Hello from Cambodia.
When I signed up for this route, I thought God was sending me to 3 different countries but it turns out He wanted to add one more to the list. When I first found out I was going to be spending the month of November in Cambodia I remember thinking of course, God always likes a good plot twist. That was it. That’s all I let my mind think because I’ve been repeatedly told to be present where my feet are, to not think of the future, and I’ve been trying to live that out the best I can because moments go by so quickly.
I can’t even wrap my head around the fact that it’s already November 22nd. Where did the time go? I’ve already been away from home for 3 months? I’m a quarter of the way done the race? I leave for South Africa in only 9 days? WHAT! It seriously blows my mind!
It feels like just yesterday I was at home cuddling with my chubby and adorable pup, watching some tv show while listening to him snore so loud I couldn’t even focus on what the actors were even saying. These memories are so fresh to my mind….but it wasn’t yesterday. It was 3 months ago and now I’m sitting in a tree house, freaking out about what to write my blog about.
…..give me a moment while I process what has happened in my life so far….freak out some more….write a few other blogs I don’t like and delete….play with some kids….eat some food…take a nap… pray to God to settle my mind from constantly wandering….I think I got it…
I read through the book of John this past week and the words eternal life stood out to me. I couldn’t help but highlight those words each time I came across them.
Wanna know something strange? The thought of eternal life use to scare me. When I heard people talk about living forever all I could think about was why. Why does someone need to live forever? I didn’t get it. I still didn’t get it when I continued reading and continued highlighting until God struck me saying,
“Tori, don’t you get it? I don’t want you to live forever for no reason. I want you to have eternal life so we can spend eternity together. Tori, I want to spend forever with you because that is how deep my love is for you.”
Instantly I wasn’t scared anymore. I have heard the beautiful truth from the One Himself and that’s something I never allowed before. I only allowed myself to hear how much He loves from others. I knew He loved me. I just never realized how deeeeeeeeep His love was.
Until now.
God sent me to Cambodia because this is where I could experience His love best.
Through the new team He has hand picked for me to do life with here in Cambodia and the team He has joined us with. Oh how thankful I am to receive so much love and joy from these people.
Just look how much happiness and love is shown through this photo. And by the way, this isn’t one of those okay time for a fake laughing pic. No. This is real laughter, real joy, real love….don’t let some of the serious faces fool you.
God has shown me His love also through the ministry He has placed me in. I have spent almost a full month in Hope Center Orphanage in Sek Yom, Cambodia. There is about 37 orphans that range from the ages 4 to 18 years old. And through the times we shared a dance, a hug, a kiss. We shared love with one another.
In each moment of being where my feet are in this village, being present with all of the people I’ve been blessed with, God unravelled and revealed His overwhelming love to me in each moment.
“Tori, these are the people I have gifted you with. Receive the love I have given them, to pour onto you, so you could pour it onto others with your short time here on earth. My love is deep, my love is never ending. My love is for you my beautiful child.”
