Hello everyone,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We simply wanted to take a moment to give you an update and thank you. Every message, every thought, and every prayer has truly encouraged us. Thank you for walking alongside us in this journey. We are already looking forward to seeing you again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, we can honestly say that we feel much more settled than when we first arrived. The first few months required a great deal of adjustment. For nearly two months, we were constantly on the move, taking care of various administrative matters, especially paperwork. That pace was exhausting and brought a wide range of emotions and frustrations to the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking back, we realize that God also used this season to reveal areas in our own hearts that still needed His work. Parts of our character, our marriage, and our family life needed refining. It wasn\u2019t always easy, but we believe God was building something in us before building something through us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From the very beginning, our goal in coming to Cambodia was not only to serve, but also to observe. Much like the spies sent by Moses, we wanted to discover the country, understand its realities, identify its challenges and opportunities, and be better prepared if God allows us to return here for a longer season in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout this time, we continued living out our daily calling as disciples: praying with people, sharing the Gospel, and embracing the opportunities God placed before us. We experienced many rejections, but we also had some truly beautiful encounters that deeply impacted us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One thing has become very clear to us: despite all the poverty, injustice, and hardships we see here, Cambodia\u2019s greatest need is still Jesus. He alone can truly transform a nation because He first transforms the hearts of men and women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we\u2019ve observed the Church, another conviction has grown stronger within us. If we want to see different results, we cannot keep doing things the same way. The model Jesus gave us is disciples making disciples. We believe this is how the Kingdom of God grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And it all begins with relationships.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Relationships take time. That has been one of our greatest frustrations. My inability to communicate in Khmer greatly limits the relationships I can build. If God opens the door for us to return one day, learning the language will become a top priority. When we return to Canada, I want to invest significant time, energy, and resources so that when we come back, I will be able to understand people and communicate with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, we realize we need to prepare for much more than simply returning. We also need to develop a clear roadmap for discipleship. We have already begun thinking through several projects while we\u2019ve been here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of Cambodia\u2019s greatest challenges is finding ways to reach people. Many work seven days a week, from early morning until late at night. Heavy debt leaves them with very little free time. In many ways, it resembles a form of modern-day slavery, forcing us to think differently about how we share the Gospel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another thing that has stood out to us is how central smartphones are in everyday life. Whether in caf\u00e9s, tuk-tuks, or public spaces, people are constantly on their phones. Unlike much of the West, websites are not widely used. Instead, platforms like Facebook and TikTok dominate daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We believe this presents an incredible opportunity. There are still very few high-quality Christian resources available in Khmer. Yet at this very moment, countless people are walking through deep pain and hopelessness. If they could hear the testimony of someone whose life was transformed through an encounter with Jesus, we believe it could change everything. People need to be reached where they already are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is why, during the two months we have left here, we want to continue investing in our neighborhood\u2014meeting families, visiting people with disabilities, praying with those God places in our path, and simply sharing the Gospel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, we are also working on a testimony project that we\u2019ll share more about in the future. We are developing a video series for the Cambodian people, hoping to provide biblical content where people are already spending much of their time: on their phones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We don\u2019t know exactly what returning to Canada will look like, nor what God has prepared for the months ahead. But one thing remains deeply rooted in my heart: I feel like the work here is not finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe you could call me a dreamer, but I believe God wants to do something much bigger. I dream of seeing lives transformed, disciples making disciples, and a movement that extends far beyond anything we could accomplish ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are also part of a project called WeGo<\/a><\/strong>, which shares this same vision: equipping believers, making disciples, and sending the body of Christ to faithfully proclaim the Gospel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite all the challenges, frustrations, and difficult moments, we have grown to deeply love Cambodia. The people here have earned our admiration. Their resilience is remarkable. When you begin to understand their history and the hardships they face every day, you realize the incredible strength of character they have developed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Deep in our hearts, we remain convinced that God is opening a door for us to return one day. One of the purposes of this trip was to better understand the administrative process required for a long-term stay. We discovered that, because of Marie\u2019s heritage, she\u2014and our children\u2014can obtain a status that would allow them to live in Cambodia without time restrictions. We see this as a clear act of God\u2019s provision, making the process remarkably straightforward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, our greatest challenge is financial: building the means to support our family during a longer stay. Even so, this trip has given us much greater clarity about the road ahead and what we need to prepare before returning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the two months we have left, we want to make the most of every single day. We want to continue serving the people around us while also encouraging and strengthening the members of the body of Christ whom God brings across our path. We simply want to remain available and faithful in every opportunity He gives us until it\u2019s time to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the hardest parts of this season has also been the moments when we felt alone. That\u2019s why every message you sent meant so much to us. Every word of encouragement reminded us that we weren\u2019t alone\u2014that there were people standing with us and carrying the Cambodian people in prayer as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you for being part of this journey with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Please continue praying for us. We have learned so much through this trip, and we are filled with anticipation for what God has prepared next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See you soon.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you for walking with us. If you\u2019d like to follow our journey more closely, you can visit our main website at familyjourneywithgod.com<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you feel led to support us and the work God is doing through our family, you can do so through our store at verseonwall.com<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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