Day 59, Esther

     This morning we were able to sleep in until the constant thunder kept us up. It was a rainy day in Singapore, so we couldn't go with Sylvia to help with her prostitution outreach. As you would imagine, the prostitutes aren't always in their usual spots on the street when the weather is bad. So hopefully we will have another opportunity to go with her before we leave.

    Since Jenn and Bliss had a few errands to run, I tagged along with them. We may up with Cynthia and we all spent the afternoon together.

     But the highlight of my day was my daily bible reading. We have finallllly made it to my favorite bible story: Esther. Seriously, I love this girl. I want to be her best friend in heaven.  She. Is. Fabulous! I have read One Night With The King a few years back, and ever since then she has been really high on my awesome list! Cool girl for sure. So selfless putting her life on the line to save her people. Fabulous. Fabulous!

 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about how fabulous she is, or if you just want a good book to read. Shout out to my sweet mom for giving me the book! :)  I couldn't put it down. 

Day 58, Youth Night

     Today in class, we talked more on spiritual authority. If you want your own ministry, sow into another mans. Don't push your vision on them while serving, but serve with obedience. Vision within a vision is division. The extent you sow into anther mans ministry is the extent that will be sown into yours. The concept of what you sow is what you reap applies for all areas of your life, not just finances as it is often associated with. 

     Serving in His kingdom is so important! Jesus came not to be served (and He was a king), but to serve others. Don't ever be too proud to serve. Don't feel appreciated or get ample recognition for your hard work and dedication? That's okay. Jesus wasn't appreciated. Don't complain because great is your reward in heaven. Leave your pride at the door. The word says that we must decrease so that He can increase. The way we move up in the kingdom is by going down.

     Another thing we learned about what the purpose of saving souls. We aren't saving souls for ourselves, but for those souls to save other souls (pay it forward). When you save souls, don't look at them as just people, but as future apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers! These people need someone to believe in them and disciple them so they can fulfill the work of The Lord. And discipleship is easy, it is simply time with one. Give them your time and they will rise up to be great people in The Lord. Believe in them! After all, what is the point of wasting time on someone/ something you don't believe in?

     All of this is so much, but all the truth. Something I just wanted to share because I feel these are a few concepts I struggle with, especially not feeling appreciated. But who cares? My reward will never be here on the earth, but in heaven. Just another stone to add to my crown in heaven! 

     Pastor Paul came back for Round 2 of counseling sessions. We paired off in groups and went through counseling sessions in front of the class on microphones, then took turns counseling each other around the classroom. Very fun and very educating! 

     After class was Fridays Youth that Ben and Anne lead (they seriously are awesome!). The kids love them and are so eager to learn! Today Gulia came to share her testimony of converting to Christianity from Muslim and her persecution with the youth. They were sooooo attentive, especially since 3 of the youths have Muslims parents. Afterwards she prayed for each youth and really had time to get to know them. The kids loved it! 

Oreos and Spider Man before youth! 

 

John loves to take pictures!

Day 57

     Today in class we talked about spiritual authority. One of my favorite quotes of Stevens is that "You are what you behold". How true is that! We talked about always submitting to your authority regardless if you agree or not. The Word says to always submit. 

     After lunch, Pastor Paul of Church Alive Ministries (who Steven works hand in hand with) took over class and we learned about counseling. Pastor Paul is a certified counselor who has been counseling for yours. We talked about the difference between counseling Christians, and those who aren't. My favorite thing we learned is the PADI method:

P- Problem identification 

A- Attempted solutions 

D- Desired changes 

I- Implementation

   We broke up into pairs and practiced our counseling on one other. It's always great to put into action what you learn. You also remember things easier when you do them. 

     Once I got home and finished my bible reading, I was able to Skype with my mom. We have Skyped the last 3 days since she has been at the beach, but she is going home today which means less free time to Skype. But that's okay. Love her! She asked me about all the foods I am craving, and most are all things that she cooks! ;) I sure hope I will get to eat good when I get back! 

