After riding what seemed like hours on a tuk tuk (our main mode of transportation) outside of Siem Reap, water buffalos looking up as we zoomed by, past the luscious green rice fields, and multiple bamboo homes, we finally arrived to our village of Po Peyl. We quickly jumped off our tuk tuk and took a look at our surrounding. This would be our home for the next two weeks. There was one white building filled with colorful paintings and a water pump a few feet away. Chickens were roaming around as the dog, Bamboo, barked at us foreigners. With no running water, internet, or electricity (except the small amount we got from the solar power) we were finally “home.”
We took our places & met the two other missionaries that were serving there. Rosalie & Simon. Rosalie is from the Philippines, the cutest little filipino that hates snakes with a passion and cooks amazing meals with Deb (our host). She has the strongest desire to serve alongside Roger & Deb and bring the kingdom to these people.
Simon is a 19 year old from Australia. He has the reddest hair & loves his coffee. He does his laundry while wearing his clothes & has a gnarly Australian accent. Along my race i’ve met countless amounts of missionaries from all ages and regions. But never have I met someone so young so sold out for the Lord. Simon came to Christ about a year ago and decided to come to Cambodia. I’m not quite sure how he actually ended up in Cambodia, but I know that he came because the bible said to. To go & make disciples of all nations, and he took it seriously. He started teaching in a Catholic school near Popeyl but was kicked out because he was teaching the children too much about Jesus. So he stumbled upon Roger and Deb’s ministry & ended up partnering with them. With the little money he saved up from Australia, he was willing to help their ministry in any way possible. He currently teaches English to 3 villages that have children that are so hungry for knowledge. He helps with the feeding program and hygiene that these children lack in their day to day life. He leads bible study to the neighborhood along with Bunna practically everyday teaching them about Jesus. While I was there I was able to experience a glimpse of the fathers heart through Simon. With the little money he brought from Australia, Simon in the past year has redone the village kitchen in the school he was kicked out of, he has bought Rosalie’s return plane ticket from the Philippines because she was struggling financially, he has bought land for the church that is beginning in Popeyl so that the villagers who work at the church can have a sustainable living, he has bought my team and I countless amounts of meals, he has brought people from his church to build more solar panels, and most importantly loved the people of the village by sharing the gospel and praying over the village. HOW? Because he was faithful in his calling. God ended up constantly providing for every need so His church in the village of Popeyl would flourish for Christ.
The reason his life is so convicting to me is because Simon is so young in age and in his spiritual life. Yet something is different about him. He is able to step out of the norm of what the world calls him to do, and listens to the fathers voice. He obeys and actively acts upon what he knows the Lord is calling him to do. He has been living in a village where practically nothing but humans, water buffalos, and rice exist so that the gospel can be spread. He is sacrificing college, job security, and whatever else right now to serve the people of Popeyl.
& this got me thinking.
How often do I ask the Lord what He wants me to do in my life? Imagine what God can do with 1000 people that are like Simon. When i’m back at home, how often do I really reflect Christ in my work place? What does a job, clothes, fancy car, and home matter compared to the beauty of life that is given in Popeyl?
My journey on the race is coming to an end. I am continuously faced with questions about my future and what I will be doing after the race & honestly I don’t know. I’m not anxious or stressed but I want direction. & that direction seems to lead to long term missions somewhere around the world but I am faced with my mom constantly telling me to stay in San Diego now. My family and friends and my comfort of San Diego seem so ideal. There will probably be a coffee shop that I can manage when I get back. But God keeps putting missions on my mind over and over again and after all i’ve seen and experience my flesh wants time for itself. & I know its okay, but when do I start? When will I continue to play with time?
I’ve seen so many needs that need to be met around the world. I know I can help further the kingdom in many places that i’ve gone. I know God has given me the gift, but when will I listen? When will you listen?
Let’s not waste time, but like Simon, let earnestly seek the fathers heart & be obedient to the places He’s calling us to.
