Quick Update on where I’m at! I spent a few days with my smaller team in Battambang, Cambodia, a much more local feel from that of Phnom Penh, the capital. Where Phnom Penh was bustling with people and dodging tuk tuks was a daily activity, Battambang has a much more local and slow pace of life feel to the city. Favorite parts of our time in Battambang were seeing the sunset at the rice fields, the bamboo train, sunset with the bat cave, the night market and $.50 smoothies (the best!), spending time at an orphanage we came across, connecting with some missionaries from the Philippines, and having conversations with multiple travelers through out our stay. It is so amazing that our coincidences are God’s divine appointments. I have learned the power of technology, modern day communication, and even social media. Yes, I know fam, social media – big shocker for me. But, these relationships I am building can be continued, because of technology and I LOVE that! In just a week I’ve met Samir from Germany, Egor from Belgium, Hannah and Maia from Canada, David from Italy, Javier from Venezuela, and the list goes on. My heart was to minister and see God at work all over the world, but of course God doesn’t work in a box. That has come true already, but it is not just the 11 countries we are traveling to, it is quite literally the world that God has brought to my team and me to get to engage and have conversations with! Very neat! We are now in Siem Reap and the city is much more alive, yet still different from Phnom Penh. It is so vibrant, mainly due to the tourist attractions here. It is a lot of fun to walk around and see everything that the city has to offer!
I had a number of ideas to write about, but for some reason the Lord laid comparison on my heart. I am learning that all people encounter and experience God in different ways. I am learning that God made our personalities and desires unique. I am learning that our worldview shapes the way that we see culture, the Gospel, God, and more. But, the most important thing that I have been learning is to embrace these differences and to not try to change them or my personality. Of course, I am not referring to sin in my life. But, instead the differences of opinions and the differences of personalities are GOOD things and should be expressed, for they can bring glory to God. My timidness in one area of life is another person’s strength and vice versa. This is the body of Christ coming together and we can sharpen each other if we bring these things to life, lovingly call them out in others, and walk with each other. We all play a part in this big game of life. The more time that I spend with other people, the more I detect the differences. But, rather than trying super hard to change the parts of me that I wish were more like someone else, because I admire that in them or think “I should be more” of that personality or style, I am reminded that my personality was created by God for a very specific reason and I should press into it. I may miss out on an opportunity to encourage, protect, lift up, bless, give, and so on to others, because I was so focused on trying to be more like the generosity or positivity I see in others. My positivity may look different from that of someone else’s and praise the Lord, because God will use you and me to interact with different people and the body of Christ can minister to and engage with even more people. Our God is multi-dimensional and He works in a multi-dimensional way. Not all generosity looks the same amongst people, not all ministry looks the same, not all life looks the same. All in all, I’m learning to embrace each part of who I am and walk where God has me, rather than where I feel I should be walking. It’s a joy, relieves pressure, and is less work trying to be everyone else and minister to everyone. Spending less of my time comparing myself to others, brings freedom. Freedom to just be me, to embrace the man He has created me to be, and to focus on those who He has placed on my path.
Prayer Updates:
- Direction for our team on life in Siem Reap and Thailand as we head there soon! That God would align our hearts with each other’s and that they would ultimately be aligned with what He wants for us.
- Stretching and growth for me. God would continue to refine me. I truly truly want to grow and be challenged in mind and spirit and heart and soul. That God and my team would continue to press into me and challenge me to look more like Christ!
