John 15:12

It is the end of our second day in Phnom Penh and the team is doing well. I am so thankful for their flexibility, energy, and willingness to enthusiastically offer ideas while we mold our lessons and prepare to teach.

 

After traveling through the day from Tianjin to Shanghai’s two airports, and finally arriving in Phnom Penh where we were met by our loving friends Sinath, Rotha, their son Timothy, and our annual driver, Jackie Jan, we got to our hostel a little close to 1am on Friday morning, unpacked, and went to sleep.

 

Friday was a day of driving around Phnom Penh in tuk-tuks. We went to Hard Places Community Center (HPC - Punlok Thmey) where the team heard about the work at HPC and how the Lord brought them to the city of Phnom Penh. It was an impactful time for the team as a whole. When we debriefed at lunch we all agreed that hearing their testimony of God’s work reminded us that we need to wait on God. It is God who works and He is the one who is always working. (Hallelujah!) The HPC staff told us about a recent story in which a boy needed to be disciplined. An HPC staff member went to talk to the boy, but when the adult started the conversation the boy said, “I had a dream, and Jesus talked to me!” The HPC team member continued to ask questions and listen. He found out the boy had a dream in which Jesus already told the boy that Jesus loved him, but that he needed to choose kindness. When the boy said he didn’t know how to be kind Jesus told him, “I will help you.”

 

Chains bind many in this city, but the HPC staff continue to look to Jesus and they continue to go out and pursue the children, hoping to release some from the chains of sin and hopelessness because Jesus is the one who gives us the key for freedom and love.