This blog has been neglected over the past seven months as I have given much attention to a blog specifically about my time in Cambodia: katieincambodia.blogspot.com. Even though I've had some kind of blog over the past several years, I haven't been very good at keeping them updated. When I live overseas it's easier--there is always something new and interesting to share. Over the past few months, however, I've realized how much I enjoy writing and blogging. I'm not sure yet what I will blog about when I return to the States. Perhaps I can make life in Indianapolis more interesting by blogging about it! We shall see.
I did just give this blog a new face lift as I considered my return. Once I am no longer "Katie in Cambodia", I'll be back to share my thoughts on life, living for Christ, and whatever comes along in my next adventure.
Less than three weeks...
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
I made it to Cambodia!
Greetings from Cambodia!
Wow! I still can't believe that I'm really here! I arrived in Phnom
Penh this morning (Thursday) around 11am Cambodia time (which was 12am
Thursday morning Indianapolis time). My four planes and 30 hours of
travel went very well and my luggage made it too! Thank you for all of
your prayers for safe travel—they were answered!
Right now it's 82 degrees F at 11:18pm. It's hot. I'm sitting in front
of a fan in the living room as I write this! Yes, there is wireless in
our apartment. J What a blessing!
Tomorrow I will go the World Relief office, meet many new people, and
get a bigger picture of what the 8 months will be like here. I'm still
dazed from travel, but I think that everything will begin to feel more
real tomorrow.
Thank you so much for your prayers over the past weeks and months. I'm
really here in Cambodia and I'm very excited to see what God has
planned for me here!
Here are few things you can pray for as a transition to life here:
1. For quick and easy adjustment to the time change: good sleep
at night and energy during the day!
2. That I would be a blessing to people as I meet them for the
first time and begin to work in the World Relief office.
3. That I would be a learner: of culture and people (and language too!).
4. For strong friendships to develop with Kate (who I'm working
with now) and Kerstin (who will be my roommate for the next 8 months).
5. For eyes to see the Lord at work, a heart soft for Him to
mold, and ears to hear His voice.
I'm off to bed for my first night's sleep in Cambodia!
I am so thankful for you!
In Christ,
Katie
Thursday, February 26, 2009
While writing a letter...
I'm working on my prayer and support request letter for my 8 month stint in Cambodia. I leave in less than 8 weeks and I've got about $7000 to raise--well, I'm trusting God to raise it! My job is to pray and ask for it. :)
The wordy person that I am, I have to write one really long draft before I chop it up and make it say what I really want it to. But, I really like some of the stuff I've written about the process that God used to get me where I am today.
So here is an excerpt. It may or may not end up in the final support letter...
Just a few months ago I said, “Lord, I’ll go wherever you want!”
So, I went to India for 10 days and caught a glimpse of the amazing things that God is doing in a country so different than any I have visited before. I spent time with Christian sisters who came to Christ from Hindu priest families, through dreams and healings, and out of fearful spiritual oppression. They have great faith and hearts to serve God wherever He would take them—whatever the cost. I visited a small village school where Indian children have a rare opportunity to receive a good education and learn that Jesus loves them. In the crowded market, in the village school, in the foreign country where I did not belong—I felt completely comfortable. My 10-day visit was not long enough. I felt like had just gotten my feet wet and I wanted to walk farther. God used the Vision Trip to India to open my spiritual eyes and open my mind to where else He might like me to go. I left India with Cambodia on my mind.
Cambodia? Southeast Asia? Really?? Okay, Lord. Here I am. Send me.
International relief and aid with the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the heart—that is what is World Relief is about. And that effort is something I have wanted to a part of for a long time! In April (just 2 months away!) I will begin an 8-month stay in Cambodia working with World Relief.
What am I passionate about? What do I want to die doing? Most of all, I want to glorify God with my life. I want to use my gifts, talents, skills, experience, and heart to make an impact for Christ. I want to be used by Him, to help the helpless, and bring hope to the hopeless. The helpless and the hopeless are all around us.
The wordy person that I am, I have to write one really long draft before I chop it up and make it say what I really want it to. But, I really like some of the stuff I've written about the process that God used to get me where I am today.
So here is an excerpt. It may or may not end up in the final support letter...
Just a few months ago I said, “Lord, I’ll go wherever you want!”
So, I went to India for 10 days and caught a glimpse of the amazing things that God is doing in a country so different than any I have visited before. I spent time with Christian sisters who came to Christ from Hindu priest families, through dreams and healings, and out of fearful spiritual oppression. They have great faith and hearts to serve God wherever He would take them—whatever the cost. I visited a small village school where Indian children have a rare opportunity to receive a good education and learn that Jesus loves them. In the crowded market, in the village school, in the foreign country where I did not belong—I felt completely comfortable. My 10-day visit was not long enough. I felt like had just gotten my feet wet and I wanted to walk farther. God used the Vision Trip to India to open my spiritual eyes and open my mind to where else He might like me to go. I left India with Cambodia on my mind.
Cambodia? Southeast Asia? Really?? Okay, Lord. Here I am. Send me.
International relief and aid with the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the heart—that is what is World Relief is about. And that effort is something I have wanted to a part of for a long time! In April (just 2 months away!) I will begin an 8-month stay in Cambodia working with World Relief.
