God is sooo good! :) Everyday it's just amazing how He works. The first time I came to Cambodia I ended up getting a chance to go to the brothels. A lady had just started her ministry to these women 1 month prior and she had wanted two doctors to go into the brothels to build relationships. I was excited and that visit to the brothels is what birthed all of this :) So, I didn't set up a meeting to meet with the founder this time, but guess whose establishment we went to for lunch :) It was great. I love the model they have adopted and that is what I want to use too. The longer I am here the more certain I feel that it can work for us. They don't have a place for the girls to stay, but provide life skills training, counselling, medical care, vocaltional skills and a job. As I have talked to the Rheas about my ideas they have mentioned contacts they have and today as they actually got to be there and see and hear everything, I think they too believe this is the best model! :) So God keeps bringing hearts together and I love how everyone who wants to help is on the same page. It was interesting cause I'm starting to know so many people now. There were products from the missionary I visited yesterday's group at the store for the group today! :)
I'm super excited about today's meeting because it sparked something in me again. So the last day of two I have been thinking that all the medical stuff is taking off, but what about the center. I seem to be at a loss as to how to start and what to do. I kept telling myself that I've only been here a few days and things will work out, afterall, I don't even have a place. But today as I was there I saw how we can start now. I was afraid I wouldn't have anything for the first mission team coming in feb to do, but now I know exactly what each one can do! :) In fact I'm really excited about! I sent the landlord the housing contract and if all goes well, we will have a place by jan 1st and Michael comes back from vacation the week after and we can start doing outreach! As I ride home on the back of Michael's motorcyle each night I see the girls at the bars and clubs. There may not be a "brothel" but the sex trafficking is certainly going on in this area - just down the street - so I dont have to wait for an organization to refer girls to me, we'll just find our own girls :) Girls who want a better life. Please pray for the outreaches and wisdom on how to proceed as well as hearts that just love unconditionally, for without His love, we can do nothing.
So there is a missionary family here that just inspires me. That shows me what truly walking and loving like Christ is all about. So they have already adopted 9 kids and now they just found out that a girl they have known for over 7 years who has been in and out of 30 foster families and now has a baby of her own is suicidal. I was there when the text message came. They are thinking of adopted the mom and caring for the baby she can't care for. They are the only one she trusts. 1-2 month old baby when you are in your 50-60's. That takes real love and heart. It's easy to love and keep everything convenient, but this couple is a constant reminder of how to love God's way. They have also taken in a cambodian girl just so she can learn english and study. She's been at their house for over a year. They have been burned so many times, but they continue to love and trust again. Please pray for them that God's will be done regarding this matter and His wisdom as to what to do in this situation. I just had bible study with this family and it's great to see how all their kids are into God. How can you not be when your parents are such great examples. They are by no way perfect (as none of us are), but how they love God and love people is obvious when you look at their life from any angle.
I got a great email today. One of my friends from the reservation wrote. He's been going through some difficulties and I have just felt God would come through and so have been encouraging him in that although neither of could see how or what God was going to do. Well apparently God has been working on his behalf and the situation is really resolved and in a few days or weeks everything will be normal again. I love how even when we can't do anything or see anything happening, when we follow God, we know that we are in the palm of His hands and He is in control of everything.
It is not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit says the Lord of Hosts! Zech 4:6
My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus Phil 4:19
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me Phil 4:13
He is awesome and we can trust Him completely :)
I'm super excited about today's meeting because it sparked something in me again. So the last day of two I have been thinking that all the medical stuff is taking off, but what about the center. I seem to be at a loss as to how to start and what to do. I kept telling myself that I've only been here a few days and things will work out, afterall, I don't even have a place. But today as I was there I saw how we can start now. I was afraid I wouldn't have anything for the first mission team coming in feb to do, but now I know exactly what each one can do! :) In fact I'm really excited about! I sent the landlord the housing contract and if all goes well, we will have a place by jan 1st and Michael comes back from vacation the week after and we can start doing outreach! As I ride home on the back of Michael's motorcyle each night I see the girls at the bars and clubs. There may not be a "brothel" but the sex trafficking is certainly going on in this area - just down the street - so I dont have to wait for an organization to refer girls to me, we'll just find our own girls :) Girls who want a better life. Please pray for the outreaches and wisdom on how to proceed as well as hearts that just love unconditionally, for without His love, we can do nothing.
So there is a missionary family here that just inspires me. That shows me what truly walking and loving like Christ is all about. So they have already adopted 9 kids and now they just found out that a girl they have known for over 7 years who has been in and out of 30 foster families and now has a baby of her own is suicidal. I was there when the text message came. They are thinking of adopted the mom and caring for the baby she can't care for. They are the only one she trusts. 1-2 month old baby when you are in your 50-60's. That takes real love and heart. It's easy to love and keep everything convenient, but this couple is a constant reminder of how to love God's way. They have also taken in a cambodian girl just so she can learn english and study. She's been at their house for over a year. They have been burned so many times, but they continue to love and trust again. Please pray for them that God's will be done regarding this matter and His wisdom as to what to do in this situation. I just had bible study with this family and it's great to see how all their kids are into God. How can you not be when your parents are such great examples. They are by no way perfect (as none of us are), but how they love God and love people is obvious when you look at their life from any angle.
I got a great email today. One of my friends from the reservation wrote. He's been going through some difficulties and I have just felt God would come through and so have been encouraging him in that although neither of could see how or what God was going to do. Well apparently God has been working on his behalf and the situation is really resolved and in a few days or weeks everything will be normal again. I love how even when we can't do anything or see anything happening, when we follow God, we know that we are in the palm of His hands and He is in control of everything.
It is not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit says the Lord of Hosts! Zech 4:6
My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus Phil 4:19
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me Phil 4:13
He is awesome and we can trust Him completely :)