I seriously just couldn’t come up with a title, so I hope no ones disappointed.This blog needs to happen. Or at least that’s what I kept telling myself. After consistently blogging every month and not having written a single one in the last two, I can understand people’s confusion. So to put you all at ease, know that I am alive and it is in fact me writing this blog. It’s not that nothing exciting has happened. There’s actually probably been too much to decide to write about.
For month 8, my team and I were in a rural town outside Kampot, Cambodia. We lived at an orphanage and it was incredible. One of my top favorite months for sure. I so badly wanted to do a picture blog, but have been experiencing wifi difficulties. Maybe back in the states, I can post some! This month was full of star gazing, bike rides, hikes through rice fields, mud soccer, cake fights, movie nights, card games, girls night, VBS, English classes, games, painting, hugs, and crying our hearts out when we had to leave. I got really close to one girl, especially, named Srey Pov. She’s a beautiful 15 year old girl who loves people, children, and Jesus so well. She only knew about 3 phrases in English, and I only knew about 3 words in Khmer, but we took every opportunity to sit next to each other, hug, or attempt to communicate. It usually ended in laughter one way or another until the last day when she said the same three phrases in English one last time. “I love you, Jenn. Jesus love you, Jenn. I miss you, Jenn.” And that time, we cried.
Month 9, my team and I were in Danang, Vietnam. We worked in a cafe, teaching English to college students for a month. Though this month was awesome, it was full of challenges to say the least. Whether it was learning how to keep my mouth moving from 2 to 10, having conversations in English, or learning how to love my team. This month was hard.
With so many changes coming up, I thought I’d give the next updates:
– Switching Continents!: Tomorrow, our team will be leaving Southeast Asia and entering Malawi, Africa!!!! Though I’ve been dreaming about going to Africa my whole life, the end is so near and it’s easy to feel exhausted and check out. It’s so crazy how the Race becomes every day life. Right now I’m sitting on my bed at a hostel in Vietnam writing a blog and it feels so normal. I still have to pause and remind myself how blessed I am to be given these opportunities. Please pray that we all invest and finish well. Also, depending on how wifi is in Africa, this might be my last blog for awhile.
– Switching Teams: I am now on my third team for this Race and will be finishing with a new group. Please pray for us to be unified, loving, and Spirit filled with one another.
-Switching Life!: In just a few short months, I will be leaving this journey and encountering new ones back in the states. Our squad will arrive in New York on November 25th! Please pray for these transitions, saying goodbye to this community, and decisions and guidance for the future.
Those are all the updates I have for now! Thank you to everyone who has been praying and supporting me. Hopefully, I can keep in touch in Africa and it won’t be long before I can keep in touch in person.
He has called me higher,
Jenn
