A New Life

This week has been busy with getting details settled and a schedule set in place. I have been all around town in the last couple of days finding things that I need. So, I thought I would share about how far I have come since my first trip here in 2005.

If you have traveled to a third world country, you know that traffic and modes of transportation are not the same as in the US. Here, it's a crazy ebb and flow of two- and four-wheeled vehicles. No laws to speak of (though the police will pull you over and make one up so that they can get some money for their beverage of choice). If you feel like making a turn, you turn. There are a couple of stop lights that people tend to obey, but for the most part, you just keep on going. And it works for them.

At the time I was here in 2005, I had just gotten beyond a high level of anxiety in my life. So the fact that I was even here was a miracle in itself! We had traveled up to the northwest part of the country to Battambang, and then several of us went over to the ruins of Angkor Wat in the city of Siem Reap.

To get there, we took a bus similar to a tour bus in the states. However, nothing here is as it seems:) The road we had to take looks on a map like it should take about an hour to drive. No, No. Try seven. It was mostly rutted dirt with large holes and downed bridges, so we bounced up and down all the way in an all-out assault of our senses. (The government won't fix the road because they want people to fly to Siem Reap instead so that they can make money.) The AC wasn't working so we pulled over every so often for water to cool the bus down. Just imagine the smell. Cambodians love slapstick humor and karaoke, which was blasting in Khmer from the TV in front. The driver honked every time he passed someone, which seemed to be every 50 feet. And the horn sounded like it was coming from inside the bus. (I couldn't exaggerate the details if I tried.) Then, about halfway through, a suitcase fell off the top rack and hit me squarely on the head. A team member at the time has since told me that at that point, he thought I would never come back!

That same summer, I had to take my very first moto ride. Motos are like glorified mopeds and are the Khmer version of a taxi. You can hop on the back of one, and it will take you anywhere you want to go...weaving in and out of traffic. At that time, I was not at all excited to ride one. I didn't know the city or the language, and I didn't know how to get where I was going. But I had no other choice. Obviously I made it fine, but it was a white-knuckle ride for me, and I swore I would never do it again.

I laugh when I stop to think about how I was called to be here. Even back then in those tough moments, God was stirring in my heart a love for these kids and this country. But I am the weakest person I know. I tend to get sick a lot and have a lot of allergies. I can't eat certain foods (and I don't really cook that well). I don't care too much for large bugs or small, furry creatures. I do prefer the hot weather, but it can sometimes feel like I am melting here! I like control. I like independence. And I feel completely underqualified for this.

But I know that's exactly the position I need to be in. I am in the perfect position to see God work. What a view! Here are a few things that I been reminded of in the last few weeks...and am banking my life on.

• God will never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). Never. Even when I am alone halfway around the world, I am never alone.

• Life goes much better when I follow God's plan for my life than my own. That doesn't mean it's without trials and difficulty, but I would rather go through the valleys with God than try to trek the mountaintops on my own. (James 1:2-4)

• If God has called me, He will equip me. (Hebrews 13:21) He is intimately aware of all that I need. After all, He did create me. He is not surprised by my shortcomings.

• His mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:23) And I surely need that!

• God can accomplish more than I could ever ask or imagine...but I am only going to see this if I step into situations that are beyond my ability to accomplish on my own. (Ephesians 3:20)

• He will provide for today. I don't need to worry about tomorrow. (Matt 6:34) There is so much more peace in thanking God for what He has blessed me with today than living in the future that is unknown.

I could go on and on, but I feel the need to ask a question here...what are you being called to do? It may not be leaving everything behind and moving halfway around the world to a third-world country. (But if it is, I would enjoy the company:) It may be talking to a friend or meeting a neighbor or giving a gift. Whatever it is, is anything stopping you?

What a ride this has been. Even with all the challenges, I am so glad that I came. My life will never be the same...and I am thankful for that.