Looking out the window of the ~air conditioned~ bus from Battambang to Siem Reap to miles of rice fields and plenty of cows I’m looking back on everything that month 1 held for myself and this squad. While I’m going back to Battambang for the next two months, half of my squad is dispersing throughout the country to pursue new ministries. Some amazing relationships have been built and so much love is in this squad it’s bittersweet to leave so many of them. My teams time to cook for the squad is over, we served our final breakfast this morning. Serving my squad this month has been humbling and I’m thankful for all of them and the constant love they showed us even in our mistakes. The Lord has been showing me very clearly why He is having me stay in Battambang. Khang, the little boy I play soccer with every night, I now play with his whole family and even more neighbors. I feel like a part of their family and cannot tell you how much I look forward to glancing down and seeing ‘5:30’ appear on my watch. Mr. Sam (aka Mr. Clean) has been such a big part of our life every single day and I am beyond excited to continue our relationship. He still can’t pronounce my name and calls me ‘sgrapes’, but hey, it’s a hard name and he never stops trying to learn it. He loves Jesus and wants to help us spread the Gospel to those we pass on the street. He inspires me to spread love and joy to the people here and I know God has a lot more in store for when we get back home.
A relationship I am very excited to be back in Battambang for is a guy we met through Corbyn, my team leader who went on the race last year. She was in Battambang and ate at this hostel called “Pomme” every week and became good friends with the owner. A group of us went there last weekend and got to meet him and hear a little about his story. This past weekend we went back there. He had done some partying that day so when we saw him he was not sober. As we were leaving we invited him back to our worship night. That’s where it started. He asked us what we were worshipping and was legitimately confused why we would go sing, praise, and worship God. The conversation went in circles eventually but he’s an atheiest, believing in no gods. He’s a logical person and trusts the science behind everything. I was so intrigued by his opinions and how he believes because so many people around the globe would agree with him. We got the opportunity to tell him about Jesus and that there is more after death, eternal life with our Heavenly Father. Even if he doesn’t remember a single word we said, a Khmer man was working the register and heard to the whole conversation, nodding along. I know fruit is coming from that conversation. While he didn’t end up coming to our worship night, he loves live music and told us we can come back and worship on his stage anytime. We told him for sure we would be back, and we’re ready for the conversation the next time we see him.
This is why I am staying in Battambang. To continue watering the seeds that have been planted. To see the needy and seek them out, to be a light and a constant love that will hopefully lead them to Christ. Thanks for reading as always.
-grace
