It's the little things

Hi friends and family! Or should I say "Sus dei!" (Hello in Khmer)

I just wanted to give a little big of what God's been showing me here in this amazing country.
I've been blessed to be able to go to the market and make friends during the time between ministries. One place most of us have come to love is The Blue Pumpkin. It's an amazing lounge where you can get delicious western food, fruit shakes, and Cambodian pastries. It's in Äircon, which is the cool way of saying air conditioning here. haha. I met a girl that works there and just started talking with her. She was super smiley and I just love making friends. She is Cambodian, and as I talked with her I found out she speaks four languages!!! Khmer (Cambodian), English, Spanish, and French!! I was soo impressed. Now, being at home in Southern California, I get super embarassed to try speaking in Spanish, especially since I'm half Mexican... it's just rather sad. haha. But here, I have NO understanding of Khmer; so to hear that someone can speak Spanish got me SUPER excited. I started trying to speak to her in Spanish, and found that bewteen English and Spanish I could have a pretty comprehensive conversation! I came to find out that she wants to move out of Camobodia, get a job, save money, and then return to help her family. My heart went out to her! I also felt like I really need to learn at least ONE other language. I think Spanish would be a good start. I'm pretty sure ministry in California has BIG use for that. ;)
To keep this story short... I came to find out that she is a Christian! She found Jesus because a foreigner ministered to her sister and then her sister told her. It made me SOOO happy. I have plans to hang out with her soon. :) She said she has questions and wants to sit by the river and talk. I'm so excited. Hearing that she found Jesus that way was such an encouragement to see the harvest of other believers who have been here before. Not only that, but I had such an increased realization of the affect of ministering to just one friend and the impact that has on the people in their sphere of influence.
Another friend that I made works in the Old Market. There you can barter and get all kinds of great Cambodian attire, paintings, and jewelry for very cheap. Our team has come to love their signature phrases. Anyways, with this one friend, I got to know her from purchasing some bags from her. I love returning to her every time I go and talking about her culture and what she believes. She asks questions about "my country"too. Hére's what I realized: Cambodians do not separate their culture from their religion. When I asked to learn about "Cambodian god", she began to tell me about times with her family and things they do together. She told me about celebrations and rituals and how she lives her daily life. It was difficult to explain to her that not everyone in America is Christian. I thought about it... and well, I feel like Cambodia just might be one step ahead in faith integration. Of course their faith isn't in Jesus, but I can't help but think how short I fall personally in integrating God in every aspect of my life. What does Christian culture even look like? Maybe I'll know when I begin by telling someone about Christianity by how I live more than the words I say. I've been taught this concept many times - to not be of the world - but I feel now more than ever I have a deeper understanding of what that might actually look like.
All that to say, I am being filled so much by the little encounters with the people God loves so much. Next blog I'll have to talk about all my thoughts on working with the kids. THEY are just as great. I know God is using our team to making lasting impressions on everyone, Cambodians, foreigners, and missionaries here alike! It's such a blessing to work with everyone on this team!
Thank you for your prayers and support!!

Until next time,
Robin