It has been just over a week since we first got settled into our home here in Battambang. I already feel like so much has changed in how I’ve grown as an individual and in the way that I am seeking to grow my faith. I’ve seen so many cool ways that the people around me have grown. It makes me so excited to see what these next nine months will hold on this adventure.
A big thing that the Lord has revealed to me so far, is that I love to think that I can get by with doing things out of my own strength. For some reason, I seem to think that I’m always in the 10% that doesn’t get sick on the Race or that there is just no chance that I’ll get hit by a moto (motorcycle/scooter thing that most Khmer people get around town on) in the street. Don’t ask me why I think this because I honestly don’t know. Reality is that I do get sick (already got sick once since being here, but I’m better don’t worry mom!) and that I do have to be extra careful when biking around because traffic rules here (or lack there of) are nothing like traffic rules at home. I also don’t like to ask for help for fear of being a burden or inconvenience. Maybe it’s also a pride or independence thing. Point is, the Lord has really been working to reveal to me that I am not supposed to do the Race or anything else in this life out of my own strength. This is a whole new thing that I am going to have to learn to surrender.
I think that He first started trying to teach me about this idea when I was at training camp. One of our squad leaders, Taylor, gave each person on our squad a card with a word or phrase plus a bible verse on it. She made these before she even met us and had gotten each phrase by just sitting and listening to hear from the Lord. A lot of my squadmates knew instantly how their word or phrase applied directly to what they were experiencing in their life at that time. I read mine and read the bible verse and thought that it was something that I could apply to my life and was a cool idea, but I didn’t really take it to heart.
The card that Taylor had given me said, “His STRENGTH in your WEAKNESS.”
The verse was 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10. It says, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
On Friday night we had time to sit down and debrief the week as a team. We just got to talk about our highs and lows of the week. Ways we saw growth and ways we want to continue to grow. We were able to encourage each other in the gifts that we already have and encourage in areas of growth. Rachel (our team leader) made cards for us in the same way that Taylor did.
The word on my card was strength. The verse came from Colossians 1:9-12 and says, “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”
And then I was yet again reminded of His strength last night when I opened a letter from a sweet friend at home (thanks em bush!). She included a verse to read at a time when I was feeling overwhelmed and it said, “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.” It was the same verse that Taylor had given me and it was all the more encouraging and reassuring. When the Lord wants me to know something, He always makes Himself clear to me. It was also really amazing that she left me a verse of encouragement which happens to be the one that Racers memorize before going to training camp since it is the Great Commission. It comes from Matthew 28: 19-20 and says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
One thing I have noticed that I am starting to struggle with is feeling lonely and homesick in moments of rest. On the Race we have a lot of time to rest and to be intentional with what we do during this time. I realized that at home I am not very good at taking a moment and actually being intentional with my mind and body to rest. I think that the Lord is trying to remind me of His strength in these moments when I feel lonely that the only way I am going to make it through the hard moments is if I call on upon Him to carry me and be my strength.
I would love prayers that I would be able to find newfound strength in the Father. I would also love for you to join me in praying over the Khmer people and the work that the Lord is doing here. Thank you!! XO
-Elena
Yay Elena!! So happy that the Lord is making himself clear to you and showing you just how much you can handle. Stay amazing!
Praying over you now. I’m excited to see all that God will show you as you chose to spend deliberate time with Him. See you soon.
Thanks for the reminder to be still before the Lord, to let Him recharge our batteries, and to depend on Him to meet our needs. Praying your strength comes directly from Him and is used for His glory and your continued growth. You are encouraging us to grow alongside you. Thanks!