I wake up the sound of a loud banging gong that has become so normal to me.  I roll over only to see my blue mosquito net covering me, which brings me to the realization that I am still in Cambodia.  I dress for the day and continue with my routine of spraying bug spray all over my feet, legs and arms.  This happens in a matter of seconds and I walk downstairs to morning devotions.  I flip my shoes off at the door (it is proper to do this everywhere in Cambodia, even at church) and pick a little stool to sit on.  Many mornings I am still half asleep at this point, but the hand tapping on the wooden table as drums from the women and their Cambodian worship quickly wakes me.  I look into the eyes of these beautiful women, smile at them, and sing along. 
 
As I breathe in the interesting smells of Cambodia in I say “more of you.”  And as I exhale I say “less of me.”  This has been a reoccurring theme over the past 2 months, Jesus “more of you, less of me.” 
 
More of you in my conversations with broken women, and less of my selfish desires to know their individual stories.  Less of me as I gag at the smells walking through the meat section at the market, more of you in my interactions towards the people of Cambodia swinging in their hammocks.   More of you in my thoughts at night, less of me wanting to squish frogs, crickets, roaches, and any other loud animal close to me.  Less of me as I squint my eyes scraping off fish eyes and guts from the plate, more of your spirit of service pouring out of me.  More of your ultimate purpose of me being here and your long-term plan, less of me wanting to see quick results.

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”  Galatians 5: 24-25
 
“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 4:6
 
  Pray for the women continuously, each one of them will always have a special place in my heart. Pray for my team and I as we spend our last week here at the compound.  After this week we will be traveling to Siem Reap for a few days to have some time to debrief as a team before we journey back to America.