Our First Month Back in Cambodia

Well, here we are.

Once again, Cambodia has become our home and though the journey for us never veered off from here, taking up residence in the nation after a long furlough has proved to be challenging but peaceful. In our hearts we know that this continues to be the harvest field into which we have been sent to labor for "such a time as this".

And so it is here that we will labor. These last couple of weeks I have had the privilege of resuming a weekly prayer meeting I have always had with our female staff members. I awoke early the morning of the first meeting we were to have, and as I read and was praying, the Lord very graciously dropped something very powerful into my heart. I was reading the story in Judges of Deborah and the song that she sang to the Lord after a victory in which she had been involved in Israel defeating some Canaanite foes. Three things hit my spirit as I read. I knew that they were encouragement to me as I stepped back into this particular season of our work in Cambodia.

First, when starting her song to the Lord she immediately praises God for people who "offer themselves" and for leaders who "willingly lead" in Israel. As we step back into Cambodia, I have recognized throughout the process of transitioning that I needed to continue to stay in a position of "willingness". For any of us, willingness is everything in our walk with the Lord and accomplishing His bidding in our lives. I encouraged the ladies with this also in light of how they continue to offer themselves willingly, daily, to the needs of the kids at Heritage House. Praise God for all the willing vessels around us both on that side of the ocean and this that offer themselves to see His gospel established in the lives of these kids and in this nation.

Secondly, I was encouraged by verse 7. This is the verse that after God initially had my attention, hit me as though my heart had a bulls eye on it. It reads, "village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, until I, Deborah arose, arose a mother in Israel". After a season of rest, a season of contemplation, a season to take in while in the states, I knew as I stepped back into this nation I must decide a few things. The willingness issue I had settled, but when the Lord highlighted this verse something in me was shaken. I knew that I knew that I was being reminded of a calling that the Lord has made plain before me in being here. I have had friends confirm to me even before I left come here 8 years ago and through out the time since even up to a email I recieved this week concerning the Lord's call on my life here to a place of authority and mothering. I knew as I read those words that the dorm moms and I must arise to take our positions of authority in the spirit, once again, over these children. Have we been doing that in prayers and logistical matters and the like... yes, but something needed to be stirred again as we redefined our places and our callings in regards to the running of this house.... Naron and I all but wept as we prayed and allowed the Lord to plant this deeper in our hearts. One English term she knows, from some English I have passed on over the years, is "stand up"... She looked at me and said in Khmer and then in English... "Oh Mama, it is time, we must "stand up"! Yes, there is no doubt that there is no time for us as mothers to wait any longer, we must arise lest village Life begin to cease around us. We are gate keepers and when we arise and stand up willingly, we will see battles won.

Finally, verse 12 states "Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake and sing your song!" This closed it out for me. Personally, whenever I feel the Lord move me deep in my spirit, whenever I feel moved by the Lord on a deep level, stirred, awakened.... I feel if I am moved to worship.... I feel confident to declare in authority what He is stirring over me, over my family, over Heritage House or any area I feel Him releasing within me an authority.... I feel confident to declare what I am sensing in song.

I know that this is a somewhat long update and there are so many things I could have shared on what daily life is looking like, but I wanted to share with you the goodness of the Lord in meeting me and moving me through His "living" word to me last week... I am willing and by His grace I pray that I am awaking to the song of the Lord as I arise where I am to mother and continue to lay my hands to that which he has graciously given me to do. I pray that you are all doing the same on your priceless journey He has you on. I know so many of you, and so many of you inspire me to keep on at the task ahead of me. Let us arise to the call... and see Him receive His reward and all the Glory as He accomplishes His will in the earth through us. I feel a song coming on!