator, Channa), I was able to share my testimony with Him and tell him of God’s abundant love and great plans for each of our lives.  I have no idea what will happen in his life after I leave, but I do know that a seed was planted or watered. 
 
I’d like to challenge you to keep your eyes open for opportunities to share what the Lord has done in your life.  If you don’t see any opportunities, then create them.  I pray that when those opportunities arise, that you will have the boldness to move in the moment and that you won’t let it pass you by.  Trust that God will provide the words you need to speak and He’ll take care of the rest. <3
 
random pictures of the day:
 
 
 
**thank you so much for all of your prayers and support!  prayers for health and safe travels for the squad would be very appreciated as we start moving around again.  financial update: i only need $322 to be fully funded!!!! thank you so much for giving so generously.  you are making such a difference in so many lives around the world.***