God's Initiation Part 2: My Graduation

I am stepping out of the boat again, eager to walk on water, eyes locked with Jesus.

Matthew 14: 25-31 “ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 

It really does matter what we do with our life, how we spend our time, resources, gifts, talents, vacations, and who we lay down our lives for. God really is King above all and has written out a story that He would love to include all of us in. It’s a story of love, loss, and connection. It’s a story that He died for and lives on to welcome others in on. It’s a story of you and me, laying down our lives for one another just as God has already laid down His life for us. We are only called to do what he has showed us, that is to forgive, heal, bridge the gap, love unconditionally, and welcome all into God’s family. Little bit by little, with words, with actions, we are called to be-loved and to be-love.  That is what I want to do with my life, that is why my BCC graduation only marks the beginning of my continued journey of taking each step one day at a time, choosing to trust that Jesus is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do. I want to trust Him with my all and be His hands and feet to those He leads near me. I can’t do it on my own. I don’t have all of the answers. I don’t have all of the resources, time, gifts, and I am not perfect. I do have Jesus and Jesus is the way maker, with more than enough. He will help us all step outside of what is comfortable to walk on water. God prepared a table for me, He called me to Cambodia for 2018. If Jesus brought me here just to be able to give gift bags packed from my home church in Louisiana of cross necklaces, coloring sheets, and candy to local and street kids, then it was all worth it. If Jesus brought me in Cambodia just to be able to share my testimony for three hours with a local friend and business woman at a salon then it was all worth it. If Jesus brought me in Cambodia just to sit next to my brother in the Bible Core Course during Revelation week, as he tried to stop the flow of tears from streaming down his face as we watched scenes of Jesus’ death on the cross as portrayed in the movie the Passion of the cross then it was all worth it. If Jesus brought me to Cambodia just to be able to process a lifestyle of faith and missions with my lifelong best friend all the while sharing the gospel with and praying for the Ming we bought our coconuts from yesterday, then it was all worth it. God has yet again, “prepared a table before me”. He is calling me back to Cambodia 2019. If Jesus is bringing me back just to be able to be a bridge to those already in this country who deeply love Jesus, to encourage them with more helping hands, the family of Christ that I will be leading back here, a new DTS team, it will all be worth it. If Jesus is bringing me back to mentor and learn from my new team, and grow as a John 17 community, to stretch my capacity and enlarge my heart for love, it will all be worth it. 

If Jesus is bringing me back to continue to preach and example the gospel message of Jesus to my YDC students and our street kids, it will all be worth it. 

If Jesus is bringing me back to continue pursuing friendship with locals like the Ming, being able to speak and preach more of God's love in Khmer, it will be worth it. 

Let me unpack it: after finishing and graduating from my BCC (Bible Core Course) with YWAM here in Poipet a few weeks ago, I have recently given my Yes to a 2 year commitment to staffing with YWAM Ships in Kona Hawaii. With this, I am also committing to lead a 9 month DTS outreach team back to Poipet Cambodia in 2019. I am praying that God prepare the hearts of the team in advance, that God has a solid co-leader to run with me, that God will orchestrate beautifully all the ministry opportunities with our local ministry partners so we can impact this nation with the love of Jesus together, and that we will all get good rates on transportation (flights, etc.), among so much more like visas, medical shots, and language. 

Please pray with me and for us! 

Though there is much to prepare, I am excited to be able to shift from student to staff and lead with wisdom, grace, love, compassion, and enthusiasm in 2019. 

The shift has already taken place though; now I am currently helping out with our Poipet base operations as a mission builder/staff in our media, finances, and worship department. However, I am still a student because I am continuing to learn Khmer with Bong Pheap.  

Regarding staffing DTS in 2019, I am excited to help others process their new missionary journey with God as I'll be doing one-on-ones with DTS students throughout the year. However, I am still a student as I'll be being mentored and pastored by missionary veterans at the Ships and Poipet YWAM Base throughout the year. I am excited to grow and watch God continue to rock my world. 

One step at a time, the journey continues. I am stepping out of the boat again because Jesus is calling, "Come". #CamboTake2     

Below: My Khmer brother and teacher Bong Pheap 

Below: Base staff life sometimes means picking up trash in our neighborhood like we did this past Friday. That's me in the black with blue pants, with my Advocare camouflage cap, and my dad's tough rubber blue gloves 

Below: a Word for me from a friend during base prayer and intercession last Wednesday. Especially regarding deciding to return, these words have really encouraged and continue to encourage me. 

Below: I have $330 I would like to raise for my final 2018 staff fee installment here at YWAM Poipet, due by this November 6th.

If you would like to give. It’s easy: DM me or simply click the “Give Today” button at the top of this blog page to begin. Thank you and may God’s love overflow in and through you so that you too can step out of the boat too. 

 Below: The verse that I shared yesterday with the Ming while drinking a coconut (Khmer)

Below: I graduated from DTS and now YWAM BCC! I still have so much to learn. 

Below: After BCC grad I went to Siem Reap and Phnom-Penh with friends, stay tuned for a new upcoming blog about my time there and what I learned about love. This panoramic with me in it twice from my time on vacation embodies my new hash tag #CamboTake2 

Below: a photo from our grad night with BCC graduates, local business and NGO ladies, a YDC student, mission builder, and local pastor. 

Below: The verse that I shared yesterday with the Ming while drinking a coconut (English)