When I returned from Kenya, I knew I would find another way to serve internationally…I just assumed it would be back to Kenya. And I don’t think that Kenya is off the table for me, I mean, Geoffrey lives there and my heart will forever be tied to that country, but I’ve decided to run through the door God opened for me and serve in Cambodia this year! Before I actually “ran” through the door, I had to first find it on a map.  🙂

I am so excited about this trip. The trip is July 19-29th and we have a team of 11 people; 2 men and 9 women. The orphanage that we are going to is run by a man named Vek Huong Taing. He, his wife, and their infant son miraculously survived the Khmer Rouge during 1975-1979. During this time, between 1.5 and 2 million Cambodians were killed. After the country reopened it’s borders in 1991, Pastor Vek and his family decided to go back and dedicate their lives to helping those most affected; the children. (I’m wanting to watch the movie “Surviving the Killing Fields” to get a better grasp on just what took place during the time of the Khmer Rouge if anyone is interested…)

Knowing that I’ll be working with kids makes me think of my own experiences growing up in church. Jones Memorial United Methodist provided me a firm foundation of faith and also some of my dearest friends. VBS, children’s church, the Christmas Poinsettia service and The Bible Tells Me So Show performance are some of my highlights from growing up in church. But it’s that foundation that carried me through those formidable years of college. And so as I think about what my purpose is for this trip, I think back to my own experience and how grateful I am for the foundation I was given and for those that played a part in my story.

So, as I head prepare for another trip, I come to you with requests. My prayer is that I would enter into this experience without any expectation from my trip to Kenya, that I would be open to all that God has in store for me on this trip, and that God would bless my team’s efforts as we prepare to engage in relationship with the children in the orphanage. Beyond the prayers, each team member needs to raise $3000.00. If you feel led to support this trip, follow the instructions below or you can contact me about checks. Each donation is 100% tax deductible, and any extra money rasied for the trip goes straight to the orphanage to help support their long term needs.

1. Go to: www.GoglobalX.org
2. Click on the “give” on the top right hand side of the page
3. Fill in your contact information
4. Under globalX trip information:
– select Cambodia – Battambang
– select Orphanage Trip 1 – 7/19/2012 – 7/29/2012
– then type in my name
5. Fill in your cc information.
6. Click “review donation information” and finalize.

I am so grateful to everyone for their encouraging words as I fumble through this life. You are part of my story, and my story is His story. If you have any questions about what’s going on in my life, or want more information about Cambodia, let me know! I’d love the opportunity to catch up. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Love,
Amanda

Colossians 4:4-6 – Pray that I proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.