A busy week

A person who lives in faith must proceed on incomplete evidence, trusting in advance what will make sense in reverse. -Philip Yancey

Teddy and I about to feed some alligators. 

Driving into Saigon was such a mixture of emotions. I was sad to leave Cambodia, yet excited to be in such a familiar city. Walking the streets of Saigon feels very much like walking around downtown Nashville to me. I know my way around, but I'm always discovering something new. Our first day in Saigon Amanda, Teddy, and I decided to just walk around. We were tired of sitting down on our long bus ride, and wanted to get some fresh air. The bus ride was a really sweet time for me. I got to catch up with my fiance, Teddy. We both enjoyed just enjoy sitting with each other and talking face to face. Our ride was filled with so  much laughter and joy. 

After we walked around the city and ate dinner, I decided to call a few young girls that my family has known for years. These 3 girls all grew up on the streets of Vietnam, and my family stayed in contact with them for over 10 years. Two of their stories will break your heart, and one of them is filled with hope and a future. These girls are like little sisters to me. They are always the first people I contact when I arrive in Saigon. I've laughed, cried, held, comforted, helped, and listened to these girls when they needed someone...anyone to talk to. My family has walked with them through pregnancies, abuse, and poverty. These young girls have already gone through and seen more than I will in my whole life. One of these young girls is only 18, and she is having to take care of two babies without the help of any emotional or physical support. She spends her entire day sell postcards on the street so she can feed her little ones.

"But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble." -Psalm 59:16

Every time I am able to see them again it's like we've never been apart. We all went to the park and I got to introduce them to Teddy, which was really fun. None of them could believe that I'm getting married. Having Teddy join me for a part of this trip was so much fun. I loved getting to show him my heart for these people and this country. I know that it made us so much stronger as a couple. There were easy times and hard times, but every part was good.

The next week of our trip was spent with the HOL children at camp. Our days were quickly filled with swimming, teaching, crafts, games, songs, eating vietnamese food, and so much more. I think my favorite part at camp this year was being able to sit down and talk with some of the children that were really struggling last year. They told me about all the ways the Lord had helped them and revealed himself to them. I remember crying with a few of these children last year begging the Lord to help them not only feel loved, but to know it in their soul. The Lord answered those prayers in ways that I didn't even think possible. The pain and anger that I saw in these children's eyes had turned into joy and laughter. It was truly amazing.

The little boy that I sponsor and love!

It was also fun to get to see my little boy that I sponsor. Teddy seemed to really connect with him as well. By the end of the trip Little "B" always seemed to be waiting by our side. He's not a child that asks for attention, but you can tell when he wants it. He always seems to get this sweet little smirk on his face that was irresistible. It was hard to walk by him and not always pick him up and love on him.

Teddy and I loving on some of the HOL kids. 

Another one of my favorite moments at camp was the time that I got to spend singing praise songs with the children. Hearing them lift up their voices to the Lord was an amazing, spiritual experience. These children don't just sing the words to the songs, they proclaim and rejoice with ever bit of sound they have. They sing and praise the Lord until they are so overwhelmed with his power and love that they cry. It gives me chill bumps every time I even think about it. I've never been in a service in the states where I saw so many people/children worshiping with their entire being the way that these children do. At one point one of the homes put on a drama skit, and I've seen this skit done before, but never have I seen it done with such impact. All the members in our group were speechless...completely speechless. There was a good 15 seconds were I couldn't even move. I'm certain that the Lord has gifted these children with the power to spread the gospel like fire, and not when they are older, but now!

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. -John 14:18

God sets the lonely in families. - Psalm 68:6

Serving the Lord with my sweet baby sister!

enjoying the market 

These last few days have been a time of rest for Amanda and I. We have enjoyed a few nice meals on the beach together, tried to catch up on sleep, read our books, and just tried to relax. This next week is going to be filled with interviews and meetings as we travel around to a few of our homes. We are both tired, and try to sleep when ever we have a free hour. Pray the Lord gives us energy to finish this trip strong. I can't believe that this is our last week here. I know it will be such a bittersweet time when we leave.

My heart breaks

A man living in a water village. He has to rebuild the bridge to his house everyday!

