First I would like to say that I’m not a big advocate of climbing trees. I’m just kind of a city boy at heart I guess. All the ants, bark scratches, and just awkwardness of climbing the tree and being like “what now” all factor into me usually never climbing trees. However, as they say, “when in Cambodia, climb trees as the Cambodians do.”
I would like to give you a brief update on what is happening here in Cambodia with our team. We are staying at a school run by a Swiss/German missionary who married a Cambodian and has been here long term (cool backstory for them also). This school is Christ-centered but does not promote itself specifically as a Christian school, so that it will not deter anyone from any background from applying. In the 11 years that it has been running it has earned a good reputation here and attracts many applicants, although they are only able to school around 20-25 a year since most of their funding is through supporters.
The school has a very structured schedule and the students are busy from 5 am workouts all the way until 8-9pm at night. Talk about discipline. My perception of Asians work ethic when it comes to schooling has definitely not been disappointed. Our mission here is to really bond and be a witness to the students. Less than half of the students have received Jesus as their savior although they here about Jesus daily through the devotion time from 11-12. So please pray that the student’s hearts will be softened and God will get their attention. Most of these students come from a Buddhist background.
Our involvement: construction around the compound in the mornings (about to finish a roof I’m pretty proud of, might have a future in general managing at Lowe’s or something eh). Devotions we partake and help with from 11-12. Mandatory lunch for all staff and students to promote family/unity 12-1. Various activities in the afternoons to assist with alongside the students. Soccer night with the guys on Tuesdays at a local indoor soccer arena (really nice), had two goals last week… I’m turning into ‘kind of a big deal’ here. Friday night family night with the students and staff. Sunday night worship/church-ish service.
So most of our time is spent with the kids, although we speak different languages we have communicated well non-verbally just being beside each other all day. In general, the language barrier has been tough. It is hard to tell someone about Jesus when you say “hey what’s your name” and they don’t even respond in English. So please just pray that God provides opportunities outside of the school for ‘God’ moments to happen in the city and community.
Lastly, I would like to extend my personal challenge to all who read and dare to enter into it. For those of you who have “quiet times” and spend time with the Lord daily, I would like to challenge a step further. Sometimes I can get in a bad habit about putting Jesus in a box whenever I should be focusing on Him moment by moment. Not to sound legalist, but it really is a lost art to understand what Jesus meant by saying “be in constant prayer.” So my challenge this month has been to spend time with Jesus first thing when I wake up before breakfast, take a short walk or time 5-20 min after lunch alone in prayer, and at night before I go to bed. I’m a loser and fail more than I succeed so I’m not saying this to sound prideful in the slightest. However, I know as Christians we can often have a quiet time daily and it doesn’t radically change us to carry Jesus mind/heart with us throughout the whole day. Days are long and filled with much trouble, I need to rest in the Lord constantly. Having this more disciplined schedule has helped my mind remember to refocus moment-by-moment throughout the whole day. Instead of just part of the day as sometimes we find ourselves. So if this convicts you or sparks your interest, I dare you to try it. See what happens, and see what difference it will make in your intimacy with the Lord.
Matthew 5:6- “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
I don’t know what you guys are feeling, but I’m so hungry for way more than what this world could possibly offer. I pray that we will hunger and thirst for Jesus more than we physically hunger and thirst for food and drink.
