I think this is an appropriate moment to remind everyone of that sweet little phrase “better late than never”, and I think it is even more appropriate to apologize to you all for my lack of blogging. I’ve dug myself into a bit of a hole considering it’s been a solid 2.5 months since I’ve last blogged. So let’s just all agree that I will attempt to briefly summarize the past nine weeks, and you each can take me to a nice fancy dinner when I return to get all the funny stories and details. Deal?
Cambodia was hot. Cambodia was insanely hot. We lived in a tiny church in a village outside of Siem Reap. Our simple days were consistently accompanied by red dirt and sweat, and I loved it. We’d wake up each morning in our sleeping bags on the floor to the Pastor and his wife bringing in our breakfast. We spent the mornings going from home to home praying for church members and hearing their stories. In the afternoon we’d attempt to teach the children english. Our team would wind down the evenings with a game of cards and our routine bucket showers. There was plenty of time for naps and laughs…and sweating.
Vietnam offered a refreshing change of pace. My team was able to work with an organization in Da Nang. We lived each day following a full schedule with lots of variety. We painted a massive mural outside an orphanage, picked peanuts with nuns, held orphan babies for hours, and taught swim lessons. My team discovered an incredible Indian restaurant and developed a committed relationship with the beach. We lived in a hotel with AC and were reunited with real toilets and indoor showers. Our month finished up with a week of debrief and plenty of changes.
Debrief was held in Vung Tau, Vietnam which is in the south on the coast. The four days was packed with good talks, a worship bonfire on the beach, and team changes.
At the end of month five, our three alumni squad leaders will head back to the states. Because of this, at the end of month four they raise up three new squad leaders so that during month five they can be trained before the alumni squad leaders leave. At the beginning of debrief I found out that I was being invited to be raised up as a squad leader.
I accepted the invitation, and thus my race will look a little bit different now. I am now on a team with only two others, Scott and Bethany. Each month we will individually spend time with different teams, and my ministry focus will now be the teams.
I am stoked for what God has in store for me and the squad, and I know my dependence on God is going to increase immensely due to this new leadership role. I’d love prayers for Scott, Bethany, and me as we are trained and transition into all of this.
This time is honestly flying, and I am so freaking grateful for these past four months. I know God has big plans for these next seven, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.
