This month, my team and I are stationed in the CITY! After 3 months of being in rural areas, we were placed in Siem Reap, Cambodia for ministry. Because of this, our month 4 looks and feels a little bit different than months prior.
We arrived in Siem Reap on September 30th for 5 days of debrief as an entire squad. All 45 of us gathered to rest, worship, and meet with our coaches and mentor, discussing life on the field and hashing out struggles. I was grateful for the time to relax, sight see, and connect with squadmates.
On October 6th, we took a tuk tuk (a little cart pulled by a motor bike) a whopping 3km from our hostel to our ministry base. This month, we are working with YWAM – Siem Reap! Our home is just that, a legit building where we have bunk beds, a ceiling fan (that doesn't oscillate, but hey, it sort of moves air!), a western toilet, a 3rd floor balcony complete with a hammock, a small refrigerator, and a meeting area with a coffee table and a "couch". It's quite comfortable and beautiful, and only a 5 minute walk from the Yellow Cafe, where I sit now writing this blog. The wifi here is the best I've encountered on the race so far and has been a blessing for connecting with home and all that is going on there right now. Also, our base dog just had puppies, and they are SUPER cute! So that's pretty fun 🙂
As for ministry, this month we have a lot of freedom with our schedule. After morning chores, working out, breakfast, and worshipping as a team, we've been helping out at the base for a couple hours before lunch (at 12:30pm), painting and preparing rooms for upcoming teams. After lunch, we usually meet for team time or grab wifi, then have quiet time and prepare for afternoon ministry. At about 3:30pm, we head out to the School of the Nations where we teach a number of subjects, like English, grammar, pronunciation, music, and computers. At 5pm, Danica and I help teach Level 3 English and at 6pm, I help Bethany (a missionary from Oregon) teach Level 6 English. It has been a huge blessing getting to work with students ages 14-25, and most understand at least some English and are eager to learn more. I've been able to connect with them and look forward to seeing them each night. Pana, a student in my Level 3 class, is kind of a jokester and often laughs at me – he says I speak too fast sometimes, imagine that 😉 I of course laugh about it too and I think it's really put our students at ease. As for Level 6, I've especially connected with Paala, Luka, and Richini. Paala and Luka are new Christians, and Richini is searching. She has a real hunger for knowing more about Jesus and I am hoping she finds a safe place in me and my team to ask questions and to just build relationships. L & R hungout with us at a nearby pool on Saturday and we had a lot of fun!
Aside from teaching and helping around the base, I am hoping we get to do some bar ministry. We are surrounded by Karaoke bars where prostitution is a very visible struggle. The women get all dressed up – short skirts and dresses, corsets, and high heels – and line the entryways waiting for business each night. The darkness of this reality is heartbreaking and I am praying for opportunities to be a light in that darkness.
Please keep the people of Siem Reap in your prayers, that their eyes and hearts would be opened to the love of Christ. For our students, that their English skills would improve, but even more so that relationships would grow and doors to share the Gospel would open. For the staff at the YWAM base, that they would be encouraged in their faith and calling to this ministry. For my team, that we would be diligent and bold in following the Spirit as we work here in Cambodia, and that we would unite spiritually and emotionally with one another, being strengthened to shine as an even brighter light.
Thank you for your love and support. I pray that you would be moved to see and step into ministry opportunities right where you are, that you would share the Love your community so desperately needs.
