The day in Phnom Penh was another special day. I’m learning to walk with God in expectancy. God is ALWAYS up to some really cool stuff. We said farewell to the ministry organization we had been primarily working with, Daughter’s. While at Daughters main operation, the Day Center where products are sewn and assembled, we spent the majority of our time praying. For the organization, the staff, women and their children. Daughter’s also has a coffee shop near the river called Sugar and Spice. This is a restaurant and boutique selling the wares created at the Day Center, and a salon. Noelle and I spent a few hours this week with the women working there doing art projects with them. We collaborated on a menu board border design—the vine encircling the board is very Carla-esque and replicates a swirling doodle design I draw frequently in notebooks that belong to me. Noelle painted some beautiful and detailed roses.
We sketched our design using chalk first, and once we began painting the women who work there came over and began watching us. Noelle and I had the foresight to get some additional brushes and they were quickly a part of the painting. Painting on this border design with the women that worked at the shop was WONDERFUL! We painted the border together, and even painted our faces! I must confess that I do have a tendency to put painted and markered mustaches on my face—we all had a good laugh about myself and my Cambodian counterpart who was ALSO sporting a green painted on mustache. She and I looked quite silly, and were saying, “SO Sah-at!” Sah-at means beautiful.
The Sugar and Spice staff art project we came up with was inspired by 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us. We decorated some paper jar shapes on the first day and glued them to a piece of construction paper folded in half to create a card. Emphasizing making them beautiful using our favorite colored markers and cutting out shapes with various colored papers because each and every one of them IS beautiful and fearfully and wonderfully made. The next day we used magazines to collage our dreams. The point of the project was for them to know how beautiful they are, represented by the paper jars of clay and that their dreams are treasures given from God and reminding them to dream. I had an opportunity to pray with several women at the Day Center and at Sugar and Spice while we were saying goodbye. There are always a few girls that bring tears to my eyes as I say goodbye to them and this was no exception. Saying “Bye! Bye!” to those sweet little children in the daycare was difficult too. I am trusting the people I get to know and meet along this journey to God.
We weren’t allowed to take photos at the Day Center or Sugar and Spice but there is a lot of information on Daughter’s website if you are interested in reading more about this phenomenal institution (http://www.daughtersofcambodia.org/).
Yesterday we had dinner at the YWAM base in Phnom Penh. There is a group of approximately 15 doing their outreach in Cambodia from New Zealand. This was so much fun to talk with them and compare the things that we are doing, learning, studying. Some of the students on the team went to a Cambodia wedding—they got their hair and makeup done and rented these outrageous dresses to wear. Think 80’s prom style. Loud, bright, and with lots of beads and sequins. The pictures were so cute, and one of the girls shared with us that the ceremony lasts ALL day and the bride changes dresses 7 times! Can you imagine a bride picking out 7 dresses!?!
After dinner we went to the Russian Market and met up with another ministry for outreach. This program is called The MST Project (Men and Sex Trade). Teams go out and use a survey to begin talking to foreign men that walk by the table we set up. The surveys are used to collect demographics and also as an opening to talk to them about Jesus. The heart of this ministry is for the men involved in the sex trade because we are all broken people. This was a shift in perception as the last month we had spent working with the women who were putting pieces of broken lives back together after coming out of the sex trade industry. So seeing this facet of what God is doing is something I am thankful to have experienced. I am truly blessed to have been able to go out and show God’s love to this population. These men absolutely need God, just like you and me. Half of us went out to the red light districts and the other half stayed behind and prayed. While we were out talking with people we communicated with the prayer team via text messages.
Learning how to approach these men was a process. The men are in a hurry with other things on their minds, and most were not interested in taking time to fill out a survey (I probably wouldn’t have either…). After each interaction I learned something. Whether someone said nothing, or offered an excuse I would process what happened and adjust my approach. I’m thrilled to be walking more and more in faith instead of fear and not be afraid of this rejection. This probably wouldn’t have been something that I could have done a year ago. Honestly. But you guys, when I simply said, “Hey! How are you doing?” –and genuinely wanted to know the answer—this was enough to stop someone and start a conversation. If you want to check out more their website is www.mstproject.com.
We had opportunities to pray for some of the men we spoke to, and also for some children that were out and about selling flowers or books. We have taken to carrying snacks around with us to give to people who are begging or look hungry. I LOVE handing out snacks and had run out a few hours prior. Right before we left the red light district Nelson bought them a sandwich to share among them—it was wonderful to see those little boys smile! Noelle and Sara were also out (Rachel and Anna stayed back with another team praying), and it was incredible to see us all come together and work as a team.
So, that is a lot of the things happening. My heart is growing. We are reading through the New Testament together as a team. Quiet time with God is a little bit of a struggle as I try to squeeze all the things into free time. Answering e-mails to loved ones, updating photos, researching new things I am encountering, looking up language, being still, listening to music/sermons on my ipod… the time is full and choosing God as priority is a struggle at times with other demands. When I don’t have quiet time with God the day is just different. Not as much joy or patience. I’m learning so much about what God’s people look like all over the world, and how complicated problems with injustice can be. Learning about the power and love behind a smile and the way this action transcends even speech differences. Each day I learn more about being a broken person and God’s grace and love. God is truly amazing.
Sending you love and big blessings from Cambodia,
:o)
Carla