“you… tuk tuk?” I’m starting to hear these words in my sleep… as tuk-tuk drivers (Cambodia rickshaw like vehicle) constantly come up to us asking if we need a tuk-tuk.

Bophat, Monika, and our tuk-tuk

We said yes to one of the tuk-tuks, and headed to meet Monika, the director of University of Nations (U of N), a YWAM ministry in Phnom Penh. At U of N, we met 2 German girls on a pseudo vision trip. We learned about the young Cambodians who were coming to know Him and being equipped through their discipleship training program, and then growing up to become leaders at their schools and in their communities. Different programs have sprung up through U of N to help local communities, including child development centers for at-risk children, vocational training programs, and they are now dipping their toes in microfinance as well. Both Jenny and I took away some ideas and opportunities that we are going to continue talking to Monika about for ways that we can support them in the future.

We met a hilarious young Cambodian woman, Bophat, who attended their discipleship program over 7 years ago, dedicated her life to Him, and has transformed her life completely. She used to be in with the gangs, and ready to give up her life, but He had and has grand plans for this young woman. She helps out at U of N, and is attending law school, hoping to make her way into government and change the country from the inside out. She’s idealistic and I’m confident she will succeed. Amazing young woman who loves Him. She’s also hilarious and has this awesome laugh that can’t help but make you laugh too. I’m excited to see how He uses her, and I’m excited to hopefully one day work with her to effect change at a global systemic scale. Idealists unite!

Bophat took us on a tour of the city - visited Wat Phnom and the Royal Palace. The sites were good but the best part was just hanging out together and getting to know each other. At the Royal Palace, where the King lives, I was dragged into playing a xylophone like instrument with some guy, and then we befriended a couple of monks. So, during our orientation with Monika, we were told not to initiate conversation with monks or touch them or their clothing. So there were these 2 monks at the Palace, also touring around, and I accidentally made eye contact with one. I mean, I know there’s nothing wrong with eye contact but it was just an awkward moment and you know, I didn’t want to disrespect any of their rules. Then Bophat, so outgoing, goes up and talks to them and the 2 monks ask if they can take a photo with us. So we do, carefully so that that we don’t touch their clothing. Then later on we ran into these 2 monks again, and we talk again. They tell us, through Bophat's translation, that we can ask them any questions if we’d like. So we talk briefly, find out that one of them became a monk simply because he needed a place to stay at the age of 8 because his father forced him to move out. Becoming a monk gave him a place to sleep and learn and live. Bophat later asked if he would consider leaving ‘monk-hood’ if there was another free place to stay, perhaps a Christian run place. He said yes, so Bophat got his digits, and off we went. Praying for our little monk friend…

Jenn who I'll be meeting up with later on this trip introduced a brother who is also serving through ELIC, teaching at a university in Cambodia. He and his wife have 2 little babies, and together have been serving in Cambodia for the past 7 years. Before I go any further, meeting him was another one of those times where God opens a door, and we just kind of walk through. Totally last minute connection. We weren’t even planning on meeting or anything because our schedule is already so packed, but for whatever reason, we reached out to him in response to him reaching out to us... and the rest is history.

We visited the university he is teaching at, and talked about his vision for the students. You know those moments when you’re in conversation and you just know, there’s a God-thing going on because the conversation topic is so relevant to what’s on your mind? Well, I had one of those moments as we talked about developing leaders with compassion to serve and lead this country’s future. After seeing the university, we headed to his house to have an Indian dinner with his wife and kids. It was exciting to hear and see what He is doing through people who simply obey and follow His lead. Wonderful time, but I left dinner with my mind filled with questions and thoughts and a bit of confusion. I need to seek His face… His direction. In addition to the work I’m doing and the idea around developing young Cambodian leaders, I never thought I would directly use my studies in international relations… but… well, tbd with much prayer. I know this is a vague statement but not quite ready to share it just yet!

We headed back to our hotel after dinner and called it a night!