A review of life from the past week…moving from the city to the village.
Sunday was truly a day of rest. Taking the time to get essentials done—laundry, packing, blogging, posting pictures, cleaning. But I also enjoyed spending time on a video call with my mom—sharing what the Lord was showing me over the past few days (shared in my previous blog). Also, I was able to fellowship with some of the girls from my squad as we relaxed before the night’s activities.
Around 6:30 we headed to the market for dinner, then went on to the bridge to send off our lanterns. I was beyond excited for the lanterns—my last piece of my bucket list for Thailand. I was ready to send off the lies of the enemy and lift up my prayers for the next year.
As I watched the beauty of the flame inflate the lantern, I thought of His light and fire inflating my heart. As the wind carried my lantern into the sky, I thought of the life that His breath brings into my life—helping me to float lighter, freely enjoying life.
Village Life
We arrived to the village around mid-afternoon. We had time to relax and play with the kids from the village. We walked the streets out to the rice fields, and then played basketball at the “community” area.
Later that night, during team time, the Lord had asked me to share some of my testimony to the girls and how God had revealed the roots and lies in my heart that needed to be uncovered. I also shared how one of the leaders gave me a slip of paper saying, “He is ready for you to ask for the crazy things.”
After sharing, I was challenged to create a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). This would be the biggest, craziest dream that you could imagine—a goal that only the Lord could complete in you, and not possible in the eyes of man.
The next day I sought the Lord for wisdom in what my BHAG might be. The only answer I have received so far is an overwhelming desire to get married, start ministry, and begin a family. I desire to carry out dreams that He planted in my heart, merging with dreams He has planted with my husband. As I prayed into the ministry that He desires for me—my heart is open and excited for multiple ideas to converge. An idea that He has planted in my heart is for a community center with a variety of activities for the village/city, including a woman’s ministry, kid’s ministry and sports outreach. I would love to see kids come in for tutoring, cooking classes for mothers, teaching English for families, Bible studies for all ages, photography classes, and an arts program. I know that in reality all of these ministries wouldn’t occur immediately, but that it would be a development process—starting with one area then increase into multiple areas.
The next day, my quiet time was a powerful time of speaking with the Lord about my heart and digging into my BHAG. He spoke: “I don’t need your assistance, only your obedience.” That sentence caught my breath. I realized that He doesn’t need my thoughts and plans to help create His masterpiece. He is the artist, He will paint the perfect picture if I will only submit to His authority and trust in His hand to use me.
Another nugget of truth came from studying 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12. It speaks of how to please God, in that as you seek Him, you are “to do so more and more” and to love people “more and more.” This nugget returns to the desire to go deeper and broader with Jesus. To desire Him more and more than anything else. So, I ask for more and more of God. More and more of His words. More and more of His love. More and more of His desires.
The last night in the village was a special night. We had a combined feedback time then went into worship. As I spent time singing and praying, the Lord asked me to stop talking. He quieted my spirit and came to me. I had another moment of dancing with my Father. He told me that He would continue to dance with me as He prepared me for my husband. He showed me that my first dance with my husband is going to be a display of His glory. But He also reminded me that my first dance with my husband wouldn’t be my last dance with Him, that He still desires intimacy. He still wants to woo me, even if I am married. As I reflected on these truths that night, the Lord reminded me that He desires to give in abundance. He is perfect, He won’t make a mistake. He desires to bless, and He will be faithful.
Village favorites:
- Walking the streets and playing with the kids. Even though there was a language barrier, their smiles, excitement and joy were evident. It was a beautiful picture of child-like faith. They reminded me to enjoy the small things in life—flowers, creeks, buffalo, trees.
- One afternoon the children came running down the street toward us. In this moment, I had a flashback to Peru. After my purse was stolen and I finally arrive to the village, the kids ran to me and hugged me. It speaks a truth of Jesus—let the children come to me. His arms are open and receiving each of them. He desires their presence, and in the village, we were His arms, His love, His hands and feet.
- Sunrise walk on Friday morning was another favorite. The Lord speaks so much to me in the moments of enjoying His beauty in nature. I loved seeing His glory appear from behind the mountains and fog, and stand out so brightly before us. His joy comes in the morning.
Thailand Takeaway:
God’s creation here is stunning. The people are content in their lives, but unaware of their brokenness. However, there is a sense of great hope.
Prayers:
As I prepare for Cambodia, I am still processing the truths the Lord has revealed about my BHAG and words He has spoken in relation to it. Pray for my thoughts to remain captive and in submission to His authority. Pray that I live in the moment, not for what exciting things are to come in the future. Pray for contentment. Pray that I embrace this beautiful season of growth and refinement.
Ministry for Cambodia:
*Evangelical Mission Organization for Development in Kampong Thom (city) with Sokhon and Esther
*Activities: children’s home, feeding program, homes for high schoolers, church planting, English classes, and beauty salon
*Our team will be hosting a new teammate from Vietnam this month
