To begin, I have to share a little back story. Last week, a leak appeared downstairs in our house and it was concluded that is was caused by something being wrong with the pipes in my team and I’s bathroom. On Wednesday, someone came to take a look at and work on our pipes. All of our stuff was taken out of the room and we became roomless so they could work on the leak. Now that was okay and I had come to terms with it, but then yesterday someone came again to continue working. Now the story of Swiper begins.
Last night, in the midst of a pretty good week, I went to pack my bag to go to the cafe the next morning only to find my laptop and iPad were no longer in there. At first, I just assumed they were misplaced, it’s hard to live out of a backpack haha. After a lot of searching and no finding, I realized the man who came to work on the house may have somehow gotten into my bag and walked away with them.
I tell you all this not to make you feel bad for me, but rather to leave you with a prayer request. Please pray God’s will be done with my stuff. If it’s his will for me to get it back (which I am hoping for right now), let that happen. If it’s his will to use it to provide for that family for years to come, let that he done. Pray that I find comfort in the fact that it is just material things and life goes on with or without it. Please pray that my team, squad, and I don’t constantly live in fear of things being stolen. Pray that I don’t let this effect the way I minister to others. Pray that I don’t allow myself to question why I’m here over something so silly. Pray I find comfort in life without these things. Most importantly pray I find God in the situation.
He is a mighty God and has a purpose in everything. Even though I don’t see his purpose in this situation now, maybe it will become more clear with time. I am now living an even truer life of simplicity.
On another note, here’s a little update of my week. While teaching is so rewarding and amazing, it is also exhausting. I love my kids so deeply and already know the goodbye will be hard, but sometimes they get on my nerves. They are so sweet and so loving, but sometimes they don’t listen. It’s all part of the job. Although I leave everyday feeling emotionally and physically exhausted, I wouldn’t change a thing. These kids have my heart. I realized this week, if I ever decide to be a teacher, I would want to work with middle school age kids. I love them, quirks and all, so much. I am already seeing so much growth in all of my students and can’t wait to see what the Lord does in them and through them over the course of the next month. They are so precious and I am loving every moment I get to share God’s love with them. I love to see the way their face lights up when I tell them they are beautiful and they are loved. It’s about more than just teaching them English, and as I realize that I just become more and more excited about my role in their lives.
Just a few more prayer requests. Pray that God gives me the words to show these precious kids how amazing God is. The majority of the students have Buddhist backgrounds and while they know the name Jesus, they don’t truly know him, so I pray I can be a light in their lives and through that show them Jesus. Please pray that God puts a protecting hand over my team and squad. Many are being attacked by sickness, home sickness, spritual warefare, bumps in the road back home, being exhausted, etc. It is a whole lot of change to take in, and it is taking a toll on almost all (if not all) of our squad.
Thank you all for reading and for all of your love and support through this journey! I honestly can’t thank you enough!! Sending so much love from Cambodia! <3
