Cambodia! The month that chose us!
Cambodia was not originally on our route. So we are so excited to see why God chose Cambodia instead. We’re excited to see His plan for us here. When I applied we were going to China and Mongolia but visa complications lead us to Thailand and Cambodia. I really wanted to go to Cambodia but had to make a choice of other places I felt called to. But then the Lord put us in Cambodia. It has been so sweet to see Him give me the desires of my heart on this journey but He usually waits until I make the hard choice of sacrificing some of my will. Another time this happened was at debrief. A couple months ago I felt the Lord say I want you to make it home for your brothers wedding so I obeyed that and purchased a flight to go home a week earlier than everyone else and miss final debrief. But at last months debrief I realized I could still stay for final debrief and make it home for my brothers wedding if I switch my flight. So I will be able to do both and also see what it’s like to fly solo. That has also been on my list but I was a little too scared to travel alone but I feel I’m ready for that and maybe I need to get comfortable for future travel opportunities that could arrise.
The first week of the month was debrief which consisted of re- entry talk (aka the reality that is home in 3 months) and team changes. We are starting to visit the idea of going home since it is literally around the corner. But also realizing the importance of staying present and focused for the remainder of our journey. It would be easy to just be like I only have 3 months left then I get to go home. What am I going to do when I get home? What is it going to be like to go back to the US? Should I start making plans for a job? Where do I Want to live? Where does God want me to live? What is God calling me to after the race? I’m going to miss my sister’s on the squad so much! And allow all these questions and realities to flood our minds and distract us from what God has for us right now right here in Cambodia and in the months to come. I’m glad our leadership is helping us stay present while helping us prepare for home too.
It is important for us to visit the reality of home and that our journey is coming to an end and life after the race. But also remember to have a healthy balance of visiting that reality and staying present in our current reality. They have given us tools to set goals for our re – entry home and what it will look like. How to not lose everything we’ve learned and grown in when put back in familiar situations at home that could cause us to get back into life before the race and losing everything the Lord taught us through the journey. Like going to Christian Summer camp and coming back transformed but then molding back into what we are comfortable being at home. And doing what is easiest. If we don’t pace ourselves and set goals we will lose the things the race has taught us and brought us through.
That is just a little info as to what step of the race that I’m on right now.
I’m so excited for my new team. They are really great and I’m excited to get to know them all better. I know 2 of my new team members really well but have 3 members I’ve never been on a team with. I get Mel for the whole race! She’s been with me since Guatemala, month 1. She is great! I also have my best friend from home on my team for the last three months!! That’s right Kasie and I finally got put on the same team! We were so excited as they announced teams and we realized we were on the same team. I have 3 new ladies, Shae, Haley, and Mary Beth the I’m so excited to get to know and do life with them for 3 months. Our team name is W.H.I.P. ( Walking Humbly in Power ). God has great plans for this team and it’s so great o get to be a part of it.
Ministry is ATL ( Ask the Lord ). That means we don’t have a host giving us ministry and finding us ministry. We have.to ask the Lord to reveal to us what ministry He.wants us to do. I’ve done ATL before and it can look like prayer walking, intercessary prayer, playing with kids, coffee shop ministry, painting a mural, worshipping in shops, evangelism, whatever the Lord presses on your heart. This month He has really placed it on my heart to talk to tuk tuk drivers and encourage them and intercessary prayer for Cambodia and playing with the children in the community and worshipping with the staff here at the hostel we’re staying at.
Our vision for our team is to Walk Humbly in Power (W.H.I.P.). We also have decided we want to make the Word the center of our team and do devotions together daily. A team centered on God’s Word will be a powerhouse that works together towards the same goal. During our first week we felt something was off in the team then we went to a coffee shop and studied Ephesians 4. We all got excited our whole team atmosphere changed and it clicked, what was off was the lack of time spent in the Word together to unify us and direct us on the same path. We were reading our Bibles separately but there is something powerful about reading scripture together as a team daily that helps you put away freshly centeredness and turn your mind and heart to being Christ centered as a unit with everyone’s mind and heart in the right place. I can’t wait to see all that God does in team W.H.I.P.
Below is a picture of my new team and their blogs. I highly suggest reading their stories.
kasieosborne.theworldrace.org
melissajordan.theworldrace.org
marybethbyers.theworldrace.org
sheagreaves.theworldrace.org
haleybatchelder.theworldrace.org
Blessings,
Naomi =)
