A Lesson in Humility

I'm taking you all the way back to our team's arrival on July 12 at around 11pm in Phnom Penh. CGI's awesome Director of Operations, Theary (pronunced like we say 'Terry'), met us at the airport along with Chris Alexander. Theary is also our translator from Khmer to English and vice versa. Her husband is (or was?) a French amabassador and so we received the royal treatment! We were ushered right through customs without having to stop and wait in any lines. This was a big deal, especially when you are tired from 28+ hours of travel.

After we all found our luggage (and YES, it was all there - even with 3 plane changes - thank you, Lord), we headed for the van which would take us to our hotel. As we walked outside, we were bombarded by 13 beautiful, smiling "Daughters" who greeted us with huge hugs and beautiful flowers - much like Hawaiian leis. Not only this, but they quickly grabbed our luggage from us - and it was clear that it would be an insult to deny them this "privilege". Keep in mind - most of these girls are 12-16 years old!! Talk about a lesson in humility.

On the walk to the van, the girls practiced their English skills by asking, "What is your name?" And then answering the same with, "My name is.." It was a sweet sound in my ears to hear them saying, "Linda? Linda?" (Think Leenda..)And then all of us get very excited when we pronounce each others' name right - or at least close enough!

I can't fully describe what it's like to spend time with these precious girls, after all they have been through in their young lives, and they are so incredibly happy and open and loving. God is truly Jehovah-Rapha; our Healer. Praise you, Lord. There is none like you.

Jesus - Name Above All Names

The following is a compilation of my own thoughts, and some from Chris Alexander, president of CGI, who is leading us on our trip here in Cambodia.

For the past two mornings, I have been awakened by a loudspeaker somewhere behind the hotel that is broadcasting the news of someone's death. It is difficult to explain in writing. The sound can literally be heard for miles and it goes on from dawn until after dark! I even held the phone out the first morning I was here for Mick and the kids to hear it - and they could hear it with no problem.

Chris's thoughts: It is a mournful song. It is also a chant. Mostly, I guess, it is sad and in a way epitomizes what it means to die in this place. It reminds me that this is a country where the vast majority of people are Buddhist. It also reminds me that this is a country where for most people there is little to fill life with hope. Karma is unforgiving and leaves no room for grace. The chant speaks to the end of life. It sings of a destiny that we all share but here there is always something missing..

Jesus.

As you read this, would you please take just a moment to pray for the people of the Kingdom of Cambodia? Pray specifically for the Good News of what God has done for all people through the gift of his Son to spread like wildfire through this land. Pray that their sadness will one day turn to joy as they share with us in the hope of eternal life!

If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.

Be still my heart - I am in Cambodia!

I've been in Cambodia for less than 48 hours and I've already experienced so much that it's hard to know what to say. I have a feeling I'll be processing the impact of this trip long after I'm back in good ol' Indiana.

Yesterday, we visited a local school. Over 400 children came walking out of classrooms to greet us - and it didn't take long for them to RUN to hug us and want to play with us. Most of our team was in a large circle with many, many children. But I had the joy of spending time in a SMALL circle of about 8 boys and girls.

A couple of the girls - Palip and Nemeth - spoke pretty good English and I asked them if they all could sing a song for me. They said, "Yes!" And Nemeth said to me, "Are you Chrees-tian? Chrees-tian?" And I said, "Yes! I'm a Christian." And she was so excited - and asked, "Jesus Loves Me?" So these sweet school children sang Jesus Loves Me with motions and all - and I got it on video!

Palip is also part of a community kids program that two CGI interns (Ashton and Clarissa) have had going this summer, so I got to see her in the afternoon as well. About 40 kids came to play games and we helped them make tie dye shirts (is that how you spell tie dye?).. anyway, the kids would come to each station we had set up and we would say, "Hello. What is your name?" And they would tell us in English, "My name is...". They are all incredibly sweet and enjoy practicing their English skills with us.

That is a very SMALL glimpse of what has happened since I've been here. Good thing I'm journaling (thanks, Paulette!) because I'm afraid I wouldn't remember half of what we've done. We stay VERY busy and today will be no exception, so I better get going.

A verse that has been in my mind since standing in my driveway with Mick on Monday morning at 4am, is this:

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.

It's night time in Indiana - the sun has set, but I am just starting my day here in Phnom Penh - the sun has risen. And I will be praising the Lord all through the day. I covet your prayers for me and my team.

Saying Goodbye... for now.

Back in February, I began this blog. But it was in April of 2010 that my heart was captured by Cambodia. And even though I haven't been there yet, it feels like my heart is already there - hence the title: I left my heart in.. Cambodia.

But today, it feels more like I am leaving my heart in Indianapolis. Below is a series of pictures with each precious member of my family whom I love and will miss dearly. I will be praying for each of you daily - and I picked out a specific scripture to pray for you, as well.

I love you! Linda/Mom

Mick: May the Lord crown your year with a bountiful harvest; so that even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. - Psalm 65:11 God has been good to you! I am so proud of the man you have become and I know that God will continue to make our "hard pathways" overflow with His abundance.

Jensen: May you consider your life as worth nothing to you unless you use it for finishing the work assigned to you by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. - Acts 20:24 God has poured out His grace on you. Soak it in daily - and go and share it with others!

Jordan: I pray that you will not be ashamed of the Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes! - Romans 1:19 Loving Christ is the most important thing you will ever do in life - giving you more joy than you can imagine.

Noelle: I pray that you will always be strong in the Lord. Let nothing move you away from your faith! Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. - 1 Corinthians 15:58 God has great plans to use you for His kingdom. Seek Him, love Him, be like Him and He will show you those plans! You are so precious in His sight - and mine.

Ben: The LORD is your light and your salvation; Whom shall you fear? The LORD is the strength of your life; Of whom shall you be afraid? - Psalm 27:1 No matter what happens in life, God is ALWAYS with you and you can always trust in Him.

Lauren: I pray that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. And that you will love others! - Luke 10:27 Jesus loves you so much and He want you to tell others about how much He loves them, too. God will use you to bring much healing and joy to hurting people in this world.

A Broken and Contrite Heart

I was recently talking with a dear friend about my upcoming trip to Cambodia and as we talked, she realized something and said, "God's going to break your heart." Knowing she was right as I'd been feeling this very thing stirring inside me, I immediately responded with, "I need it." And our eyes filled with tears.

I don't want to go through life without passion and purpose. Jesus deserves so much more than that. I love Him!! But I want to love Him more.. and more.. and more.

I cannot tell you how thankful and humbled I am for the financial support that so quickly came my way - from family, friends, and even STRANGERS!!! Each and every one of you is a part of what God is going to do through me and TO ME in Cambodia. So THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your love, compassion, and prayers.

Speaking of prayers - our team could use all the prayers we can get. We know that God is already preparing specific encounters with specific people and we want to be so filled the with Holy Spirit that we don't miss a beat - and we don't miss a single God-ordained opportunity.

I hope you will "join me" in Cambodia in just over a week. I'll do my best to update the blog a few times while I'm there and include some photos if possible. I can't wait to see what God has planned!

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. - Psalm 51:17