What am I passionate about? What do I want to die doing? Most of all, I want to glorify God with my life. I want to use my gifts, talents, skills, experience, and heart to make an impact for Christ. I want to be used by Him, to help the helpless, and bring hope to the hopeless. The helpless and the hopeless are all around us.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
A new adventure...a new part of the world!
I am going to Cambodia! In 2 months!!!
Since blogging seems like the best way to keep track of my thoughts, record my experiences, and keep people in my life connected with me as I travel--I'm back.
I've been home from Italy for over 2 years. I've had several jobs in Indianapolis, a fun nanny job in Birmingham, AL, great time with family and friends, and time to experience a new stage of my life. I've been working two part-time jobs for over a year now. I've been living out of my parents' house for almost a year--and that's been an adventure in itself. In December I got together with a friend from college and caught up on life. She mentioned that I seemed restless. Restless. Yes, that's it. I'm eager to do something new, something different, and figure out what God has in store for me next.
Last summer I spoke with my Missions Pastor about my previous missions experience, my heart for the nations, and my interest in relief and development work. He told me more about our church's partnership with World Relief Cambodia and some potential opportunities to get involved there. I didn't really know where Cambodia was until a year ago! The more I learned about the work they do and our church partnership, the more interested I became. East Asia was on my radar.
And so was India. My conversation with Nate was initiated by the pull on my heart to respond to an announcement he made about a Vision Trip to India. I had never thought about going to India, but I knew that I was suppose to pursue this trip. So, this past November I spent 10 days in India with a group from my church (www.yourchurch.com). India. What an amazing place. I saw things I'd never seen before and got a tiny glimpse of the great work that God is doing in the country of India. Ten days was not long enough. I felt like I had just gotten my feet wet. I wanted more.
I believe that God used that short trip to India, that "vision" trip, to open my heart to the East and confirm my calling to go to Cambodia.
In January '09 I met Kate from Cambodia, learned about her, her job as Partnership Coordinator, and spoke specifically about me coming to fill in for her as she takes some time off to finish her dissertation. I could come in May/June to help with the summer ESL program and then cover her spot in the fall. I was encouraged and more excited about the possibility to serve, but there were no details.
Then, in the first week of February I got an email from Kate asking me if I could come earlier--April! So, everything started moving! And I'm going for sure!
There are many things to do in the next two months: prayer and financial support raising, figure out what do with my stuff and school loans for 8 months, pack (ack!), and see as many friends and family as I can! While I'm not technically "ready" to go, my heart is ready. I am so thankful for how the Lord has constructed this opportunity. I trust that he will provide everything (and every dollar) I need to go and to thrive there. I'm praying that this 8 month stint in Cambodia will provide vision and direction for what might be next!
More to come... Please pray!
Since blogging seems like the best way to keep track of my thoughts, record my experiences, and keep people in my life connected with me as I travel--I'm back.
I've been home from Italy for over 2 years. I've had several jobs in Indianapolis, a fun nanny job in Birmingham, AL, great time with family and friends, and time to experience a new stage of my life. I've been working two part-time jobs for over a year now. I've been living out of my parents' house for almost a year--and that's been an adventure in itself. In December I got together with a friend from college and caught up on life. She mentioned that I seemed restless. Restless. Yes, that's it. I'm eager to do something new, something different, and figure out what God has in store for me next.
Last summer I spoke with my Missions Pastor about my previous missions experience, my heart for the nations, and my interest in relief and development work. He told me more about our church's partnership with World Relief Cambodia and some potential opportunities to get involved there. I didn't really know where Cambodia was until a year ago! The more I learned about the work they do and our church partnership, the more interested I became. East Asia was on my radar.
And so was India. My conversation with Nate was initiated by the pull on my heart to respond to an announcement he made about a Vision Trip to India. I had never thought about going to India, but I knew that I was suppose to pursue this trip. So, this past November I spent 10 days in India with a group from my church (www.yourchurch.com). India. What an amazing place. I saw things I'd never seen before and got a tiny glimpse of the great work that God is doing in the country of India. Ten days was not long enough. I felt like I had just gotten my feet wet. I wanted more.
I believe that God used that short trip to India, that "vision" trip, to open my heart to the East and confirm my calling to go to Cambodia.
In January '09 I met Kate from Cambodia, learned about her, her job as Partnership Coordinator, and spoke specifically about me coming to fill in for her as she takes some time off to finish her dissertation. I could come in May/June to help with the summer ESL program and then cover her spot in the fall. I was encouraged and more excited about the possibility to serve, but there were no details.
Then, in the first week of February I got an email from Kate asking me if I could come earlier--April! So, everything started moving! And I'm going for sure!
There are many things to do in the next two months: prayer and financial support raising, figure out what do with my stuff and school loans for 8 months, pack (ack!), and see as many friends and family as I can! While I'm not technically "ready" to go, my heart is ready. I am so thankful for how the Lord has constructed this opportunity. I trust that he will provide everything (and every dollar) I need to go and to thrive there. I'm praying that this 8 month stint in Cambodia will provide vision and direction for what might be next!
More to come... Please pray!
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