I think about how to explain this past month and I just can’t. The thing is, so much has happened in one small month. So much has changed. So many people have touched my heart that I just couldn’t possibly tell it all right. So wouldn’t you know, my amazing teammates did it for me.
Our hosts for the month at A Greater Hope Orphanage are Kit and Ream Carson. Two of the most unbelievably giving, Jesus-like people you would imagine. Shortly into our visit, Kit had to travel to the U.S. so we didn’t get to spend as much time with him as we all would have liked. As we talked about this, we decided to write Kit letters to sum up our month and explain just how much his home has affected each of us.
And in the way that A Greater Hope does, an ordinary task turned beautiful. And heart wrenching. And powerful.
So here’s my sum up of this month.
Told in letters from each of my teammates.
It’s long but I promise it’s worth it.
Warmly,
Christi
Kelly
When I think back on my 7 months to date of the World Race, this one stands out as a big one. Spending Christmas and New Years here with you at A Greater Hope has been a bigger blessing than I could’ve imagined. You’ve created such a beautiful place, a place where the love is as plentiful as the rice and the smiles are as real as the true love of a Father. Because these kids may be orphans, but they’re so loved here. The Lord’s love saturates this place; the kids, you as our hosts, the staff- you’re all as much of an example to me as you are to each other in showing His great love right alongside your greater hope.
I’ve been happily busy here at A Greater Hope – I’ve spent the month teaching English, leading bible studies and Sunday Schools, evangelizing and praying with the people of the village, and having lots of fun with the kids. When I think about the standout moments of this month, faces stand out even more than stories. Each face has a story too, I suppose. Summarizing this month is hard, so I’ll give you the moments that will stick with me.
Last week, we went on a house visit to pray over a mother who needed healing. As we spoke with her about her pain and her illness, we asked her if she knew Jesus. She didn’t. She knew a little bit about Christianity and wanted to be a Christian, but she said she didn’t trust herself to give her heart fully to the Lord in fear of being a hypocrite, so she continued her Buddhist traditions. We asked her if she wanted to hear the Gospel. She did. We told her about God’s grace. We shared collectively, everyone jumping in to share what the Spirit laid on their heart in the moment, and her heart was softened. She had questions, and we had the answers. An hour later, her and her husband were saved. I have no doubt that angels celebrated in heaven as we all stood with our hands on a family of four, tears streaming down everyone’s faces. When we asked her why she was crying, she said because she was excited. Excited because she felt something new in her heart. Talking to Ream later that day, I learned that the family’s 17-year old daughter had been praying and fasting for her parents’ salvation. These are the moments I remember.
On another house visit, we spoke with two sisters, both married, both concerned and distraught, ashamed even by their inability to become pregnant. An NGO had previously come and given them birth control pills, and they were scared that taking the pills for a short amount of time years ago had made them sterile for life. They were liberated as we told them that wasn’t the case, that they still had a chance. They were intrigued as we told them about the ovulation cycle, that it would be best to individually track their cycles, that there’s an ideal time to conceive to improve the chances of a baby. We prayed over them as we gave them hope in the form of information. Education can be a miracle in itself.
I remember one day when I taught “Sunday School,” or rather, when I stood in front of a room of 35 dirty, young village children, wide-eyed as I told them the story of Jesus walking on water for the first time. Mystified as they tried to wrap their little brains around it. Smiling as they grabbed their snacks and their siblings before running off to whatever little metal house they’d walked there from.
