The final edition of things I’ve learned 🥹 It’s crazy that we’re here at the end of 6 countries already! Here are some things I’ve learned, and truths I’ve been reminded of, during our time in Cambodia.
- I am not the Savior. I am not anyone’s savior. Jesus alone can fill that role.
- Brokenness that leads us to the feet of Jesus is beautiful in the end (even if, in the meantime, beauty from ashes looks impossible)
- Khmer food is another addition to the long list of delicious food you can find in Asia. Lok lak is a highlight
- Camp for the sake of leading youth closer to Jesus is powerful wherever it happens, especially when it’s covered in prayer
- Weddings in villages last 3 days… and preparations start (at least from our experience) at 4:36am sharp when music starts blasting through the streets!
- Surrender only yields fruit if we truly give whatever it is to the Lord
- Leadership is love: choosing intentionality every day, regardless
- WiFi is both a gift and a detriment depending on your level of self-discipline! (Same with social media!)
- Once you reach a certain level of exhaustion, you just… keep going 😂
- Angkor Wat is a stunning archaeological feat, but also a landmark that can generate great sadness: it stands as another monumental representation of man trying to build their own way to God
- When you teach English at a basic level to non-English speakers, you end up over-pronouncing most of your words afterward 😂
- Khmer kids’ worship songs are really fun! (that might just be my opinion though, idk about the rest of the team – but at any rate some of those songs made it on my playlist now 😆)
- Homesickness can make any amount of time a turn into a countdown
- The people around you make or break a season
- Whatever shaking happens, God is still God through it all
- My best on my own is never enough, but that’s ok because it’s accurate – apart from Jesus we can do nothing (John 15:5). May our insufficiency drive us instead to the sufficiency of Christ.
- Cows and chickens roaming around are common pretty much everywhere except the States. Cambodia just adds more proof to this
- Worshiping the one true living God has power to directly impact the spiritual atmosphere, especially in places with heavy strongholds
- Every fire is not mine to put out, but I do get to take them all to the One who can and does (in His timing) put them out
- Followthrough is a choice when the going gets hard
- Church, and especially worship, is beautiful in every language and culture. Our Creator and Savior truly is the One who unites us all ❤️
- Fried rice is always a good option
- The way we live is a witness. Our responsibility is to recognize how powerful that is and to use that witness to intentionally point to the Lord.
- God is turning the tide toward Him in Cambodia – I’ve witnessed it and I’m believing for more to come!
- It’s easier to get distracted than stay focused, but progress and impact happen when we’re focused
- Agonizing over how fast time is passing makes it only go faster – and makes it harder to enjoy the moments you do have. Better in these moments to trust the process and the timeline the Lord has set, and so stay present where your feet are for as long as they’re there and as long as He leads you to do so.
- There is no replacement for time alone with God. Our relationship with Him cannot grow or be maintained if we don’t prioritize time with Him.
- Tuktuk rides are more often than not some sort of adventure 😂
- Rainy season means you’ll always be some degree of wet (feet especially), which is why sandals are essential
- Fasting can take us a lot deeper in our spiritual walk than we expect – even when our flesh REALLY doesn’t want to
- Our flesh can be loud and demanding, but whatever the Lord calls us to is truly always better, no matter how hard it is to believe in the moment of choosing. And there’s grace if we choose wrong.
- Community is a wonderful part of life and Christian living, but also something we need to fight for – to start and to continue in
- Our hope is not in our circumstances, people, events, or anything else of this world. The hope that is the anchor for our souls is JESUS.
- God is in every season, and has a plan for us through every start and end and middle
As I write this, our squad is currently in the airport getting ready to fly home from Asia! Please be praying for safe and smooth travels back to the States and for our time debriefing before the squad parts ways later this month! ❤️
Praying for safe travels and sweet time of community and reflection! Can’t wait to hug your neck and hear all about how God worked throughout these countries!
Thank you so much!! ❤️
Praying for safety and a smooth transition time as you travel 🩷🙏
Thank you, greatly appreciate it ❤️
What a beautiful list! One you’ll look back on for years to come – and continue to grow. Praying for safe travel, and also for grace with yourself to ‘feel what you feel’ as you re-acclimate to American culture. I’m sure it will be a mixed bag of thoughts and emotions. Praying God guides you through the next couple of months to a healthy new place. He still has such amazing things in store for you!! 💜
🥹 thank you so much for your kind words and prayers!! ❤️
Hi Rebekah. Amy forward this to me today. I’m part of her Cousins and Friends group, and she sometimes mentions your adventures when we’re together. I’m so glad to get this, and so very grateful for your powerful witness! All you write is so true and heartfelt. When I read your testimony and the heart-lessons you’ve learned so early in your adulthood, I can only wonder at the powerful things God has planned for you in your life! Many blessings to you, now on your way home, as you debrief, and in the future!
Oh my goodness, it touched my heart so much to read your kind message! Thank you so much for your encouragement, it’s a real blessing to me ❤️
wow, Becca, you are an amazing young woman and I have enjoyed reading the way that God is used you. I’ll be the last year. I look forward to hearing even more as you’re home and seeing how God will continue to use you and direct you.
Praying that God will guide and direct you in the future and show you clearly how much Jesus loves you❤️🙏🏼
Thank you so much! 🥹❤️ I look forward to sharing more when I’m back and seeing more of God’s plan unfold as well!
Rebekah,
Thank you so much for sharing your adventures. What a fantastic experience you have been given that will be with you forever. Safe travels home, I know your parents are excited to have you back!
Heather
Thank you so much for reading and so joining me in them! 😊❤️