December 8th, 2023

 Cambodia. A country I never dreamed I would ever have the opportunity to set foot in, but yet I just spent the past month and a half serving the Lord and exploring the beauty of this nation. I'm so thankful I got the chance to deepen my relationship with Christ, and now I'll take a moment to reflect on my time there.
 It was a time of being shocked by the goodness of God and His timing. I'll start with University ministry. It was an amazing time of getting to teach in the American Corner at not one, but two universities about Communication in a Digital Age and what that looks like in the US. If you would have told me a year ago that I would be teaching in the University of Southeast Asia barefoot, I most likely wouldn't have believed you. What did I learn from this experience? I learned that no matter what we think we are prepared for, that the Lord will provide us with the opportunity to fully rely on Him for strength-and we will go much farther than we could ever have imagined.
 Next, the prayer walks. I have to admit, walking over cities and praying over them is a new concept to me, but I embraced it deeply. Do I start my mornings with prayer anyways? Typically, yes. But there is something renewing about waking up early and asking the Lord what He wants to do with a people that you've just begun to love and barely know.
 Now, it gets a little real. I remember the orientation our host gave us at Victory Church in Siem Reap and he said that a lot of missionaries struggled with their mental health while in Cambodia. Yeah, I did struggle and I didn't fully realize much I'd struggled with it until coming to Thailand. But I was able to see the goodness of the Lord and that He walks with me through every season of life.
 Last, but not least-the kindness of the people. Whether that was shown through the children I taught English giving me notes, or people I'd just met that day at church praying over me, it was a sweet time that showed me that every person deserves to hear the Good News and to feel the deep kindness of the Lord.
 Cambodia, you'll forever have a piece of my heart, and I'm grateful for everything the Lord showed me through my time in your land.

Blessings in Christ,
Gracie Yoder