The end of Cambodia was a little bit of a struggle. There was a sickness that seemed to constantly plague our team. The outside noises that would start at 5 am, along with the grandmother’s prayer time at the end of our beds would not give the team rest. The ministry was wonderful, but it was coming to an end. We were torn, wanting to finish strong, but wondering how with our weary bodies.
We also had to say our goodbyes. Goodbyes are never easy, and we not only had the family to say goodbye to, but the students that snuck their ways into our hearts. So the end of the month was hard. We were finishing month 10 people, MONTH 10!
Our last day of ministry, all 8 of us were to teach preschool. This never happened, so imagine the look of the 30 preschoolers! *We were so overwhelming that we made the ‘crier’, who hadn’t cried in 2 weeks, cry again* So after playing with the children, we were all tuckered out and ready to go home for lunch.
Shocking news, but we had a change of plans! We were going to meet another team to help pass out extra rice to a village on our ‘island’.
Background information.
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We haven’t worked with another team outside of our squad in many months.
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We hadn’t been around ‘white’ people.
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We have grown all awkward when it comes to talking to other people who also speak English as their 1st language. (It’s a rarity)
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When I say ‘white people’, this is referring to literally anyone foreign in the country. So ‘white people’ is not meant in a bad way.
So when we saw the van pull around the corner of the road, we all started panicking. There were white people in the van. We didn’t know how to act around Americans. And honestly, most of us hadn’t showered in a couple days. Lets just say we weren’t going to win any fashion awards either.
So we all jump out of the back out of the tuk tuk, and basically huddled in a semi-circle. All of us looking at each other in confusion on what the proper action would be. The answer is to shake hands and introduce yourself, by the way. And so after our awkward introductions, we survived this one hurdle.
The first thing we could pick up was the accents. Texans. No doubt about that one. They all seemed really nice, and not freaked out about our choice of outfits, or the fact we weren’t the freshest smelling people, or our awkwardness. This can’t be that bad.
But in the back of my head, I was asking God why we met them, or why they ‘needed’ our help. What was the purpose of us being here with them?
We loaded up our arms and made the sketchiest trek to the village. And what I mean is through mud and other brown (and green) mushy stuff that you didn’t ask questions about. When we reach the village, and the house we were aiming for, we all dropped our bags, waiting for our next instructions. One of the guys from the Texan team went into the house share the gifts with all the village people, and to share the Gospel using our host as translator.
Shirletha and I claimed the stairs to sit and wait for what was next, and the others were on the other side of the house. Separated. The two of us started asking one of the other team members about their trip, trying to understand what their ministry was. The team came to Cambodia for an eyeglasses ministry. So cool, I know right! The team was just finishing up their 2 week mission trip, with one more ‘session’ at the church/preschool where we worked.
The Texan we were talking with was so full of the Holy Spirit there was no denying his passions. His face showed this indescribable delight when he was telling us why they were here. They bring these gifts, rice and eyeglasses, to share a bigger gift. They gave these gifts to open the door to share the Gospel, and free gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23) through Jesus Christ. The fire and passion that was so evident was such a sight for my tired eyes.
Got it God. They are here to encourage, and rejuvenate us.
He confirmed this thought when he whipped out his bible, and shared a verse with us, telling us it was from the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:9 “However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ -the things God has prepared for those who love him-“
It wasn’t until later when I realized what he shared. God has prepared myself, my team, my squad to come on the race, but also prepared all the things we have seen and experienced. I wanted to check out, stay in my room (or mosquito net) where I could find my relative comfort. But that’s not what God has in store for me. He called me on the race, an 11 month journey, for a reason. And that isn’t something that I should want to hide from. He wants me to push my comforts, push where I am, and push myself further. I was tired, and ready to be done. But the Holy Spirit gave me my encouragement through this ‘Texan Angel’.
We eventually went back to the church where both teams got a chance to talk, and the Texas team then prayed for us. (We were leaving in 2 days for Vietnam, same day they were leaving for America)
They had invited us to come to their last ministry site, held behind the church the next day. And that was the invitation that stuck with Kelly Anne and I. We had plans to go into town early in the morning to get internet, talk with family, post blogs before leaving to a closed country. We had plans, and we liked the plans. But, the more we talked, the more we realized that God had more in store for us with this Texan team.
Plus seeing the eyeglass ministry sounded super cool to see! And honestly they didn’t have to invite us, we smell and looked funny, I could understand.
So Kelly Anne and I (Bethany too) headed to the school. We were early, so we decided to help with the birthday party that was happening in the preschool.
*Another God thing! Imagine 30 preschoolers, cake, and sugar, lots of sugar.*
The Texan team shows up, and hands KB and I bags. We geek out! They gave us AMERICAN FOOD! We had beef jerky (that was a hard one for some to give up, but I’m super thankful!), pop tarts, cliff bars, cans of pop, candy, and other deliciousness. They not only blessed us with their high energy and conversation, but with American food. Life was wonderful!
(Side note: We didn’t tell the team about some of the food! Not sorry)
But what was even better was the morning in conversation with the team and helping their ministry! I know, it must be something if it was better than food! But it was! I got to see several people who I knew in the community get eye glasses, and then hear the gospel! Gives me chills just thinking about it!
So their ministry was providing eye exams, and reading glasses for the community. Everyone who came to the site, received a number, got their eyes examined, then loosely ‘prescribed’ reading glasses. Then the coolest part was sharing the Gospel. They had little stations where they would hear the Gospel, in their own language. So in the span of a couple hours, around 80 people heard the Gospel! Praise the Lord, right!
These Texans were so much more than just a group of strangers. They let us in, prayed for us, and welcomed us to work alongside of them. I am so incredibly blessed by them, and grateful for all they did for me and my team!
Walking to the ferry after a full morning of impromtu ministry on our part, Kelly Anne and I were talking about what just happened. There was something about them that just reminded me of my Boracay trips. There is something undeniably special in a 2 week mission trip, in the team dynamic, in the energy they bring along. These Texans reminded me of that, and reminded me that I can be just like them.
I might be on my last month of this journey, I might be exhausted in ways that no one can understand, and I might want to check out. But God’s not done with me yet. God is still at work. And if I allow myself to have the outlook of a 2 week mission trip, I wouldn’t let my weary body drag me down!
So I just wanted to thank this team from a small town in Texas for many things. You shared your hearts, food, passions and desires. You gave me energy to finish my race strong. You opened my eyes to what my outlook should be when the exhaustion kicks in. You gave me a small glimpse into re-entering America. You gave me laughter, and energy. So this is a huge THANK YOU specifically for you guys from Calvary Baptist in Gladewater Texas!
