About a week and a half ago, my squad and I arrived in Phnom Pehn. Some teams went their separate ways to their minstry sites and some went to stay at a nearby hotel. My team and I were one of the groups that stayed at the hotel. It was nice to wash that “travel” feel off and sleep on an actual mattress for what could be the last time I get to for a while.
We woke up early in the morning, had breakfast across the street, climbed into two Tuk Tuks with our packs and headed to the bus station.
The rush of motos going by, Tuk Tuks at top speed, and cars not obeying street lines or signs, woke us all up. The city was alive and bustling and you could feel it rushing through your veins. The bright eyed adventurers had truly reached their first country and we were ready to embrace it with open arms, mind, and hearts.
What we thought would be a long wait turned into us actually getting on the 10:00 instead of the 10:30 bus. We were on the bus and headed to our ministry location in Battambang, bustling with excitement.
As we were leaving the city, I took mental notes and watched the people as we went by. Learning about the culture and people the best I could while still at somewhat of a distance. Processing, taking it all in, and studying, as my degree taught me to.
The first thing I noticed was the trash everywhere, the water/sewage lines, house structures, and all the other aesthetics we westerners truly hold onto as a sign of wealth and beauty. Here, it would not live up to the western standards. Those aesthetics are also easy to notice because it’s really the only things you can catch on a bus going that fast.
The further down the trip we got I kept thinking about those things. How, normally, those are the things people from first world countries try to change and fix immediately. They do it without thinking if it would actually be good for the people here, for the way their infrastructure works, and so on. We look at those aesthetics and pity the people who live here, hoping they can experience something else besides “this” and can experience the wealth and comforts we hold so tightly.
The thing is that we don’t need to rescue them from their lives but they need to be saved from this life!
They don’t need better homes, a different way of cooking food, new roads, capitalism, democracy, or other such things we hold so dearly. Because, in the end, those things are going to die when we do and no one can take them with them when they die.
What they need is something that can give them everlasting joy, peace, love, and comfort that lasts throughout all ages. That, when they die, they have riches that last eternity. That promises them a perfect and whole life, that will truly satisfy all of their needs, even while living in a third world country.
The people in Cambodia need to know what a life with Jesus is like!
My team and I have had the privilege of partnering with people who are making sure that happens. I’ve heard so many stories of how Jesus has changed people’s lives in Battambang and how alive He is here! I only get to see a glimpse of this and it’s such a shame. But, at the same time, and amazing blessing!
The work I’m doing isn’t to “bring Jesus to Cambodia”, He’s already here. It’s to see who Jesus is, learn from others, love and serve those who need it, and so much more.
My time in Battambang has been an incredible blessing and I haven’t even been here a full two weeks. It’s crazy to think how much more I’ll get to experience over the next 10 months.
