85% of Cambodia's population is below the age of 18 due to the ruthless mass killing from 1975-1979. One fourth of the population was unjustly killed and almost an entire generation was wiped out. But when Jesus looks at this nation, he sees rejuvenation, and he's ready to take the ashes, the pain, the loss, and make something beautiful out of it.
This month we had the privilege of partnering with God to bring that rejuvenation. Our host told us our ministry was to teach English, but the plans God had were much bigger than just teaching an English class. Abba brought us to Cambodia to build relationships with 8 women that we lived with for the month and to build upon what He taught us in Thailand through a retreat called Beauty for Ashes.
There are no coincidences with Abba and this month was a beautiful example of that truth. See, last month we had the privilege of serving alongside of a group of girls who were on a mission trip called Kingdom Journeys, yet another program that is apart of Adventures in Missions. These women spend 7 months pouring into women all over the world, and last month they poured into us.
The retreat they hosted for us was incredible, and much needed during the intense ministry of working with women in the red light district of Thailand. Little did we know at the time, but Abba was orchestrating this opportunity so that we could in turn do the same for 8 more women in Cambodia.
When our precious hosts told us that we would be living with 8 women, and this month there were 8 of us together I heard Abba whisper, "It's your turn."
It was our turn to pour into these women and let them know they were precious in the eyes of their Heavenly Father. So that's what we did. We each prayed about which woman God would have us pour into and then we got to know each of them. Then we had the opportunity to speak life and truth into them during an epic girls day called beauty for ashes.
As you look at my month in Cambodia I pray that you stand in awe at the sovereignty of our Lord. He is the master orchestrator and he continues to bring healing and beautiful things out of the ashes of our lives.
The world race, and life for that matter, is what we make it! So, join me as I continue to look outside the box, because that's where we will find God.
