On Friday we traveled from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Cambodia, a bumpy, seven hour bus ride. I’m at the point where even that seems like a short trip. We are here for a few days of debrief which includes, processing the past month, sitting by the pool, touring temples and looking ahead to China. Tomorrow I get the amazing joy of a 12 hour bus ride back to Bangkok, then on the 11th it’s off to Hong Kong. Last night before worship, the group leaders announced what we would be doing in China. Due to security we are not allowed to know where we are going in the country or which ministry we are doing. After I leave Thailand I will not be able to blog any specifics, doing that could actually endanger the life of our contacts. As I heard the different ministry opportunities I wanted to know what I would be doing and where I would be going in an intense way. As our group sang and meditated on scripture together I though a lot about how much I like control. I like A week ago, I was sitting in church, having a near panic attack over if I would have enough money at the end of this year. I asked God to calm me down and give me perspective. About 1 min later the pastor announced that we would be reading from Luke 12, when I looked up the scripture, I couldn’t stop smiling. God had answered my prayers instantaneously. “Jesus said ‘that is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life – weather you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more then food, and your body more than clothing…’ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need,” (Luke12:22 and 31.) It was a great reminder at the perfect time. Prayer Requests
I’m sitting in an awesome coffee shop called The Blue Pumpkin in Siem Reap, Cambodia, taking advantage of free wireless. Today has been pretty amazing; Emilie, Candice, Spano and I spent the morning touring the ancient temple of Angor Wat and a few other temples around here. One of the temples we toured was where they filmed the Tomb Raider movies. The highlight of the day was taking an elephant ride. In my opinion the best view of the ruins were while reclining 8 feet in the air on the back of the huge animal.
to know what’s coming and feel like I have a say in what’s happening. It was driving me crazy to have all the decisions about China completely out of my hands. Control has been an issue for my entire life; it was the root behind an eating disorder that I struggled with for years. I’ve surrendered a lot in the past year, but at times wanting control is still an issue.
While we worshipped last night God gently reminded me that He is the one in control of China and what happens when I go home. It was good to surrender again, and trust that God has more planned for me then I could ask or imagine. For now I will hold on to Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
