We came from a city overflowing with 7/11’s and our beloved Slurpee. But now we are adjusting to even hotter weather in a remote area of Cambodia.
This month we live at a children’s home called Shelter of Love. Fifty-two adorable kids live here. This home is amazing. It is a beautiful campus, the children have wonderful dorms and shower areas. The problem is that we are in Cambodia. We are in a home that is surrounded by villages– there are going to be cockroaches.
I kill cockroaches that wake me up from my sleep. I have my Rainbow flip flop right by my head, ready to go. Last night I killed four of them on my way to the restroom. Poor Amanda found one in her tent last night. IN HER TENT! This is war.
But I still want this month even more than last month. And that is probably because I need it. I need to detox from a month of unexpected luxuries. I need to be pushed back into reality. I need something to force me out of the month six blues.
Don’t get me wrong, last month was amazing. I was blessed to work with people so in love with the community they serve. At the end of the month, Chiang Mai was great for a few days of rest. It was awesome to hug a gigantic tiger, which was way scarier for me than bungee jumping. I was sweating bullets! It was fun to shop a bit, relax with our squad, and load up on some American food. Who would have thought I would eat chocolate chip pancakes in Thailand?
As enjoyable as those things were, I was faced with a huge reminder. That is not why I came on the Race. I’m not here to be comfortable, but to be stretched, and to grow. And as fun as it was, I wanted something more. So God was like, “Ok Lynds, here you go, here is Cambodia. Get ready to fall on me”.
There are no distractions here. We have the kids, the ministry, and one another.
It is difficult to get back into that groove. I cried yesterday because my pillow smells so bad. Seriously? Yes, seriously. It might be the combination of the heat, the sweat, how much I smell, or that I miss wearing make-up or looking cute. But aside from the stank, I’m so grateful for this month and ministry.
The other evening I was talking with my teammate Lauren when two of the children, Timothy and Joshua, crawled up into our laps. They snuggled up to us and we just embraced the moment. Here I was cuddling up with a little bundle of love. We enjoyed the cool of the evening as a thunderstorm rolled in and we watched the sunset together. It was heaven. This is what I came here for.
I’m falling in love with these little ones. When the kids run across the yard to jump into my arms it’s all worth it. It is God saying, “Keep going my daughter, they are why you are here. You need me, and right now, they need you”.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:12-13
