More then what I can write has happened since that hot day in September. I will try and summarize the best I know how.
As soon as I got back, I felt like I had just woken up from a wonderfully, beautiful dream put back into reality (maybe even a false reality)! Because I know this world in America soooo well, yet the Khmer world is so familiar to me! I can close my eyes and I am right back there on the street of Phnom Penh, or in the province of Takeo....
I was almost in constant motion the moment I got home for close to 3-4 weeks, so I've hardly had time to reflect or process that I am NOT there anymore.
There is simply too many details to fill in on what went down the last 3 months or so that I was in Cambodia.
Because God made it so that I stayed there 2 extra months I had a few very Divine appointments with people that have blessed my socks off!
I was almost in constant motion the moment I got home for close to 3-4 weeks, so I've hardly had time to reflect or process that I am NOT there anymore.
There is simply too many details to fill in on what went down the last 3 months or so that I was in Cambodia.
Because God made it so that I stayed there 2 extra months I had a few very Divine appointments with people that have blessed my socks off!
To name a few, there is my Mum Gail from Australia that has been here for me (on Facebook;) while I transition back into this modern culture (I knew her before, but not very well).
Then there is Ted & Caroline, Cindy, and Chad from the USA who's heart were really burdened for the ministries that Sothea is doing in Takeo (the Rice Field Church (RFC) and the school) and Sothea himself.
I think of when Paul says several times that he was so happy because one of his brothers in Christ had the same heart for a certain church and it made him so happy (2 Corinthians)! I feel the same with Ted & Caroline, and Chad! They have blessed my heart so much!!!
Cindy spent quite a few years on the mission field herself so she was able to encourage us in particular ways because she's been through it too. I pray God will continue to bless her beyond what she can imagine!!!
Then there is Laura, <3 I can't remember what month it was that I met her, but she is just a few streets down from me with a different organization. God started to knit our hearts together from that first time that we met at Water of Life !! She was able to accompany me out to Takeo one of the times I went out there in (I think) September and she also fell in love with it !! I felt so comfortable with her out there and felt she fit in like she had always been there! GOD is sO gOOd !!
Honestly, I never wanted to really come home (knowing that I didn't have a plan to go back, that it wasn't just a VISIT home). I wanted to come home to visit, but not to live.
I don't want the white-picket-fence-American-dream-life....
My heart is deceitful above all else the Bible says, so I must trust that He will guide me if I stay in His Word with a WILLING heart to follow hard after Him and do what He has put in front of me. I have been praying hard about what I am supposed to do while I'm here (and not miss that!). I have no doubt but am convinced that God has a specific reason that He brought me home.
I really want to move back to Cambodia until God tells me otherwise...right now, I'd love to go back within this next year (2012), but I honestly don't know how that all works out right now. Just praying and seeking Him.
I miss Cambodia very much, the way of life there, I miss Water of Life and all that are there, I miss Sothea and Nget and their students, and landlord and his family. There are so many in needs around this world, who NEED the Hope of Jesus Christ to save their hungry/thirsty souls (they are hungry for Jesus though they may not know it) !!
I really want to move back to Cambodia until God tells me otherwise...right now, I'd love to go back within this next year (2012), but I honestly don't know how that all works out right now. Just praying and seeking Him.
I miss Cambodia very much, the way of life there, I miss Water of Life and all that are there, I miss Sothea and Nget and their students, and landlord and his family. There are so many in needs around this world, who NEED the Hope of Jesus Christ to save their hungry/thirsty souls (they are hungry for Jesus though they may not know it) !!
but I am content where I am here, because GOD has me here and not there for now.
I never, ever want to fall away from His beautiful Feet and Word! I want to be constantly offering praise to His glorious name !!
<3 Jesus Christ is all I can live for, without Him, I have no purpose whatsoever !! <3
<3 He IS my life !! <3
May God bless you all more and more with the awareness of His presence in your lives! =)
Love,
I never, ever want to fall away from His beautiful Feet and Word! I want to be constantly offering praise to His glorious name !!
<3 Jesus Christ is all I can live for, without Him, I have no purpose whatsoever !! <3
<3 He IS my life !! <3
May God bless you all more and more with the awareness of His presence in your lives! =)
Love,
Lana Salisbury
