Yesterday, I went with my friend Annie to Family of Hope, the organization she works at. It’s Christian, and it was interesting to see the differences that come with a faith-based organization. We made salvation bracelets with the kids and they showed me their rendition of the Lifehouse “Everything” skit. If you haven’t seen this, look it up on youtube…I cry every time I watch it. I had the opportunity to work with the kids on the skit, and it was wonderful. When they did another run-through, they said it was the best they had ever done. Glory be to God, because Lord knows I’m not a very good actress or dancer. The leader asked me to go back today for their fellowship dinner and share my testimony. I’m blessed and excited to do so, but I’m also trying to be discerning. Annie told me the leader needed more volunteers and was going to try to recruit me. I know that God placed me in Cambodia to help out at the shelter I’m at and I don’t want to take away from that.

“S” had an interesting day yesterday. She wasn’t paying attention to me at all as I tried to teach her, even telling me she wasn’t listening when I asked. I finally gave up and told her to write lines: “I will listen to the teacher” over and over. I told her I wanted to help her and I wanted her to learn but I couldn’t do that unless she tried and worked hard and listened to me. She started crying and I felt awful. I prayed while she wrote. I asked God to show me His love for her, and prayed He would help me to love her in the same way. I am ashamed to admit that I started to cry, but I think it finally made something click with “S.” She wrote her lines without any trouble and did well the rest of the lesson. Her incentive was still the weekend movie nights, but she got her work done. I don’t know what’s going to happen…I shouldn’t expect things to magically change, but I believe in a God of miracles, and I long to seen Him move in that way. So that’s what I’m praying for.

I think I was right about the whole “new beginnings” thing. I’m starting to drink in each day with an eagerness I didn’t have before. My homesickness and fear are starting to fade away as I’m praying for and embracing what the Lord has for me each day. Please pray that this would only increase and continue to grow. I want God to make the most of every second I have left in this beautiful country that He loves.