-Day 174-
“Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!” Psalm 118:15
HELLO! It’s been a couple of months since my last blog, but I am back with many praises to share from the last two months! Here are a couple of victories experienced in Cambodia to highlight some of my biggest take aways that the Lord taught me.
TEAM LEADER
After being on the same team for 3 months, Tolmiros experienced some changes. In the month of Cambodia all of the men were a able to come together as a team for Manistry month. With our four guys leaving, we were combined with the girls of another coed team and thats when Petra was born. Not only was I going to be a part of in all girls team for the month, I had been asked to be the Team Leader for the group. A bit shocked and uncertain about team leading, I trusted our leaderships decision of choosing me to lead and I am very thankful I did! God blessed me with the opportunity to lead a wonderful group of ladies that are on fire for the Lord!
TEAM PETRA
For our first week of ministry in Cambodia, Petra went to a small village with a very small impoverished community. We were a brand new team, in a brand new country, with a new ministry. We weren’t sure what to expect. On our first day at the village I was spending some time with the Lord asking him for some direction. I asked the Lord what his Will was for Petra, Petra is the feminine form of Peter which means rock, and the Lord led me to 1 Peter 4:8-11. That afternoon I shared the passage with the team and we decided that it would be our mission statement for the month. Praise God for hearing our prayers and for leading every step of the way!
HAIRSTYLES FOR FREE
During our stay at the village Petra was able minister to children ranging from the ages of 3-15. We had two ladies that were hair stylist back in the States and Canada, so we took advantage of their amazing skills and gave free hair cuts to the children. We began with washing their hair, then giving them haircuts, and ending with combing and braiding their hair. By the end of the day 30 kiddos were walking around with fresh looking heads!
BECOMING A TEACHER
After our week at the village we went back to Phonem Penh, the capital of Cambodia. One of the ministries we were able to collaborate with was a primary school called Good News International School. Petra taught kindergarten through 4th grade. This was a big challenge for me because the communication was a bit difficult due to the language barrier, and to be honest with you it made me anxious stepping in front of a classroom with no previous education experience. God used this month to constantly remind me that if we have a willing mind and attitude, that could completely change my experience as a whole in Cambodia. I may have not had a teaching license, but I did know what it was like to be Loved well by the Father and thats what I set my mind to do and teach during my time at the school.
HORAIOS
Not only did we get to teach children, Petra also was able to minister to college students. During our stay in Cambodia we were able to say in a dormitory with 15 students. The dorm was name Horaios after Acts 3:1-10. Horaios means beautiful, the beauty that comes from being at the right place at the right time that is forever changing. I can honestly say that Petra was in Cambodia at the right place at the right time, and our lives as well as the students was forever changed.
I AM!
We were able to lead worship and devotionals during the week at the dormitory. Towards the end of the month we planned a weekend retreat for the students. The theme for the weekend was I AM! We lead sessions focusing on I am saved, I am free, and I am desired by God. Our prayer for this space that was given to us was to introduce and empower the students by highlighting their identities in Christ. Since we have left Cambodia we have received news that the 3 students have decided to give their lives to Christ and be baptized!!!!!!!! It is amazing to see the Lord continuing to work and build up from the work we began in Cambodia with the students.
Cambodia was a great way to end our time in Asia! I felt a lot of discomfort, defeat, home sickness during the month, but I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me every step of the way. God used those trails to strengthen me and build me up to prepare me for what was next. Please stay tuned to hear about what God revealed to me during my time in Africa. Please keep my squad in your prayers as we will travel to Swaziland today!
Much Love,
Ashley
VIDEOS
Haircuts in Cambodia – Sherese Miller
Eating tarantula in Phnom Penh – Sherese Miller
