Two years ago, I came to Cambodia with YWAM. I fell in love with this crazy yet beautiful country. I had no idea what to expect from a country I knew nothing about, but I was pleasantly surprised.
With my YWAM team, we spent our time in two different cities. My experiences in the places were vastly different. One I loved, and one I hoped to never return. Once we found out our placements for this month, I was a little disappointed. My team, Lovewell, was heading to that dreaded city. Siem Reap.
I’m not exactly sure what made me dislike Siem Reap so much last time but I knew I had to ask the Lord why He was sending me back. He said, “To redeem and to give you a second chance.”
And He has been doing just that. I’ve been seeing the beauty of the Lord displayed in the beautiful village we are staying and my experiences this month are nothing compared with last time in this city. Or maybe my focus is just a little clearer and my eyes are a little more open. Whatever it is, I am so blessed. I am thoroughly enjoying my second chance.
This month we are staying in a Cambodian tank military camp.
We stay in the local church and our ministry is to teach English to the adorable village children during the day and to the soldiers at night. The community has welcomed us so warmly and they smile and wave every time they see us. There are language barriers but slowly, as we all keep trying and laughing our way through broken English, we are forming great relationships.
I’m seeing that the redemption of the Lord is bigger than just my feelings towards one city. I am beginning to understand it more and more in terms of my life and the way the Lord is cleaning me up throughout this whole race. This is a long process.
This country has redemption written all over it. Cambodia as a whole has overcome so much hardship and hasn’t wallowed in self-pity but has moved forward and pushed through. Their history is devastating but they haven’t let that stop them. I want that to be true of me too. To keep going and push through even when it’s tough knowing that the Lord as already made a way.
This month is bigger and better than I thought possible. I’m halfway through the race and I know there’s still so much ahead. The last 5 and a half months have challenged and grown me so much but I know the Lord hasn’t finished with me yet. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be and I’m looking forward to the next half of this amazing journey!
