Cambodia 2013 has been 4.5 years in the making for
me.
When embarking upon my teaching career, one of my
hopes was that I would be able to participate regularly in short-term missions
during my summers off. Soon after
I first joined Great Exchange Fremont in 2008, the second Cambodia team from
GRX was sharing about their experience from that year’s trip, but at the time I
didn’t really have a personal connection with Cambodia.
As 2009 rolled around, I was burnt out from my
first year teaching and decided on vacationing instead of missions. Then 2010 came and went because I
planned on getting a dog. Finally,
I was ready to consider going in 2011, but due to transitions within the
church, Great Exchange Fremont didn’t send a team that year. 2012 came around and the trip fell after
my school year would begin. I
remember telling one of our pastors, Victor, that I would go the next year if
the trip fell in June.
By God’s timing, this year’s trip ended up falling
(quite unexpectedly and at the very last minute) in June. However, the decision to go was still a
struggle. The older I get the more
responsibilities seem to tie me down: my house, my dog, family responsibilities,
etc. Additionally, I have wrestled
with the questions about the value of short-term missions. How much can really be done in two
weeks? Am I just trying to “take
the easy way out” in terms of evangelism by going on a mission trip to feel
good about myself rather than staying and reaching out to those around me
here? What if when I come back
life just goes back to normal as if nothing happened?
So what made me finally decide to go?
11)
I couldn’t get past the whole God’s timing
thing, and the fact that I had essentially promised to go if the trip fell in
June.
22)
I received a mission support letter from my
cousin Eric, who will be going to Rwanda this year for missions. In his letter he talked about how time
has flown by and he’s found that he’s gotten settled in his comfortable
suburban lifestyle, but how God was calling him to go! It reminded me of two things. First, life is not going to get any
less busy as I get older. As a
single woman, I have relatively little responsibility compared to my cousin,
who is married with three kids. It
also reminded me of the desire God had put in my heart when I graduated and planned
on doing missions during my summers off, and it reminded me that it’s been 7
years since I last went on a mission trip!
33)
One of my biggest fears is still that I will
come back from this trip unchanged.
However, over the past 4.5 years, I have supported my friends who have
gone to Cambodia each year through prayer and financial support. Through hearing their stories my heart
for the country has grown.
Supporting others has also given me to opportunity to see the impact
that this trip has had on numerous lives.
Because of Cambodia missions, one of my small group members moved to
Cambodia, one of my small group members embarked on a 1.5 year missions trip
(she has since returned and is on our team again this year!), and several
friends have gone back to Cambodia multiples times. Additionally, Steep, the small group I currently attend was
born from the first Cambodia trip in 2007.
44)
I truly believe in purpose of this trip. During my time at Great Exchange I have
seen my church’s relationship with Cambodia mature, which reminds me that this
trip is more than just a two-week trip, it’s about growing a long-term
relationship that has already been established over the past 6 years. It is an exciting privilege to get to
be a part of what God is doing in Cambodia, and to be a part of deepening the
relationship between my church and our partners in Cambodia.
In
short, God called, and I decided I better start listening. Please continue to keep myself and the
team in prayer! Thanks for your
support!
<3
Candace
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