This month has been incredible and challenging. I will share something the Lord has called me to leave here in Cambodia, and another thing the Lord has called me to carry with me from Cambodia. These two things aren’t physical or tangible items, but matters of the heart.
1. My desire to serve in another nation is being left in Cambodia. The Lord called me to surrender my desire to serve in another country. When he first called me to surrender this, I wasn’t happy. I struggled for a solid week with the thought and realization. How could I serve the Lord in the US? How could I love the US as much as I do other places, like Peru? How could I start a community center for those in need in the US? There isn’t a need for me in the US.
However, the Lord revealed to me His perspective. He shared that His purposes are greater–He placed me in the US for a purpose, a divine purpose. He allowed me to be in the US to reach the nations. I may live in the US, and it isn’t as “exciting” as another unknown land, but the US is full of people from all over the world. It is a beautiful melting pot of the nations. I have the opportunity to reach far more nations than just one if I serve in the US. He revealed the reality of a need for a community center in the US–that there will be people who need His presence and light, but also need a safe place to build community and learn English.
It excites me to think of all the dreams that the Lord has placed in my heart, and He continues to affirm the promises He has made. I look forward to the day where I see His hand deliver the promises, in beautiful ways–in serving the nations within my own nation.
2. Appreciating the little moments is what I will be carry with me from Cambodia. This month was full of little moments shared with the children and my team. It took me a while to grasp the importance of them, and how impactful they can be on the heart. But after the day He brought Sopath into my life, I quickly learned to appreciate them. I soaked in coloring with the kids. I took the time to play cards. I learned string tricks with the kids. I embraced the water fights.
My heart has been changed in Cambodia. I look forward to more of Him. More of His teaching. More things to leave behind, and things to take with me. I look forward to more of His presence, that will lead to more of His beauty. He has shown me so much beauty. Each smile was beautiful. Each sunrise was beauty. Each laugh was beauty. Each little moment was beautiful. He has transformed my heart into beauty. He makes all things beautiful.