Day 56

     So this morning started off a little rocky. Woke up not feeling well at all. After finally getting off the bus, I went to the grocery store across from school to get crackers and Pepsi since that always makes me feel better. Just as class started, I began feeling much better. 

Crackers, Pesi, and Pepto; breakfast of champions!

     Today in class we learned about the healing power, how perfect! We learned the 3 key components to maintaining a healthy life: eat properly, exercise, and get good rest. Seems so simple but those are things that are so easy to put to the side in the busy lives we live these days. But any lack of these will eventually result in sickness, and then who really has time to be sick. Also so basic, but we broke down the concept that sickness comes from sin, and healing is from God. Jesus died on the cross so that we don't have to live in sickness, pain, and disease. But we must claim it for ourselves! "By His stripes I am healed!" 

     We learned some more Bahasa. It is very easy, especially the numbers which is what we learned today. If you can memorize 1-10, and how to say the word hundred and thousand, than you can count to 999,999. All from learning less than 15 words. Super easy! 

    I think I have decided to choose Indonesia as my country of choice. Please keep me in prayer that I am going to the right country doing His work. I want only His perfect will and where He wants me to go. He knows my strengths and talents, and where I can utilize them to the fullest. 

Day 55

    First day back at class in Singapore was not a disappointment. We covered one of my favorite passages in the Bible, James 1:12-18. My favorite verse, verse12, says "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

• This verse does not say we must pass the test, but it says we must withstand and endure it. What a perspective. We just must be willing to take the test! 
• Enduring = Approval (if you endure, you will pass and therefore receive the crown of life) 

   In our last hour of class, Steven taught us some Bahasa Indonesia/ Melayu to prepare us for our trip to Malaysia next week. Bahasa and Melayu are almost identical, so we learned variations of both. This is the easiest language to learn (next to Swahilee) because of the omission of unnecessary words (like: the, a, an, to, etc). You literally say the subject + verb + object. Super easy. If you know the basic words in a sentence, you cannot screw it up. The order they are said in doesn't matter. That is a relief since learning some of a new language in such short notice can be overwhelming.

    Also, we learned that we will have the last week reserved for us each to go into a foreign nation of our choosing to practice what we have learned. I cannot decide between Indonesia or Philippines. Please be in prayer that the Lord shows me the right place to go, the place that He knows I will make the most difference and I will grow the most.

     After class, we came home to do our bible reading and outline. Before bed, I was able to Skype with my mom. I miss her like crazy! Cant wait to come home to see her. I also got to talk with Mrs. Kitty and together they encouraged me on my decision to listen to the Lord and that He will lead me to the right nation. They also reminded me of a great scripture: "Do not worry about anything. But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus".  Philippians 4:6-7

"Selamat malam anda semua!"

(Goodnight y'all!)

Day 54, Back in Singapore

     So today we left Cambodia to come back to Singapore. Such a sad day for me. I will admit I cried as the plane was taking of. It was such a rush of emotions, emotions I didn't even realize were inside of me.
    We grabbed breakfast with Meygan downstairs at Alma before saying our goodbyes to her. It was so hard to leave her. I am so proud of her for what she is doing, but am so sad. Not only did we comfort her when we came (as old friends coming see her as she is living her life here in Cambodia as a missionary for the past 5 months), but she comforted us even more. From the first day, she made us feel at home. She cooked for us, took us around town, showed us her favorite spots to eat, movie nights at her house, etc. She is awesome!

     We landed in Singapore, and the first thing we did (so typical of us Americans) was eat at McDonalds! We just went 1 month with no McDonalds! And was it good!!!!!!!

     We took a big van back home, unpacked, and got ourselves situated in our rooms again. Such a busy day! But more than busy, it was emotional. I will forever be connected with Cambodia, it is a country that stole my heart.

