This past month my team and I have been tasked with “Unsung Heroes.” To summarize what that is: instead of working with a specific ministry host, we had to go find local ministry that were interested in partnering with Adventures in Missions in order for future World Racers to come and work along side them. You can imagine the blank look on our faces when we were told this. Upon arriving in Cambodia, we were clueless as to where to start. Basically, we concluded that the Holy Spirit was our only contact…
The streets of Phnom Penh is packed with people of the same “go, go, go” mentality. So far, the only time I have ever felt that my life was in danger was when crossing the street. I’m quite proud to say, however, that our team has become very good at that. Anyway, our first morning in Cambodia was spent prayer walking through the city and humbly asking the Lord to direct our steps.
Literally, the following day, my team was given the opportunity to meet with the staff of the Bible Society, an organization in charge of distributing Khmer bibles throughout Cambodia. They then entrusted us with two full pages of ministries (whether it be schools, churches or orphanages) we could contact. It included people’s names, numbers, emails, and addresses — a miracle done right before our eyes!! Still, even as God did reveal Himself in the small things, there was a part of me that was measuring the word “impossible” instead of believing that “impossible” is contained by no limits. This might sound a tad crazy, but I asked God to prove Himself to me. I have witnessed the overflow of God’s love, mercy, and grace in various situations but to believe in His power?? I want to. For me, believing by faith and not by sight is an everyday challenge.
Within the list of contacts that we were provided, Pastor Sokha was one of first to respond. Before I introduce him, I’d like to share a story of how God had to work in my heart first in order to fully experience Him. September 15th is a special day because it is my father’s birthday. Regretfully, I had forgotten. On September 16th (Cambodia time), my mom reminded me through text message and I immediately called home. Hawaii is 17 hours behind and so “technically” it was still my father’s birthday. The phone rang and rang but no one answered. In short, I was entirely disappointed in myself for forgetting. The day went on and so with our meeting with Pastor Sokha. Emily, Lynda, and I sat with him over coffee and we discussed.. well, life! As this man was speaking, I sensed his urgency to live with purpose. Even more than that, his personality was so familiar to me.. as if I already knew him. I realized that his humility, passion, silly humor, even the way he looked reminded me so much of my father that at some point in the conversation I mentioned it to him. Then I added, “Today is my father’s birthday.” He nodded and quickly replied, “Yesterday was my birthday, September 15.” He also mentioned that his children had forgotten and only greeted him later in the day (sound familiar?). My heart melted at that moment because although my birth father was an ocean away, God gave me the opportunity to still say “happy birthday” right here in Cambodia to Pastor Sokha, my Khmer father.
This picture shows few of the many unsung heroes of Cambodia. Pastor Sokha, the man on the right, along with his friends and wife’s family in Kampong Cham province, have all been faithful in the Lord’s work. Sokha is a man of vision, who not only desires to see his church grow, but to see his entire country come out of the corruption that exists through bad government leadership and people who prioritize themselves.
The gospel is here! But the workers are still few. God is not only a god of love, mercy, and grace, but a god of power… and I’ve seen enough proof. His power has only begun to scratch the surface of Cambodia. Please join me in praying for Pastor Sokha’s vision to become reality; that chains be broken and hearts be awaken! Our work here has only begun…
This past month my team and I have been tasked with “Unsung Heroes.” To summarize what that is: instead of working with a specific ministry host, we had to go find local ministry that were interested in partnering with Adventures in Missions in order for future World Racers to come and work along side them. You can imagine the blank look on our faces when we were told this. Upon arriving in Cambodia, we were clueless as to where to start. Basically, we concluded that the Holy Spirit was our only contact…
The streets of Phnom Penh is packed with people of the same “go, go, go” mentality. So far, the only time I have ever felt that my life was in danger was when crossing the street. I’m quite proud to say, however, that our team has become very good at that. Anyway, our first morning in Cambodia was spent prayer walking through the city and humbly asking the Lord to direct our steps.
Literally, the following day, my team was given the opportunity to meet with the staff of the Bible Society, an organization in charge of distributing Khmer bibles throughout Cambodia. They then entrusted us with two full pages of ministries (whether it be schools, churches or orphanages) we could contact. It included people’s names, numbers, emails, and addresses — a miracle done right before our eyes!! Still, even as God did reveal Himself in the small things, there was a part of me that was measuring the word “impossible” instead of believing that “impossible” is contained by no limits. This might sound a tad crazy, but I asked God to prove Himself to me. I have witnessed the overflow of God’s love, mercy, and grace in various situations but to believe in His power?? I want to. For me, believing by faith and not by sight is an everyday challenge.
Within the list of contacts that we were provided, Pastor Sokha was one of first to respond. Before I introduce him, I’d like to share a story of how God had to work in my heart first in order to fully experience Him. September 15th is a special day because it is my father’s birthday. Regretfully, I had forgotten. On September 16th (Cambodia time), my mom reminded me through text message and I immediately called home. Hawaii is 17 hours behind and so “technically” it was still my father’s birthday. The phone rang and rang but no one answered. In short, I was entirely disappointed in myself for forgetting. The day went on and so with our meeting with Pastor Sokha. Emily, Lynda, and I sat with him over coffee and we discussed.. well, life! As this man was speaking, I sensed his urgency to live with purpose. Even more than that, his personality was so familiar to me.. as if I already knew him. I realized that his humility, passion, silly humor, even the way he looked reminded me so much of my father that at some point in the conversation I mentioned it to him. Then I added, “Today is my father’s birthday.” He nodded and quickly replied, “Yesterday was my birthday, September 15.” He also mentioned that his children had forgotten and only greeted him later in the day (sound familiar?). My heart melted at that moment because although my birth father was an ocean away, God gave me the opportunity to still say “happy birthday” right here in Cambodia to Pastor Sokha, my Khmer father.
This picture shows few of the many unsung heroes of Cambodia. Pastor Sokha, the man on the right, along with his friends and wife’s family in Kampong Cham province, have all been faithful in the Lord’s work. Sokha is a man of vision, who not only desires to see his church grow, but to see his entire country come out of the corruption that exists through bad government leadership and people who prioritize themselves.
The gospel is here! But the workers are still few. God is not only a god of love, mercy, and grace, but a god of power… and I’ve seen enough proof. His power has only begun to scratch the surface of Cambodia. Please join me in praying for Pastor Sokha’s vision to become reality; that chains be broken and hearts be awaken! Our work here has only begun…
