Helllloooooo! I’m still here! Doing this crazy mission God called me to! I apologize for taking so long to post an update!
Last month my team and I were in Bangkok, Thailand teaching English at Amane English Center. This center is a place for kids to learn English after their regular school day. Some of these kids are in school for 10 hours a day, and even come to learn English on the weekends. Learning English as a second language is highly valued in Thailand. This creates an awesome opportunity for us, as English speakers, to build relationships with the students.
Our hosts, Golf & Benz were Christians who were once Buddhists. They believed in “business as mission,” and their model was extremely successful. They ran a highly regarded, professional English center and through building relationships were able to talk to the students about Jesus. The teachers were allowed to be open about their faith, while keeping English as the main objective. Every Sunday they hold Sunday school at the center, where almost 20 students attend.
Golf and Benz and the teachers at this center do so much more than teach English. They help mentor these kids, share the love of Christ by loving them, and walk with them through daily struggles kids/teens face. If any of these students have questions about Christianity or Buddhism, often they look to Gold and Benz for answers.
One evening after class we were having a casual conversation with some older students about Christianity. A week later we found out that student went home and told his family about what he learned, and they were interested in becoming Christians!
There was a lot to be celebrated in Thailand. I watched my teammates heal from painful parts of their pasts, grow in unity together, and the Holy Spirit slowly work in the lives of the students. There was also a lot of struggle in Thailand. I got extremely sick while traveling from Malaysia to Bangkok. I had a high fever, rash over my whole body, crippling joint pain, and was vomiting. I made two trips to the hospital, but the doctors couldn’t diagnose me with anything. My illness left me in bed for 10 days. My spirit was crushed for the first couple weeks. I know the enemy used my physical weakness to attack me spiritually. I was so tired, emotionally and physically. The thought of pushing through for 5 more months was daunting. To be honest I wanted to go home.
After Thailand our entire squad had debrief. Which is a time to get together, help each other, share highs and lows, and be poured into by our leaders who fly out from the States. That week came at a perfect time for me and once again I was reminded that God will never give you more than you can handle.
Currently, I am in Battambang, Cambodia! I felt anxious coming to Cambodia because I had no idea what to expect, and was running out of steam. Two things that are common on the World Race! But this month has been incredible. Our host family is currently in Thailand on a much needed vacation. We are living in their house, and getting a true glimpse of what full time missions looks like. This family works with an organization called Brightstart, which teaches English to under privileged kids. Similar to last month, through teaching English they are also teaching the Gospel!
We hold three classes a day for kids and young adults of all ages. We follow curriculum, but have freedom to share Bible stories and ultimately the love of Jesus. I have fallen in love with these kids! They are so sweet and full of life! Some of them have rough living conditions or family dynamics, and are so eager to be loved. This week in Cambodia is the Khmer New Year, Cambodia’s biggest holiday. We didn’t have English classes, but instead held a Vacation Bible School. We weren’t expecting a lot of kids due to the holiday, but 30 have showed up and are consistently coming!
For Khmer New Year, its tradition for people to spray each other with water and baby powder. We decided to go out prepared to fight back with water balloons!
Cambodia is a whole new world for me. In the mornings we ride our bikes to the local market to buy fresh vegetables and fruit. On our way we pass tiny shacks that people call home. On the way home sometimes a Land Rover or Hummer will drive by. I’ve never seen such a stark contrast between poor and wealthy. Cambodia has a tragic recent history of genocide. I won’t get into details, but I would encourage anyone reading this to look into it and pray the Lord will heal this nation.
Cambodia grocery shopping
Meat anyone?
Some people living in these conditions believe they are paying karma for their past life, so they don’t try to get out of poverty
Even though I feel myself wearing down, the Lord is actively moving in my life. I’m learning how passionate I am about teaching, and realizing how comfortable I feel being overseas. Is that what my future holds? I’ve learned a lot about leadership, God’s grace, what’s actually important in this life, how the enemy schemes against me, the importance of pushing into conflict instead of running from it, how family goes beyond blood, how I struggle with pride but God loves me anyway, how eating Chick-fil-a and sleeping in your own bed doesn’t equal happiness, how community is a gift given by the Father, how God doesn’t need me but wants me!
Thank you for everyone who has kept me in their thoughts and prayers! Please pray I can finish this Race well. Pray for physical strength and healing (I’m still suffering with joint pain from my illness in Thailand. Every morning it hurts to get out of bed). Pray I can be attentive to the Lord’s calling on my life. Most importantly pray for these children I’ve met all over the world. Pray they can grow in relationship with the Lord!
-Christen
