A couple years ago, God put the country of Cambodia on my heart. In response, I started sponsoring a girl from Cambodia and thinking about the country occasionally. I knew close to nothing about this country, yet it had a special place in my heart for some odd reason. I knew that I had to go there someday. When the World Race routes were released for when I would go, I immediately knew which one I was going to go on, and a large part of that was because Cambodia was listed as a country for that route.
Since being accepted, I’ve been asked a million times which country I’m most excited for. If you were someone who asked me, you’d know that I eagerly said Cambodia and then couldn’t give you a solid reason why. My heart just felt pulled toward this mysterious country.
Driving into Cambodia, it reminded me of my home in Kansas–long, flat fields all around me. The sunset that night reminded me of home as well. As I was out exploring the city for the first time, my heart felt a belonging and a peace. There is something special about this place to me. I feel closer to the Lord here. Less distracted and less lethargic. I feel more alive.
I’ve been intentionally stripping myself to the raw and simple. I turned off my phone when we arrived in Battambang, where we’re living, and I rarely have it on anymore. The in between moments of my days are spent praying and writing and reading and talking to the people around me. At night I sleep on the roof in my tent. I fall asleep while gazing at the stars, the sounds of nature lulling me to sleep. I wake up with the brilliant sunrise each morning. I have a cute bike with a basket that I ride to school every morning where I teach. The kids have such a passion for learning. They dream of seeing the world and getting masters degrees. Their zest for life is lighting within me bigger dreams and more passion for the world and all the billions of wonders contained in it.
I’m daring to dream more–dream bigger. To ponder the concepts of hope and freedom and love. To pursue and seek the Father more than I ever have before, all the while falling deeper and deeper in love with Him. I’m really trying to challenge and push myself in this season, because I want to look back at my time spent in Cambodia and regret nothing, knowing I gave it my whole entire heart.
