Every Saturday on the race is our “adventure day” this means we have no scheduled ministry and our squad is free to plan any sort of activities we want. Last weekend this consisted of a trip to the lake, this week we scheduled our day out so meticulously with all the fun little things we wanted to do as a team on our day off. We started off with breakfast at Eden cafe(they have the best chai in the city) and then we set out for the second hand clothing section of the market place. We all drew names from a hat and were to pick out a full outfit for that person with a budget of $5. When we decided we were going to the “thrift store”, I pictured your average goodwill or savers in America with racks lined with clothing. But oh girl, this is Cambodia and let me tell you, we spent an hour all laughing as we sorted through mountains of wrinkled, trampled clothing in the crowded market place. But at the end of it, a full outfit for my sweet friend Annika, cost 9000 reil($2.25), so I would say it was a success.
After many more stops, some lunch, some errands, and a walk through the park during the nightly Zumba classes we were back at the house all getting ready to go to the Battambang circus. As we were waiting and getting impatient for our tuk-tuk driver to arrive one of my teammates noticed a group of boys all playing across the street and we went over to join them. They were playing a game of kick the sandal and immediately let us join in. After a couple of minutes a group of little girls started to flock to us as well. And we went from kicking sandals to dancing to eventually inventing this game with the VERY little Khmer we know. (My vocabulary currently consists of “hello” “goodbye” “thank you” “how are you” “I’m sorry” and “1,2,3,4,5”) So how it went was one of the kids would walk up to one of us and start counting to 5 and on 5 they would all scream and run and we would chase them and laugh as they outran us. A simple little game that brought them so much amusement. I so quickly stopped stressing about being late and was surrounded by peace and joy in those adorable little faces and giggles. Anyone that knows me well, knows that I am NEVER late. But God is teaching me so much about giving up control and that His timing is perfect. And I’m so glad He delayed our plans so that we could spend time with some of his beloved children. It was hard to say see you later when our ride did arrive but they were all happily waiting for us when we got back hours later. So many hugs and piggy back rides and I loved every second of it. At one point I think I had a kid on my back and one in each arm but who cares if you become a human jungle gym if you get to show little sons and daughters of the King the love of Jesus in the process? Today was my favorite day yet and not because of any crazy adventure or miracle that occurred but because of the the simple every day kind of joy I experienced in the people around me, my amazing Christ filled team mates, the sweet woman who sold us circus tickets, and those beautiful little humans who reminded me today what true joy looks like.
