I’ve missed you guys. It’s been too long since I’ve shared words with you. A lot of sights, sounds, words, reflections have been bombarding my thought process, but it’s been there that they have been camping out. I am frustrated because I feel like all this information is going into my head and heart…but it is running into a wall called ‘writer’s block’! It is stuck in my mind, running circles over and over again, keeping me up at night. Yet, I am having difficulties expressing myself…words are on the tip of my tongue. They seem to be dancing all over the place but the one area I want them to be: on paper.
I think that part of the reason I am experiencing frustration due to writers block, is that I am waking up to the fact that
‘removing the veil of ignorance’ is my passion. Letting both shear reality shock me awake and the more gentle, yet sovereign voice of the Lord imparting wisdom and discernment. The veil is being lifted…only to find another one that I had been blind to seconds before. Each day as I walk through South East Asia, my ignorance to the realities in the world blind me: Buddhism, the killings fields, civil war and genocide, human trafficking…
…but that blinding light of ignorance is waning in the light of truth and wisdom. I feel like my vision is becoming more clear everyday. My desire is to see the veil be lifted from the eye’s of America. For ‘her’ vision to come more into alignment with God’s vision; and for ‘her’ heart’ to continue to come into alignment with God’s heart.
We finished our month in Thailand with a 5 day debrief on the shores of a tropical island called Ko Samet. Palm trees, white sand beaches, coconuts and banana smoothies. The days were filled with fun, relaxation, reflection, spiritual teaching and personal coaching. A time to download Thailand and get geared up for Cambodia.
Cambodia – our second to last country on the world race. It’s a doozy! We’ve been here for about five days and the sights, sounds, smells, history, culture, etc. have been slapping me in the face each day. Wake up, Stephanie! To be honest, the more and more I learn about Cambodian history and the culture here in Phnom Penh (the capital), I have a more and more difficult time seeing God’s sovereign hand over this country. I know He’s here. God IS omnipotent and omnipresent. He sees. He cries. He redeems and He rejoices.
Cambodians are very aware of the spiritual realm. Animism and Buddhism mix together to form the basic belief system that this country is based upon. Hinduism has its hand in pockets of the country – due to the huge Indian influence. Christians are about as prevalent as they are in Thailand: 1-2%. But due to their recent history, many Cambodians are ready for hope and truth…
Throughout this month, I am eager to shed light on Cambodia’s painful and recent history and how that is impacting their culture today – with God’s promise in mind that he redeems! And how I see God interweaving my heart and desires with what I am experiencing around me.
For the month, we are working with a church in Phnom Penh (above) – teaching English and building relationships with the youth in the church and the surrounding area. We will also be helping out at an orphanage that is home to around 60 infants and kids.
