Hello!
It is hard for me to believe that I have only been back for roughly three weeks. It has felt like ages since I left Cambodia and now I am finally getting settled into my new normal. Transitions at times can be hard even when you haven’t left the country. For me, transitioning back into the US and into student teaching has so far been a time of pushing all of my thoughts and feelings to the side and just jumping back into life as it is. Back into a culture that I haven’t experienced for two months; separated from the people that I have done life with; with new roommates, student teaching with new coworkers and kids, experiencing new and a new college campus.
But now I am starting to process through all of the things that I experienced, learned and grew in this summer. I am remembering all of the fun experiences I got to have, the kids and people I met, and the relationships I have with so many others. I am rereading the letters and pictures I have from kids and my teammates that mean so much to me. I am remembering the feelings that I had over the summer. Excitement for the opportunities and friendships I had, sadness knowing that many of the kids that I met either don’t have a family or are in an orphanage to get an education, joy for what God was doing in my life and memories of the kids smiling and laughing, grief over seeing the harsh realities of the Khmer Rouge in the killing fields and S-21 prison (Cambodian Genocide 1975-79), and sadness as my teammates and I all said our goodbyes and went home. A mixed bag of emotions and feelings.
I loved this summer. Honestly, I grew in ways that I wouldn’t have had I not gone and I got to see once again how God is faithful and completes what He has spoken. I know the indescribable love of God, His voice and that He has plans and purposes that are far greater than we can imagine for anyone who simply says yes to Him. Sometimes I wonder what my friends are doing at this moment on the other side of the world. I hope that God used me to make a lasting impact in their lives. I hope and pray that this summer will leave such a lasting impact on my life that I can’t help but be changed. That I won’t come back into the extravagance and comfort of the United States and miss out on more of Jesus. That I can continue to pursue Jesus with all that I have even more because of this summer. Jesus is the answer for every pain that this world has and it is my greatest desire for the world to know the incredible agape love of God.
Jesus, thank you. Thank you that your love is so worth it all. Thank you for all your children around the world. Thank you for the nations of Thailand and Cambodia. Thank you that you are the chain breaker and that every fear and stronghold must bow to your Name. Thank you that you use us to partner with you in helping others know You.
And now we continue to tell others about Jesus and show His love in our mission fields. At our schools, with coworkers, friends, and at the store. Ministry is life and life is ministry. Until all have heard…
Jayci
