We had arrived in CAMBODIA! A country that drew me to the race in the first place. A country of poverty and brokenness. Men, women, and children just waiting to be loved. It was the day to travel to our ministry site for the month. Our driver, a 20 year old Cambodian boy, arrived at 10:30am to take us to the province of Kampot. We load our bags and all hop in the van. “Here we go! Another new month of surprises!”
We began on our 2 1/2 hour trek from the capital of Phnom Pehn to Kampot. We drove through bumper to bumper traffic through the city until finally we got to what seemed like the country side. The land was flat, the occasional shack on the side of the road, cows roaming around, wet grass lands, and scattered palm trees. It was beautiful! I was watching the tuks tuks (small motorbike taxi), bicycles, and trees past by. I was riding along in the back seat talking to Jesus. Asking Him to prepare my heart for this next month. Telling Him how thankful I was for this beautiful country. We reminisced about how the country reminded me of Africa a bit and how my heart was eager for Africa to come in the near future.
We were driving so fast I could barely keep up with what was passing by. (They also drive on the right side of the road in Cambodia! I was totally thrown off after spending four months driving on the left). I kept chatting on and off with Jesus, camera in hand when I had the thought of “what if we just happened to wreck right now?” A horrible thought, I know. It came and went and I was on looking at the next thing out my window, wondering how it came to be.
Nearly 15 minutes later we all hear a sudden crash. Screeching. Tires burning. I had no idea what was going on. The sound was so loud and continuous and I knew it was right where I was sitting, the back right. I quickly tried to move left but all our packs were in the way. I was the only on in the back seat. We began to swerve back and forth all over the road. We were in the left lane! Cars we’re coming down the road. I didn’t think the momentum of the car was going to stop. “we are going to flip!” I thought. After what seemed like 5 minutes of the van swerving uncontrollably we came to a stop. All four, tires on the ground. Everyone in their seat, sitting still.
We had blown out a tire while driving. The axle and back right of the car had been dragging on the ground, where I was sitting. We quickly all exited the car. We had stopped right in front of a little restaurant that luckily for me had a toilet, and pool tables. We chatted with some of the locals while the tire was being changed. I couldn’t thank God enough that we were all alive! We were all a little shook up, but we praised Him for saving us. Our whole team could have seriously been injured. What a great way to experience Cambodia our first day! I think God was giving us a little wake up call. Here are some photos of us and the tire that blew out, enjoy!
