Touchdown!

I just got back from Cambodia on a Mission Adventure's trip.  MA is an amazing organization within the YWAM family who put together missions trips for church youth groups to give them a taste of what it would be like to be an over-seas missionary.  It also allows them to have some exposure to other cultures and people who they wouldn't normally cross paths with, in order to expand their world view, and to allow them an opportunity to help others who are in real need.  I was asked to co-lead this team with a good friend of mine.  I wasn't quite sure how it was going to go, but it was fabulous!!  I really love the MA program, and would gladly join them again!

This is the old house we tore down

One of the main things our team was involved in was building a house for a sweet older lady who had lost her husband during the genocide.  She was living in slum a thatched shack, looking after her two grandchildren.  She told the story about how hard it was living there, and how she'd have to constantly be checking the children's beds to make sure there weren't snakes in them - which happened quite often.  Through tears she thanked us for the opportunity to have a new house that was safe.

Painting the sideboards

Sawing our 45 degree angle - apparently
there is a need for geometry in real life! ha!

We started the project working along-side some of the local Cambodians - even our tuk tuk driver jumped in to help!  There was another team there as well from Wellington, NZ, so there were many hands to do the job - sometimes too many.  haha!  It was great though, and as we mixed concrete, hammered things, sawed things, and painted things… all was beginning to take shape rather quickly!  Every day the lady would stand by and watch us with a look of awe and thankfulness in her eyes.  And every day she would cry, as each day brought the reality of a house closer to her.  It was really touching.

On the last day we had a dedication ceremony and gave her the keys.  The verse Jeremiah 29:11 was shared with her - that the Lord really does have a good plan for her life - one of hope!!  We prayed for her, and knew she was excited to move in and make this house her home.  LOVE THAT!!

It's not perfect, and in this photo
not totally finished, but you can see
 how much was accomplished in 4 days!

The happy new home owner!

I'm back in NZ today… and leave again in two days for the USA!  I am looking forward to seeing friends in California, and having some rest along the way as well!  It's been an insane couple of months - but so very good at the same time.  I love to be a part of what God is doing around the world.  To be his hands and feet and mouth to those who are searching for more to life is something I will never ever take for granted.  It is a huge honor and privilege to meet those I have met along the way.  People like this lady in Cambodia… whose face is etched on my heart.

One of the things I took away from this house build was that the house was not built perfectly - not by a long shot - but yet it was built sturdy and it will last her a long time.  And more importantly, it was built with love by the hands of a bunch of teenagers (and some of us older ones!) who will not forget the gift they have given someone who has so little.  It was actually pretty humbling.  And pretty inspiring.  And pretty wonderful.