• I am sad I will not be riding tuk-tuk's everywhere.
• I am sad San will not be our tuk-tuk driver anymore.
• I am sad I will not see the locals anymore.
• I am sad I will not eat street food from the sketchy looking vendors on the side of the road anymore.
• I am sad I will not shop at our favorite spots anymore.
• I am sad I will not eat at our favorite restaurant (Barn Barn) down the street anymore, we have become regulars and the lady even knows what we order and how we like it.
• And I am even sad I wont smell the stench in the air, the dirty bodies passing me, the unending dust in the air, the chaotic traffic with moto's almost running you over, the shoeless kids walking down the road, etc.

     Some of those sound horrible, but those are truly the things that make Cambodia what it is. The reasons I am so sad to leave. I will forever be connected with this country, whether it be me moving here if the Lord tells me to, or financially supporting missionaries here. I can't wait to see Cambodia saved and on fire for Jesus. It is only a matter of time!

My sad "I don't want to leave" face 

Good bye Cambodia.

As the children say "SEE YOU WHEN I SEE YOU!"

Day 53, last day in Cambodia

     So today was a little emotional for me. It was our last full day in Cambodia, we fly out tomorrow.

 
  We started our day at church. It was so hard to leave and tell everyone goodbye. These are the people who embraced us and welcomed us into their close knit community, who cared for us and made us feel at home while we were here. In addition to telling them bye, I had to tell the children goodbye. It was so hard, and I must admit I cried a little. Waving goodbye to those kids not knowing when I will see them again, if ever, was so hard. As one little girl said "see you when I see you". So sweet. 

Me & Bee

Me & Sreynit

Children Of Hope kids 

Waving bye to them!

     After saying our goodbyes, we went to grab lunch at Mike's Burger. He is a Khmer guy who lived in California for 30 years, so he knows how to do a true American burger! Delicious! 

 

 As we were leaving, we decided to buy our faithful tuk-tuk driver, San, a burger. He has been our main driver throughout our entire stay, losing out on work to stay faithful to us and wait on us as we needed. He is a disciple of Jeremy Fontenot, therefore wants to serve us as Christians in any way he can. What a sweet guy!

 

A few sights we saw on the way home. 

LSU! 

 

Alive pigs! Poor little things!

 

It's prime minister election time here in Cambodia! It's a huge deal here! They have huge lavish parades daily along with motorcycle rides with their flags and lots of cheering and shouting!

 

    After doing a little window shopping in a few stores, we headed home to start packing. Francel and Natasha decided to cook dinner for all of us to show their appreciation for our help watching the children while here. They cooked us curry chicken and we had a great time of fellowship. Meygan and Jeremy & Danielle Fontenot came to dinner as well to tell us goodbye.

Day 52

     So today I got to catch up on some much needed sleep! Slept until 10:45. Worked on some crafts for the cafe downstairs. Lunch. Hour and a half nap. And more crafts. Thank you Lord for sleep! 

     After crafts, we ran to the Russian Market. Bliss wanted to buy a few things for one of the kids in the slums who she had a close connection with, so sweet. I bought some more anklets, I love them! It's a missionary thing here, they all wear them! And they are so cute! How often can you get away with wearing 7 bright anklets? :) 

     Then we went over to our favorite coffee shop, Xotique, for some bible reading and dinner with Meygan. This is one of the few places we can go and escape from the realities of Cambodia. The workers know us and it feels like home! 

     One month from today I will be on a plane coming back home. So many mixed feelings, and I still have 4 weeks left! My prayer is that The Lord makes clear what He would have me do once returning home, and for my future. I only want His perfect will to be done. 

Day 51

     Today in class, we finished biblical family life. We wrapped up on the children then He prayed over us to find the right spouse and to be fully equipped to raise godly children, they will be the next generation. Two great things I learned:

    1. There is no such thing as bad children, only bad parents.

    2. The family that prays together stays together (so cliché but so true).

After class we met up with Meygan for some girl time! Last weekend here! How time is flying! We went to Lone Star, not the chain but was very good! It was very Texas-y! Cute and delicious! 

