That’s right. God has me in Cambodia right now, but He doesn’t really need me here. Thankfully, I get to be here this month.
Ever since I left Cambodia almost 3 years ago, I’ve been looking forward to returning. There’s no chance I’d even be on the World Race right now if it weren’t for that first trip to Cambodia and all the ways it transformed my life. After coming home, I felt a weird sense of urgency to get back in any way possible. Because surely God needed me in Cambodia more than he needed me in America, right?
Now I’m back again. And I’m overjoyed. I’ve been anticipating this for years. I was convinced that God must have something more for me in Cambodia. And He has definitely shown me that in the past few weeks. I just wasn’t expecting a change of perspective.
God is continuously revealing to me that He does not need me here. The Lord is already working in incredible ways in this country and they have nothing to do with me. Jesus loves me enough to bring me to a place that I love and show me how His kingdom is being built here every single day. I get to be a part of building God’s kingdom in Phnom Penh, Cambodia because God loves His children and loves to see them engaged with the work He is already doing.
Last week, we went to visit an old Cambodian woman with stage IV ovarian cancer. Her son attends the church that we’re working with, but she is a Buddhist. The pastors and church members had been visiting and praying for her for years. We sat and talked with her for a while before we asked if we could share the gospel with her again. Our host, Raiya, said yes and proceeded to speak with her in Khmer while we all sat there confused and completely distracted. After 25 minutes, he looked over to us and said ‘we pray for her now. She accepted Jesus.’ What?! We were all completely surprised and delighted. We really did nothing, and yet Jesus allowed us to be a part of and witness that woman give her life to Jesus. It was such a beautiful thing.
This month, part of our ministry is building relationships and talking with university students on the campus of RUPP (Royal University of Phnom Penh). We were speaking with a group of engineering students and getting to know them better when one of the boys asked what church we were from. We were a bit taken aback because we hadn’t really said anything about our faith. He told us, ‘I hear that you’ve come to share the gospel, so please tell us. I’m also a Christian.’ Before we could jump in and say anything, the boy started sharing the gospel in Khmer and discipling his three other friends. So cool to witness that moment.
Both times, we didn’t even need to say anything and yet God’s kingdom was being built and people were hearing the gospel. I am so thankful that I get to partner with Jesus in the work He is already doing in Cambodia. I love that I get to live this life where I have opportunities to see Jesus working all over the world.
P.S. The church we are partnered with this month is doing an incredible job of building God’s kingdom in Cambodia and it’s a privilege to empower 5PChurch and help their ministry. We’re halfway through the World Race! Hard to believe there’s only 5.5 months left of this journey. I’m so thankful for your continued prayers and support!
