The question everyone keeps asking me is why I’m in Cambodia, why take a semester off school? And why it was so sudden?
As cheesy as it is, my only answer is Jesus.
Every time I make a plan, the Lord oh so lovingly reminds me that my life belongs to him, and him alone.
On August 20th I was scrolling through facebook, wasting time before I signed up for next semesters classes, and I saw a post on our alumni facebook group looking for one women to lead a semester long trip. All the others were full and they needed someone to leave in 10 days. In that moment the Lord said,
“Say yes to me.”
And I did.
Why?
Because I know what it feels like to say no to the Lord. It doesn’t feel good. It hurts. It brings pain to live outside his will.
In obedience, I applied in Starbucks that same day. Crying, praying, and seeking His face.
I had an over the phone interview two days later. And two days after that, I got accepted.
I said yes to Him and I’ll never regret it.
In more ways than I can count the Lord prepared me in advance to do this. The lost could literally be a blog all of its own, but here are a few.
I quit my job. They are keeping an opening for me for when I come back.
I didn’t get the ministry leadership position I applied for at USF to be in charge of student ministries. He spoke over me that I would lead and disciple people on a large scale. At the time I was confused and upset. But if I had taken the opportunity I wouldn’t have been able to take go on this trip.
I took the semester off. I’ll still be able to graduate in May. My schedule works out perfectly that way.
I packed up my room in my house full of my best friends. I live in a contract free house and can return when I come home.
I went to church with my friend, she told the pastor about me leaving to do missions, and that very next Sunday they commissioned me, and started a prayer team just for me and my team- if you’d like to sign up the link is on my facebook page.
I said goodbye to my very best friend, and roommate. She leaves in January for her very own 11 month World Race experience. We wept, knowing that our friendship won’t end no matter what continents we both are on.
It felt like a dream. Everything fell into place perfectly. Going to Thailand and Cambodia for three months suddenly became my reality.
I left for Atlanta Georgia 10 days after I applied. I went for a week of training with the other people leading trips this semester, and afterwards we had 4 days of training with the participants, and now we are suddenly here in Cambodia.
Life is Cambodia is simple, pure and beautiful. Life here runs at a slower pace. We wake up with the sun, and go to bed when it gets dark. We have bucket showers, squatty potty’s, and sleep under mosquito nets. We are learning to live dependent on the King. I have multiple girls just meeting Holy Spirit. I’m honored to invite them to see and experience a God who loves them unconditionally, who erases their past, and wants to speak to them on a regular basis. I am in awe of how good, faithful, and just he is.
Blessings,
Liz
