Hey Everyone!
Life has been super busy as we are settling in here in Battambang. It’s hard sometimes to even find a time to A. sit down and write a blog and B. have wifi to post it. I’m trying instead to start writing more on my computer about things that are going on in my life and then I’ll post them as I finish them and have wifi.
First big thing is that I want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who has supported me financially. I am officially fully funded which is HUGE. It was amazing to see the way that the Lord provided for me through all of you and His provision is an amazing reminder that He is powerful and makes things that seem impossible, possible. I had about $1,300 left to fundraise a week before I left for World Race Launch. Originally I had said that I would love to have all the funds in my account before I even left, but I honestly said it loosely so as to not be disappointed if the funds didn’t come in. I didn’t really believe that I could actually be fully funded before I left and that God could and would make that happen for me. I was reminded of His faithfulness as just a few days before I left, the amount that I still needed to fundraise decreased. I am truly so grateful to you all for being the answer to this prayer. I would not be here without all of your support and generosity.
Here is a rough schedule of what the days here are looking like to give you a better picture. There’s so many things that I am wanting to share that I’m honestly a little overwhelmed with where to start. So instead I have decided that it might make more sense for me to open myself up to questions from you all. It could be about anything from what Cambodia looks like, to the weather (HOT AND HUMID), to the food or people, to more about our ministry, more about my team/squad, where I even get wifi connection, the crowded bathroom situation, etc. Anything you can think of, I would love to answer it! This will also help me to know more specifically what I should write about so that I can paint a better picture for you all. I want to take you along with me during this journey as much as I can! Leave you questions in the comments below:)
5:30 am wake up – sometimes exercise, sometimes go sit up on the roof and look at the sunrise, daily devotional, get dressed and ready for the day
6:30 am breakfast together as a squad – one of the teams is cooking all of our meals for us during the week. This is their ministry for the month and they have been such a blessing to our squad. Shoutout to Team Kaleo for their hard work and hearts to serve us all.
7:00 am devotionals across the street at the Ezra School – we get to pray as teams or as a squad and just get ready for our day of ministry
7:30 am most squads leave for ministry – my team’s ministry doesn’t start until later in the day so we have some free time until we leave at 8:30am for the hospital
8:30 am hop on our bikes to go to the hospital
9:00 – 11:00 am ministry at the hospital. Either making cards, playing games, playing guitar, visiting with the patients/caregivers. We are hoping to set up a “spa” next week for the caregivers. They work really hard to take care of their loved ones and are exhausted. It is easy to see the toll that always being at or near the hospital has taken on them. Setting up a spa where we can rub lotion on their hands or paint their nails is a really easy way for us to help them relax and to show them love.
11:30 am arrive back at home for lunch
12:30 pm devotional time as a squad
1:00 – 2:00 pm free time. There’s a lot of kids around at the school next door that we play with or sometimes a quick nap is needed.
2:00 pm we leave for the Ezra cafe and library.
2:15 – 4:30ish we are at Ezra planning two ministry events that will happen in two weeks. We are currently working on planning them out and creating our vision as well as advertisements and ways to get the words out.
4:30ish – 6:30 pm we have free time. Sometimes this looks like going to the market to get snacks or going to a cafe to get wifi or going to pick up your laundry. This has been a super sweet time to hang out with people from the squad and play out in the street with the kids in front of our house.
6:30 pm we have dinner all together!
7:30 pm we have team time. This is a chance to reflect on the day and to work on building relationships as a team. After this we pretty much have time to do whatever. This mostly means getting ready for bed. Most people are in bed by around 9:30 pm or so since we all get up so early. The time in schedule has been something that has been a little bit of an adjustment for sure!
This is just our schedule during the week. Saturdays are our days for adventure and Sundays we are working on practicing Sabbath and just resting and preparing for the week ahead.
Hope that this helps a little bit, please please please drop your questions in the comments below!! Again, it can be ANYTHING!
Thank you for sharing your schedule with us! It looks full but also time for rest and being with Jesus. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
Hello, I am Jaynna’s mom… so I have some questions! Jaynna does not share information very well. Ha ha.. okay, you kinda glossed over the bike ride… what does it look like? Dirt roads? Organized or chaotic? What kind of weather to you have? What do you see around you… mountains? Flat lands? Tropical plants or what kind of vegetation? Food: what is the main ingredient? Do they have similar stuff? Are their customs the same? Do they have a regular town area? Stores? McDonald’s? What do they sell? What do they like to do? Do they know God? Are they receptive to you girls? I think taking care of the caregivers is an awesome service! I can’t wait to hear the stories of the people you meet and see you share the love of Jesus… which is a universal language! God wants a relationship with everyone and the sounds of prayers are easy to understand. ??
Sorry for the barrage of questions! I love what God is doing through you girls!
Thank you! Lisa
Hi Elena! I’m so glad to know you are safely in Cambodia and it sounds like you are settling into your new normal. I would love to hear your observations of what you are finding in the people and culture of Cambodia that is the same as in the US and what is different. One of the most rich things about travel is finding that we have so much in common with those around the world and sometimes finding that others have a better way to do things. What are you noticing? Sending a big hug and daily prayers to you. Love, Heather
Thanks for the picture of a day in your life on mission. I would love to hear more about your hospital visits…how many people do you see? What is their hospital like? Do you just knock on people’s doors or are you getting to know the long term patients?