1. Where were you again?
This month we were in Cambodia!
2. What was the name of the ministry?
We worked with Funkie and Hya who are with Ywam. It’s been amazing!!! Tressa, Sydney and Shanna taught English in a Village called Bakong. Nikki, Becca and I taught English at University of the Nations at Spei Neak. I was also blessed to get connected with Marie Hill who has been a Missionary here for over 20 years. She owns a handicraft store here called SaoMoa and also does photography. I was able to help her with a couple of projects this month which was a bonus.
3. What did you learn?
Humidity is a sneaky little devil.
How to be an aggressive bike rider.
That I’m getting paranoid about mosquitoes seeing that I got 26 bites on one arm!
4. No really, what did you learn?
I have been learning a lot about how to make this “life on the Race,” as normal as possible. To take my life at home and try my best to incorporate things I did, passions I had, things I loved ect. here on the race so I don’t get burned out. It’s been helping. I fee like I’m adding a bit of “normalcy,” so this life feels less like a trip and more like a lifestyle.
I learned a lot about what it would really look like if I were to teach English in a foreign country (;
I was also privileged to talk to Sarah, who works with IJM to fight human trafficking here in Cambodia. She brought a lot of realization about what it looks like fighting that cause on a day to day basis in her job where there is a lot of burn out.
I’ve also been learning a lot about letting God fill me up so I can pour into others. Not trying to lead out of my own strength but seeking the Lord daily so he can give me what I need. The Lord is more than enough for every need I have and he is more than sufficient in getting me through the day. I have been learning how important it is for me to fight for my personal down time.
5. How was the food? Best meal?
Our contacts at the base are from the Philippines so we had a lot of Pilipino food actually. I loved the food from Common Grounds cafe, EVERYTHING there is amazing. (Confession: We probably went there 3-5 times a week) I also had bomb Indian food from this place called Little India. Best Veggie Nan I’ve ever had!
6. What do you miss from home?
Winter, snow, cold weather. Air Conditioning!!!!!!!!!!
7. What would you like to say to the people (stalkers) back home?
I do want to assure some of you who’ve been wondering, I am in fact on a Missions trip and not a vacation. Yes, there might be epic photos of nice cool things but that isn’t the norm. Just think about life, I’m sure you don’t have photos of the everyday place you sleep, the everyday place you work, the everyday tasks you run. Right? You take photos when you go on a cool trip or go eat an amazing meal. Same goes here. There are cool photos when we are out, but just like life, there aren’t a lot of photos of the normal ministry things we do on a daily basis. I don’t even think I have one photo of my room here this month, or of the class I’ve been teaching in. Trust me, not much to see. Yes, we sometimes get blessed to stay somewhere nice but that isn’t the norm. Yes we get to do some crazy fun adventures because of where we are, but I assure you, we only get about one full day off of ministry a week. We are busy at work, serving and helping doing tons of different things in a given day, which changes each month.
Also, you guys have no idea how much it brightens my day to get an email or comment from you. I love hearing from you and though my response may be slow, please now that it makes my heart so happy! So thank you again for staying in touch and not forgetting me.
7. What was the hardest part?
The heat and the mosquitos. At one point this month it looked like I had chicken pox. I’ve also had to get used to being sweaty all the time from biking from the base to biking to the university and having no AC at either place.
8. What was your favorite memory?
This past weekend Nikki, Shanna and I decided we wanted an adventurous day so we sought out to find these waterfalls. It was kind of a mystery how to exactly get there, how far away it is, and how much money it really costs. We saw a postcard of these falls and just kept asking around to how to get there. We called our friend Mr. Wong and he gave us the info we needed. Early on Sunday morning we headed out. It started out with a 45 min Tuk Tuk ride. Then we had ride a moto up this mountain for another 45 mins, then a hike down to the falls. It was amazing and so worth it.
For feedback one night I had all of the girls write their own Psalm. It was amazing to hear how different but raw each one of ours were. So beautiful to be inspired to write in that way.
I also had an amazing experience at staff worship this month. One of my favorite times of worship since I’ve been on the race. In case you missed it, I blogged about it here.
9. Most dangerous thing you did?
Nikki and I had a small wipe out on the motor bike up the mountain. Mr. Wong was driving so there was three of us on it and we were going over this bumps and kind of lost control and slid out. We were all perfectly fine though. I guess it was pretty dangerous not wearing a helmet.
10. Any “Firsts” this month?
Yep. First time ordering room service when we stayed at Prum Byon Hotel for debrief!
Also, some of you haven’t heard but I am going to be an Auntie for the first time!!!!!!!!!!!!! My baby sister who got married this past summer just found out she is pregnant!! I am so excited, but is kind of weird at the same time! Pray for a safe pregnancy for her! Speaking of pregnancy, one of my best friends from home, Desiree is preggo too! Keep them in your prayers as they keep the buns in the oven.
11. What are you looking for God to do next month?
Next month we are going to Veitnam and I’m excited. We actually leave in 2 days!! We will also be reaching our halfway point… kind of crazy actually… expect a blog about it (:
* Do you have more questions? Comment below!
Love,
Ash.
