Wrapping Up

[May 25- 28, 2017]

These last few days have been quiet. The clinic has seen reduced patients and it's given me a lot of free time. In those times, I find it really to slip into thoughts of restlessness, to feel useless or that I'm not actually doing that much here. But it's in those times that God is teaching me to just turn to His word, sermons, songs or to prayer and just refocus on Him. The times when I'm not doing medicine are those that can help prepare me for reaching hearts, including my own. Simply saying to myself, "Hannah, use this time. USE this time. It's seemingly empty for a reason"

To rest. To read. To exercise. To sing. To meditate. To talk with people.

I'm a very "on the go" person, and it's been a challenging experience to have to really...not be on the go. Definitely a learning experience.

One of the mornings, I had the chance to go to one of the markets with some of the women here. Crazy. Smelly. Bright. Tons of fruit, veg and meats all around. Even fish that are still trying to wiggle away. Talk about freshness. I'd say it was a vegans worst nightmare but I personally enjoy looking at all the food and taking mental (and physical) notes of what I can get back home and make! I've been watching and taking notes of the women that cooks for the family and I here. She is an awesome cook and I've got some of her recipes in my pocket to bring home and try!

Last reflections

It's hard to really describe what I've learned here. It's been a weird journey of asking myself a whole lot of questions, and in turn, asking them right to God. I've been stretched FAR out of my comfort zone medically, I've been pushed out of my comfort zone physically and been surrounded by faith that makes you look at your own and say, "how am I really doing". I think that overall this trip can be described with the word: Refresh. The time I've spent alone with God and with his people have showed me some of the deficiencies in my own life. With my go go go schedule and personality, I've let that be an excuse for slacking spiritually. That's so stupid but it's happened and thank God he has shown me and given me a sense of being refreshed in an eagerness to know him more.

Prayer points:

1. Travel. Again, I am in for > 20 hours of travelling tomorrow by plane and bus. Please pray for safety, for everything to go welll logistically and for a great sense of peace to be in my heart throughout. Again, I'm not a great flyer and I ask that you pray I just sleep the entirety of the trip.

2.  Hearts. I have no clue how or who I've impacted for the Kingdom here, but one this is for sure: God is moving in Cambodia. The theology school here is bursting with 18 year old eager to be trained as pastors so that they can reenter their villages and preach the Gospel. Previous students have done just that (as I mentioned in a previous post). It's really cool to see the ripple effect that this ministry is having and how God is continuing to grow it. Please pray for this ministry, the students and the patients at the clinics- they would know God deeply and with a saving faith.

I have so many pictures ands stories from this experience. If you want to hear more or see pictures, just shoot me a text or facebook message and we should do coffee! :) Thank you for walking through this journey of ups and downs with me. Prayers make a difference and I know the ones that were said, made a difference in this trip.

wiggling away

still crawling all over!

the real chopping block