I have been in Cambodia over a week now, and I love it here! There is a simplicity of life in this country that brings a joy to my heart. As you look around Cambodia, there is a huge community in physical poverty, such as lack of good homes, clean water, or food, but one thing they do not lack is joy. Yes, I do believe they have their days like most of us, when we aren’t happy or satisfied, but for the most part they are always happy. They also carry a sense of eagerness to learn whether it’s English or about God. They are hungry for more, which has been convicting to me. I think about the access I have in America to learn mulitple languages but my laziness and lack of desire to finish always gets in the way. While here we have been teaching English 3 days a week/3 times a day and they yern to learn more. This constant desire for more has been an example to me in my relationship with my Father. I reflect on my prayers to God over the years and I always ask for more of His love, more understanding and knowledge of His word, but how eager am I in pursuing that? The simplicity of life here has helped in that pursuit, by taking away the common distractions I have in America such as my access to Instagram, YouTube and cellular connection. It’s been some what difficult not being in the loop on the funniest new vine or hip new song, but during this time I have been able to grow in things more substantial to life. I have been able to turn to prayer more and seek the Father’s will in my life. Through them, I have seen an example of how the Father wants us to desire Him. He wants us to desire more and more of Him in our lives, however that looks like. He wants us to sit on the edge of our seats with our hands raised, asking Him questions about what is going on in our life or what the words we read in the Bible mean. I think about one of the common scriptures I know, which is “Ask and it will be given to you, Seek and you will find, Knock and the door will be open to you.” Luke 11:9. There is an eagerness that comes with these actions. God wants us to ask, seek, and knock with a deep desire for answers and for more of what He has to offer.
Quick things we have done so far:
1. Lead worship in church; yes I sang and played the box drum! Woooo!!!
2. I spoke in a village with barely any preparation, which is huge for me but my God is big and through him I’m capable.
3. We’ve taught the locals how to two step, and also help them understand the meaning of the American songs they listen to.
4. Rode in a boat that was basically level with the water, to a village where we were able to pray for healing over people.
5. I have learned a few words/phrases in Cambodian and I’m constantly learning. Hopefully I will be fluent in 11 languages by the end hahhaha.
6. We chased a rat around our living area that wanted to be our 7th roommate!
7. As a team, we have built many inside jokes and have laughed a ton together, which I love!
8. We found a coffee shop and had ice cream with brownies for dessert. Which has helped us appreciate the small things in life.
9. Worshiped with my Cambodian brothers in English and Cambodian, which was an indescribable moment.
10. Rode on a moped around the village while tons of kids waved at me. Love the kids, even if they want us to play soccer 2 hrs a day.
