Today was the first full day of the camp. Due to a misunderstanding the few of us that were already here had to come up with small group talks for the lessons that the LA tech students were going to teach. With God’s help the small groups came together successfully and we all learned about flexibility in mission work. In the afternoon the LA tech group arrived, and we all went to the beach with the Cambodian youth.
Aside: The term youth in Cambodia is very relative age term; it ranges from 15-25.
At the beach the youth played games and had fun in the water. It was a great time to celebrate with fellow Christians and just have fun. For some of the youth this trip was the first time they had ever seen the coast and a beach. For most of us, it was the first time in the Indian Ocean; the water is very warm, the sand very fine, and the beach is full of little ladies selling barbequed squid, bracelets, and sea shell art.
The evening service was filled with songs, ecstatic prayer, and rejoicing in Khmer, the Cambodian’s language. They shared some of their native dance with us and we heard about the work and amazing experiences of one of the youth leaders. Some of our crew, however, was suffering from jet lag and running out of energy. We all slept very well despite a storm and the electricity coming off and on.
Often in times like this one, I wonder to myself if I am really “doing” anything here. For me personally I am a build a house kind of mission guy. Building a house is tangible. It is straightforward and you can see tangible results. Yet, I have come to
realize that this is my pride coming through.
The kingdom of God needs many different types of service and on this mission we are here to glorify God, love on the Cambodian people, and empower the future local church leaders who will be here years after we leave.
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Phil 2:13)
So when I feel tired or that I could be doing more elsewhere, I remember that God has willed me here to work for his plan, “for such a time as this”. This verse reminds me that we are here for God’s glory, which is a good purpose that God can use to do His will!
-Seth
PS. the wireless is down but we have now found wired internet that will work
