In a place that has a horrific past… in a place that has only 2 percent Christianity….in a place where most of the population is in the 20s or younger. In a place where the world might say all hope is lost. ..God has truly blown me away.
One of the first things that I loved about this place is the way the people treat you. The church/english center we worked at immediately welcomed us as their family. I mean honestly our ministry this month was simply just laughing and having deep conversations with them. Yes, English was taught, but God made it so much deeper than that.
He has really been doing wonders in and through my heart. This month for me consist of tons of refinement and fighting tons of spiritual warfare, but it has been so good for our Father has been so faithful and pouring His love all over me. Even with that is has been tough as any trails are, but day in and day out God has filled my days with so much joy and laughter….new revelations..
As the days went on I slowly got to know the hearts of the people here…hearing their stories….their plans for the future…It truly has been an honor to be in their presence…they are so Spirit filled… it is so amazing to worship with them! I have full faith that this church is an army that God has been raising up here in Cambodia to change this Nation…this Nation will be one that serves God…not because of me….but because of the faith of the people here. One really cool thing is He gave me a verse for them…
Psalm 5:11-12 " But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield"
This verse is so amazing for them…for they NEED FAVOR…for in their families they could get disowned for not being buddhist…or it is just a struggle to spread the Gospel to their brothers or sisters in their families…their friends… This Nations makes it hard to be a Christian, but amen to that for that just means there is more glory for the Father to have. And HE WILL HAVE IT ALL! He will send His mightiest angel armies here to fight in front…beside…and behind this church… This church will multiply…their faith will grow stronger…they are WARRIORS….consumed by His Spirit! So excited for them and the Nation of Cambodia…truly has been a privilege to able to preach God's Word to them….something awesome happened one time when I preached one Sunday…my translator that day was a woman named Lydia who we love oh so much….and I was talking to her about that Sunday after our last church service and she told me she was soooooo nervous to translate…for there is so much responsibility in that…for she is truly preaching to her church….and she didn't want to mess it up…but oh how good God is….she told me when I was speaking to the church…she heard my voice in Khmer ..not in English! HOW AMAZING IS THE SPIRIT OF GOD!
Like I said God has truly down wonders in my heart!…Although time and time again the people here have told me that they have learned so much by us…by me…they had a life changing experience when they heard me preach….or just simply enjoyed my presence….I absolutely think the same about them!
This past Sunday was one of the best days of my life! ( 05/27/2012) After church Caitlin and I stayed at the center to have lunch and fellowship with them. As some of the women were cooking I got to have some amazing conversations…I got to encourage them so much…but HA I got twice as much encouragement back from them…and some of the things they told me were so profound…I was truly blessed that morning by them..I love them so much…but haha I am not done yet. Later that day we went back there to play some soccer with them before we had dinner with one of our host families….and before the soccer game started one of the girls that I have gotten close to over these past weeks pulled me aside and asked me a question that has forever changed my life forever! She asked me "Travis will you be my brother?" ….soooo of course I said yes!….. SO! I got a new little sister in my life! Her name is Christina (or her birth name is Theana…when they become Christian they adopt a Christian name here) and she is 20 years old…She is honestly one of the sweetest girl I have ever met in my life…and her past (of what I do know) is so rough…Christina has truly changed my life forever! Although I love my family back home to death and they mean the world to me…I didn't get to "choose" them…but Christina chose to have me has her brother!!! GOD IS SO AMAZING! His love…His faithfulness has blown me away! Sooo…I have so many things you can be praying for…but one thing that I want you to always include is my new sis Christina! She is so huge on my heart and I love her so much!
Cambodia has been amazing…it is truly sad to leave..but I am so excited for what is to come for this Nation…for my sister Christina's future…and our new walk together…and I am excited for the rest of my Race! But to continue on this amazing Race I need yalls help! My last deadline is in a few weeks and I need to raise $3459 more by then! If you support me for this deadline you will be sending me to Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Nepal, and India! Any amount helps! Thank you all for your prayers and support! Love y'all so much !
*My sister and I !!! *
