Reverse Culture Shock began with Automatic Toilets

Today marks two weeks back “home.” I put “home” in quotes because while I have been back with my family and some friends, life has not slowed down one little bit! It kind of feels like I’ve traveled across the world again in the two weeks I’ve been back. I wanted to write this blog post a little earlier than now, but with family vacation, retreats, and other events here and there I simply haven’t had a chance to sit down and write.

That being said… Reverse culture shock DID begin with automatic toilets, but that’s not all this post is about. Adjusting back to life in the US and the crazy busy schedule I had almost forgotten about has proved to be quite a challenge, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Getting back into an incredibly fast-paced life and full schedule is a challenge in and of itself, but trying to remember all that I learned this summer and attempting to process what it could mean in regards to my future brings a new sense of challenge to returning home. Sharing about how God moved this summer can be hard because 1) I still don’t really know what to say, and 2) some people simply aren’t really interested in listening – especially if too much rambling is involved. Both of these things are okay. We were warned about them at debrief, and they have probably been the most challenging to me when it comes to reverse culture shock, but it’s okay. I may not be sure who I need to share with or even what I need to share, but I know I need to share. God didn’t send me overseas this summer for me to stay quiet when I returned. So, knowing that reading someone’s personal blog is a completely voluntary, I’m going to start sharing what I learned via this blog post.

What is a World Christian?

At debrief, we were given advice about many things in preparation for returning home. Much of that advice has probably been forgotten due to jet lag, but thankfully I took lots of notes during our sessions. I’d like to share some of what I learned in those sessions with you today.

This summer, we did a Bible study that taught us what being a World Christian means and what roles we can play as a World Christian. At debrief, we were taught about how we can continue striving to live as World Christians once we’re back home and back at school.

A World Christian is a Christian who has discovered the truth of God’s unfulfilled global purpose to reach all peoples. There are three main things one must focus on to successfully live as a World Christian. These are God’s Word, God’s World, and God’s Work.

A World Christian knows what God’s Word says about missions beyond the four or five verses that are typically the “go-to” verses used for mission trip themes and t-shirts. Our calling as Christians to reach the nations, to reach ALL the nations, is found throughout the entire Old and New Testaments. God wants to be known among ALL peoples, and WE have the task of working to make that happen.

Check out these verses to see God’s desire to be known:
Genesis 1:28, 9:1, 12:1-3, 26:4; Deuteronomy 4:4-6; Joshua 2:9-10; 1 Kings 4:34; Matthew 24:14, 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; and Revelation 7:9.

A World Christian also knows about God’s World. He or she knows about the 10/40 window where 80% of the world’s poorest people live and where 95% of the world’s unreached people groups can be found. They know that most of the 3.5+ billion people that live in this part of the world are following religions that do not know Grace. A World Christian knows these statistics and wants to play a part in doing something about it.

Finally, a World Christian knows about God’s Work, about how he or she can play an important role in reaching the Nations with the gospel. Whether a goer, sender, prayer, mobilizer, and/or welcomer, a World Christian is involved in God’s Work no matter where they are geographically. Different seasons of life may equal different habits or roles as a World Christian.

[GO – SEND – PRAY – MOBILIZE – WELCOME]

World Christian: A Christian who has discovered the truth of God’s unfulfilled global purpose to reach all peoples, and knows that he or she has a part in that task.

The Challenge

During our last night at debrief, we were given a challenge and an opportunity to commit to being a World Christian in thoughts and actions. I will leave you with that same challenge today.

Really believe the Gospel. The Good News is the answer for the whole world, and saying you believe it is saying you accept your role in the Great Commission.
Really count the cost. This means understanding that your life is His, your plans are His, and your future is His. ALL for His glory.
Really love Jesus more. Love Jesus more than the things, people, and opportunities of this world.

{Believe the Gospel // Count the Cost // Love Jesus More}

With graduation a mere four months away, the possibilities of what could be next never stop swirling in my mind. As I try to understand what the next chapter of my life is to hold according to God’s will, I pray I am successful in really believing the Gospel, really counting the cost, and really loving Jesus more. 

“I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” Acts 20:24

Sharing with Gentleness and Respect!

This past weekend some students took us to see the Royal Palace. They taught us about their culture and about the history of the palace and their country. It was helpful to hear from them about the struggles and changes their country has faced over the past few centuries. One of the students is studying to be an architect and was especially able to explain the qualities, differences, and history of the buildings we saw at the Royal Palace. He expressed feeling pain about how his people and their architecture have been treated by some other cultures and people groups.

