Again I have gone too long without making another post. Work on the school building and getting to know the rest of the team here, has filled up most of my days. On the rare chance that I get the day to myself, it is usually used laying on my bed or walking around the city in the humid heat of Cambodia. Unfortunately time has not been spent in front of this blog site describing it to you all. So I will now do my best to make up for it, and hope that if any of you all have questions, that you would kindly present them to me through Facebook or this blog. : )
Since my last blog post, we have made tremendous progress on the school building. We have all the plumbing and electrical run, almost all of the walls built and painted, the yard has been cleared cut and edged, the perimeter wall has been scrubbed and painted, the bathrooms have been cleaned, the tile floors have been polished, the shrines have been destroyed, the gate has been painted, the ceilings have been redone, the roof has been repaired, and the flower beds have been built. There is still more work to be done, but with the school grand opening on the 19th of April, the end IS in sight!
Our team is growing closer together and closer to Christ. Each of us come from different churches and different stages in life. We all have something to learn from each other and to each bring to the rest of the team. When we lean on God's Spirit to guide us as to what and how to share or receive, the product is absolutely beautiful. And when we dont....it becomes obvious right away. The Lord has poured out a wonderful portion of mercy and grace on us as we work with each other and rub up against each other day in and day out. Though the small bump might show up from time to time, it is recognized and dealt with using all wisdom from the Lord for each individual circumstance. I have not felt that life on the mission field is especially difficult or delicate between the team, as any church is back in the states. But I have found that when issues arise, they are certainly more obvious, and it is especially important to resolve the issue using the Lord's wisdom and not our own understanding. I do not say all this because of any particular disagreement that may have arisen, but simply because I saw it something note worthy. Much of my preparation for coming here had to do with team unity and team building. And as such, I felt it was something important to reflect upon. So please do not read too deep into it. : )
Aside from team growth. God has really blessed my personal growth as well. My experience here has certainly thrown its share of curve balls my direction. When I left the states, I had been living on my own for a few years and was used to setting my own schedule and not really having someone over me that I had to check in with to let them know about my plans. When I first got here, I had no personal vehicle, no key to the house, no cellphone, and no real authority over my daily plans. If I wanted to go somewhere, it really wasnt an option. Now of course if I really needed to go do something, arrangements would gladly have been made, but Lewis had his hands full with city officials and local connections, and the rest of the team was still trying to make a schedule and get settled in to the house. So plans to go out and do something JUST because I was looking for something to do was not worth disrupting others. This was quite the adjustment for me to wrap my mind around. I had no phone, so even if I wanted to go out and wander, the team had no way to contact me to tell me I was needed. In other words, I was "on call" from sun up to sun down, and being at the house was my beeper. Lewis quickly got us all cell phones, and Walter got me a house key, and that really opened up my freedom. But just the fact that I am on a mission team in rural Cambodia, puts a little bit of a tighter leash on me than I was used to in the states. I really had to hand the situation over to God for Him to do a work in my heart on the issue, which He was faithful to do. Soon enough I had my own moto, and things settled down. I now try to get out once a week and drive my moto through the country side or down to the ocean and wade out into the waves...just cause I can!
On top of learning to submit in my schedule, God has really been working the word "servant" into me. The revelations of servant hood exhibited first by my King towards me have been so precious to my heart. And as the Lord calls me into a deeper understanding AND practice of servant hood, I am humbled and filled up. The Lord has been so gracious with me through this learning experience as I attempt to serve the team, leadership, and my God, in a way that brings Christ Jesus the glory that He purchased on calvary.
I have gotten so much more than this out of my time here, and I do hope that I will soon pick back up and continue to share, but I will leave this blog post with these things. I do truly miss everyone back in the states, and I look forward to the time that I can return to you. But until then, I am rejoicing in the sweet revelation and pure intimacy that I am experiencing with my loving Creator, here in Kampot, Cambodia.
To God be ALL the glory!
Jonathan Trentham
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