After training our squad (all 18 of us) split into teams of 4 and 5. For the next couple of months I get to do life with Hannah, Sam, Lindsay, and Hunter. We have survived the first week together and yeah we aren’t perfect but we sure are AWESOME! Before leaving Phnom Pehn (the capital) we prayed and the Lord placed Battambang (the countryside) on our hearts and so we bused 7 hours up north right after training was done.
We connected with the local orphanage and got to play with the kids. Guess what we played….. Yup SOCCER! We also danced, played tag and got to share JESUS through a T-Shirt. I know that sounds strange but Mrs.Patti (my co-worker from ATL) one day showed me a superhero shirt on facebook and I jokingly told her to buy it for me. I play a lot but Mrs.Patti has a huge giving heart so she bought it and gave it to me for Christmas. I made sure to pack it and when the kids saw it they began to point out all the superheroes……. EXCEPT FOR JESUS. When I pointed out Jesus they all stayed quiet because they had no idea who Jesus was. I then told them that Jesus was God and that he was my favorite superhero and they all turned and smiled at me. I am still trying to digest that moment. The look on their faces will be unforgettable and although the language barrier didn’t allow me to fully share the gospel I know for sure that Jesus planted a seed in their hearts.
Then we got a chance to connect with Filipino missionaries who have been in Cambodia for the past 8 years. My dad is Filipino so being with them felt like I had a piece of home with me. God has placed a huge fire in Pastor Phillip and Ate Army and together they started Grace Bible School to help prepare and launch local Cambodians out into the communities. We got to attend their Sunday church service, Tuesday morning prayer, teach at the Bible School, play Uno and eat Cambodian food. SO MUCH FUN! Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to spread the gospel throughout this country.
One of my favorite parts of this journey (I know, I know only the first week but hear me out) is being able to connect with other travelers. In training camp, we learned that we are not tourists but rather travelers. Sounds funny but the truth is that tourists just come and go and travelers engage + blend with the local culture. We do that by walking at their rhythm and sharing the light of Jesus with our testimonies. We don’t always have to partner with every local Christian ministry we find because they are already doing the kingdom work. Our goal is to find people that the local ministries can’t reach. Ministry is life and life is ministry all the time not just at a building or specific hours. I have already met people from Australia, Panama, Honduras, India, Canada, The Netherlands, Germany/Egypt (Samir our friend in the picture that spent the day with us), Peru, Singapore, Israel, Italy, and Spain all here in Cambodia. That list will continue to grow this year and I can’t wait for what God has prepared for us.
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Before leaving Battambang we got to visit a village that is known for its dead fish. It sure had a strong smell but that village was one of the reasons God told us to go to Battambang. We met kids, spoke with locals, and got to spend some MEMORABLE team time together by walking and breaking a record of 13 miles (AYE TEAM DEEP GOING DEEP).
Prayer warriors please keep me in your prayers for more desire of Jesus, wisdom, and strength. Also, I am still not fully funded but I know that God always provides and He never fails. If you would like to make a donation please click the “Donate” button at the top of my blog.
Finally, (I PROMISE) Let me know if you have any prayer requests. Show some luuuv to your boy by dropping a comment. It doesn’t take long… You can do it lol.
STAY TUNED
