12/27/22
“ I thank my God in all of my remembrance of you “
- Philippians 1:3
The race has opened my eyes to so many new realizations. The Father has so much more of a wider lens & perspective on my life than I ever could imagine.
Since starting the race, everyday I wake up with the same childlike faith. I am always in eager waiting for time with the Lord. I find myself walking the streets and noticing His character in nature and people. How awesome. Thank you Jesus!
The past 2.5 months have been some of the most amazing months of my life. Living in Cambodia has changed everything. Jesus’ name has been proclaimed wherever I go. I have good news that can preserve the human race. I want everyone to know of this Good News.
Some people that I’ve been able to share this news with, are the children I’ve had the honor to teach Bible & English to.
This is my class!!! Some of the best kids I’ve ever met. I’ve enjoyed being able to teach them English, and have them teach me Khmer.
They’ve been learning small sentences of English at a time, and I am always so proud when they have a new question to ask me in English.
As I’ve taught at this school, I’ve had a translator, their teacher, Lida help me. Through her, the gospel has been shared. The other day I learned that teacher Lida had accepted Christ as her savior! Can I get amen!! Thank you Father!
There was one day in particular where I had a whole lesson plan for my class. We were going to memorize a scripture and then learn about nouns and verbs.
As I began to teach, the Father told me to forget it and follow His lead. So, that’s exactly what I did. I started talking to them more in depth about sin, and the way it makes us feel, those around us, but ultimately how it makes the Lord feel.
The more I talked about it, The more these kids wanted to see a light. They had never heard about being made new. I explained the death and resurrection of Jesus, and they were eager to hear more.
As I continued to tell them about new life in Christ, I started to draw the bridge illustration on the white board. I simplified being separated from Christ as best as I could, and then asked who wanted to have a friendship/ relationship with the Father, and told them there is a way the darkness can be destroyed.
Then, 2 boys in the back raised their hands, then 3 more kids, and then ALL TWENTY THREE OF MY KIDS WERE STANDING UP WITH SMILES ON THEIR FACES TO RECEIVE CHRSIT!!! SAY WHAT!!!!!
As you can imagine, I’m quite literally going crazy and just in awe of the Holy Spirit and what He is doing.
So, we pray.
And right then and there, the room is filled with children who want to know the fathers heart. I couldn’t stop smiling!! I was filled with more joy than I could imagine!!
We celebrated and rejoiced, and then we sang “ Jesus loves me” multiple times over and over again. Pure Joy.
As my time in Cambodia comes to an end, I’ve had to start saying goodbye to different ministries. This past Thursday was the day my team and I had to tell the school goodbye.
It was a day full of celebration, as we were having a Christmas party.
As I began to say my goodbyes, each child in my class came up to me with cards & hugged me tightly.
I’m not normally a crier, and had no intentions of crying, until I received this card in particular from this student.
Songha wrote
“ thank you Jesus for coming into my heart. I believe that you died and rose again. I love you”
This is a sweet, kind, boy, who has over the past couple months asked questions such as, “ what is prayer? “ “ how can I pray?” “ what is a proverbs” ( when we learned proverbs 3:5-6)
I will be honest & transparent in saying that when I received this card, immediately the tears came flowing down my cheeks. I was weeping for joy!
My first ever time teaching at “ New dream” I taught on John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
We talked about things that can help us grow into a beautiful flower, and how living life with the Lord produces eternal life. I asked them practical things we need to grow, and shared with them the spiritual nutrients we need to grow.
Looking back at my time with these children, I visibly can see the spiritual soil that was planted, and I see the goodness it’s produced.
Thank you Father for using me as a messenger for your kingdom.
Goodbyes are hard, and I will Hold these kids in my heart forever. Until we meet again in eternity! What a special day that will be!!!
