I started writing this last night:
After an approximately 40 hour travel day(s), I am in a bus, very close to arriving in Battambang, Cambodia. I feel sweaty and gross, but it has been surprisingly fun spending time getting to know my squad mates during my 13 hour plane ride and some long waits at the airport.
You may wonder, “What are you feeling?” or “What’s it like?” And honestly, my answer to the first question is nothing. As I prepared to launch, I felt neither extremely nervous or incredibly excited. It’s much the same now. It’s happening. I’m content. I’m ready.
I’d answer the next question with phrases such as unbelievable, surreal, and amazing. The grass in Cambodia is the brightest, most beautiful shade of green I’ve ever seen. The lovely blue sky is bursting with the fullest clouds. There are skinny cows and people riding motos EVERYWHERE. In little outdoor stores, you can buy durian, a fruit infamous for it’s awful aroma. Things are very different here. Tonight, me and my teammate Margee walked around the neighborhood and got the chance to meet some people. We have a play date tomorrow with a 13 year old to play telephone!
I read this passage in Jeremiah on the trip and thought it was really cool and relevant, so I thought I’d share it with you all.
God told Jeremiah to take his loincloth and hide it in a hole by the Euphrates river. A long time later, God told him to go retrieve it, and when he did, it was rotten and useless.
Then I received this message from the Lord: “This is what the Lord says: This is how I will rot away the pride of Judah and Jerusalem. These wicked people refuse to listen to me. They stubbornly follow their own desires and worship other gods. Therefore, they will become like this loincloth- good for nothing! As a loincloth clings to a man’s waist, so I created Israel and Judah to cling to me, says the Lord. They were to be my people, my pride, my glory- an honor to my name. But they would not listen to me.
Jeremiah 13: 8-11
There are two main issues that stick out to me:
- Israels’ pride
- Their refusal to listen to God
Both of these issues are things that God has brought to my attention about myself.
I decided to bring my guitar on the race with me. I’m only a beginner. I know some basic chords and can play decently, but I’m not great. The problem is that I want to be recognized. I want people to notice me for it. I make being able to play guitar part of my identity, and if I’m not applauded for it, I feel like there is an issue with me. My stepmom was talking to me about this, and told me that if I didn’t lose this way of thinking real fast, God was going to humble me. He needs me to realize that my ability to play guitar, no matter my skill level, is meant to bring glory to Him, not me.
The second thing that separates God’s people from Him was their refusal to listen to Him. During a session at launch, a lady told us and encouraged us to listen to God, and to obey the things God asks us to do. This TERRIFIES me. I’m so afraid to go out of the way to talk to people, or pray for someone on the street, or do whatever He may ask. BUT, we were MADE to cling to Him; to be his pride, his honor, his glory, and an honor to His name. It’s about Him not me. And we’re not expected to do these things alone! God created us to rely on Him!
That’s a glimpse into the last week! Thank you all so much for your support and prayers. It means the world to me! God’s using you mightily!
If you want specific things to pray for, you could pray:
•That I would lean into God, rely on Him, and listen to His loving voice
•For closeness and growth with my team and squad mates
•For God’s will to be done here
•And for my family to experience the comfort of God
Lastly, if you have questions, please comment them! I’d love to do a blog in the next month or so dedicated to answering your questions!
