So yes if you were wondering if I survived the plane ride over to Cambodia and if I am currently in Thailand now that would be a definite yes. I am very sorry for the lack of updates, however, I say better late than never!
Let’s see where to start? CAMBODIA! Month 1! They said it would be one of the hardest months. Were they right? Maybe. But was it a good opportunity to hold steadfast in knowing God’s love for me and the truth he is constantly speaking into my life? Of course it was!
I apologies in advance for the jumping around from story to story. I hope you can get at least a little glimpse of what my days were like in my first month! Cambodia was full of hellos that lasted a lifetime, sweet as honey smiles and whole bunch of laughter. What I have come to realize is that Cambodians love to smile and even more they love to laugh. It wouldn’t be uncommon for me and my team to be out walking the streets by the Joy Community Center to find ourselves passing a group of kids waving their arms in the air saying “helooo” enthusiastically. As we replied hello back, they would giggle yelling hello even louder. This would continue as we passed them, exchanging hellos until they were out of sight.
Ministry opportunities were constant. My team and I cemented, scraped and painted the community center walls. Me and another teammate were able to share our testimonies in a drug rehabilitation center. We visited the local village kids and shared bible stories, played games, cleaned there hair and clipped their nails. We taught English classes and lead community day for the kids.
And there were cultural opportunities too! Such as a Cambodian wedding. Now As the wedding was approaching we had nothing culturally appropriate to wear. So the girls our age from the Joy Community Center brought us to a dress rent shop at the end of the road. As they ushered us into the cramped space they flocked over us holding up dresses and nodding in approval. This scene was nothing but a tragicomedy. As the girls had us try on the dresses we exchanged concern glances. These colorful sequin “prom” dresses were fitted to patete Cambodian girls… not to us World Race girls. As they continued with much determination, not helping ourselves we bursted out laughing. These dresses would not budge. Eventually they brought out the seamstress with her tools and she started to unstitch various areas of our dresses. Soon enough each of us had fitted dresses for the wedding day.
When God asks us to step up to the plate, he does it with the very best intentions of a loving father. With so much to do each day, many of these roles were hard to step into. Such as leading and teaching a group of people. The fear of failure and the act of being vulnerable is something our society shelters from us daily, however God has been teaching me to see the growth and beauty that can always comes from it.
Here’s a little compilation of clips I made while in Cambodia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWb9b4HfrmQ
So now I’m in Phang Nga, Thailand!!
The air is humid, the beaches are beautiful, the food is amazing and the people here share their love with every stranger that passes by. Many of you may have heard Thailand’s king recently passed away. To pay respect everyone wears black or dark clothes. It’s been an incredible experience to see the whole nation come together to grieve there King. My team and I will be spending a total of two months in Thailand until we go to Africa in the beginning of January.
Please pray for good health and safety over my team and squad. Also pray for those of us who are missing home, that our hearts be open and our ears tuned to hear his voice. And of course fundraising, it’s hard enough starting fundraising late, however to be thousands of miles away from my supporters can also prove to be difficult. So please pray for more funding, but more over having a peaceful heart and being content in God’s plan for me.
Sending all my love home to friends and family. God is so good!
