God lives in me.

When you realize that your “new life” invited Christ to live inside of you, you are accessing the impossible.

“On that day you will realize that I am in the father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” John 14:20 (NIV)

“Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.” John 14:11-14 (MESSAGE)

“I mean it.”

To realize that Christ really does mean “Whatever you ask, I’ll do,” is to assert the confidence of The Holy spirit inside of you. Even the disciples, who had been walking with Christ for some time, had to allow the Holy Spirit to lead them after Jesus went to be with the father. They had to realize that though they couldn’t see him any longer, He now lived inside of them.

And He lives inside of me. So my desires become His desires, and His desires are my desire. So when I ask for things in His name, it is done.

What is takes is both the realization and the reminder that He is living inside of me. The Father, the Son, and The Holy Spirit are at work inside of me. I can be about The Father’s business just like Jesus because through the Holy Spirit it has become plainly known to me. And in the Father’s business nothing is impossible. In the Father’s business there is still greater things to be done than the world has seen, because greater is The Father than anything in the world.

So ask today.

“Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’  And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’  I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.” Luke 11:5-8

Access HE who lives inside of you today. Have “shameless audacity” to believe that He can do anything. And because He is inside of you, you can do anything, you can believe for anything, in the name of Jesus, you can be anything. You can go anywhere.

 “I have been crucified with Christ and “I” no longer live but Christ lives in me.”

And the life I live in Him is extraordinary. And in Him and through Him all things that seem impossible become possible.

My life for the gospel.

God is moving and molding all things for His glory. That is the best thing about the gospel is that in every season, God is still working. He is still victorious. There is darkness but He is light. He is the only light, the only good. That is why the gospel is all I have. With a tangible darkness throughout Cambodia, the gospel is all I have. And it is good, the only good.

 It is with great pleasure to announce that I will be staying in Cambodia until May. Until May my

time will be well spent carrying the good gospel to the crevasses of Cambodia.  I will continue to work with Cambodian Care and their vision for this country. I will be a part of the hope to integrate six programs into the poorest villages in Cambodia. These six things include: school, church plant, teen discipleship training, nutritional program, child support program, and a thriving business to create job opportunities as well as self revenue for the ministry. The vision for this project is to be active in two villages every six months. The prayer is to stretch to all corners of Cambodia, to share Jesus, with hopes to meet physical and spiritual needs of the people here. 

As one of the first to be a part of this program I will continue as a pioneer paving the way for other missionaries. I will also hold the role of an English teacher in more than one school. I will continue to be apart of the nutritional program and distribute food to villages every opportunity we get. On Sunday's I will serve as the "kids pastor" at the church plant in Toulpongroo. On Saturdays I will be pouring into teens as a part of the teen discipleship training.  And as an intern be available for whatever Cambodian Care needs. God is allowing me to see the gospel change people in Cambodia. 

Thank you thus far for your prayers and support. People have already been changed by the gospel. People have been eager to receive salvation. Students are enrolled in school, some for the very first time. I have seen the excitement of healing take place. I have seen joy restored in poverty-stricken households. I have seen God move and that is why the gospel is all I have. That even in the darkness, he is the good that is shining bright. Thanks you to all that have been apart of what He is doing here in and through me. 

You can continue to support what He is doing through prayer, financial support, or even send a missions team to Cambodia. 

 

To stay until May I would need to raise another $1500. You can contribute by going to the link below!

http://www.gofundme.com/81fmtw?forcedesktop=1

Also Check out cambodiancare.org and support a ministry that is impacting  many for the gospel. 

For the gospel. 

Pursue Purpose.

We're here because of Jesus.

The beginning and the end. 

The first and the last. 

The one who died for your heart to mend. 

The lion and the lamb. 

The one who was crushed for our sins.
The one who is called The Great I am. 

Well I don't know about you, but I am here for Him.

The one who calls us Beautiful, 

his royal priesthood, His truest gem. 

We're here because His love is sustaining and does not waiver. 

He chose to die for our eternal life. 

That is why I believe in Him the one True savior. 

The son of God who mends and molds. 

The potter as we give ourselves are clay. 

He creates us to be worth more than the finest golds. 

The King seated victorious.

 The King of all kings. 

The only King whose presence is meritorious. Truly glorious. 

We're here because we are no longer bound,

No longer a victim of death.

It's a freedom so sweet I have found. 

Be reminded us of His deep deep love, 

The great commission that covers us. 

A message that this world should not be deprived of. 

Be here because of Jesus. 

Thankful.

“Therfore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who builds his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears the words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7: 24-27

I honor those that have taken in the gospel of Jesus to be more than just there foundation. I honor those that walk every day for that gospel so that others can see that Jesus is their foundation. That when storms come and their faith is tested, the gospel is all they have and the world sees Jesus. I honor the Lord for putting such people in my life that only point to Him.

