In preparation for this trip I, in all honesty, didn’t give much thought to training camp.  I was quite focused on the “main event” of spending seven weeks in a country halfway across the world and the excitement of traveling to get there.  But I am so thankful that we did not immediately load up on June 1st and head to Cambodia–I am so thankful for these past four days of seeking the Lord, cleansing my heart, surrendering my will, and most of all learning to listen to His Spirit.  

In John 10 Jesus talks about how God is our shepherd and He knows every single one of his sheep by name.  Furthermore, they each know Him.  Jesus goes on to explain how because His sheep know His voice they also listen to it.  There is such a difference in hearing someone and listening to them.  When we actually take the time to listen to the Lord it is demonstrating our trust in Him.  It shows our obedience to His will for our lives, and opens up countless opportunities to grow and be changed by Him. All we must do is listen.  He is speaking. constantly. 

As I have been learning to spend less time talking at God and more time simply sitting in His presence and allowing Him to reveal all that He desires there have been several “themes” I have heard– especially when it comes
to Cambodia, my team, and what we hope to accomplish during our time there.  The Lord has given me words for the people of Cambodia–words that I believe, by the power of his Holy Spirit will be fulfilled on this trip:

NEW. our savior yearns to give the people of cambodia a new life. he wants to restore, redeem, and secure them. and fill them with Love. he wants to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes. he wants to put a song of JOY in their mouths.

FREEDOM. (were you able to read that word without hearing Mel Gibson from Braveheart screaming in your head?) yeah… BUT that is what the Lord desires for his children. and those in Cambodia who learn of him and choose to follow will be set free from captivity. free. the bible says that where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. that is the message we get the honor and privilege of sharing!

POWER. there is power in the name of Jesus. (praise the Lord for Jesus Culture songs–eh?!) power. God wants to be able to fill these Cambodian people with strength from the holy spirit. He wants to empower them beyond their wildest dreams and give them a vision and a purpose. finally.

Along with getting to see what God has in store for Cambodia, the Lord has also been speaking confidence to me and my dear, passionate, and incredible teammates. We are equipped. We are anointed. and we will be audacious for His glory. 

“For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. for God, who said, ‘let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:5-6

Training camp has been beautiful, eventful, and impactful. And now (at last) we get to pack up from here and eagerly head to the Atlanta airport tomorrow morning…. Praise! 

-Ansley