My absolute favorite part of the race is getting to meet people from all over the world! People who are from different countries, cultures, and just have completely different experiences than you. The conversations you get to have with them and what you learn from just listening to them. Geez, it is just so interesting. I can’t imagine how many more conversations would be possible if I didn’t simply speak English (which is part of the reason I have now set a goal to be fluent in Chinese and Spanish by the time I’m 30). Language barrier aside this has been my favorite part of this year, and last month in Cambodia wasn’t any different.
Last month I had some of the coolest and hardest conversations I’ve had on the race. People who were really interested and people who cussed me out for being a Christian. These conversations were literally all over the spectrum. There are four of them that really stick out and I would like to share them with you.
The first was with a young American man on the bus from Bangkok, Thailand to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Our conversation couldn’t have started out anymore polar opposite when we exchanged our answers of ‘why we were in SE Asia?’ I answered with being on this World Race trip and he answered with ‘to solicit prostitutes and smoke some weed’. It didn’t take long to see the direction this conversation was headed. He began to tell me how he was a Christian, went on mission trips, read the well known theologians books, but then one day he realized it all wasn’t true. That saying Jesus is the only way to Heaven is foolish. This guy’s passion about this subject was evident as he grew increasingly aggressive with every word. He began to hit me with thought provoking questions like “have you ever practiced any other religion as adamantly as you have Christianity?” and “Is it possible that Buddhist monks can go into a Buddhist temple and receive peace?”. After attempting to share my thoughts on things it was clear that wasn’t going to go anywhere, I asked God what to do and He prompted me to just love on the guy. So I began to just get to know him and ask him about his life. We had a great conversation and the dude has some great stories. The conversation didn’t end with us having a great talk about Jesus, but simply talking about life. We were able to share some laughs and talk about our different experiences. Eventually, the bus pulled into the bus station in Phnom Penh and we parted ways.
[side note: Little does he know but he actually helped me remember why I believe Jesus is the only way. I stewed on the questions he asked me for a few weeks, and really landed on why I TRULY believe Jesus is the only way. It is the power of the resurrection! Jesus, Buddha, and Muhammad were all real people, but the difference is Buddha and Muhammad are still in their grave and Jesus isn’t. And if He has risen then we can take what He said as truth!]
Second conversation happened with a girl from Thailand. She was in prostitution and worked in Cambodia. I saw her one day in the park and felt a tug to go talk to her so I took Lindsey with me and we sat next to her. After a few minutes of talking to her and her seemingly lifeless expression I ask her if she is happy. Through her limited English she says “I no happy.” From there we heard about how poorly men have treated her and the how she feels like no one cares about her. She asked us if we could walk around with her so we did and we bought some smoothies. We begin to explain through broken English and google translate what brings us happiness and begin sharing the gospel. She was very willing to listen and I hope pray some of it stuck with her.
Third conversation was with a journalist from Australia. This guy is doing some really cool things in Phnom Penh. He writes against social injustices going on in Cambodia, and he is currently writing against sex trafficking which was what our ministry host was combating. What an awesome connection! We had been praying to meet someone of influence in Phnom Penh and this guy writes for the newspaper that is read by millions in Phnom Penh. Somehow or another we started talking about why I was a Christian. This guy didn’t believe in anything and if I remember correctly he said he was anti-religious. However, he was really interested in why I believe what I believe. I got to share my testimony with him and chat with him about who God is. He was intrigued and ended the convo with saying “It’s always weird to me when I find a Christian that I actually like” and then he invited me to his house warming party. It was such an awesome an encouraging conversation.
The fourth conversation occurred out front of a mini mart with a Cambodian. This man has had a rough go at it the last few years. His wife and kids left him and moved to America two years ago and he really never gets to talk to them more anymore. Apparently he had been treating them and others in his family badly so they left. For the last 3 years he hasn’t been able to forgive himself. He lives in constant guilt, so much so that he doesn’t really allow himself to have nice things or move on because he doesn’t think he deserves it. I asked him if he had ever heard of grace. He said no. So I explained grace, the gospel, and some of Paul the apostles story. The dude was instantly energized. “That’s it! I have never forgiven myself!” He began to realize how he kept himself in bondage all these years while there has been grace through Jesus extended to him. The revelation he had was so cool! We chatted a lot more about what it means to be a Christian (which he claimed to already have been) and then we left.
Four people from four different countries. Four completely different backgrounds and stages in life. But four people in desperate need for an encounter with Jesus. I’m so thankful I was able to share with all of them whether they were cussing me out or on the edge of their seats wanting to hear more about Jesus. I ask that everyone who reads this prays for each one of these wonderful people. Pray that they meet more Christians who love on them on, point them to Jesus, and that one day their eyes will see Him. There are four incredible people y’all, so thankful to know each of them!
