I’m sitting here trying to write my blog while 2 Cambodian kids get in my hammock with me and are taking my journal from me and pulling hairs out of my leg. There are 3 other kids in the hut wresting with one another. While all this is happening, I’m just amazed by the goodness of God. Cambodia has been a time of me seeing the Lord’s goodness and how blessed I am to be here. I’ve been reflecting lately about what all the Lord has brought me out of and brought me into. I look back to where I was 2 years ago and just stand amazed before the Lord. The Lord put 1 Peter 2:9 on my heart this morning which reads “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” I’ve really been thinking about the last part of being “called out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Cambodia has far surpassed my expectations so far and I’ve really been seeing “His marvelous light” that he has called me into. Whether it’s through the smiles of the kids, our dance parties after class, meals with my team, worshipping in a hut, or in my quiet time, the Lord has continually been revealing more of His marvelous light to me.
The ministry my team has been working with in Cambodia has been so great. We are working at an English school in a town called Chhuk. We have class Monday-Thursday, where we get to teach English to the students. I teach the younger students so we are doing very basic English like the alphabet, but it’s an absolute blast. I never would have expected myself to be teaching English in another country, but it has been a super enjoyable experience. It’s also a ton of fun to get to know the kids while playing tic-tac-toe or drawing with them when I’m not the one teaching. (This definitely never distracts them from class.) My favorite part of teaching is at the end of each class when we all meet together with the other classes to sing songs about Jesus and dance. Half of the songs are in English and half are in Khmer, but I kind of wish they were all in Khmer because the Khmer songs are amazing and so much fun. It’s really beautiful to see all these kids from non-believing backgrounds sing songs and dance for Jesus. I’ve also really noticed God giving me a deeper love for the kids here. Whether it’s by playing a game of “123” (what they call hide and seek) or “Run Stop” (what they call freeze tag) with the kids during break when all I want to do is lay down, or by giving a kid a piggy back ride for the 100th time, or spending time in prayer and intercession for the kids, I have clearly seen my love grow for the kids we are working with. It’s been really cool to see the Lord work on my heart this way and grow my ability to love them.
Our ministry also consist of a lot of soccer playing. We play soccer pretty much every evening at the field next to the school. Most of the kids at soccer go to our school but there are also some kids who do not. It’s always so much fun playing with the kids and when the older Cambodians come out we can play a competitive match of Cambodians vs Americans. We typically end up losing these matches but we won our most recent outing against them. We also get to see some of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen pretty much daily on the field. Some of my favorite times in Cambodia thus far have been playing soccer with all my friends while admiring God’s creation as the sun is setting. For our final ministry activity we have worship and intercession 3 times a week. We gather in a hut with local believers and just spend time praising the Lord and praying for the community. This is some of the most powerful worship I have ever experienced.
I am so blessed to be in the position I am today. Cambodia has been so awesome and definitely my favorite place we’ve been so far. I absolutely love the people here and also the food is so good. I also feel a lot closer to my team here and we have had some really fun times. Thank you guys so much for all of your support. I am so blessed to have people praying for me and supporting me on my journey. Please continue to pray for my team and I for unity and that we continue to grow in love. Please pray for the children that we are working with that they may come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Please keep my ministry host in your prayers as well, they are here long term so pray for strength and fruit in their ministry for years to come. Again, thank you guys so much.
I love reading about your time so far in Cambodia. The kids sound like so much fun. Your love for them shines through your blog!
In Jesus’ name, I pray for team Othy and their continual unity and brotherhood. I pray for the salvation of the students and kids they get to ministry to. And I pray for the ministry hosts in Cambodia, that they would have endurance and joy in the good work!
Clayton, thanks for the great update! We love hearing about your work at the school and with the kids. That must be so much fun! We love that the Lord has placed that scripture, 1 Peter 2:9, on your heart about being called into the marvelous light. It reminds us of John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”. You and your team are that light in that school! We are praying that God continues to work mightily through y’all. Keep it up! We love ya!!
Wow Clay! What amazing adventures in the Lord you are having. I am so glad you are having so much fun working with the children and playing soccer. Know we are praying for you and love you so much!
This is AWESOME! So proud of you and so exciting to hear all the mighty ways the Lord is using you! Praying for endurance, boldness, and grace as you continue on the journey.
Clayton,
Cherish your experiences and memories of this once in a lifetime trip and I am sure you will. You are blessed to be on a worldwide trip with World Race and developing friendships with your team and of course the fun times with the children. Blessings and safe travels as you move on. Love, G Pa and G Ma.
Tell those kids to buy a real jersey( the mighty tottenham hotpsurs)…. i love you bro, you’re such a light and it’s amazing to hear how the whole world gets to see that. praying for you daily!!!
Clayton, thank you so much for the heartwarming post. So thankful for all the Lord has done in your life and now doing through your life.
Bro, this brought me so much joy to read, especially the part about singing the songs in Khmer. I’m sitting here cheesing so hard right now at the thought of you hanging out with these kids and showing them the love of Christ through soccer and teaching English. I love the pictures and the baby chicken one is now my home screen lol. I’m praying for you brother and I miss you. Keep loving people well and showing the love of Christ. God is so good.