I wanted to update you about my morning at Angkor Wat. I’m not sure if you know anything about it, so I’ll fill you in a little. It is the largest Hindu temple complex in the world according to wiki. It was constructed in the 12th century. I was wrongly led to believe that it is one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world, but it is not. It was built completely without using animals. I was in awe at the details and the stone carving. We think we’re so advanced today, but something like Angkor Wat would be so difficult to do today. It’s amazing how they built it way back then.
Enough history.
Let me just say that it was beautiful. We got there around 5am and found the main temple. We decided to watch the sunrise over it, despite our research saying not to because of the temple being back-lit by the sun. Nonetheless, it was beautiful. The sky turned a light blue and the clouds pink. The sun rose right behind Angkor Wat, so the temple was completely shadowed and looked so huge. We stayed there for a while before exploring. There were just stones thrown about everywhere. We hopped from one to another, trying to dodge the sun and stay in the shade.
We went to 5 different temples. We also walked along by the water on this side path that was completely vacant. It was such a contrast to the rest of the area, which was swarming with tourists. My favorite one was a temple that had faces all over. It sounds strange, but it was just so beautiful.
I may or may not have climbed up on one of the “gods” without knowing it to get a picture and got kicked off.
This is it
The security guard was nice though and showed us where we could get really cool pictures. After that, we went to a temple next door and I really felt I was supposed to preach there. When we were planning our team trip to Angkor Wat, I joked about preaching at the Hindu Temple, but after the words left my mouth, it was like God was confirming,” Yes Sam, you are going to preach. Get ready.”
So, I told my teammates to go ahead if they wanted to check out the temple, because I felt like I wasn’t supposed to go in.
I stood in this entrance area and prayed down my nerves just enough to get started. It was such a battle to get started. I really wasn’t expecting it at all. I knew that I wanted to preach the word. I knew that I wanted to share my testimony, but it’s so easy in a church where there’s an eager congregation waiting to be encouraged. Here, I was surrounded by monks and the possibility of rejection and of people not understanding my language (I haven’t met one other American yet in Cambodia).
But, the Spirit was able to help me set myself aside and begin. Once I started, He just gave me the words to say. I gave my testimony as people walked past. They would look at me then look away and wonder who I was talking to. A group of 7 stayed for the whole thing. I was worried about getting kicked out, but a tour guide passed me with her group and put her hand on my shoulder and said “good.” So, God gave me favor. It was amazing. I can’t wait to do it again. Thank you Jesus for the opportunity to preach your name!!!
And to put icing on the cake, right after preaching, we left that temple and went to the elephant temple next door and you won’t believe what I found! A WHOLE FIELD OF FOUR-LEAFED CLOVERS!!!!!!!! I could hardly believe my eyes!!!!! It was such a gift and I just stood in awe of how God chooses to bless me with little things when I don’t deserve even his love.
