Deep end.

Imagine a little kid just learning to swim. They begin in a separate pool than goes no higher than their knees, if that. As they grow older they go to the big kid’s pool but are still wearing floaties. As time goes by they are now a big kid and have mastered all depths of water and can even brace the diving board. They are comfortable swimmers now. 

Now that kid can be in the deep end any time they choose to be. In the deep end they can tread water, do tricks off the side into the water, or of course be the masters of the diving board. The diving board can become a game as they dive and swim to reach the bottom. One other option for this now "professional" swimmer is to stay in the shallow end. Even with full access to the deep end they can choose to stay in the shallow, to bother the little kids or just because they are tired of the deep end. The shallow end requires less effort now that they are tall enough to stay standing. They could easily prefer the comfort.

This is the image of the Christian today. Even with all the access to the things that God has, they still choose to stay comfortable. Either to bother (judge) new believers or because it requires less effort than to fully commit to going deeper. 

Even after committing to Christ. People prefer to stay in this comfort even with full access to greater things.

For the past three days I have helped boys and girls of many ages build their own school. From porting sand form one location to another to shoveling until my hands blistered, and then some more, I have ignited my access to the kingdom and gone a little bit deeper. 

I have seen, 

Shraylin,
Shrayby,
Somnong,
Tnog,
Benya, 
Lito, 
Vetbol,
David,
Shraynite,
Shraypin,
Shrayhi,
Shrankin, 
Shrayliat, 
Shrayliam,
Comian,
Wisa,
Bunlao,
Buntun,
Mol,
And Bunla, 

Considering it much joy as they work through the hot sun. Their wear excitement as if it were the first thing they put on in the morning. They can't leave the house without it or their smiles that they leave on all day. 

The village sees them as kids building their school. 
I see them as kids building the kingdom. 
The village sees them as kids who are finally going to be educated. 
I see them as kids who are going to educate the village. 
The village sees them as working hard. 
I see them as we servants willing to do whatever it takes. 
The village sees them as kids who need to be taken care of. 
I see them as kids who are sheep and the true Shepard died for them. And He would do it again. 

These past three days with the most wonderful children I have truly seen a love that knows no end. A love that rings loud and proclaims "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." The Lord declares this to them.

Going deeper requires trusting that the Lord says "For I know." 

I saw that today. I saw that Jesus knows His plans for each one of these children. And as they wear there trendy excitement and smiles they are yet to know the best that is ahead. Oh but I know. I know that the Lord has a unique plan for each one of these children.  

It is all joy to be a part of Cambodian Care as they begin to build their very first school. This school is right in the middle of one of the poorest villages in Cambodia. Houses overlap one another. Stray dogs roam the area to fend for food in the trash. Trash is everywhere. The lucky kids are sent miles away in the morning to walk to school. While the rest stay home and are introduced to the gambling that goes on in almost every other house. 

Registered for this new school is 200 students. This includes children who have NEVER gone to school before as well as students who will no longer have to take a trek to school. All ages. 200 students.  

The school that is coming will be the kid’s safe haven. As they have worked these past days they don't venture to far from the make shift shelter. The school is (will be) a concrete floor with a strong roof held up by wood. The construction will be completed in the middle of October and the school will open at the beginning of November.

Cambodian Care has a remarkable vision to open 2 schools every six months in the poorest areas of Cambodia. The school at this village is one of two that have become the launch of this ministry. The vision goes beyond just building schools in villages. They as well want to have church plants, discipleship training for teens, and thriving businesses. Needless to say they want to take the gospel to the poorest areas of Cambodia. They want to give hope to children, teens, and adults. They trust that entire families will come to find Jesus more than worth it. 

"I really can't wait to get into these communities and see people changed. There might be other organizations out there who are doing good things, but no one is bringing the gospel to these people. And that is the most important." -Koy Chimm (Cambodian Care founder)

The deep end may be take a little more effort, but it is worth it. For the 200 kids and the many more that will be impacted in Cambodia, it is worth it. And as the deep end always is, a whole lot more exciting.

Humbled.

I like the rain. Rainy nights make for sound sleep, and rainy days make for sweet reads. It is all too good that Cambodia’s whether does not deprive me of such luxury. 30 days in this poor country and it has quite possibly rained 19 out of all the days I have been here. I sat outside one night underneath a limited awning, and I enjoyed the rain. I enjoyed the fresh smell, the small droplets that brushed my skin, and the excitement of the future rains to come.

Cambodia is poverty stricken, and that can be accredited to the Khmer Rouge that reigned in power from 1975 to 1979. With skewed morals they valued execution, starvation, disease, and forced labor. The results were catastrophic as they killed over a fourth of the country’s population. All to achieve one goal, to rid the country of all the educated, or anyone who could raise up a rebellion.  

The country is still recovering. Remnants from those lost years still pang this nation. Families who can’t afford even the necessities sell their daughters to a lifelong career in prostitution. Ice, crystal meth, and glue are found on every street corner. You can find these drugs being sold by adults and most often used by children. Education is not offered to anyone who can’t afford it. Much of the streets are filled with children, as young as four, hovering over cars to sell food to anyone, everyone. Their eyes reveal a desperation, a sincere need for help.

The buildings that are most attractive from the outside are the clubs and the government buildings. Of course, the colorful  Buddhist temples are as well attractive and extremely impossible to miss. Most other buildings are dirt filled, cheap walls, no door, falling apart, occupied by families upon families upon families. Naked babies roam every street. Dirt is delicately swept off dirt onto dirt. The smell of trash and the worst bowel movements combine to create the most unique scent. The abundant rain causes intense flooding, that their cheap walls are sure not to withstand.

