As we crossed the boarder from Thailand into Cambodia at the beginning of this month I felt as though a weight had settled over me. As I looked around my eyes focused on the dirty streets, the stands selling beer and cigarettes, and the confusing sounds of a foreign language. I felt anxious, angry, and annoyed. For the first time on the World Race I was experiencing culture shock.
It has been a challenge to feel these emotions and still “choose in”. Choose to seek the Lord and give him my anxiety. Choose to share openly and honestly about my feelings with my teammates. Choose to love the people that I meet in the local villages. Choose to put on the armor of God each morning. Choose to live one day at a time.
The Lord is so gracious. Through this time He is using me to share my testimony of finding freedom from the chains of alcohol. Alcoholism seems to be prevalent in the local villages that we have been serving. So while the enemy may be whispering lies into my ears this month about not having a purpose here, God’s truth has been striking back! As I focus on His truth and surrender my day to Him, He is giving me the strength and the joy to be content regardless of my surroundings.
As this final week in Cambodia approaches and we go to our last village I am going to choose in. I will seek the Lord and guard my mind with His truth. I will love with His love. God is so good and I’m so grateful that He gives me the ability to make these choices!
