Debriefs are normally a time of rest.
A time to rejuvenate and prepare for the next month of ministry.
So it only seems fitting that I got no rest or down time.
The first day I was out and about with my teammate Erika.
We went for a late breakfast and decided to just walk around.
Little did I know it would turn into the best ATL I have ever unknowingly had.
We were turning down tuk-tuk’s left and right.
Reassuring them we did not need a ride, because we had no idea where we wanted to go.
(Or even an idea as to where we actually were–this tends to be a theme for me…Haha).
We just wanted to explore; I mean I’m officially an adventurer now, right?
Our exploration became one for the record books.
One of our many stops was in a store called Rajana, a small handicraft store.
I was completely captivated by all the colors and knick-knacks from the street.
I get all goo-goo eyed anytime I see some sort of crafty, artsy shop.
Needless to say a short stop turned into a few hours in Rajana.
We began talking with the woman in the store, and found out all the products they sell are handmade and support the livelihood of many underprivileged families.
(Insert my heart melting, right, about, now).
I love a good fair-trade store.
But this one just felt a little different.
I already felt attached to not only the women I was talking to…
but to the families that were being supported.
About this time I looked up and saw a banner with scripture on it.
I literally laughed at myself; God had been there the whole time.
I knew then that The Lord had placed not only these women,
or this shop, but this desire in my heart for a reason.
I left the shop with a heart completely full of joy and happiness.
The conversation between Erika and myself was one of utter word vomit.
I spilled my heart to her about my own passion for a non-profit, and how The Lord just continually keeps revealing to me his own desires for this vision.
If that wasn’t enough we turned the corner and found yet another shop.
In Asia you will find the markets fullllllll of recycled rice bags.
But this one had mermaids, so of course we had to stop…like duh.
I was still on a Jesus high from our last interaction with local Cambodians,
and after seeing mermaids…well lets just say I may have been a little ecstatic.
(If you know me at all you know I was acting like a five year old cracked out on sugar).
Her name was Kagna.
And I will never ever (like T-swift never ever) forget meeting her.
Kagna and I talked for at least an hour or two.
We talked about the store, the bags, her life, my life…
It was one of those instant BFF moments. Real talk.
Kagna told me about managing the shop BLOOM,
Working at BLOOM’s workshop, and even her own personal projects.
That’s where Kagna stole my heart.
On her only off day Kagna makes meals to take to the children’s hospital.
Like what? On your only off day and you make meals for sickly children and their families?
Was I about to spend the next month looking for people just like this?
Yes, yes I was…but I’m on debrief.
And it’s not even my turn to find Unsung Heroes.
Rest? No thanks. Rejuvenation? Apparently, yes.
While in Cambodia I knew the next month would be Unsung Heroes for my team.
And let me just tell you I was completely stoked.
I was chosen to help lead my squad in this campaign with another squadmate.
It’s also one of the reasons I felt complete affirmation for the race after training camp.
If you talked to me at all before I left for the race, you know how ecstatic I was about this.
Like they gave me a role to make friends and look for heroes…
Is this real life?
Yeahhh, it’s the world race life.
Anyways, I was in some fervent prayer about what UH would look like for my team.
I had gotten nothing. No sign. No whisper. No idea of what it would like.
At this point I was beginning to freak out a little on the inside.
Like helllllooooo God, wanna throw me some sort of vision, something, anything?
This is when The Lord’s sense of humor comes into play.
First day of debrief. On some unintentional ATL. I meet not one, but two heroes.
I spent most of my time on debrief with my new friends.
Always setting up new times to meet and hang out.
The first time I went to the workshop and met with Kagna was “ocha.”
She completely poured her heart out to me; she kept saying I don’t know why I keep talking so much I barely know you yet I feel like we are such great friends and I can tell you anything.
I kept telling her it was because we were meant to be BFFs.
We talked and talked and talked all day.
She told me more about her job at Bloom, her family, and her heart for the locals.
Kagna was in need of some serious rejuvenation.
She needed her hope to be restored.
She is one of those women that just pours into people,
But has no source that pours into her.
(Insert the biggest opportunity for anyone to ever share the gospel).
Yet, I didn’t. My flesh wanted to tell her all about an awesome source of hope.
But the spirit told me no.
I wasn’t there to tell her about the gospel, but was meant to live it out.
So that she could see something different and want it, not from my words but from my actions.
I would love to tell you Kagna had an amazing come to Jesus moment,
But she didnt. And that’s okay.
Jesus knew I needed Kagna more than she needed me.
I was able to give Kagna some hope, but she was able to completely rejuvenate me.
She gave me that burst I needed to launch into Unsung Heroes…
But that’s because Kagna was a hero.
She still is a hero to her people, but she was also a personal hero for me.
I believe The Lord has huge plans for Kagna.
And I was honored he chose me to take part in that plan.
This is just a brief glimpse into what the next month holds.
Heroes. Lots of them.
Everyone needs a hero,
Everyone wants a hero,
Everyone loves a hero,
Yet sometimes we forget of the ONE true hero.
The hero who was and is and is to come.
My prayer is that we never forget the true hero.
The one who is continuously at work in each and every one of us.
The hero who cannot be “sung of enough.
Peace and Blessings
