This Blog is featuring Becky Tank… My Mom!
Excitement came over me the day that PVT to Siem Reap, Cambodia was a “green light”. The very next morning the plane tickets were booked. My baby girl has been away for so long!
The months turned into weeks and the weeks into days and finally it was departure day! First we have church as normal and then “jet” off to Minneapolis to begin our journey to Cambodia. I made sure my phone was loaded with books and music…I knew there would be movies on the plane. I honestly dreaded the long plane flights, but by God’s grace it was tolerable! By the time we made it to LAX we started meeting additional parents heading in the same direction.
Finally, Siem Reap, Cambodia. Made it through customs with no bag search….super easy! But now we have 2 hours just to stand outside the airport and WAIT. WAIT? I have waited so long already to see her! The time went fairly quickly as we began to meet more of the parents as we waited.
Just before loading the buses to head to Overflow (where we all stayed) they started calling names and handing out letters. The racers had all written letters to their parents. So we loaded the bus and I began to read my letter and of course the tears began to fall. God has been growing, shaping and molding my little girl into His image.
The bus stops….hey I don’t see Nattalie! John, I really don’t see Nattalie. Where is she? John assured me that we would see her as soon as we got off the bus. Ok everyone….hurry up get off this bus! I want to hug my baby girl. FINALLY, there she is….oh wait I better make sure that I make it down the steps of the bus rather than falling.
Oh that sweet embrace! I didn’t want to let her go. My baby girl! She looked the same except for those new glasses that she just got….and her hair is longer. Ok, I guess I will give dad a turn to give her a hug.
We carried our things down a long dirt road. At this point I am super glad that we had a weight limit for our bags. John and I were both in jeans and it sure was HOT. Natt allowed me to use her room to change out of the jeans! And then we were off…..time for the first of many coffee shop visits.
The Tuk Tuk took us to Common Ground Coffee. It was a neat organization. The coffee shop was built to help in ministry and they had really awesome “fair trade” items for sale inside as well. Even though John and I had said that we would not have any coffee on our trip…..we caved and had a coffee with our girl. Coffee and Conversation. So sweet!
Coffee and Conversation was some of my most memorable parts of PVT.
One coffee shop experience was part of our ministry in the streets day. We stayed in one spot and allowed the Lord to lead conversations as they would happen. Throughout that time with Nattalie, Clare, Leslie and myself had to opportunity to share with a mom and her child sending them off with a “track” in Khmer (their native language), pray for a table of girls that Nattalie felt we should pray for, and a time to share part of our testimony (life story) with each other.
Then there was BioLab Coffee….so many coffee shops for all the Westerners who want coffee and WiFi. This was an afternoon with just Nattalie, John and I. We were talking about the many things that God has been teaching Nattalie throughout this mission and just catching up with each other. John saw a guy with a Christian shirt and said something to him. At first he just thanked him and walked off. He quickly returned and apologized for not taking the time to meet us. It was great to get to know Hunter and his passion for Cambodia. He and his family are long term missionaries to Cambodia. After a short time of conversation that day and exchanging Facebook info we had the privilege to meet up with Hunter, his wife Sarah, and their daughter Myla to have dinner together. What a fantastic time! And great dinner spot! Nattalie had to opportunity to ask them many questions about being on the mission field full time and what it was like to return home to the States. They answered the questions just as fast as she threw them out. What a memorable evening as well as a great connection. We are praying for Hunter and Sarah’s ministry with people of Cambodia.
Every night we gathered on the roof for a time of worship with the Racers leading us. It was great to have that opportunity to worship with them all. My Nattalie normally stands right next to me (when I’m not on the worship team) back at home. I have missed being next to her and worshipping or even looking out and seeing her worship.
Also one morning Nattalie shared about feedback to all of us. It was great to see her take that leadership role and share what feedback is, how to do it and the importance of Scripture in feedback. Two others also assisted in the presentation. Bella shared how feedback looks different coming from different people. I was so overjoyed when she shared…..If Nattalie is going to bring you feedback then you know that she will have Scripture to back up what she is bringing to you. It was great to see the importance that Nattalie places on The Word.
The time went by very quickly! So one last Tuk Tuk ride together and more Coffee and Conversation. We shared some thoughts for future planning and know that we are trusting in the Lord as He leads and guides Nattalie. And then the Tuk Tuk back to Overflow was a true adventure as we pulled over and stalled about six times before making it back. Nattalie had others that she wanted to connect with before all the parents left….so we let her do just that and said our last goodbyes. What’s harder than saying goodbye in the US? Saying goodbye after a few short days in another country! However, I know that she is exactly where the Lord wants her and is following the Lord’s leading in her life.
The PVT was a great time for me to see how much Nattalie has matured, grown in her walk with the Lord….and to see that she was finally healthy again. This journey for her has not been without some bumps in the road with sickness so it was good to see for myself that she is doing well.
Now, we pray for them as they continue to the finish line and while on this journey seeking what the Lord has in store as their next steps. See you in June my baby girl! Enjoy those piggies and goats….stay warm and dry!
