Wow, I’m a little numb to emotions right now. I’ve been saying goodbyes for the last week, it’s like leaving America all over again. I feel like once I get to Ethiopia I’ll just bawl my eyes out because it will hit. It will hit that my whole heart fell in love with this country and the beautiful people who reside in it. 3 months is a long time, enough time for a place to only become your home and for roots to be planted with the people around you. Ultimately I’m thankful for the time spent here. For all the friends. For all the memories. For all the moments.
Cambodia was very special for my spiritual walk. Like I’ve mentioned before, our first debrief, God pulled me out of my grave and gave me new life. He breathed renewing breath into my lungs and told me to get up. To stand firm in him and fearlessly follow him. It’s crazy to think past this time. To think of my old self, running with the world and so imprisoned with insecurities just 3 months ago. How weighed down I was with the world.
But now, I walk in SO much freedom, Joy, confidence, love & intimacy with the Father. He has transformed me completely and I am so thankful for this.
One thing I really like about Gap Year is the investment that we get to take part in with being in a country for three months. All of the connections and friends I’ve made, even all the way back to Battambang, month one. Walking outside
our home and playing with the kids in the street, Maria walking everyday with her baby, Julian, the man who would drive by on his motto with his adorable baby girl. First baby I held in Cambodia, I’ll never forget it. The coffee lady down the road who follows me on Facebook and constantly comments on all my posts because she misses us. That little Cafe holds a lot of memories of getting up very early to talk to my parents with the mediocre WiesFi. Biking through rain rainstorms while lightening hits the buildings in front of us. Rachel, the Khmer lady we worked with at the hospital. The newborn baby I held at the hospital. Anne, the fearless woman who made Christmas cards to earn money for the hospital. All the people at our Children’s read aloud. All the people at our Conversational English class, especially the man who tried to share the gospel with me and didn’t understand I already had Jesus. He taught me the urgency to share the ticket to heaven with everyone we meet. The WYAM church, which was the first time I experienced church half way around the globe. The first time I saw & truly realized that people worship God in other religions at every hour of the day. Chaddy, the woman who lived in our house in Battambang. Her confidence and joy for the Lord was amazing. Worshipping in our living area in with the whole squad. The presence of God so alive, coursing through all 54 of us in that room. Our debrief in Siem Reap. Learning what true intimacy from the Father looks like from our amazing coaches. Worshipping on the roof at Hak’s hotel where each of us had headphones on, volume all the way up & worshipping God completely undignified. God pulling me out of my grave that the world had dug for me.
Siem Reap, month two. Walking as a completely new person. Waking out my new identity in Christ. Having joy and freedom in the Lord. Mr. Semy, our amazing Tuk Tuk driver and his adorable son, Leahou who became my favorite face to see at the guesthouse pretty fast. Everyone at the Overflow guesthouse. Early morning reception shifts with Cheana where we both take naps from 6-7am & made Cambodian tea to wake up. Also, late night reception shifts with her where we talk the whole time, about everything. Getting to hear her story and love on her, she was such a good friend.
Sopheap, my girl in that kitchen! She and Bhett made all of our meals for us & for all the guests at Overflow Guesthouse. Sopheap had this warm presence and was always hugging us and smiling. Me and my teammate Jaynna loved being in the kitchen and helping. There was nothing like getting up early, seeing the sun rising and walking down to the kitchen to make some coffee and eggs. Although, I got a lot of sass because I’m not a Khmer cook and man, can they make good eggs. Bhett was also in the kitchen and she is hilarious and very sassy. I’ll never forgot when we had a graduation ceremony for Sopheap and Bhett on the roof for their English class, which four of teammates taught. Bhett and Sopheap were handed their certificates and when Bhett received her certificate she told me us that no one had ever done this for me before and how much she loved and appreciated us. House of three and all that they did for us. Kelsey, Romany & Emily are long-term missionary’s in Cambodia through AIM (Adventures in Missions). Romany did one-on-one’s with us. I’ll never forget laying on our backs on this raised up raft made out of sticks and discussing the presence of God. How it’s not about doing a devotional every morning or some set rule but actively seeking out his presence in every moment. Doing the dishes, with God. Eating dinner, with God. Watching a movie, with God. Her wisdom came to light on that raft. Emily pouring into us for a week straight while we did Evangelizing training. She had overflowing Joy and positive energy from the Lord. When we went over to House of 3 for a hangout and the second time for Thanksgiving. The best Thanksgiving I could ask for abroad. Playing monopoly deal, drinking coffee and munching on chips. Football playing in the background with a very homey and laid back feel. Eating Thanksgiving dinner on the Overflow Guesthouse roof where Gracie and Elena had decorated and made us all listening prayer place mats.
ICF, wow I never want to forget that place or the people I met. Shan Shan, a year long Chinese intern at ICF. She was so welcoming, greeting us all with a hug and always had the biggest smile on her face. Dara who had crazy joy and energy, love, love, love hanging out with that man of God. He does so much for that church and has a huge heart for people. Playing games at the goodbye pool party. Making us laugh until we cried. That fish game that was high stress but also really fun. Getting on the trucks the first time to go get kids from the villages. Worshipping God undignified at ICF. Biking… well mostly laughing to ICF with all flat tires. That one adventure day we spent at the ICF man-made lake, playing with kids and attempting the crazy ropes course. All the wonderful, God-filled people working for ICF. Those girls who wouldn’t let go of our hands the whole time we were there. The crazy dance parties after the service (best part), the little boys who would go crazy during those dance parties, learned all of my Khmer dancing from them.
The first day we found the Starbucks in Siem Reap and Gracie shared the gospel with the cashier. All the Starbucks employees, their smiles and genuine kindness. Miss all of them. Our pool parties.
Tevvy, a woman who made the best sandwiches I’ve had on the race!
There are so many people who touched my heart while being in this beautiful country. As hard as it is to leave all these connections it is a representation that something monumental happened. I’m happy my heart hurts it means I made a difference with God and God alone.
I have no idea what to expect for Ethiopia but I am so excited!
Goodbye Cambodia, Hello Ethiopia!
fundraising:
I still need $200 and I am past the due date! Please doante and keep me on the field. All in all I know God will provide.
Love you all!