It is so important to understand people within the context of their cultures and worldviews. At our Bible study this week, we met with several of the same students who took us to the Royal Palace, and studied 1 Peter 3:8-22. In many ways, becoming a Christian comes at a higher price for some than others. Most Westerners do not have to include their family in the cost of following Christ, but many of those in Asia do. This is because of their collectivist culture that supports unity in family, nation, and religion. As one of our contacts put it, “to be Khmer is to be Buddhist.” We must remember that while this is different, it is not “bad.” Western culture is by no means the standard of perfection.

Our team has been taking to heart the scriptures found in 1 Peter. One that stood out to many of us during our bible study with the students was 1 Peter 3:15, “But make sure in your hearts that Christ is Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you about the hope you have. Be ready to give the reason for it. But do it gently and with respect.” First, we need to be sure that Christ is truly Lord and Ruler over our hearts and every decision we make. Second, as we are obeying His call to go out into the world and share His good news, we must do so with gentleness and respect. This requires us to be aware of the cultural differences between us and those with whom we are sharing. We must not assume their cost of following is so similar to the one we had to pay.

We were able to discuss the concept of suffering for doing good and believing in Christ with the students in this week’s bible study (1 Peter 3:17). We encouraged them to know that though choosing Christ may cause some challenges in their biological family, they are also adopted into Christ’s family of believers, designed to “love one another like members of the same family” (1 Peter 3:8).

Please continue praying for our team over these last few weeks we have with these students. 
Pray that we would make the most of every moment and that persons of peace would be willing to count the cost and pay the price for the greatest gift of all time: Jesus. 
Pray that our communication with the students would be clear and that we would share the gospel with boldness, gentleness, and respect. 
Pray for our team’s unity and love, so that we may show an example of the body of Christ God designs and that others would recognize us as disciples of Jesus merely by our love for one another.

Thank you all for your prayers and support.

-Ashleigh

Dancing in His Freedom

Since we knew our upcoming three day break would be interrupting  the typical schedule of lessons, we decided that it would be more fun to teach some of our classes a song and play games the Friday before the break occurred. In the two classes I teach and assist in, I had the opportunity to teach the students the song “Set Free.”
In my two years as worship leader for the BCM at Shorter University, “Set Free” has become one of the band’s favorite songs to lead. Initially, I chose the song for two reasons: 1) I could actually play the chords on guitar, and 2) the lyrics contained remotely easy words that I thought the students would be able to learn more easily than others. My simple intentions of teaching a good, easy song turned into much more once the classes began. Not only were the students enthusiastic about learning the song and eager to sing along, I was also able to present the gospel when explaining what the song was saying.

“Set Free” is a song about finding freedom in Christ once you choose to trust in Him. It talks about the unspeakable joy and unshakable love we, as believers, experience. It reminds us that Jesus overcame the world when He died on the cross for our sins and that we no longer have to worry about the eventual outcome when we endure trials. Because of that, the song portrays sheer joy and excitement about what Christ does in the lives of those who choose to believe in Him. The last line of the chorus says, “This is the shout of the hearts You’ve set free!” If that isn’t excitement about Jesus, I don’t know what is.

My favorite part of the song, though, is the bridge. It says,

And we’ll dance, dance
Dance in Your freedom
Oh, Your glorious freedom
Forevermore, Forevermore!

Here’s a little more insight into our students. Most of them LOVE to dance. After some of our weekend parties, we’ve ended the night with a dance party and gone home smiling ear to ear… as well as sweating more than we thought possible.

When we got to the bridge, I would have the students actually dance as they sang about dancing in the freedom they can have in Jesus Christ. It was so uplifting to see their faces shine with joy as they danced and sang. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to teach“Set Free” to my students and to share the gospel through it.  If you know me, you know my passion for worship is greater than any other in my life. The joy I received through sharing that passion with my students is trulyunspeakable. 

-Cambodia DiscipleMakers

Protection & Deliverance

And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.  2 Thessalonians 3:2

For the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.  Isaiah 52:12

Pray for God's protection of team members and His deliverance from evil. Pray that team members would seek God's leading and trust His presence as He goes before and comes behind.

Team of the Day

Cam Disciplemakers

Country of the Day

Cambodia

A New Ministry!

