Cambodia was an amazing experience. I could write a whole novel about all the cool things God has done and is doing down in the little town He placed us in this month. But instead I'm going to be "selfish" and tell you a little about what God has been teaching me. But first, for the sake of my dear mother, I will give a very short description of what our ministry looked like:
The majority of the time we taught English at a Christian school that is part of University of the Nations Cambodia. Other than that, we did home visits, prayer walks, painted a building, did skits, told testimonies, preached sermons, and we worshiped God through music. We slept in mosquito nets, didn't have internet, took cold showers, ate rice, and squatted over squatty potties (those last two don't mix well together).
But I wouldn't have changed a thing.
It was through those "difficulties" that God revealed to me these things. These are not the only things He has taught me, just a few that I would like to tell you about.
(My lovely mosquito net and bed)
First, He has taught me that He can give me the strength to get through any circumstance.
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Psalm 46:1-3
Almost every one of the World Racers got pink eye this month, including me. It was miserable, the first day I had it I couldn't even open my eyes when I woke up. But I took my newly acquired "free time" to spend time in prayer and in the Word. By the end of the day, even though all of us felt like ripping our eyes out, we were able to laugh and have fun. And the next day (Sunday) we all came together to worship our creator with our sunglasses and hand sanitizer. I can say with 100% certainty, that without His supernatural strength, that I would have spent the entire time in bed moping around.
(The pond behind our building where our water came from)
Second, He has taught me that by loving Him more, I love His people more.
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with
all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength
and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 10:27
I don't know about you, but I have always had trouble loving my neighbor. I find them annoying sometimes, so I just ignored them. I know the scripture passage doesn't go perfectly with what I'm saying, but this is something I have found to be true recently. One day I was sitting in my class while my co-teacher Jake was teaching. And I looked up and saw this little boy I was sitting next to. He is pre-school age and doesn't know any English. I don't even know his name, but as I was sitting there I realized that I loved this kid. All the students actually. And it was a weird kind of love, one I've never felt before. But I had an aching in my heart, and I truly desired all of the kids to come to know Christ as their savior. And I desperately wanted to show them God's love. And I know that love I felt was not my own, but it came from God. The true, capitol "L", Love.
(We stayed in the middle of a bunch of rice fields. It was absolutely beautiful there)
Lastly (for now), He has taught me the importance of quiet time with Him.
But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up
to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me
to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered
her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many
things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good
portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:40-42
Ever since I was a wee babe I have heard "You should read your bible and pray every day." But the bible is so big. It has too many rules in it. It is way too complicated for my mind to comprehend. It is dated and most of it doesn't even apply anymore. And worst of all: it is soooooooo boring! And don't even get me started on prayer, God never seems to give me the things I want in the way I want it at the time I want it… At least that is what I used to think. I was reading the bible as a book, a novel, sometimes even as a historical record. And my prayers (if I ever prayed) were almost always selfish. But prayer is more than asking for God's help. He wants a relationship with us, and what kind of relationship doesn't have communication between the two parties? But then what about the times when I feel like God doesn't respond to me? God showed me the answer to this one day: that the pages I have in front of me are not a human creation. God spoke these words to me, and to you, and to everyone who will listen.
How awesome is that? Seriously. Take 10 seconds and think about it: The Creator of everything wants to talk to you, and He gave you (in written form) His words to encourage, guide and have a relationship with you.
The hard days now are the days I skip my devotionals and morning prayer time. And the most fruitful days are the days I wake up early, and spend alone time with my Heavenly Father. The students at one of the schools we taught at knew me as "the guy who sings," because on good days I would walk around class singing worship songs while the kids copied down their notes.
And as you were reading those things you might say "Well duh, they say that stuff in church all the time." And it is true, but growing up in church I feel like I've always heard those things but never truly experienced and embraced them. I feel like God has been waiting for me my whole life and has been telling me over and over "I'm here, I'm what you need." And now I feel like I've finally begun to fully accept his love. I'm still learning, I will always be learning. God has shown me so much this month, and I hope that through me, He can encourage you!
I love you all, thanks for reading!
