Counting The Cost Of Following Christ

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life." Mark 10:29-30

           Last year's Christmas was probably the hardest Christmas season I had to go through.  Having left Kenya at the end of October and arriving to Cambodia at the end of November, I had forgotten that Christmas will follow soon after.  Saying goodbye at home was hard and transition and settling into a new country is not easy either.  But adding all that to a holiday season, where everything is about family and loved ones, just tips the scale.  With all my preparations to get here in the prior months, I did not remember that I will be getting here a just few days before Christmas.  That is definitely one cost I had not counted when I told God 'yes, sign me up for missions.'

I knew I would have to leave family behind but I didn't process how holidays would look like in far away country without friends and family.  To make it even more difficult, Cambodian's do not celebrate Christmas. During the Christmas season, it is business as usual here in Cambodia.  Having been caught unawares by the holidays, I decided to spend Christmas alone in my house.  I had invitations to go out and eat in a restaurant with some colleagues but I  turned them down knowing how that will make me miss Christmas at home even more. I was very happy when the season ended and life could go back to 'normal'.

Eating having Khmer Buffer dinner with Khmer friends
on New Years day

When I remember the above words that Jesus spoke to his disciples I know Jesus will give me more than what I have left.  I know this year's Christmas will be different - I will celebrate with the mothers and sisters and the brothers that God will give me here.  And actually, by New Year's, I had some Khmer friends that we went out to eat a buffet (Khmer style - see photo).  In retrospect,  as difficult as that season was, if I had a chance for a do - over, I would not change a thing.  I decided long ago that I would go to the ends of the earth for sake of the Gospel.  Every sacrifice is so worth it.  All that is happening now is experiencing the details of what my 'yes' looks like.

On the language front, I am making progress and my Language Coordinator told me a few days ago that I might start my language lessons in the University in April (this is part of the curriculum).  While that was intended to be good news, it made my stress levels go up a few notches higher.   If you are wondering why, let me explain.   Phnom Penh is a very crowded city with a lot of traffic.  So far, I have manage going for language lessons at the OMF Centre on foot (I live only 10 minutes away).  And even though sometimes it is stressful to cross the streets on foot, I have managed it well thus far.  To get to the University (which is further away),  I would have to ride a bicycle or motorbike.  I am not used to riding either leave alone maneuvering through the crazy traffic.  I had hoped that this part of riding a motorbike will come six months or a year after I have been here.  My other concern is that I am still learning my way around.  But then as I said above, for the sake of the Gospel, I have no choice but to do it.  If it is going to kill me then let it kill me.  The alternative is that it will make me stronger.

As you continue to pray for me/Cambodia:-

• Thank God for his hand on me and the progress I am making in the language.  I can now read a few words (well 3 letter words mostly) and can make my way around in the market and even speak short sentences with people.

• Stress is real.  Homesickness is real. When I was in Orientation in Singapore, I kept hearing from our leaders that Cambodia is high-stress field.  Now I am beginning to understand what they were saying.  Pray that God will give me wisdom on how to take care of myself spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally.  Pray that during these times of stress, I will quickly run and drink from the fountain of Living Water and learn to abide in his presence.

• Pray for salvation and healing of Cambodia.  As I continue to learn about her sad past, my heart breaks a thousand times over.  Pray that the church will arise, unite and pray for this nation according to 2 Chronicles 7:14