As I sit in a coffee shop in Siem Reap, Cambodia, I can’t help but be thankful for this life. Leaving Thailand was hard because there were a lot of goodbyes & see you laters to people who have captivated my heart, but our transition into Cambodia has been so good. We left Mae Sot on the 25th of October, and headed north to Chiang Mai for a couple days. While our intentions were mostly to see the city and have a couple rest days in between ministry locations, we got to stay at a ministry that doubles as a hostel & cafe, who’s mission is to combat human trafficking. They employ women in their hostel & cafe and it was beautiful to see (even for a short time) the fruit of their work. Something as seemingly simple as that is helping to change the lives of many women. During our stay in the city, we visited the night market in the evenings, and got to go to an elephant sanctuary. It was definitely fun to be tourists for a couple days, to rest, and spend time with one another. After Chiang Mai, we took an overnight bus to Bangkok and arrived in the city early in the morning on October 28th. We met up with the other part of our team for a few days for our Mid-Way Debrief. It was partly a means of seeing more of the city, but more importantly we got to reflect on our time in Thailand thus far, and look forward to our coming month in Cambodia. We worshipped together, we prayed together, and encouraged each other in what this next month may look like. On our last night in Bangkok, we went to a rooftop restaurant for dinner, and later prayed all together for the last time & shared Halloween candy on the rooftop of the hostel. On November 1st, early in the morning, we began our trek to Cambodia. In a somewhat overwhelming effort to get our Cambodia visas, we successfully crossed into our new home for the next month. We arrived at New Hope Orphanage later that evening to around thirty kids giving us the best welcome into their home. The difference between Thailand & Cambodia is subtle but noticeable, and I quickly realized the greater sense of simplicity - mostly because we are in a village and not the city. Nonetheless, I appreciate the way of living here. Our hosts at the orphanage are wonderful people who have such big hearts for the Lord and for the kids. Most days consist of English lessons in the morning, and computer lessons with some of the older kids in the afternoon. In between that we have mealtimes and free time to spend time with the kids, get to know them, and simply love them. Because of the kids’ school schedule, we have more free time here than we did at our ministry location in Thailand. So, as a team, we have adjusted accordingly with no access to internet - we go for walks, take afternoon naps (because kids have so much more energy than we do), read, & journal. Last week, we started to read & study the Bible together. We started in the book of Matthew, and all eleven of us sit together, read a chapter at a time, and reflect on what we read. There have also been a couple days in which a few of us walked to a small clinic in the village to pray with and spend time with the people there. I can't help but think of how often I have overcomplicated life. Matthew 6:19-21 says to not store treasures on earth, but to store my treasures in heaven. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (v.21). I want to concern my heart with what God's heart is concerned with. I'm reminded that what I have here is temporary, but what I invest my heart may have effects long after I leave this country. Some of my favorite memories at New Hope thus far have been the simple moments of watching the sunset, waking up early enough to see the kids off to school, braiding the girls’ hair, them braiding my hair, hearing them call my name, singing worship songs together, playing soccer, and seeing their unwavering love for Jesus. Chiang Mai, Thailand Bangkok, Thailand Siem Reap, Cambodia
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This is a blog about the ups & downs of early
adulthood, God's goodness & faithfulness, & life in other countries. “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."
Habakkuk 1:5 NIV Archives
June 2017
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