Something Special for the Cambodia Team

It was February 2008, and after almost 7 straight months of
leading RL trips, I was tired mentally, physically, and emotionally. It was the
beginning of my third trip in a row and God provided the coolest blessing the
world. AIM staff Dave and Vicki Gross came to Africa to pour into the FYM
leaders serving in Swazi. While there, they asked Frankie and I to find a day
where we could leave the team temporarily and relax.

They picked us up after we saw the team off to ministry and
we drove 45 minutes to a nice hotel where we were able to relax by a pool and
eat an incredible meal without worrying about our team or all the things we had
to do…. only protecting our food from monkeys. Frankie worked out in the gym while I sat in the sun, enjoying the
beautiful view of the mountains in front of me and the sound of silence, save
for water. It was a day full of laughter, Coca-Cola (y’all know how much I love Coke!), good conversation, and prayer… and it
was so needed. Dave and Vicki listened and poured into us…offering their experience and valuable perspective. When we returned to our team that night, we were refreshed,
energetic, and excited about the next few months- and better leaders for it.

*Photo above taken in the Amazon Jungle… but it just really exemplifies how much I love Coke!

It’s easy while on the field to go-go-go, to give everything
you have to serve those around you. It’s also easy to overlook your need to
rest, recuperate, and have fun… so that you can go back out the next day and
give everything once again. It’s also common to feel guilty for the “luxury” of
fun or relaxation, because you know that while you’re resting, someone else is
suffering in a very real way. Also, there’s the weight of responsibility you
feel of accountability for support… often, you ask the question, “Is this
needed?” and decide it isn’t – even if you can afford it. Sometimes it isn’t
financially possible.

For the two-year AIM team in Cambodia, we want to erase
those questions and provide a chance for them to not only process the last
couple of months, but spend a few hours having some old fashioned fun. Not that
they don’t have a lot of fun…. but we want to treat them to something
extra-special.

We’re still working on the schedule for our time there, as
far as the amount of “official” debrief time versus hang-out-and-goof-off time
that is equally important. But one thing on our hearts is to treat the girls to
something special- dinner out at a nice restaurant, one they might not feel
they can afford, and maybe a 1 hour massage for each. For both of those things,
it would cost $120 total.

Thank you to all of you who responded with promises for
prayer, as well as support. We leave in 15 days and I AM SO EXCITED! I have one
more special request for you:

Would you pray about
a special gift for us to use specifically to pour into the girls?

And, if you have any
current Bible study books you’ve finished reading- and won’t need again- would
you contact me? The missionaries there have mentioned how hungry they are for
good reading material, and how much they would appreciate contemporary Bible
study books.

You can send your financial gift for the “missionary fun
day” to:

By
check MEMO: Crock/Cambodia  

Adventures
in Missions

P.O.
Box 534470

Atlanta,
GA 30353-4470

(This
goes to the Cambodia ministry fund)

 or Online:

Crock/Cambodia

(This
goes to the Cambodia ministry fund)

If you’d like to support me…please do so
online through the “Support Me” option on the left of the screen. Thank you for your prayers! Thank you for your support! I
cannot wait to tell you stories of all God will do in Cambodia!