Live chickens hooked to the moto! Poor things!

They sell 4 different Tabasco's here! 

     After lunch we went back to Megan's house to meet her new kitties! So sweet. I am not a cat person but I am missing my Chloe so much, these cats are the next best thing! I took a nap with Boudreaux! He was very cuddly! 

     We made homemade chocolate chip cookies then had pizza for dinner! Yum! We watched The Impossible, a movie about the tsunami that happened in Thailand in 2004. Good movie, but I would have to put it on the Do Not Watch List! I need more definite closure at the end of movies. I like clear endings! This is our last weekend in Cambodia. So bittersweet! I will miss this country, especially the people I have had the pleasure of meeting. They have all touched my lives, but I am ready to move on to Malaysia and see what God has in store for us there!

Day 50

     Today we continued on the biblical family. We talked about the role of children, and how to properly raise them. Sasi had a beautiful vision I just want to share about children. She said that we go to the slums, and initially we don't want to get near the children.  The kids are filthy dirty, stinky, infested with lice. With Jesus, we are those slum kids who live in the dump. We are stinky and filthy and have bugs on our skin. But Jesus is there with open arms just waiting for us to run to Him. He just wants to take us in his arms, clean us up, and make us white as snow. How beautiful is that!

     After class, we went to a missionary prayer group with all of the local female missionaries associated with Water of Life Church, which is what we are affiliated with. Great time! We had intimate time of praise and worship (new favorite worship song: You Won't Relent) then Gulia shared her testimony about how she was saved in Tajikistan and the endless physical torture and persecution her family faced for 8 years. Though I had heard it before, I cried just as much again. To think: I suffer no persecution. Nothing. Nothing for loving Jesus. Nothing for saying His name. Nothing for sharing His word.   And here she is, who has absolute persecution to the point of physical torture. Yet she would not denounce the name of Jesus. She continued sharing His word.  What a lesson. That lit in fresh spark beneath me and all of the ladies there. Truly what an incredible testimony!

     After prayer time, I went over to Children of Hope to watch the 30 kids. The boys played in the rain and the girls read upstairs stories. Love time with them. I truly am in such awe at how Catherine does it. How she mothers all 30 children, how she treats each one of them so special, making them each feel like they are the only one that matters. How she is fair and just, and teaches them to serve Jesus 100%, that nothing is possible without Him. And she is just 26! It is sweet to listen to them. They together sing worship songs all the time. Playing outside, singing. Walking down the stairs, singing. Eating dinner, singing. Sweetest thing ever. I cant wait to see what these kids do for Jesus!

 

 They love doing tricks and having their pictures taken!

 

 Boys playing in the rain

 Beautiful colors of the sky

Day 49

   Today was very busy! Class was great! We learned about being the best woman of God you can be. We broke down the Proverbs 31 woman, and the 9 steps to follow if you want to be successful!

          1. Trustworthy

          2. Works hard in the home

          3. Works to prosper the family

          4. Stretches out her hand to the poor and needy

          5. Clothes her family

          6. Honors her husband

          7. Wise

          8. Receives honor

          9. Puts God first

    Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised!"

  For lunch, we went to an Indonesian restaurant. It was very cute! The food was..... interesting. It was nothing like I was expecting. Lots of flavors for sure, especially lemon grass and chili's.

How cool, this tree holding up the roof!

     After class, me and Bliss went grab a few things we needed, then came back home for a nap. After we woke up, I read my Bible reading before heading out to dinner with who was left at home. We went to Jars of Clay, another restaurant concept like Alma Café is. Great supporting local Christian businesses that concentrate on getting girls off the street!

*No I am not mad in this picture, just highly concentrated on my reading!

 

 Khmer magazine to read while waiting

Spinach and feta lasagna!