I think of so many great moments with the kids. Christmas morning in the girls’ room, curling irons out, lipstick and dresses on as they almost trembled with excitement and pure happiness at the big day. The boys in my fourth grade English class who call me “Chelly” and repeat “ground” and “spout” after me with the concentration of a symphony orchestra in their eyes. I think of Jon, On, Chantrea, Vanack- the sweet, goofy high school girls. The way they hug me and call me beautiful and selflessly love me with the knowledge that I’ll leave them, without even understanding how beautiful they are to me. The Taylor Swift dance parties in the girls’ room that end in sticky hugs. I think of Own, Roth, and Wut – our main translators. They come with us everywhere from our evangelism visits to the market, and they share the gospel so boldly that I forget they’re just 16-year old girls. I think of the boys – Rota, Sitan, Sanh, Long, Sita- the way they come down the stairs on a Saturday night, pillows in hand, asking if we can please have a movie night tonight. Well, you can’t really say no to that; they’ve already got their pillows. I reply with, “If Sanh can go outside and do 5 cartwheels, we will watch Narnia.” Sanh’s out the door flipping his little legs around before I even have time to grab my hard drive. I think of sweet Dara, the youngest boy at the orphanage. After I share the story of the prodigal son during bible study, he raises his hand with a firm, “I would like to thank God for giving us Kelly to teach us tonight.” I think of the awe in their faces when we took them to the New Year’s Eve fireworks. I think of the way 12-year old Weed punches my shoulder when he walks by me, and laughs when I steal his Ninja Turtle hat, the way he always giggles when I tell him I think he’s the tallest 12-year old in the whole world. I think of Rothana and Naiput and the way they love to paint pictures in my journal. I think of little Samnang, 7 years old and the newest addition to the orphanage. She’s only been here a few months, and her English is limited. But her sweet, smiley, squealing laughter when I pick her up and hold her like a baby- that’s not limited. I think of the way the kids blast Justin Bieber’s “Baby” from the dining room as they do their chores on Saturday morning, how they thank God for making the corn grow in their little garden plots, how they endlessly serve us in everything from laughter to laundry.
I wish I could wrap up all of these moments- selfishly, so I could hold on to them forever. More than that, though, I wish I could share them with everyone. So everyone could know what it’s like to be in a place so full of God, a place that is truly building the kingdom here on Earth. I wish everyone could grab onto a piece of the joy that envelops this orphanage, that everyone could be blessed by this ministry the way I have been.
Cambodia’s in my heart forever. The white cows and the rice fields and the fresh coconuts and the perfect 5:30 sunsets- I’ll remember those things. I’ll probably remember them for a very long time. But the faces of these moments are in my heart forever- the faces of new Christians with tears streaming down them, the smiles of second-grade students with a few teeth missing, the excitement of hello and the rough, scraping feeling on my heart that comes with goodbye. This is one of those months where I’m impossibly sure that I’m in the right place, where I’m absolutely positive there’s no better 38 humans in the entire world than the short ones who live in this building.
And to Kit and Ream, to A Greater Hope, I can truly say you’ve made my hope greater. You’ve made my heart fuller. I’m better for being here, I’m already dreaming of coming back, and a piece of my heart stays here with you.
Christi
Gosh I have no idea how to sum up this month. How to tell you about moments that made my heart come alive. Because goodness that happened so often. I feel like this month I lived in a space of coming alive. In ministry and in relationship and with you guys and living here.
This place. It’s alive with Jesus.
It’s in the kids.
In Jon’s loud joyful greetings. In Own’s spirit of peace. In Wut’s selflessness. In Yong’s strength and heart. In Tee’s heart of service and loud laughter. In Roth’s quiet kindness. In Dara’s joy and hugs. In Naihput’s quiet love. They give us life. They gave us life. So much. I can’t even explain the joy and love that my heart gets to hold onto into the next months. I also can’t tell you how much my team has changed as a result of having been in relationship with the kids. As a group, we are lighter. We are more full of Jesus and more equipped to go forward. To love people better. More fully.
It’s in the school.
Getting to lead a pornography addiction group with 15 teenage boys was something I never thought I would do. Or at least do successfully. But I got to watch boys from ages 12-18 become courageous men before my eyes as they bravely told their stories. As they sought me out for one on one chats to pray healing prayers against shame, guilt, grief, and anger. Wow, their boldness. It moves me to tears to think about the how boldly they cried out for help. How they said yes and leaned in to God when so many say no.
It’s in the village.
