As September comes to a close I’m missing the change of seasons that I love so much! Here in Phnom Penh, there’s absolutely no change, the days are still in the 90’s with lots of humidity. If you live in part of the U.S. that is blessed with autumn please enjoy for me too! This has been my fourth month in Cambodia and I really feel like it has simply been living life. The things of daily life here have become normal for me and for that I’m glad. For example, of course we’re going to eat rice and pork in the tuk-tuk for breakfast and, without any hesitation, our tuk-tuk will make 3 U-turns on the same road as he gets lost looking for a specific store, oh, and (my favorite) there will be a very loud, very crowded wedding right outside our house on a random Thursday morning beginning at 5:30 that won’t end until 10pm Friday. All just part of normal life in Cambodia J
The past month has been full of Jesus helping me to overcome fears of all kinds! For example, after riding a moto once during the day time at a speed of about 2mph I was fairly convinced that I didn’t want to do that again. One night I was out with some Khmer friends, we’d walked from my house to where we were eating and as it was time to go home Panha (who knew exactly how I felt about motos!) told me I was going to ride on his moto to get home! It was nighttime, I was unprepared and he did not drive slowly at all! Needless to say, I prayed, held on and made it home!
Another fear arose as I was asked to give my testimony in Svay Pak. As I told my story to Veasna a few days before we were to speak in Svay Pak I found myself feeling peaceful and I was speaking with a sense of authority that could have only come from my King. I know the stories of the people of Svay Pak very well because they are so parallel to my own life and as I stood in front of 50 people, holding a microphone and speaking of the goodness of God in my own life I knew that the Holy Spirit was up to something. It is a rare thing for an American to share a story like mine, a story that lets the people here know that they are not alone, that America is not a utopia and that God has plans to give all people hope and a future!
During the past month Jesus has been reminding me of how well He knows me and that He longs to see my heart full of joy. I got to visit two Christian orphanages! Now, you might be wondering how I find life and joy at an orphanage….On a daily basis I work with kids who do not know the reality of being loved. They do not spend their days being carefree as children should, they don’t have dreams for their futures and their lives are built on fear, insecurity and a mind bent on survival. Spending time at an orphanage where children are loved, can recognize love, know the difference that love has made in their lives and where they play games with each other, care for one another and worship Jesus together has truly been a breath of fresh air for my heart!
I have also been honored to do some amazing things with the students in my English class. We had a party because it is the end of their break from school and they will begin going to classes again in October as well as continuing to study English. During the party we ate Oreos (they cost twice as much here as they do in the States and are a treat that Khmer people don’t normally get to enjoy), spoke lots of English and played a version of Chubby Bunny where we put marshmallows in our mouths and tried to say the word “marshmallow”, they had a such a good time!
Also, I went with Veasna to buy English-Khmer dictionaries for each of our students. He helped me pick out the best version that would be most helpful for them. When we gave them out the students were so grateful! Veasna had to show them how to use them and once they understood there was so much excitement in the room, you could feel it!
I want to thank each of you because the things you’ve just read about would not be possible without your encouragement, prayers and financial giving. I am honored to be part of what is happening in this country and do not take a single day here for granted.
I hope that you enjoy reading these updates as much as I enjoy writing them! Each time I finish writing one I’m filled with a renewed sense of anticipation about what He has in store for my life, your lives and the lives of the people of Cambodia!