I honor Koy and Reny the founders of Cambodian Care. These two have gone through obstacles that have caused them to question others, but never to question God. God is the only thing that they hold onto as true and He pushes them to walk out their vision. They have a vision go into the darkness and see light prevail. With that simplest thought at the forefront of their ministry they want to integrate six programs into the poorest villages all over Cambodia. The six things include a school, church plant, teen discipleship training, nutritional program, child development program, and a thriving business that will create job opportunities as well as self-revenue for the ministry. On top of these hopes they have five children that they know will walk in the light of Christ. They have put into practice the great commission and though storms may come, they will not be shaken.

I honor Pastor Linda Freeman. She pushes all those around her to pursue the life that glorifies God. She herself has found that the life that glorifies God will never fail. As a woman in a full time ministry position she sees opposition in front of her often. She has her hands in so many ministries and her life is full of seeing people changed for the gospel, because she herself is walking in the gospel. She sees children whose parents are incarcerated build relationships with those very parents. She sees the hope that the parents in prison hold onto to be a better parent. She is a part of ministries that feed poor families in Miami. She pastors and mentors individuals who want to be in ministry. She spoke into my life and reminded me of what God has for me.  She is the parent of two grown kids who are both as well living for Jesus. She has put into practice the great commission and though storms may come, she will not be shaken.

I honor Tiffany Johnson. Her life of leadership reveals that she is committed to seeing Jesus at work in everyone’s life. She fails to believe that the gospel is just for a select few, but she lives to see the gospel become true to so many. In the corporate world, in every nation, and, as the mother of two, in her kids lives. As a business woman she does not take any client lightly but she notices the opportunity to be like Jesus. She question the motives of those in ministry around her all to make sure the focus has not been shifted from Jesus. Her questions are convicting and create a desire to fix eyes on the things unseen. She has questioned me, for the one reason to remind me of the simplest gospel and the goodness of our savior. As imagined not everyone loves her questions, but they show that Jesus is her foundation and push me to do the same. She has put into practice the great commission and though storms may come, she will not be shaken.

I honor Charley Jo Woodman. I couldn’t have done high school without her passion for Christ. My dear friend Charley won our schools Ms. South Point Pageant and in the moment of the judge’s announcement I was reminded of God’s favor for His people. It may have been a nonchalant gesture of His love for her, but it was all due to her dedication to him. There is nothing in me that doubts that her win was the Lord saying “That’s my girl.” That was over a year ago and since then her love for the Lord has taken her to Bethal in Redding, California. Her winnings from that pageant provided a scholarship that went to this program. Nothing is impossible with God. She loves God, serves Him, and allows her worship to personify that to those around her. She is clothed with strength and dignity and she fully accredits that to the Lord. And it is Him who deserves the credit. She has gone through obstacles that no one should ever have to go through and she still continues to give credit where credit is due. All those around her see that favor combined with a unique perseverance and it only points to Jesus. She has put the great commission into practice and though storms may come, she will not be shaken.

I honor Alex Bailey. He has no idea the long list of things he has imparted into my life. Gaining the role of my big brother in Miami, he chose not to take that lightly. But his encouragement into my life is not what sets him apart. Alex is undeniably in love with Jesus Christ. In response to that love he never ceasing to “love his neighbor as himself.” Every person he meets he makes sure to never forget their name because to him they are a legend. No matter where they are in life he knows that Jesus has a plan to prosper them. He keeps everyone close because he loves Jesus. I think he gets so amazed at how Jesus is working that he wants to be a part of that in EVERYONE’S life. He loves so much that there is no room for condemnation in his actions. He is genuine and because of that I am sure his friend list is getting longer, because they see Jesus. He has put the great commission into practice and though storms may come, he will not be shaken.

I honor James Kinard. He has no idea but he was the first leader in my life whose investment pushed me to pursue missions. Of course missions has always been at the forefront of my desires, but he cared to see it become reality. He was my Africa team leader and at the beginning of the trip I told him I wanted to be pushed. The two months under his leadership he really stretched my perspective of Christ. He cared about every member of the team like a father and he took his role as our leader to heart. James really invested in us as missionaries, not just as teens. Today his heart for Romania shows that missions is still his desire. He cares for Romania and has a deep commitment for the Country to see Jesus. I am thankful for his investment in my life. He has put the great commission into practice and though storms may come, he will not be shaken.

I honor Victor and Amanda Cabe. Even if I am far away and unreachable you are in my life forever.  This power couple demonstrated a game-changing passion for the gospel. Real passion. Right in the middle of my high school years, they were they, always stating Jesus is worth it. Jesus is worth it. They both believed in the New Testament gospel and were always ready to see a healing or hear a prophecy. They got me excited about the gospel. They put the great commission into practice and though storms may come, they will not be shaken.

I honor Mrs. Macc. My high school Spanish teacher gave a whole new meaning to the great commission. She lived it every day in front of her students. She was over the bible club and pushed vision to make a difference today. As the “good-girl” in school it was no doubt I loved Jesus. I really loved having Mrs. Macc as a mentor I could go to during school hours. She prayed with me. We prayed together for other students. We both had a desire for every student to see and know Jesus. The last time I saw Mrs. Macc she told me she was in school to get her masters in Evangelism. All she wants is for people to cling to Jesus. I am so glad I know her. She put the great commission into practice and though storms may come, she will not be shaken.

