Hi everyone! It has been a while since I have posted a blog. I wrote this about 3 weeks ago and I just now finished it.
My team’s first week of ministry was amazing. My team was able to walk the streets of Siem Reap and talk to people. Many of the people know English here but it was hard at times. Some people know English but have a hard time understanding when you try to share the Gospel with them. Even with the language barrier, God put people in our path that we could share with many times.
On Saturday we met a tuk tuk driver named Vichet aka Bruce Lee and he had really good English. He really wanted to take us on a tour and was super friendly trying to sell on us on this sunset experience. We talked to him for a while and he invited us to come to his village some time. So on Monday, we took a ride to his village and brought some some small gifts for the children in his village. The joy on the kids faces as we gave them some snacks and school supplies was priceless. For most of the day, we were able to love on his family and his village. We got to walk around and see what this “village” was like. Honestly, I did not really know what to expect when they said village because all sorts of pictures come to mind when thinking about a village. This village was surrounded by rice fields and it was very poor. Not everyone had a real house as many of them were pieced together and looked like shacks. It was definitely a humbling experience. As we walked around, we talked to people, tried some new fruits, and before I knew it, I was wading through rice fields in bare feet. It did make me very uncomfortable but then I just laughed thinking how crazy it was that I am in Cambodia with some people I met two months ago walking barefoot through warm and muddy field water. All of us were looking at each other like, “Are we actually doing this?”
One thing that melted my heart was when Bruce’s eight year old daughter, Cha Tra, grabbed me by the hand and just led me around as we walked. Even though I could not say a word to her other than hello, she was so sweet towards me. She barely knew us and was so willing to be kind to us. Later in the day, we got to fish in a water lily pond with a stick, string, and a hook tied to it and she gave Reid and I some snacks which were actually surprisingly good. She wanted to carry my water bottle for me and would give it back to me regularly to drink some water. She handed me lily pads and so I made snowflakes out of them with my knife and she loved it. We were able to interact and laugh even though we weren’t able to speak with each other. It really made me miss my sister, Addie. This little girl’s kindness blessed me so much.
There was another kid named Dao, who was also such a joy to be around. From the first moments we arrived, he was giving us high fives and had a huge smile on his face. He kept trying to talk to us and having no idea what he was saying, we just laughed together. He hung out with us all day and was such a blessing to all of us.
On Tuesday, we walked around the city and simply asked the Lord to put someone in our path. We interacted with multiple people but eventually we settled in a coffee shop for what we thought would be half an hour. We ended up staying there for five hours talking to a man named David and playing chess with his friend. He had great English and we were able to share the Gospel with him. He said he was 50-50 on Christianity because he had some logical questions that he had not resolved yet. Even still, it was an awesome conversation and the Lord used everyone of us to speak to David. About a week later, we were able to meet up with him and talk with him more.
Overall, our first week of ministry in Cambodia went really well. It feels so different that we are not just here for a week and have so much time to develop relationships. Part of me struggled when we spent five hours with a guy but then I realized that we do not need to be in a hurry.
One more thing. I know I have mentioned a new blog website many times that the World Race was going to use but they are no longer using it. This site will last until December 1st and then a new one will be used that is better for us. Thanks
Nate, thank you so much for sharing these wonderful stories and interactions. It is so cool to see you having a chance to spend extended time with folks from across the world. My favorite part is the request to have the Lord put someone in your path. May that be the heartbeat of all of us as we long to see others come to know Christ. Can’t wait to see your next post. Love you, Brother!
Oh Nate – such wonderful experiences. The Lord is surely using you even in smiles when language is a barrier. I have tears in my eyes over your comment about Addie. We will miss you this week at the Thanksgiving table, but know that you are telling oeople of the feast to come. Love you. MaMa
Nate, it is great to see how the Lord is using you to share His word. Thank you for the sacrifices you are making to do so.
It’s encouraging that you are making a conscious effort to call on the Lord to guide you in where to go and for how long and what to do. The Lord knows the heart of each person you are encountering. (And might I add he knows your heart). Remember Luke 2: 41-52 when Christ was young and in the temple and his parents were returning home until they realized he was not with them….. recall what his priorities were ….
Loved every word, Nate! “It’s All Yours, God” by Steven Curtis Chapman comes to mind. Every rice field, every tuk tuk driver, every little one you meet. May you sense God’s hand all around you and the warmth of his smile as you love on his image bearers.
Hi Nate,
It’s so wonderful to hear how God is using your gifts, your great smile, and your love and compassion toward the people of Cambodia. I’m sure that you may be missing your family and friends, especially at this holiday season. I pray that you may feel the presence of God with you wherever you are to comfort you, encourage you, provide for you, give you wisdom and sustain you with His love.
We love reading your blog!
Mr. Fred and Mrs. Sandy
the Spirit is at work
Nate! You are still the Pied Piper even in a foreign country without being able to communicate in the same language. Love you!
Nate,
So great to hear all about your time there and what God is doing and who he is bringing into your path. Thank you so much for sharing! Continuing to pray for you and your team and more opportunities to interact and share the good news!
Zig Hyman
Reading about your experiences me you are having an awesome experience. As I read about your day with Bruce’s daughter, I knew you had to be thinking about Addie.It was wonderful to talk with you this morning. You looked and sounded happy as you told us about your good experiences. You are surely a blessing as you share Jesus with these people. You may never know it but you will touch many lives in your journey. We will miss you Thanksgiving but will hold you in our thoughts and prayers. Mimi