The abundant rain. “You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance. Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.” (Psalm 68:9-10)  

Hope, that much of the country is missing, personifies the excitement inside of me. The future rains are ones of free education, job opportunities, life coaching, simple everyday hygiene tips, and the tangible gospel of Jesus Christ.

Rains that drive missionaries, pastors, and all Christian organizations to proclaim; “now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation,” (2 Corinthians 6:2) every single day. A small spark that will lead this nation into revival and catch on like wildfire. Rains that will have this nation believing and confessing that Jesus is the one True God. I see a nation that is thankful for the cross and dedicated to spreading that news.

Overview: Undefeated, All Powerful, Soveriegn.

Today, it is almost a month that I traveled 8,549 nautical miles away from home. It is still an adjustment as I don't have much responsibility or routine in my life yet. I ride throughout Cambodia with lots of time to think about God and all of the things that have me humbled here in Cambodia. Away from home, I have welcomed such things into my life.

I have a deeper love for the widowed, poor, and orphaned. The list of orphans names who have won my heart could go on and on. Panna is 10. Her quiet, kind-hearted spirit made it difficult to gain her conversation. One day, this beautiful 10 year old protected me with a punch to the little boy that wanted to wrestle me. That is all it took to initiate a friendship with her. Panna is a true friend, as I have seen her do the same to protect those closest to her. We have enjoyed looking at fashion magazines, climbing trees, and art in the dirt together. Panna and her brother were brought to "Teen Challenge Women's Center," with no contact to their parents or other siblings. She misses her sister. It is just her and her brother. Oh I love Panna.

                                                   

Kloy is funny. At fourteen, his sarcastic humor makes it easy to joke with him. Our own rendition, of the very westernized, "Shame, shame, shame," hand game, built a solid friendship. Just a few months ago his sister, who lived at the women's center, was the only family he had left. I met her son David, at the women's center. After she gave birth to David, she died. David, who is 7 months old is the only family that Kloy knows is alive, and he never even sees David, his nephew. Oh I love Kloy.

Ruen acted shy last time I saw him, but that is far from the adjective I would use for him. At nine years old he knows English better than most of the elders. "Fart," is in his vocabulary, oh he knows English very well. He is a leader at nine, but without much discipline he will never know that. I have hope for Ruen. Oh I love Ruen.
                                          

Va, Rawei, Seyha, James, Audrey, Emmanuel, Precious, Gibby, the list could not possibly fit. From Asia, to remembering those is Africa, all of these children have a piece of my heart and my truest prayers for God's best in their lives.

I don't know as much as God knows. I went to Vietnam. That's two Asian countries I can mark off my list. Upon coming to Cambodia my visa only lasted 30 days. I had to extend my stay by getting a business visa so I could stay for four months. Immigration office was not as gracious as we had hoped, so we had to leave the county and then return. So I packed for a one night stay in Ho Chi Mien, 7 hours away. Our stay at the "Hong Han Hotel," was the loveliest ten dollars I have ever spent. On our 7 hour bus ride we met two "heaven sent" ladies from London, who have been traveling the world. These sweet girls knew all the tips, to travel cheap and safe, that "Lonely Planet" and "Pinterest" had to offer. Their suggestions lead us to the "lovely" hotel. After a 14 hour trip there and back, I now have Vietnam visa and stamps to fill my passport, and, of course, a business visa that extends my stay in Cambodia. Lastly, I am now well versed with customs, God knows I want to travel the world.

I appreciate brothers and sisters worldwide. I have found my favorite quaint coffee shop; Joma. Joma's quiet atmosphere makes it easy to get homework done. Aside from the slight distraction from social media and the good eats, I actually do get homework done. As I get homework completed, I also embrace the opportunities to eavesdrops. Coffee shops make that all to simple, interrupting your own thoughts to listen to others. I am encouraged, talks of Jesus fill Joma. Christians annoyed with the westernized Christianity that waters down the simpliest gospel. Missionaries with vision to restore the church in Cambodia. People eager to see a Buddhist nation see Jesus as the True God. Joma is grand and the rarity of my access to wifi is forgotten here. And the rarity of my dream thoughts are what I cling to. Side note, Joma has the best carrot cake in the world.

Friday was a good day. Koy and Reny took Ruthie(my roommate from Australia) and I to the village where they hope to plant a school and eventually a church. With no solid responsibilities quite yet, I am still very ambitious to see where my time here will be spent. As Koy shared the vision of "Cambodia Care," with me I knew my curious questions had been answered. Cambodia Care is eager to plant both school and churches in the poorest areas of Cambodia. There heart is to help people that need help the most. God has placed me underneath two incredible pioneers with passion to start a ministry from scratch. I got to see first hand on Friday the launch for Cambodia Care. This ministry will reach many across Phnom Penh and the surrounding provinces. I am excited to be a part of the beginning, the down and dirty, of what will become the most thriving ministry. Friday, I decided I will do anything for my time here is short. I will not let my labor be in vain because, for such a time as this I am in Cambodia working with "Cambodia Care."

Check out Cambodiancare.org

Passing tall half-painted buildings, short open huts, dirt filled markets, fields of rice, and extravagant overbearing temples,I am confident that God is making a way where they is no way. I am certain that His stage is better than mine. I am assured that His love stretches from nation to nation. I am satisfied knowing that no one can stand against Him. And with all that Cambodia's days (and Vietnam's) have welcomed, I without a doubt know that my God is the undefeated, all powerful, sovereign.