People said that month 9 was going to be a challenge. This is when tiredness sets in, thoughts of home take over, and you are just done with packing up and traveling all the time.
Month 9 was hard for our team. But surprisingly not for the reasons above. It was a rough month to say goodbye to. The friends we made here at the Joy Community Center touched out hearts and one month just seemed too short.
Jesus is so evident in the eyes of these children, teens, and especially in the family that runs the center. Joy is something that they understand fully. These beautiful people haven’t had the easiest lives and their portion of difficulties seems unfair to the average person.
We had conversations about their pasts and what brought them to Jesus. It’s incredible to hear about the persecution they’ve faced from family, friends, and even churches and they still have such a strong faith and unmatchable joy. Many of the teens that come to the center are the only ones in their families that believe in Jesus.
Joy is the ability to find hope in all circumstances.
Good or bad, you know in whom and where your hope lies and you are not deterred. It’s a lifestyle to admire and find inspiration from.
It was exciting to be able to show the kids the love of Jesus this month and even have the opportunity to take them away from normal life for a day. We took them to a water park in the city, out to lunch, and allowed them to just be normal kids. And normal teenagers they were. They definitely know how to have fun. For many of them, this was their first time getting to travel into the city (even though it’s only 2 hours away) and they got car sick coming back home.
Needless to say, leaving this month was rough. This is the first place I’ve been this past year that I can actually see myself coming back to. I would love to see the strong men and women of God that these kids and teens grow up to be. If I’ve learned anything this past month it’s that joy can be found anywhere. Even in the midst of hot, sweaty Cambodia.
So now, Team WWJD is heading onward to Malaysia in the next few days. But we will carry the memory of Cambodia with us forever.
Financial Update…
I only need $269 in order to be fully funded!!! Yay! Thank you to all who have given and continue to give. We are almost there!
