Made it! India and Cambodia here we come. This month has been chaotic and awesome to say the least with organizing debrief, India visas, preaching, and finding a way to Cambodia, but thankfully we serve a great God who has prepared the way for us. That’s exactly how this month has played out; trials preceded by God providing a way.
The best example this month was our trip to Cambodia. Crunch time began in our last week with discovering how to get to Siem Reap (Where my current ministry is) and where to stay when we get there. Our travel date was conveniently on New Year’s Eve which not only made it difficult to find a place for 46 to stay but also was the last day remaining on our Thailand Visas. Praise God we made it and have a safe and beautiful hostel. The last week we started emailing a couple hostels that would politely say almost in a laughing broken English manner “No”, but of course what went from 2-3 emails a day soon went to anyone and everyone who had space for a group of 46. We eventually got to a point where we sent out an email to every hostel on Google maps, trying not to sound so desperate, but stating we would be more than happy to sleep on the floor and are very flexible with accommodations. Finally I accidentally re-emailed a hostel that had previously said no due to lack of space. He felt pity for us and said those without rooms can camp in the yard of the hostel or on the roof for half price! Yes, we responded and it was all confirmed the day before we left! We are currently at this hostel and more rooms opened up the day of and we are all comfortably in a room, sharing beds, and inside with a discount. If you’re curious if we usually find out our travel arrangements the day before the answer is no, but the week before is very typical because on the World Race we often go with what we have and lean on God to provide the rest.
Finding a bus and getting to the hostel was just as exciting! Cambodia is known for its corrupt government and also visa scams at the border. We finally discovered a reasonable private travel agency that would take us directly from YWAM Thailand to our Green Park Village Guest House Siem Reap. The travel day was great and everyone enjoyed it as being very smooth. Cambodian border is unlike any other though and with their corrupt government and bribed positions at the border there was bound to be hick-ups along the way. Whatever the problem ended up being it was always based around money for the officers working at the border. We had to pay $25/person for the clearly labeled $20 dollar visas, $2.5/person for the FREE government shuttles, and $5/ person for not having Mr./Mrs. before our names at the bus station that they forced all foreigners to go to!
The rest of the trip was a smooth ride to the guest house and everyone thought it was a great travel day. After getting everyone on the bus the manager of the bus company asked if I would want to drive with him in his personal car to the Guest House. This might seem strange in the U.S. but here people are more openly friendly and love to talk with you to improve their English. I instantly felt a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit to go with him so me and my teammate Lincoln went. My original idea for the bus ride to the guest house was to sleep as it was new years and I hadn’t slept much the past few days, but I was instantly reenergized in the car with the manager, discussing culture, government, food, family and of course Buddhism and Christianity. Just like Christianity there are many Buddhist who say they’re Buddhist but don’t follow this practice. The manager was just that and was well along his way to find Christ, God just let me put the beginning touches on his new found life. I was able to pray for Him and he accepted Christ just after paying him for the buses. I didn’t want to let him think he was going to get a discount for receiving the Holy Spirit! It was a blessing to me as it seems that I am always planting the seed and never seeing the fruit, but God blessed me by using me as the icing on the cake in this great mans new found faith. The manager had the gospels of the Bible but didn’t understand them or even know there was more. After praying with him I encouraged him to go to the church he had gone to once or twice before to continue seeking and knowing what it means to be a Christian and brother in Christ. Praise God!
Prayer Requests:
· Pray for my new found friend and brother in Christ that He will continue listening to the calling of the Holy Spirit
· Pray for me to continue and see God’s provision and work in my life
· Praise Him for providing and keeping us safe on our travels
· Pray for the new teams that have been created
· Praise God that he has shown me the fruits of my labor
Some of the fun things I have got to do!
Yes, I did try them!
