the journey...

In less than a week, I will be setting out on an incredible journey, certainly the most daring adventure of my life thus far (though I am sure there will be even more daring adventures in the future!). On October 31st, I will be boarding an airplane with a couple suitcases thrown into the baggage compartment, a backpack on my shoulders, and a heart that is burning to change the world with the love of Christ. I will first be heading to Brisbane, Australia, to engage in some training where I will learn (as best one can) about how to minister to and work with victims of child trafficking. After three and a half weeks, I will travel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I am pretty sure that my heart has preceded me in arriving there. Over the past few years, I have done a lot of research, read a lot of books, seen a lot of pictures, and cried a lot of tears for the nation of Cambodia and her beautiful people. When I began learning of the widespread sale of young girls into forced prostitution in Southeast Asia, it felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest. I simply could not believe the injustice these young girls faced. Matthew 9:36 says, "But when He (Jesus) saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." This is exactly how I felt about these beautiful young girls whose innocence was being stolen. I am moved with compassion for them. God has steadily increased my heart to make a difference in this area of the world and to do whatever I can, to make a difference any way that I can. So, when the opportunity arose for me to be able to volunteer with SHE Rescue Home in Phnom Penh, I jumped at the chance! I had been saving my pennies for just such an opportunity as this one. So, late last spring I embarked on a quest to make this volunteer experience a reality. Along the way God has sent so many confirmations to me to let me know that this is exactly the road He wants me to be traveling at this time. The complete peace I have felt through the entire process has been simply amazing and can be explained through nothing but the absolute sovereignty and grace of God. Proverbs 16:9 says, "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." It truly is my heart to reach out to the world, but the Lord has certainly directed my steps as I sought His direction and earnestly prayed for His provision. He has provided so far above and beyond what I could have imagined and in ways that I had never even considered (such as free shampoo and conditioner from my hairdresser and an extra bonus at work to name just a few!). It has been such a blessing just to be able to step back and see how God is moving and working in my own heart and the hearts of others!

Though I know I am completely unqualified, I am excited to be able to work for the Lord in this way. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says, "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is mad perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." I am counting on Christ to do great things in spite of me. I am well aware that I am going to be made uncomfortable and will feel out of place in an unfamiliar land, but I know that in my greatest weakness God is most able to use me. I have to be completely dependent upon Him. I have no choice, and even if I did, there is no better choice but to completely surrender everything to Him who holds the world in the palm of His hands, who knows the beginning from the end.

I am not entirely sure what my duties at SHE will entail. I have a rough idea of what I will be doing, but everything is subject to change based on what needs to be done. Blessed are the flexible! But, to give you an idea, I will likely be teaching some English to the girls and Cambodian staff, planning crafts and other activities for the girls, doing basic household chores, helping to de-louse the girls regularly, and helping to supervise the daily activities in the home. There are currently 18 girls in the home, ranging in age from 3 to 16. I am so excited to meet them, and my prayer is that I will be able to bond with them quickly!

As of now, I am simply asking for your prayers as I prepare for the journey ahead of me. I am planning to update this blog as often as I am able and will hopefully be including pictures periodically. I am inviting you to go on this adventure with me because I know that together we truly can bring real and lasting change to the world. Will you come with me?