Cambodia was on my heart for a long time. I fell in love with the country long ago, when I found out it has one of the largest prostitution rings in the world regarding children who are under age and used for the sex trade. I was looking forward to coming to Cambodia and really thought this would be the place where God would call me.
When I landed in Cambodia, I was excited and full of enthusiasm thinking I will have peace. As you all know, I’ve been to three other countries and many more to go. I signed up for the world race hoping that God will place a love in my heart for a country. My hope was that when I am done with the race God will maybe call me back to the country I fell in love with.
Our whole squad arrived in Phnom Penh and went to the University Of Nations (Youth With A Mission) house, where we stayed and were debriefed for our tasks and cultural norms for this month.
Our ministry contact was Vuthy. I have grown to love and respect Vuthy. He is 27 years old and was the only Christian in his family, until recently when his brother and sister accepted Christ. He has been with YWAM for a couple of years now, but has a huge heart for the community that he was born and raised, in Touch, Cambodia. Every weekend he goes back home to teach English classes and evangelize to his community of 500 families who farm rice. When teams come he looks forward to staying a longer time in the community and getting the people excited about Jesus. He and his family have now hosted three teams. With the teams, Vuthy leads them to evangelize in the morning then teach English and it’s the same pattern for the evening as well.
I have loved being a part of the ministry that Vuthy has created, but I cannot help but think what happen to the passion I had for this country. It’s been a country I have poured my heart and prayers upon. It’s become routine and mundane. I am frustrated, because I wanted my wandering heart to find a home in Cambodia; I wanted to find peace within and I am asking God why can’t this be it? Why can’t this be the place I dedicate myself to serve the rest of my life?
