“We’re missionaries,” I tell him, It doesn’t seem to register… “Yes, we’ve had people come from America before and teach English.” I pause and think for a second, wait, what are we doing here? We’re just some young guys that decided to put ourselves in some foreign countries for a year. Oh yeah, and we’re walking with God almighty. We’re missionaries…right? What does that mean? It means we are going to the uttermost parts of the earth to spread the truth and love of the God of the universe to every tribe and tongue we can get to. He’s given us his life, shouldn’t we give ours? We lay down our lives every day so that the Lord can be most glorified through us. There’s no difference between the guys and me being in the States or being here in Cambodia. We’re some young men that are walking with the Lord’s plans in mind. So yeah, we’re missionaries. But I want to emphasize the only difference here, we just seem to be a little further from home. I challenge you with this-how are you surrendering to the Lord today so he can use you for his bigger-than-you plans? He’s got a lot to show you.
The last month has been a peaceful, slower time as a team. We’ve been based in a small town outside the large city of Siem Reap where we’ve been staying at a high school. At this high school we both sleep, teach English and build friendships. Our time has mostly been filled with becoming friends with all of the students. We’ve gotten to show love to them through intentional conversations and playing basketball, volleyball, and soccer. The Khmer culture is based on real relationships. Through these built relationships, we get to share our hearts and the love that the Father has for them. As simple as the time has been here, the number of ways the Lord has sanctified each day so specifically has been a blessing to walk in.
Every day the Lord has his plans in mind for our team. An example of this is getting to meet some long-term missionaries from Sweden. We got to have a great conversation over some fried rice and a Bible study. They’ve been here for about nine years now and have three boys that speak English, Swedish, and Khamer. It’s mind-blowing that although from different places across the world, we’re here for the same purpose. It’s also comforting to know there are established ministries here for people to build upon. Another day looked like our team visiting a family and listening to just a little bit about their life story. Through trying to listen through the translator, we caught only a little bit of the situation they were in. We prayed over them and left. At first, I felt so helpless in the situation, what could we possibly do for this family? I felt as though saying any word wouldn’t do a thing. But soon after, I was filled with so much compassion for the family, and so much sympathy overwhelmed me. I knew with all my confidence that the Lord was listening very intently to our prayers for this family. Our presence in their yard and our prayer to the Lord were enough to make a shift in heaven and on earth. And that was enough.
We have had many things happen in our time here. An innumerable amount of seeds have been planted and are sprouting. We hope and pray and know that the Lord makes the growth in his perfect timing. It’s hard to know how big of an impact we’ve been able to make in just a month. It’s also hard for us to leave people we’ve gotten to be with every day for the last month. I am grateful for the time we have had. I’m glad it’s not up to us when a heart decides to turn in the direction of the cross. But wow do we have so much hope in knowing we can show someone Jesus just by the way we love each other? Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. -Romans 5:5
Thank you everyone for your intentional prayers. Our ways have been made clear and prosperous through the prayers laid out for us. I would ask that you would continue to pray for the soil of hearts to be ready to receive the seeds of the gospel. That we would not be unaware of Satan’s schemes against our time on this journey. That our time as guys together would be sanctified each day and we would walk in greater love for eachother to serve to the best of our ability. Thank you for reaching out and being in this ministry with us.
Standing on His promises, Zach Flowers
visiting a spillway where hundreds of people get their daily fill of fish
the cars seem to be smaller here
that’s a rat
the intricate Buddhist temples
the land of Cambodia
a Pagoda
Karaoke nights
trying to find clothes that fit is very difficult
some discipleship with some local kids
the most precious times
