It’s officially our sixth day here in Kampong Cham, Cambodia and I think I am only just getting over the feeling that I could wake up at any moment and none of it would be real. It feels surreal to be finally living out something I have been dreaming and praying about for months, if not years. Each day as our team spends time with the children, I find myself wondering what it is we are meant to give to them. Obviously as a missions team we are intending to love on them and serve them, but I also know we are intended to reveal a unique facet of who God is during our time here.
The young men and women at New Hope are full of joy, curiosity and playfulness. They also have questions about their identity and who they are designed to be, just as anyone else does. My prayer for our team is that we display the Father’s Heart well during our time here. Each child here belongs uniquely to Him and during our month here we are entrusted to not only steward that knowledge, but hopefully call them up into it.
The people here truly are remarkable. I am consistently blown away by their kindness, generosity and desire to serve. I feel I will learn a lot myself during the time I spend with them. The leaders at New Hope are amazing themselves. We got to hear the director Vandy’s heart for the children, he himself knowing what it is like to grow up as an orphan. He is full of compassion and fatherly tenderness towards the kids. I love that refers to them as “his children”. Their English teacher Courtney is inspiring in his ability to seek out individual and personal connection with the children. They always seem excited to come to class.
I feel lucky to be partnered with the nine other girls on our team. Each day more of their gifts and strengths are revealed. I so look forward to how we will grow together as a team. Our leader Lindsey is so kind and patient with us, and I appreciate her gentle leadership.
In reality we have just started here in Cambodia, but I already feel so much love for the people and where we are. I am so excited to see all God does in our time here, and even more so for the fruit that may come after we are gone.
