written June 3, 2013
And we’re off.
We say our goodbyes to our squad leaders, our staff from home, our friends on other teams, and the people of Malaysia.
We make our way through customs and metal detectors getting ready for a flight to Cambodia.
One flight.
Two busses.
Three days in a “hotel”
One more bus.
Four hours later.
& we’ve arrived.
Kampong Cham, Cambodia.
Our new home for the month.
This month we are working with a woman named, Maricel. Originally from the Philippines Maricel moved here in 2009 to help teach English at the Youth Development Center. The center teaches pre-school at a nearby village, as well as youth ages 9-22 every weekday at the center. Through teaching English Maricel uses the Bible as a reference book and isn’t shy about sharing the gospel. While 95% of Cambodia is Buddhist, 3% of the population is Muslim and 88% percent of the Muslims in Cambodia live right here in Kampong Cham! Consequently, a main priority is to reach the Muslims here!
Our weekly schedule looks something like this:
Lots of devotion.
Lots of prayer.
Lots of villages, I mean lots.
Lots of teaching.
Getting up at 6am :O
I’m writing this blog not only to be informative, but also to ask for prayer.
Some of my initial thoughts about this month are:
—These days look long! (6am?? Really?? Am I really going to be able to make it through, all day everyday!?)
—Teaching English??? (I can speak English but when it comes to teaching, how am I going to know what to do?? Lesson planning?? Where do we even begin?!)
—Going to Villages everyday (Maricel said in the past they go and sing songs and play games… …I was never the summer camp type! I honestly don’t know children’s songs and the only games I can think of are tag and duck-duck-goose!)
With today being our first full day here, I can admit that as we sat in morning prayer, feelings of apprehension flooded my heart. I’m asking myself, “what do I have to offer here?” and the answer is “nothing.”
I have absolutely nothing to offer here, but thankfully I do have one thing
Jesus
Seriously, let’s be honest for a minute- my skills, talents, and experience will be of little help this month, but at least I can trust that God has us, has me here for
His purpose
&
His glory
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” –Jeremiah 29:11
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure…holding fast to the word of life.” –Philippians 2:12-13,16a
“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” –Deuteronomy 31:8
Please just keep my heart, my team, the students and village folk in your prayers. Thank you for all your support! More blogs coming in the near future! <3