After one of our crazy beautiful house visits (healing, people finding Jesus, families weeping in grief and us praying peace and comfort), I was riding my bike through the village. I had a vision of every little house knowing Jesus. Of temples being abandoned. Of the little Buddha houses in the front yards being non-existent. And they will be. I know it in my bones. The work you guys are doing at the school and in this place, is transformative. Every afternoon we went to the village, when we walked into someone’s gates, we were greeted by hope. They may not have know that they were looking for the hope of Jesus, or that they would hopefully find it in us, but they had hope.
That is you guys, Kit and Ream.
It’s in you.
The way that you carry Jesus and serve people and this village and these kids, people see it. And seeing it causes them to want it. They want Jesus, before they ever know it’s Him that they want, because you model it.
Gosh, thank you for letting us be the ones who give them that gift.
We have been so blessed. And we will never forget it. I will never forget it. I will never forget watching a woman denounce Satan and declare Jesus over her life, throwing her bracelet to the ground. I’ll never forget a whole family receiving their Lord and Savior and watching my team’s faces of joy as they excitedly told me what the Holy Spirit had done through their human hands. I will absolutely never forget a woman’s tumor shrinking underneath my praying healing hands.
How could I?
I’m changed as a result of A Greater Hope.
I have so many hopes and dreams of coming back here. Of bringing other people and friends to share love and receive so much more than they could have imagined.
Really, ironically, to receive A Greater Hope.
His Hope.
Thank you.
Chantai
A month in review.
Wow. How do I even begin to describe this month? How do I decide which relationships are moments to highlight when there’s been so many that have touched my heart deeply? Here is my attempt, although I know I could go on forever and ever. And I wish I could stay forever and ever.
This is been, hands down, my favorite place along the way of world race. I feel as built so many relationships and develop such genuine love for the children and for this place in general.
I’ve loved the intentional times that we’ve had with the children. Some of my favorites being the volleyball tournament; team snake eye (my team) made it all the way to the finals before losing in the neck to neck match! It was awesome to do pool, pizza, and movies nights with the kids. It felt like just hanging out with a bunch of my little sisters and brothers.
The house visits have been remarkable. We have witnessed the power of Jesus. His saving power, his healing power, and his delivering power. It’s been crazy to see how much he loves and wants people set free. One of the most memorable times for me was when I prayed for a woman to be delivered of the spirit of death and I watched and felt the evil leave her. Later on ream let me know that she threw away all of her idols and all of her things associated with her old life and witch craft.
It’s been such A blessing for me to use my videography and photography as a ministry here. I felt super empowered in the passions that God has given me and I’m very thankful that you guys are so willing to push us into things that we feel most equipped in. I’ve loved creating the videos for the orphanage as it allows me to really observe the children in their element. Whether it be from school, chores, to just hanging out it’s been amazing!
Helping out with the worship team and teaching them what it really means to be in unity as worship leaders had been a highlight. I gave them some helpful hints on how they can stay focused on God and give him the glory in the midst of learning how to be good musicians and perform. One of the things that I encourage them to do before every time they get on stage is to pray together for unity, for an audience of one – Jesus, and that People would be drawn into the presence of God through them being drawn into the presence of God. I watch them implement this prayer time and it seems like it really made some sort of difference. I hope that they will continue to pray together and seek God in that way.
Ream. What a beautiful woman God has made it her. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to walk beside her and just witnessed the way that she lives her life. She loves God so much and she loves people so much too. I’m amazed by how much she’s taken on, but with how much grace and dignity that she executes her life. It’s been such an encouragement and inspiration, I just love to see people who are so willing to do whatever God lays in their hands.
I really hope that this is just the beginning of our relationship and that we can continue this partnership in Christ! I love you guys very much and I’m so sorry that we had to miss you Kit! But God willing we can meet again!
Melissa
One of my favorite moments of being at A Greater Hope was definitely Christmas morning with the kids. Their joy, smiles, and excitement in every little bit of that day was such a blessing to be a part of. I loved watching them light up. I didn’t even really know them then, but seeing the joy on their faces is something I will never forget.
Another moment that I loved was teaching the first graders. I love how excited they are to learn. Their little faces get so pumped up when I am teaching them new letters and words. They shout out answers with so much enthusiasm. It makes it exciting to teach them. Every time I am in that classroom in the morning, I know I am going to have a great day.
