Here is just a rundown of the last week and speculation on
the upcoming month. (I am going to write
this like a resume where
each point starts with a verb.)
–
Finished up in Thailand blessing our contacts as
much as possible. The girls were able to
get a girl out of a life of prostitution and set her up with an organization
ready to help her with a place to work and live.
–
Spent another night in Bangkok together before
spending most of the 9th traveling into Cambodia. (We stayed a day over our visa so I have a
police record in Thailand. No big deal,
just a fine.)
–
Ate an American hamburger in a Japanese
restaurant along a Cambodian river.
–
Watched two things: a movie on the Khmer Rouge and my friends
receive a fish massage.
–
Empowered as a squad leader on the night of the
10th along with Jory Billot and Katie Hannon. 
As Andi and Sean-our squad leaders for the
first three months-washed our ears, eyes, hands, and feet, signifying a
transferring of authority of the squad, my perspective for my time on the World
Race shifted. My responsibilities have
increased, and therefore my reliance on myself has decreased. I am no longer the team leader for New Song
and it’s six other members. I am now
part of an intimate three person family charged with raising up leaders amongst
the squad. As our coach Mike Paschall
put it, it’s actually a demotion not a promotion. Now we will be the first to be humble, the
first to stay back, the first to speak up, etc.
(Andi likes to joke with me because I called a recent blog, “Put me in
coach.” I guess I’m really in the game
now.)
–
Ate a French toast with honey, fried rice, and
fried onion rings breakfast before heading out to Angkor Wat-one of the wonders
of the world. Even though most of mine,
Katie’s, and Jory’s day was spent getting logistics ready for Cambodia-we got
the new squad leader shoes broken in immediately-I enjoyed the work aspect of
the new role. Let’s just say
administrative tasks aren’t usually a burden to me.
–
Held our first squad meeting in which we mainly
spent the time worshiping but in a much more soaking/prophetic/free flowing way
than most Sunday morning services would look like. During the two hour period it was confirmed
that my perspective had changed. Instead
of focusing my thoughts, prayers, and words on my six New Song teammates, I was
viewing the entire squad as Jesus’ sheep.
(I’m realizing that a lot of who I am does not need to be “changed” but
instead shifted so it is in proper alignment.)
–
Woke up early to catch a six hour bus ride to
Phnom Pehm. (Passed up an opportunity to
eat a tarantula, but I doubt I’ll go the entire month avoiding the inevitable.) Oh, the exchange rate is about 4500 riel to
the dollar.
–
Arrived at Phnom Penh and immediately loved the
dirty, chaotic, and bedlam characteristics of the city.
–
Bought a bicycle for $40 that has a basket and a
bell. He agreed to buy it back from me
in three weeks for $25 dollars.
–
Started working at the Cambodian Hope Orphanage
yesterday-we’ll be there pretty much every day all month playing, teaching, and
speaking-and learned this crazy “jump over a rubber band game.” I lost to ten-year olds!
You’re welcome mother.
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*Photos from Jamie Neumann and Nicole Ricketts. Thanks girls.
