Confirmation

Annie knew for a while that long-term missions were in her future, but the question of how, where, and when were unknown factors.

Fortunately for Annie, God had a plan. 

In a “chance” conversation with a friend, Annie learned about SEAPC. Annie then researched and reached out to SEAPC, which led to her being part of a short-term mission trip to Cambodia.

Every other year, the children at the New Hope for Orphans (NHO) homes in Cambodia get to participate in an event called Kids Camp. During this time, all of the kids and houseparents from the 15 homes head to the beach, where the kids spend three days studying the Bible, worshiping, playing games, and relaxing.

In the summer of 2018, Annie was part of a team that went to Cambodia to help with Kids Camp. That year the kids were treated to a few days at a seaside resort in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on the Gulf of Thailand. 

During that outreach, Annie began getting glimpses into the roadmap God had planned for her life. One day while wading at the water’s edge, one of the children grabbed Annie’s hand and indicated that she wanted Annie to accompany her into deeper waters. Despite the lack of a common language, furtive hand motions on the part of the child made it clear to Annie that the girl wanted to learn how to maneuver in deeper water. After a time of Annie patiently showing her the basic techniques of treading water and floating, the child began to test the waters on her own. Eyes sparkling, she left the anchor of Annie’s arms and jumped into water levels above her knee. 

Annie felt a strong correlation with this event and what God was speaking to her heart: “I will have you cross paths with people and form relationships. You will walk with them until it is time to let go and let them fly.”

At this point, Annie made a prayerful decision. February 2020 marks the first anniversary of her long-term missions service in Banteay Meanchey, Cambodia. During this time, she has served in the Banteay Meanchey Arise program as an assistant to the education coordinator. She has also enjoyed opportunities to pray for, encourage, and mentor several different people in managerial skills. As Annie puts it, “I get to pull the gold out of them that God has placed in them.”

Annie is thriving in her life in Cambodia. She loves her church community. Although it is challenging for her, Annie is learning to speak Khmer. To complement her studies, it helps her to do a “relational language exchange,” where Annie and a Cambodian pastor friend of hers swap meaningful phrases in their native tongues. 

For the most part, the Cambodian fare agrees with Annie’s taste buds. However, there are a few cultural bumps that Annie has to navigate, like driving habits so different from what she’s used to. Additionally, living in a country that is geared towards people with dark, straight, silky hair can be a bit of a stretch for someone with red, curly, short hair. If Annie wants any hair care products, she has to get them from the States. 

For Annie, the upside of life in Cambodia overshadows the cultural differences she has encountered along the way. Her heart is genuinely in Cambodia. When asked how long she plans to stay and minister in Cambodia, she enthusiastically replies, “It is up to God, my plans are truly open ended.”