++ Left Bemidji, MN September 7th
++ Flew out on the Minneapolis International Airport; September 8th
++ Arrived in GA. for Launch September 8th (around 11:30PM)
++ Left GA. and began our 29hour travel day, September 12th
++ After a 5hour flight arrived in California, September 12th
++ Arrived in China after a 14hour flight, September 14th (September 13th was spent in the air)
++ After one last flight of 3 hours we arrived In Cambodia, September 14th
++ Took a 4hour bus ride to Battambang, Cambodia. September 14th (my new home for my first month of ministry)
++ Explored the city and learned about the culture, September 14th-16th
++ Learned what Ministry was gunna look like for my team this month in Battambang, September 17th
++ Began Ministry at a Buddhist school, September 18th….
All my life I have been a terrible reader! I still to this day can NOT pronounce words like Vulnerable, Anonymous, or even Specific. When I was in the 2nd grade I still did NOT know how to read. I just couldn’t do it, even when I tried. My parents and teacher decided to hold me back a year and do the 2nd grade over again. At the time it was the worst thing that could have ever happen to me! But as the years went one I began to learn so much! Still my reading really sucks and I DO NOT have a high reading level, but…
I KNEW IN MY HEART GOD WOULD USE THIS IN SOME WAY….
For our first month of ministry, my team has been given the chance to work at a Buddhist school where we would teach the children many things. At the school, my team and I thought we were all going to be doing ministry together, but when we arrived we were quick to learn we have each been assigned our own classroom where we would each teach our own class. My first thought was “OH NO!!! Kids do NOT like me…” But when I arrived into the classroom the faces of the children lit up with such joy, I could already tell it would be hard to say goodbye. The first day in class was smooth, we spent the class time introducing ourselves to each other and learning names that I am still unable to pronounce.
When we returned home we learned that we were the only team that was not working together and we felt discouraged and began to wonder what we are even doing at this location, when we can’t even speak out loud about our faith in the school. I mean sure the opportunity is amazing but we thought we would be doing so much more. We all began asking God how we would be used here and why he gave us this location to share his love.
The next day when I walked into my classroom all the students stood up and said in one giant voice “HELLO TEACHER HANNAH!” My heart felt so full by the joy that was coming from the children. Then I learned that today I was going to be teaching the children HOW TO READ… I couldn’t help but chuckle at the fact how God is using my weakness to bring Kingdom into the school and into these children. I began to realize that our job here was to LOVE on these children just as HE DID. And that even though we might not get to see how this all plays out. We will be planting seeds in the hearts of the children that the Lord will then water into beautiful fruit to further his beautiful KINGDOM! And that is ok because HE IS GOOD!