We have continued in teaching English daily, connecting with students one-on-one or in small social outings, and hosting “hang outs” on Saturday evenings with the goal to attract more university students and to share truths about the Gospel. Recently, we have begun to host a bible study offered for students who are interested in learning more about God, but have not fully heard the Gospel and/or fully counted the cost of following (not just believing).

It is beautiful to see the student’s interest in the study and to hear the scriptures read in both English and Khmer. The students are hungry for love and fellowship with Christ and did not want to end our time when we concluded the study, asking us to spend more time with them doing “whatever” we had planned for the afternoon. This Sunday we are planning on having the bible study again and following that up with visiting a local church with any interested students. We have been able to invite more students to the bible study this week, and many have agreed with much enthusiasm!

Please pray for us in adding this new ministry that we would continue with increased energy and passion for sharing the word of God with these students! 

Please also pray that we would lead them into an independent faith, in which they do not become dependent on western culture or western leaders to continue and grow in their faith.
Please pray for continued divine opportunities to have conversations with students about the gospel and their decision to count the cost and follow Christ. Several are very close to committing their lives!
Pray that God would alleviate the students’ fears about suffering and persecution (rejection from their families) if they choose to follow Christ. As we study 1 Peter, pray that they would grasp a deep understanding of the greater importance of a relationship with Christ than the avoidance of pain in this life.

1 Peter 1: 6-7 – In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine.

1 Peter 4:14 --  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

-Ashleigh

A Sparked Interest!

Throughout the summer, teaching English has been and will be the main thing we do during the week, but our weekends look a lot different. On Saturday evenings, we hold “hangouts” and invite all of the students who attend classes at the place we teach along with other university students from the area. So far, we have had a craft night and a movie night. These hangouts are used to minister to students and grow relationships with them. Typically, we have these from 5-7PM with one hour devoted to the fun activity and the other devoted to group discussions. The goal of these discussions is to share God’s love and discuss the gospel in some form or fashion.

One of the discussions I was a part of during the movie night was both encouraging and humbling. During that conversation, one student in particular showed such a genuine interest in the topic of discussion and the gospel itself. We had watched Despicable Me with the students and were talking about what causes a change of heart in someone and what effects that change of heart may have on that person’s life as well as those around him. As you could guess, many conversations around the room led directly into the gospel; we were so excited!

In my group, I was able to present the gospel as I shared the change that took place in my heart when I became a follower of Christ. I mentioned earlier that this conversation was particularly humbling to me. That is due to the fact that one of the students in my group began asking questions about the gospel while the others leaned in so that they could hear every word. They were all so interested in what was being shared!

I had never really experienced an instance in which so much interest was shown while the gospel was being shared. I think, because I and most people I know grew up with such immediate access to the Bible and the Good News, that we probably take the knowledge we have of Christ and His gift of grace for granted more than we realize. Seeing these students show that they truly wanted to learn more about God and His love is proof that God is moving in big ways here. I am excited to continue this journey and witness the knowledge of Christ spread throughout this place.

Please pray specifically for the student who was asking so many questions and showing such interest in the gospel.

Please also pray for our team to be filled with boldness for Christ as we seek opportunities to share the Gospel.

Finally, please pray that these Saturday hangouts would lead to growth in relationships among the team and students so that more and more students can hear about God’s love for them.

Thank you for your prayers,

-Bethany 

Connecting with Students

Part of our work in this country is building relationships with university students. This usually occurs in between English classes and will involve playing games and going to street restaurants to get snacks and drinks. Since we are in the rainy season of this country, it will often flood. Here is a photo of us hanging out with some students in between class and walking down the street in the flooded water! We had a lot of fun that day and were able to start connecting with several new students.

Please pray for our connections with the students that we would be able to find common ground and invest specifically in certain students. We are currently praying that God would highlight specific students to each of us whom He wants us to focus on throughout the summer. Pray that we are able to connect with those who are shy and slip in and out of classes, not staying long to connect with teachers or even other students.

We will be traveling this weekend so please pray for safety for the team and unity. Pray for the students as they are on break for a few days and that those who are being discipled would begin to reach out to their peers as well. 

Pray for the hearts of this people group that they would be easily transformed from rocky soil to good soil, willing and ready to accept the message of salvation and to grow fervently, multiplying 30, 60, and 100 times.

-Ashleigh

The Joys of Teaching!

