5 things that I love about Cambodia:
1. Smiles
The smiles here are absolutely contagious. In some places I’ve been, and even sometimes in the states, people think it’s odd when I shoot them a big smile, but not here. I have not met one person who hasn’t replied with an even bigger grin.
2. Ownership of our schedules
With the ministry schedule that we have, we are left with a lot of time and freedom for creative ministry and asking the Lord where to reach out in the community. For the first couple of days that seemed intimidating, but once we started going about or days here, opportunities were revealed organically.
Last night, me and three of my team-mates were out for a night bike ride, and a man pulled up next to us on his moto. Right away, he shared about what he was doing in his village, and how he would love for us to come and help. His village had been severely impacted by the Khmer Rouge and he is working day and night to help recover the damage and set the next generation up for success. Now, we plan to make that part of our ministry, if not a very regular part.
There have already been so many divine appointments and we are patiently waiting for more.
3. The grace that I’ve been given from the locals
It has been quite an adjustment from Latin America in regards to the culture. There are so many things that are different and I’ve found it so overwhelming to try to remember all of them.
For example, I am not the quietest person, and I am pretty much the exact opposite of the culture here, but when my volume accidentally raises while I’m laughing about barely being able to pedal with a person on the back of my bike in the middle of a busy road, people have shown me grace by gently giggling with me (maybe at me I don’t know).
Khmer people are absolutely grace-giving individuals. I am still learning, and I can be pretty harsh on myself when I do something wrong, but I am so thankful that they have been rooting for me.
4. Eagerness of the Khmer people to make friends with me
I have made SO MANY new friends since being here. I absolutely adore the culture of kindness here. People will just walk up to me and introduce themselves and ask me about my life.
5. It feels like “real life”
This isn’t exactly a Cambodia thing, but more of an “end of the race” thing. Changes in how structured our lives are, are happening because we are getting so close to going home. We are all stepping into more responsibility and self-governance, which makes me feel so ready to take on life at home with the things I’ve learned.
4 things that I have struggled with here:
1. Excitement to come home
While I do love it here, part of my heart is tugging towards sweet Virginia and all of my people. It’s not a bad thing that I have passion for home, because I know that it is coming from God and where he has me for this next season of my life.
But, I am struggling to stay present, while having constant day-dreams and butterflies about home. Right now I’m learning how to feel excitement and passion while simultaneously getting everything out of the season I’m in.
2. Spiritual atmosphere
It’s been tough for me to sort through my emotions about oppression of the Khmer people, the shame based culture, and the impact it has.
Many times since our arrival, people have shared about their personal experience with the Khmer Rouge. It has been hard for me to carry the burdens of my brothers and sisters because I feel like I’m not strong enough to do so, which isn’t true because I can do anything through Christ.
I grew up knowing an guilt based culture rather than a shame based culture and it has been hard for me to come to terms with the reality of the effect shame has on people.
3. Not speaking the language
By the end of six months of living in Latin America, I was getting around and communicating pretty easily. The only thing I know how to say in Khmer is “thank you” and “hello”. Now, if someone doesn’t speak English, I feel like I’m not getting to fully know them. I know that it’ll just take getting used to and replacing my love through communication to love through another avenue.
4. Heat
I didn’t expect to be phased by the heat, but I am. It’s hard to sleep, to get out of the shower sweating, and have to fight the urge of going coffee shops for A.C 24/7. It makes me tired and gives me cankles, and thats okay, because things are hard sometimes.
Thanks for reading and staying invested!
Much Love,
Lexi
