I’ve been trying for a while now to sit down and capture all that the World Race has been so far, but it’s turning out to be a far more daunting task than I originally imagined.
For starters, it feels like I’ve been on the race my whole life. It genuinely feels like I’ve grown up in Cambodia and learned how to do life on the dirt roads of Kampong Thom. The ladies in the kitchen feel like my mom, the kids at the shelter are like little siblings. It also feels like I haven’t seen Virginia Beach in eons and that my real siblings have grown up five years since I’ve last laid eyes on them.
It’s been 24 days.
Lord help me.
Sometimes being away from home hurts my heart, but I’ve fallen in love with Cambodia. But even more than that, I’ve fallen in love with the way the Lord is changing my heart through Cambodia. He’s making way for more of Him by lessening myself. He’s shaping me in ways that I didn’t even know I needed or wanted to be shaped.
I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned that we live in a fallen and sinful world, full of horrible things that happen to innocent people, so it’s my responsibility to choose love every moment. I’ve learned that despite that, life doesn’t suck. I am a firm believer that joy is everywhere if you choose to see it. I’ve learned that living out of a backpack really isn’t that bad- heck, I’ve only done one load of laundry (#winning). I’ve learned that sometimes cold showers are better than hot showers, that coming home exhausted is worth the smile on the children’s face. I’ve learned that bagged coffee is my new favorite thing and so far, tuk tuk’s are the only mode of transportation in the world in which I don’t get carsick (take note America). I’ve learned to do nothing but laugh when the power goes out in our hotel for the 37th time, and count the seconds until (and thank Jesus himself when) the fans mounted on the wall turn back on as the room quickly becomes a sauna. Oh, and that sometimes other people can do things better than I can, and that’s okay.
So, yeah. Cambodia rocks y’all. Even though it takes three cups of coffee to get through most days.
Check out the video I made HERE on life these past few weeks! It’s pretty awesome, if I do say so myself 🙂
Much love from across the pond,
(and from my best friend Maan who is sitting next to me right now.)
xoxo, Hayds
