After 4 long travel days and losing a day thanks to time zone changes, we made it to Cambodia aka (the bode). I had never experienced jet lag before so I had absolutely no idea how bad it was gonna kick my butt and leave me extremely exhausted with absolutely no energy. It took over a week to get over just how exhausted we all were. I’m not gonna lie my first week here was rough for me and our whole team. It has not been the easiest adjusting to a whole new culture, time zone, new ministries, and budget messes. Also, most of my team was sick the first week. We had some pneumonia, salmonella, and parasites going around. Praise the Lord that I didn’t catch anything!!! But it was rough and discouraging to see my sisters so sick. I really struggled to find joy that first week.
I had a lot of excitement anticipating coming to Cambodia and was ready for our next mission. But I also wasn’t really sure what to expect. My team, which consists of myself and 6 other girls, is staying in Siem Reap which is 6 hours away from the rest of the squad who are living in Phenom Pehn, the capital. Our new ministry, for this month, is working with college students. From Tuesday-Friday we teach college classes at 3 different universities. At one we teach American History, at another we teach Personal Development, and then Classroom Management at the third. At these universities we not only teach students but we get to build relationships with them. Hanging with them outside of the universities where we are free to talk about life and invite them to church with us. We aren’t allowed to mention Christianity in our classes. So getting together with them outside of classes allows us the freedom to share about Jesus. The fact that I’ve never set foot in a college classroom yet the Lord is allowing me to be a Professor is hilariously mind blowing to me! The students always greet us with “Hello Teacher.” God most definitely has a sense of humor because a teacher I am definitely NOT!
Our second day of ministry hit really hard for me just realizing that we’re no longer with our sweet little amigos in Costa Rica. It’s been quite an adjustment in ministries. Going from ministering kids to young adults has been rough for me. I’ve always had a hard time pouring into people the same age as me. I think that stems from never having someone in my age group pouring into me. So I’ve been battling with what that looks like for me as an individual. God’s molding me though. He knows.
On Saturdays we do park evangelism where we go to a local park and play with the kids there, do some face painting and just hangout with them. Abba knows the desires of my heart and gifts me with this day of kids ministry. He’s such a good Father! On Sundays we go to a village about 40 mins away where the church we’re working with planted a Church. We bring them bread to eat and get to worship with them. Also, more loving on the kids there.
I’m excited to continue to learn about the Cambodian culture and people and to get to work with the Church we are living at. I’m thankful for all of you that have supported me in so many different ways…prayers, donations, love, reading my blogs, and just encouraging me through your words. They have been such a blessing to me and I pray the Lord returns blessings to you ten times over! This is the part of the race that I honestly don’t like…fundraising and asking for your partnership in funding me. But the truth is I can not be here without your help. And on January 15th my final deadline will arrive and we are required to be fully funded by then in order to stay on the field for the entire 9 months and continue Kingdom work. I’ve done t-shirts, adopt-a-boxes, a garage sale, raffles, my mom has painted and sold ornaments, and I currently have a coffee fundraiser going on. Thank you to all that have given and participated in my fundraisers. I am still in need of roughly $3,800 to be fully funded. Please consider helping me reach my goal by January 15th.
You can donate through my blog at kayladozier.theworldrace.org or you can venmo me at KaylaDozier_ or send a check to Adventures in Missions…my name must be on the note section in order for me to receive the funds God bless you all! Thanks for reading!
