We all have things about ourselves that we want to change, and one of the things I really wanted to work on during this trip is the way I react to adverse situations. At home, when things don’t go the way I want them to, my natural tendency is to freak out and fall apart and let my emotions get the best of me.
Everyone I know has assured me that one of the only things I could expect from the World Race was for things to not go as planned. So the night before my flight to Seattle, I found myself praying with a friend that God would provide opportunities for me to practice Jesus reactions.
What was I thinking?!
This past weekend, a group of TFK squad members took a bus to Siem Reap to check out the ruins of Angkor Wat. It was a beautiful site and a relaxing weekend, and I’m so glad I had the chance to get away for a couple days.
We got home Sunday night, and hired a tuk-tuk to drive us to the mall to grab some dinner. One of my teammates was in line with me, and a group of women were all around us. The place was really busy, people everywhere, and we were getting annoyed with all the commotion and pushing.
I closed my eyes for a moment and prayed for grace for the women behind me who kept pushing me forward. They were getting on my last nerve, but personal space isn’t the same in Asia as in America, so I asked God to give me an attitude of grace and understanding.
My heart started pounding in my chest and I took several deep breaths as I tried to gain control of the thousand emotions suddenly surging through me. I grabbed a few friends and we left the mall in the direction we thought the women may have taken, praying for God to supernaturally lead us to the passport. When we turned around and came back, my other teammates were talking to a security guard and giving a description of the women.
My team leader called my squad leader to figure out what we needed to do, and we made plans to visit the US Embassy on Monday morning to begin the process of getting a new passport.
After spending close to $200 and a full day going back and forth between the Embassy and the tourist police and the Immigration office and every corner of Phnom Penh, I have an emergency passport and a new Cambodian visa. When I arrive in Thailand next week, I’ll re-apply for my Indian visa and get that taken care of.
Whew! The past 36 hours have been absolutely insane.
I did not see this coming.
But God did.
Was I freaked out a little when I realized my passport was no longer in my possession? Um, yeah. But my reaction was already different from what it would have been 3 weeks ago.
So Lord, I thank You that my passport was stolen. I praise You for the chance to cling to You during a difficult time and witness Your amazing provision firsthand. I pray for opportunities to react in a Christ-like manner and grow closer to You in every situation, even if it means incredible hardship. Give me grace for those around me, and continue to break my heart for what breaks Yours. Thank You that You never leave me nor forsake me, that You walk with me through the burning fire and the fresh spring rain. I rejoice in adversity, believing that You are more than enough for me.