I honor Darryl and Lavonne Beach. These two are also known to me as Mom and Dad. Their heart for children extended to more than just the four that lived under their roof. Their deepest desire was for children to fall in love with Jesus at a young age. The lived out “train up a child in the way they should go and they will never depart from it.” The get so overjoyed when they hear the stories of the kids who are under them now living out the gospel. They love telling the testimonies of their fruit and how they have not departed. They celebrate the victories of each kid that was under them. I was lucky enough to have them as my “kid’s pastor” and my parents. They loved me. They protected me. They gave to me.  They taught me. They stretched me. They did not “spare the rod.” And now they celebrate as I have not departed from the way I should go. They are still loving on children. Blessed by such a love. They both have without missing a beat put the great commission into practice, EVERY SINGLE DAY, and though storms may come, they will not be shaken.

There is a lot more people that I honor and am thankful for in my life. I am encouraged not only to honor the people that shift my perspective, but also let it change me. I have the desire to put into practice the Jesus I see in each of them.

 

 

Not just Shraylin's story.

In a moment everything can change. That has been witnessed to be true through; natural disasters, terrorist attacks, disease, war and other things that inflict death in a moment. 

Christ came to change us and welcome life in a moment. A moment could change everything for good or bad. Today I saw Jesus change welcome life in a moment for good.

Today was the first day of school at Light of Future School in Toulpongroo. As I entered into the school( that these kids built) full of hundreds of students I felt so close to God. I felt so close and heard His voice clearly said "This is my plan to prosper them and not to harm them." I looked at Shraylin whose nicely braided hair showed she was ready and whose smile revealed she was excited. 

I examined the space and "excited and ready" was most precedent in each students lives. Monday November 10th, in this moment,  these children were not concerned about their poverty. They gave no thought to their ripped clothes. They simply were ready and excited. 

Trinity Churches team raised over 2000 schools supplies and over 200 shoes for this village. As we passed a "gift" full of these items to these kids I saw light prevail over darkness. 

Today, in that moment, I was changed. I was changed by the reminder of my first love, the truest light. 

What I knew in words I saw in actions. I saw Jesus as the best thing that has happened to me. I saw Jesus as powerful and undefeated. I cling to these refreshing reminders as I eye every student and all I see today is life. Life in Christ and it's abundance. 

Shraylin and many others are ready and excited and they don't even know the best that is yet to come, the abundant life. After two months of hard work, the strong, Shraylin will see her dedication come to fruition. No doubt she will reap a harvest so plentiful, I know The Lord only has the best for her. I see her as a powerful woman of God that is going to shift her village and much more her generation: which can only happen through the name of Jesus. The best education will be what launches this bright, beautiful young girl.  Today, in a moment, Jesus directed her future so it will glorify Him. Thanks to opportunity "Cambodiancare" has offered her, to receive an education she will not end up a sex slave. Shraylin will not be just another statistic of Cambodians prostitution. She will not work at a factory and earn poverty wages. She will not be just another person crying for someone to be an advocate for her life. She will be an educated advocate for all of those around her, in the name of Jesus Christ and she is so ready and excited . 

In a moment I see such a prosperous plan for each child. In a moment I see the light of life and it changed me. 

""Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."" John 8:12

This is not just Shraylin's story but oh do I love this girl. So much. 

Not just Pisey's story.

“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Giving/Serving with everything you’ve got does not always mean that the times you serve far surpass the amount of times others serve. What it means is that every time you do serve, you serve with all of your heart. It is when you serve with all of your heart that your labor is not in vain, and you reap a harvest so plentiful.

No one taught this principal to five year old Pisey for her to want to give everything she had into building her school. No one sat her down and explained the importance of serving. Her excitement  for her education motivated her to work all day, rain or shine, to serve with all she had.

Pisey is a beautiful, full of joy, always energetic, five year old girl. She is the middle child, having an older brother and a baby sister. Her two siblings, her mother and father, all live in a limited space known to them as “home.” This makeshift “home” does not at all comfortably fit a family of five. Every time it rains the rainy waters flood this tight space making it impossible for them to sleep at night.  This family of five is very poor and they rarely eat enough. They don’t know what it feels like to be “full.” Pisey is very small due to her lack of food.

Every day when we arrive at the village Pisey greets us grinning from ear to ear. She always greets us ready to work with her blue pale in hand. She carries that blue pale back and forth to pick up a modest amount of sand, stone, or cement to lay as the foundation for the school. She carries as much as her petite body will let her, which is not much, but she works without many breaks to see the job complete. The only time she stops is to encourage other kids to join in on the construction. Pisey gives everything she’s got.

We are so excited for Pisey to attend “Light of Future School.”  We believe that because of such a diligence that she will reap a harvest that is “pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” Her joy, as well as many other students, to build their own school has been remarkable. These students are going to have the best education and are going to thrive in Toulpongroo. All that they have given with all of their hearts, will be given back to them. Pisey, in one of the poorest families, will reap a harvest so plentiful, that it only points to Jesus Christ.

When asked “Pisey what do you want to do in the future?” Pisey told us that, “I want to be a teacher.”

 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58

 

 

 

 

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.