October is over and after spending a few days debriefing in Siem Reap the plan has always been for the squad to head to Bangkok for day or two before the teams scatter to their specific ministry sights across Thailand.
Our last day of debrief was fantastic. It began with an early morning tour of Angkor Wat followed by lunch with a few teammates. Then a dip in the pool where I heard that some girls may be returning to Phnom Penh to spend another 10 days working at Happy Tree orphanage. Hmm…
I saw our squad leader and told her I would be interested in also returning if that is a possibility. Her response? “There is a 90% chance it won’t happen.” Great. So I told the Lord it’s all up to Him. I mean I made this decision in the pool, how spiritual can it be?
After an amazing dinner of Indian food and Chai tea and stroll through the Night Market I ended up back in my hotel room which was empty since my room mate had left early to head to Bangkok. Relishing the fact that I had an evening alone I started flipping through the channels when I stumble onto none other than Monday Night Football! Who could ask for a better end to debrief? I get to see most of the 2nd quarter, some big hits and an impressive interception before there is a knock on my door. “Lord, please don’t let this person mess with my football.” Such a missionary-mindset. I open the door and Lindsey is standing there to tell me we are meeting about staying in Cambodia. OK, for that I can miss the second half.
About 10:30 last night, it was decided that Lindsey, Pamela, Jessi and I would not be accompanying the squad back to Thailand, we would pull a U-turn and return to Phnom Penh. By 8:00 this morning we were on a bus rolling back toward the capital city. We will stay there until November 10th, then travel to Bangkok and on to a mid-month debrief with the squad.
I am so thankful for this opportunity. We have had to walk away from several ministries through out the Race thus far. That is just the way things work on this trip. But I had left this month knowing there was more for me to do there. Not just the standard realization that there is more work to be done, but recognizing that there are specific things the Lord has set out for me to accomplish for His glory. There are more ways that I personally need to show love.
Stay tuned to find out what these tasks are and how God will use us in the next few days…