My heart breaks. My heart longs to help the people in this country. I can't stop thinking about the people I've met, the eyes I've made contact with. The face of an HIV positive woman, not much older than me. I met her through a new friend that had an NGO along the river. He told me that he found her sleeping on the railroad tracks. No one cared for her, but he took her in.  She was dying when he found her. Dying of starvation; dying of AIDS; dying of no self worth; dying of no one to care for her. My heart broke for her. She didn't have a single tooth in her mouth. I can't imagine the poverty she has been through in her 25 years of life, and that wasn't the end the of her story. As she walked out of her "house" to meet us she brought a sweet baby girl, not much older than my 2 year old niece. Thinking it was her child, I asked if she had more children. She responded by saying she didn't have any of her own children. She told me that one of her friends asked her to care for the child and never came home to get her. She had been taking care of the baby for over a year. This sweet girl couldn't even care for herself. The baby broke my heart. She was completely unresponsive, very malnourished, and had eyes that seemed to have been exposed to the entire world. It's so hard for me to just meet these people, and walk away. It's so hard to see the need and not do anything about it to help. It reminds me how incredibly blessed I am, and will be for the rest of my life. Even if I were to go bankrupt, I'd still be blessed compared to these beautiful people.

on our first bus to Cambodia. Can't believe we are leaving tomorrow.

The Blaine's

Our last few days in Cambodia have been filled with meetings and experiences. My head is overflowing with all the information that I have been given this past week. It has been neat to see how even after a long hard day the Lord always provides Amanda and I with a good laugh, meal, thought, or conversation. It has been such a blessing to travel with such a dear friend that has the same heart as I do. It feels like I'm traveling with a sister. We are such a great team. I tend to do more of the hands on work/interviews during meetings and she is the one that writes all the notes and emails. It's a great system that we have going on. We are both getting really sad about leaving Cambodia. We love it here. It's starting to feel like home. We have also made such dear friends. The Blaines, whom I've talk about in a few blogs, took us into their home with great hospitality. They treated us like family, and we are are so thankful for them.

Tomorrow we leave for Vietnam. We are excited to see what the Lord does with us there. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. We have felt them throughout this whole trip!

Kampong Cham

Sweet little girl along the river in Kampong Cham

Walking on the streets of Cambodia I am constantly asking myself one question..."Why on earth do I love this place so much?" Cambodia is poor, dirty, loud, corrupt, and I'm constantly praying over my food asking the Lord to keep me from getting sick. The only answer that I've come up with is that the Lord put a burden on my heart for the people of Cambodia and Vietnam. When I think about both places I don't think about the hardships and sad situations, I think about how genuine and kind these people are. I think about the children that I come across in the streets and how I can't walk away until I get at least one smile. I think about how my heart aches to let them know that they matter and are loved by the God of the UNIVERSE. I think about our tuktuk driver who pulled off the road on our long trip home and offered to buy us energy drinks because we looked so tired. Everyone that we've come across in Asia have genuinely cared for us. This morning our guesthouse staff not only brought us breakfast to our room, but brought a huge wooden table for us to eat it on. Everyone that I've met in Cambodia have gone above and beyond to make sure that we are cared for and comfortable. It doesn't matter where I am, the people in Cambodia make me feel like I'm at home.

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones."

Proverbs 15:30

A typical scene in the market.

So far our trip has been very relaxing and encouraging. After spending a few days with our dear friends, the Blaines, we traveled to a near by city called Kampong Cham. It was about a 4 hour bus ride from PP. I've always loved traveling by bus or train in foreign countries. It's a forced time to sit and be still. I spent all four hours listening to my music, in prayer, and watching the people as we drove deeper into the countryside. I love watching the people that live in the villages. I know their lives aren't easy. I know they have to work harder then most Americans, myself included, will ever be able to comprehend.  And what makes it so eye opening is that they aren't working hard to put money away into savings. They are working this hard to nearly survive, but there's something so simple and beautiful about village life. It's something that whenever I see I long for. I watched as women gathered together laughing and talking about life as they were making baskets; and their little ones would be running around half clothed swimming, playing with the water buffalo, and making up games with items they would find in nature. I watched as the children comforted each other when one would be upset or hurt. They are such a good example of what people in a community should live like. They all look out for each other, and share what possessions they have. They don't find their happiness in worldly items, but in relationships. It makes me long to learn their language, travel to their villages, develop relationships with them, and most importantly share the gospel with them.  I long for them to know the happiness that isn't of this world, but is an overwhelming Joy from the Lord! My heart aches to share the gospel with these beautiful people.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners."

