1 week can change everything. Many things could happen in 1 week;
1 week could bring life or bring death.
1 week could bring new transitions in different seasons in life.
1 week could bring a family vacation.
1 week could bring a much needed break off school or work.
For me 1 week has changed my heart completely.
Week 1 of being in Cambodia was one of the hardest weeks I have ever experienced spiritually and mentally. I questioned why the Lord brought me on the race and what His plans were all together many times. As some of you might have read in a previous blog, week 1 brought spiritual attack, confusion, anger, and lots of questions. The first week we arrived Battambang was celebrating a holiday, and a dark one at that. Our normal ministry was put on hold and we did a lot of busy work. Things that needed done, but things that were hard to see the meaning of why we had been brought to Cambodia- and for 2 months at that. 1 week though, changed everything. After a week of the holiday, our ministry at New Hope started. And that week gave me meaning and a heart for Cambodia. That week planted the seeds in my heart that have now grown so much.
So here we are… 1 week left and I will have to say goodbye. Maybe goodbye forever and maybe not (actually I pray so much that not-but if it’s God’s will, I’ll be back). These past 7 weeks have brought the most life changing expierences. I have gone SO far out of my comfort zone that there were moments I couldn’t even see comfort. But with that, it brought so much growth. 3 months ago when I was finishing up my fundraising to actually get on the field I never thought that this is what would have been in store for me.
I have met and made relationships with some of the sweetest people and kids, I have heard from the Lord many times and had countless deep talks with Him, I have walked through hard moments and had some of the most joyful moments, I have had many worship sessions, sweat POUNDS of sweat, spent a lot of hours teaching English, (when I hardly know it myself) I’ve cried a lot, laughed even more, gone days on days without washing my hair (going on 14 right now to be exact), spent tons of hours taking pictures and exploring, I ate dog (I know- I cried), but most of all I have learned about love on a new and deeper level than I had ever known before.
Love that God has for me, love He has Cambodia and my students, and love that is new and He is revealing to me everyday.
I will love this place forever and a piece of my heart will forever be here, but I know that with how much I love it, God loves it a million times more. And that’s comforting to know that He is loving and protecting this place and these people even after I leave.
So as I prepare to leave, my prayer is that as I transition out of ministry and this country and this season that my supporters, you all, would be in constant prayer for Cambodia, my squad, my team, and me. Thank you all, I love each of you so much!
thanks for reading 🙂
