The last few days have been interesting to say the least. My (new) team and I arrived at our location in the Sway Kroum Village, Cambodia. We are living and working at a New Hope Orphanage with kids ranging from 6-18 years of age.
Upon arrival, I was greeted with helping hands and little voices saying “Brother, brother, brother!” From there on out I’ve been amazed at how loving these kids are. It’s more than the simple act of being called “Brother” by kids I just met, these kids know TRUE love. And man, it is beautiful.
I came into this month with no expectations. My prayer was that God would take out any preconceived notions I may have stepping into this month in Cambodia. That no matter what, this would be a time of growing in my relationship with Him. He heard me. Loud and clear.
Our very first day here I started to feel sick, and for the days proceeding, I’ve been laying in “bed” (my sleeping pad), feeling exhausted. I had no idea that His plan for me these first few days would require me to be in my tent nearly every hour of the day. In that time God has been telling me to push deeper. To really think about why he has me all the way across the world. To dive into His Word. And by doing so, diving into a deeper relationship with Him.
I’ve learned that sometimes God uses our “crappy” circumstances to speak truths into our lives. Sometimes He needs us to slow down, take a breath, and sit in what He has for us. My first two months on The Race were the best two months of my life. I was constantly able to do something that would allow me to feel alive. I was never really sick. I was never really tired. I was constantly thinking and moving. I started to think that maybe that was what my whole Race would look like, but I was wrong.
Sitting still is hard. Being around so many kids that I want to love so bad, but can’t because of my health is hard. But there is beauty in sitting still. These last few days I’ve heard God’s voice loud and clear. I’ve been able to hear truths that, in having an amazing two months in Thailand, I wasn’t able to hear. Now that I’m starting to feel better, I feel as if God is still calling me to stillness. Maybe this will be a month of sitting and allowing truths into my life, and I’m stoked to see what that will look like.
In Christ,
Diegz
