Thank you:
First of all let me say a huge THANK YOU to all of you who have supported me through prayers and finance during this world race journey. At the end of november I was on the verge of being sent home from the race due to outstanding financial deadlines needing to be met. However, the Lord provided as He always does, and He used all of you to do it! We met the deadline, and I get to continue on the race. Praise God!!
Words cannot express how blessed I've been by your kindness and generosity. I know that for many of you, the financial gifts you gave me were a huge sacrifices…especially since we're coming into the holiday season. All i can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart. please know that your support is playing a crucial role in bringing the love of Jesus to the nations. Thank you for making yourself available to be apart of God's story in this way! I know that you will be immensely blessed for your generosity and sacrifice. Thank you so much for everything! I love and miss you all dearly, and i can't wait to be reunited with you again this summer.
Cambodia Update
right now we are in cambodia, and this place is absolutely beautiful. however, despite the indescribable outward beauty of this place and its people, there is deep pain here, and much healing that needs to take place.
the average age of the cambodian people is 30 years old, because less than 50 years ago there was a massive genocide in cambodia– killing more than half of the country's population. brother turning against brother, millions of people slaughtered. if you've ever heard of the documentary called "the killing fields", it's talking about cambodia.
(genocide victims at the killing fields national museum)
Thankfully political peace has been restored in cambodia. however, the pain from this tragedy still runs deep in the hearts and minds of these people.
like it's neighboring countries, cambodia is a prominently buddhist nation, with less than 3% of the population being Christian. However, The Lord is raising up a mighty generation of Christian youth in Cambodia! Praise God!
This month we have the privilege of working with "Mercy Home.". This ministry provides school and even housing for village kids who can't afford to go to public school. While teaching english to these students, we are also able to share the love and good news of Jesus with them. It's an amazing opportunity! The classrooms are small bamboo huts with grass roofs and dirt floors…but that doesn't discourage the kids. they come eager to learn, which is so exciting for us teaching.
We are also in the process of building a church on the property!! excited to see this to completion by the end of the month!!
being in this environment makes me so thankful for the luxuries we have in the states when it comes to education. most of these kids are lucky if they make it to class with a pencil and notebook paper. The other day we brought one pack of markers to class for 15 of them to share…by their reaction you would've thought we were handing out hundred dollar bills. they were so excited about getting to color with markers and the chance to be creative. i sat down in my chair at the front of the room as i watched their faces light up with excitement…i wanted to cry. we are SO blessed in the United States and so many times I forget to be thankful for even the simplest things.
my future dream would be to see CCS adopt this small village school in Kampot, Cambodia. I would love to see our CCS classrooms find ways to raise money so that these classrooms here can have things like crayons, markers, pencils, maybe even backpacks for the kids.
Just a thought. maybe i can talk the principal at CCS into it…what do you think?? 😉
(headed to a Cambodian wedding in traditional clothing)
