Lodging: We are living in what we refer to as 'the treehouse' with a Pastor and his family as well as our translators. Our translators are a young Cambodian couple who just got married in December. They are quite possibly the most adorable couple I have met in my life. The whole-heartedly love Jesus, others, and each other. Not a day goes by without some cute moment from the two of them. We only have access to a squatty potty all month and shower from the same scoop with which we flush our squatty. But I still feel clean most of the time because the weather here is quite pleasant. Oh, and no internet within an hour of us, which is actually quite great.
Food: We get all three meals cooked for us each day. SOO GOOD! I am having to practice a lot of self-control because the food is so good and there is plenty to go around!
Ministry: We do door-to-door evangelism in the morning and early afternoon as well as teach English classes to kids in the late afternoon. We then preach on Sunday morning at two different churches.
People: The people are so nice. I have learned about shirt and mat making, alcohol distilling, as well as a lot of information about what life was like here in the 70's under Pol Pot. God has blessed our times in the neighbor's homes and I have felt so loved by Jesus in the process of sharing him. It is a lot easier for me to talk about my faith than it used to be- likely because I am still like a gushy newlywed with my newfound depth of relationship with Jesus. I am okay with that. And the kids we teach in the afternoon are great. I teach four 11 and 12 year old girls and it has been such a delight!
I can't help but use cheesy phrases and cliché adjectives throughout this update. I just love this country. Love this month. Love doing ministry. Love these people. Love my team and how much fun and life we have with each other. I am just soo sooo in LOVE!!! Ahhh. Jesus is just too good to me.
Prayer Requests:
1) Not going to lie, I have been a little apprehensive about Africa since I signed up for the Race and we are heading there next month. I am sure all my apprehensions are unwarranted, but please pray for peace and right perspective heading into the next three months. I desire to have Jesus' heart and vision for the people of Tanzania, Mozambique, and Swaziland.
2) For the time that our squad spends all together at the end of each month, whether just traveling or at debrief. This stirs different things in each of the girls on our team. Please just pray for covering over us. That we would be a light and encouragement to the rest of our squad. That we would have self-control. That we would be reassured of our own identity and not let Satan allow for lies of comparison or anything of the like. And just anything else you feel led to pray.
3) That my heart is never weighed down or distracted by missing people. This is mainly just for months like this where we don't have any communication with the outside world without traveling an hour or so. There may be more months like this coming in Africa. Pray that I would allow for the longing that is healthy, and surrender any extra.
Thank you again for all your support!!