Isaiah 61:1

A small floating village in Kampong Cham where most of the Vietnamese population live.

When we arrived in Kampong Cham we met with a local pastor and his wife. After taking us into their home and serving us a home cooked meal, they took us to see their ministry. Their goal in Cambodia is to set up programs that empower, equip, and strengthen pastors. Their dream is to set up centers for pastors to come to for a short period of time, and to teach them the word, but then have them return to their home churches. This couple has a true heart for the Lord, and have offered assistance in anyway they can. They encouraged us to continue with the dream and vision that the Lord has given us. I think Amanda and I walked into this trip not knowing if people were going to take us seriously or not because we are so young, but we have seen the exact opposite happen. People have encouraged us more BECAUSE we are young.

Me "trying" to eat a tarantula. I was able to consume one leg :).

Kampong Cham was also a time of rest and fun for Amanda and I. Kampong Cham somewhat in the countryside, which being from TN, we both felt more at home. We stayed in a hotel that overlooked the river, did some zumba in the park with the locals, ate a few spiders, and had a nice long dinner where we were able to just enjoy each others friendship and talk about life's struggles and joys.

Camodia bound 2012

    As my sweet friend, Amanda Bryant, said in her blog its a strange feeling walking off the plane in Vietnam and feeling like nothing is out of the norm. I knew what to expect. I knew who to look for. And I knew what it was going to smell like. I will probably feel more out of place when I return home and walk out of the airport in Nashville because I don't know where I'm going to go, and I don't know what it's going to look like. The only thing I do know is that my fiance and family are going to pick me up. It was a nice sensation walking off the plane feeling like I was somewhat home, especially after two days of traveling. It's such a relaxing feeling to know that when I'm in Saigon I know where to go, and where certain stores are, where the good sweets are, where the market is, and how to contact close friends if I was to ever be sick or in danger.
   Pulling into Cambodia, after a five hour bus ride the next day, I had the exact opposite feeling. As we were on our bus Amanda and I realized that we miscalculated what day we were going to arrive in Cambodia. We both realized that we booked our hotel a day late, which meant we had nowhere to stay our first night! When our bus pulled into the city Amanda and I looked at each other with a look in our eyes that said "well....what are we going to do now?" We decided to get a tuktuk and go to the only place we were familiar with, which is a coffee shop/ministry called Jars of Clay. Upon pulling into the shop we saw a big sign on the door that said, "UNDER CONSTRUCTION! We will open again in a few months." At this point we were both trying to think very quickly of what to do next. Looking around I saw another coffee shop across the street. We decided to grab a drink and use their wifi to look up local guest houses. We were both extremely tired, jet lagged, and a little brain dead. When nothing seemed to be working out we finally decided to quickly call (because our phone was dying) the one person we knew in Cambodia, which was the Blaines.They recently moved to Cambodia and have been good friends with me for the past few years. Luckily they came to our rescue and found us a 5 dollar hostel and helped us get situated. Praise the Lord.
    We are now staying in our originally planed guest house with the Blaines and are having a great time. Amanda and I have been to the local Russian and night market were we bought our favorite Asian fruits, and we have also eaten amazing Vietnamese, Thai, Khmer, and soon to be Mexican food.  We also went to a local coffee house that beats anything I've seen in Nashville. We are really enjoying our time with the Blaines and their little baby girl Clara.
   Today we went to a local Anglican Church, which was really nice. They seemed to have a number of people that were around our age. We also ran into a few people that we have meetings with later on in the week. I'm starting to realize PP isn't as big as I thought it was. Tonight Amanda and I are going to a local International church, which we are also excited about. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. We are both doing great and staying healthy. I also here our 75-90 degree weather is a lot better thn everyone else in the states ;). We are traveling to a near by city tomorrow to meet with a Vietnamese pastor so please pray for safe travels and encouraging meetings.