The simple life.
I wake up at 5:30 every morning at the sound of the rooster crowing.
Go for my morning run around 6:30 down the dirt path til I get to the end of the main ‘road.’
My morning coffee comes in the form of a plastic bag and a straw, held together with a rubberband; 2 shots of expresso and some condensed milk, one of my favorite things about Cambodia. A girl named Reini that works the hut outside her parents house makes it for me on a semi daily basis. “See you tomorrow” she says in her broken English as I walk away.
8:30 the van pulls out to bring my team to our village called ‘big cup’, where we do ministry. In the mornings we get to do house visits with our translator, getting to know people in the community and praying and sharing Jesus with them whenever we have an open door.
Our first week of going to the village, we were able to cut a bracelet off of a woman who thought it was carrying a spirit of protection and safety for her. It is common in Cambodia that people believe in many gods and spirits and will wear bracelets, rings, necklaces, and waistbands in order to let that god or spirit remain on them to be protected. Peia was the lady’s name we prayed for that day. Heaviness of the bondage she carried was lifted and given to the Lord. She experience Jesus that day and when we left all she could do was smile. Freedom, such a beautiful thing to witness.
After we visit the homes, we come back to have lunch. Rice and pork, everyday, with some combination of vegetables. Warm water to quench our thirst from the heat that seems to never cease.
We teach English in the afternoon and evening. Our classroom/school is a grass hut on a pile of flattened dirt. Our students radiate joy. They absolutely adore their teachers and show up early for class everyday. We teach 3 english classes and 1 bible class where we tell a story sometimes acting it out or drawing it on a story board. The children are so attentive and eager to learn everything. They stay late to finish their homework assignment before they leave to ride their bikes home.
The last class ends at 6:30, so we pile back in the van and head home. We have dinner with the EJ and Stephanie’s teams at 7:30 and then bible study or free time (depending on the day) til lights out at 9:00 pm.
In the midst the heat, the sweating profusely, and having to wear the most modest of clothes, I’ve found contentment and joy. The joy they talk about that isn’t dependent on circumstances. I’m learning how to receive the Father’s love every morning and then as a result, I achieve his will. Simple but beautiful. This month has been one of the most rewarding yet. I am blessed, everyday!
Peace and joy saturates my team and I as we work to build the Kingdom of Heaven in the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Thank you again for your love and support as I continue on this journey with the Lord. I pray blessings over every person that reads this blog!
My teammate, Elizabeth Gonzalez is still in need of funds to remain on the race. Please visit her page and consider supporting her so she doesn’t get sent home at the end of this month.