My favorite house visit was when we visited a house where the husband and wife accepted Christ! What a beautiful moment! I prayed healing over the women and as I was praying her whole body jerked. Then the floodgates opened and she being weeping. I knew in that moment the Holy Spirit had entered her body for the first time and restoration began. Her body became new. She was forever changed. When I finished praying I asked her why she was crying and she said she was excited and felt new. I said that is because you are new, you now have Jesus living inside you. Her smile in that moment was something I will never forget.
The night we talked about beauty with the girls in the orphanage was incredible. We told them how each of them are created a beautiful creation. Each of them each got drew a picture of how God sees. It was so awesome to see the things the girls came up with. How they recognize that God sees them as His princess and how they are beautiful in every way.
I loved sharing the Word with the women in the village. There were only five of them, but it was amazing to have a chat about Jesus and how He loves them. I then got to pray over them and their families.
Enrica
This month, it has been such a privilege having the opportunity to be apart of such an amazing ministry!
My first highlight this month is being able to witness how the Lord is truly evident everywhere you look in this ministry. It is so beautiful seeing how well the children take care and love one another so well. They are so encouraging in their faith and it is so uplifting to see the way that they serve and uplift Christ daily.
I have enjoyed being able to grow relationships with the kids through activities such as volleyball, swim parties, dance parties, movies nights and holiday celebrations! It is so awesome to be able to see them come alive and break out of their shells!
Evangelizing has been a big highlight while being here. There are two encounters that really stood out to me. The first one is about a woman that had experienced a lot of death in her family and she was worried that something bad was going to happen again. However, after sharing the gospel, she ripped off her bracelet, given to her by the witch doctor, and allowed us to pray over her. This was a powerful moment.
During our second encounter, a husband and wife decided to leave Buddhism behind and accepted Jesus Christ into their lives! This moment is one of the biggest highlights and an amazing reminder of why Christ created us, and that is to go make disciples! As we prayed over the woman for healing, she became overwhelmed and tears of joy fled her eyes! I am so grateful that we were able to apart of this precious celebration.
Another highlight is being able to see the joy in these children faces when I have the chance to teach them. They just light up and give me so much joy to be in there classroom.
Overall this month and ministry has been one of the best on the race so far. I have been able to build deep and natural relationships with the children that I would love to continue in the future.
Anna
Man I can not say enough how much I love this place. When I first signed up for this route, I had no idea where Cambodia even was and I was not truthfully overly excited to come to this country. But now if I could, I would let go of my last four countries even though I am excited to go there to stay here for the next four months.
This place has been good for me in so many ways. It was awesome to be surrounded by the kids, by the younger ones that simply want to be loved on and played with, and the older ones that open up if given the he chance. I have loved teaching English, and being with Sedoung. A lie that I was believing was that I am undereducated, and that is a fact that I haven’t finished my degree yet, but I have been feeling that I need to otherwise I would never be “good” at anything. But after talking with you, Ream, and Sedoung, you helped me understand that God uses “undereducated” people all the time for the kingdom. Papa also “tough loved” me this month as I call it. He reminded me that it’s not about me, it will never be. And that I have been looking inward instead of upward. How easy it is to have things get messed up when we take our eyes off the Lord, duh Anna.
There were a lot of “highlights” this month, but a lot of them wasn’t in the things that we did, but rather the small moments with the kids. By the second week when we went away for our off day, I got half way through the days and started to want to return because I missed the kids. I loved dancing with Jon and Rothana, playing soccer with Tong and Borin, messing up Yong’s hair, making faces with Sanh, hugging Dara in the morning, walking home with Chantrea, evangelizing with Wut, Roth, Pow, and Vanack. I loved dancing by the pool when we had our girl swim night and when we did our ladies beauty night. I loved to watch the boys play volleyball, they are all do good, but then when they took the time to coach the girls on how to play also. Yeah there were a lot of things that we did but it was the small moments that I will miss the most.
This place is lovely and it hurts my heart to have to leave this week. Thank you for listening to God and starting this orphanage.
Thank you for hosting us this month.