After we arrived, we gained more information about what our days would look like for the next two months. With only one-sixth of our team having any official training in education, we were both excited and hesitant to learn that we would be spending much of our time here teaching English. That being said, it did not take long for the traces of nervousness to disappear. 

We are now entering our second full week of teaching and rapidly approaching the halfway point of our time here. Each day, we take on the task of teaching seven English classes.

During this term, students have the opportunity to study the story of Joseph, study the book of Mark, or study from The Big Picture Story Bible. Because the organization we are teaching through is allowed to teach English using the Bible, many students are able to hear the gospel as they study English – many for the first time.

There are many parts of teaching that bring us joy: seeing the students enjoy games we play in class to learn vocabulary words, listening to students read stories directly from Scripture, and even simply their eagerness to learn. But what brings us the most joy is the students’ focus when they are listening to the gospel. We have had multiple opportunities to present the gospel through a word and picture presentation, and each time the students sit with focused eyes and a clearly sincere interest in what is being shared. Even more, they ask questions afterward!

The interest is there for many of the students, yet there seems to be a strong hindrance in the way of them willingly and openly accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. In Cambodia, family is first. Much of the hesitation students have to surrender their lives to Christ stems from the possibility of them being disowned by their family due of their decision. For many students, this is more a fact than just a possibility.

• Please pray that the students would begin to understand that surrendering their life to Christ is worth anything and everything they may have to sacrifice. Pray that they will also understand that becoming a part of the Body of Christ is a chance to be a part of another family.
• Please pray that the hearts of the family members of students would be softened to the idea of following Christ and that students would be able to share the gospel with their families without persecution.
• And finally, please pray that God would use our team to speak the words the students need to hear in order to understand the importance of following Jesus. 

-Cambodian DiscipleMakers

Divine Love

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. - 1 Thessalonians 3:12

We love because He first loved us. - 1 John 4:19

Pray that God would fill the hearts of team members with His love for the unsaved and that they would in turn be obedient in sharing His love in word and deed.

Team of the Day

Cam Disciplemakers

Country of the Day

Cambodia

First Week in Cambodia!

Upon arriving to our destination, cultural changes have hit us more than expected. We prepared the best we could to embrace a new culture and even though changes are evident, all of those changes have been interesting and exciting for us to experience. 

The first sign of being in a different culture was the traffic patterns. Cars, tuk tuks, motos, and bicycles weave in and out of each others' paths with little regard for what we would normally see in western societies. Interestingly enough, drivers are friendly and accidents, rare. Lanes are not marked and at times bicycles and motos travel on the opposite side of the road. This has been interesting, exciting, and challenging for our team, as we have all purchased bicycles for our main form of transportation this summer. 

The climate here is also much different than in the States. Heat and humidity are normal factors year round, yet the beautiful modesty of the people is evident everywhere you look, as most citizens dress in full pants and half or long sleeves. 

Despite language barriers, traffic-filled roadways, and the hot climate, the people are consistently showing kindness. We are nearly always greeted with broad smiles, waves, and greetings traditional to the culture. The people's kindness has smoothened the transition to a new culture. 

We are excited to begin working with university students by teaching English and building relationships! We can already see the potential for how these relationships will facilitate learning about each other's cultures!

Addie and Ashleigh

Meet the Team: Cam Disciplemakers

Evan & Ashleigh are the co-leaders for the Cambodian DiscipleMaker team. They are a young married couple who recently graduated from Liberty University with Master’s degrees in Global Studies (Evan) & Professional Counseling (Ashleigh). They share a burden & calling for Cambodia & the Khmer people. Evan has anew obsession with vloging our team’s everyday activities. The three major C’s in Ashleigh’s life are coffee, cats, & Christ.

Brent is a student at Truman State University majoring in Computer Science. He is praying about continuing into long-term cross-cultural work after graduation. Brent has a rockin’ sense of humor.

Harley is a student at Shorter University majoring in Religious Studies. She hopes to one day become a cross-cultural worker. Harley will be replacing her daily sweet team intake with fruit smoothies this summer.

Bethany is a student at the University of Montevallo & is an Elementary Education major. Not only does she want to educate students, but she also hopes to invest in their lives. In her spare time, she enjoys browsing through pictures of pugs dressed as humans.

Addie is a student at Shorter University and will be graduating in December. She has a passion for worship & hopes to incorporate that in her future endeavors. Addie does not have a boyfriend!

This team is excited about living life with the Khmer people, being tourists, and learning about the culture in Cambodia.