Two Days to Departure

We depart for Cambodia in two days. TWO DAYS!

There have been so many lists, so many random thoughts, and so many tasks to complete as I get ready for the trip to Cambodia that I haven't had much time to organize my thoughts into a blog. I wanted to mark this time while I am still in the (relative) comfort of my home, with the -20 degree temperatures outside, to think about what lies ahead in the 95-ish degree temperatures of Cambodia.

I have had a structured prayer plan for the past two weeks, leading up to the trip. Praying for the people we will see and the places we will visit has helped me focus on the ministry of the trip rather than hyper focusing on the "me" of the trip. I want to look outward as I go. I am so grateful to have this opportunity visit Cambodia again. It is a gift I did not dream I would get.

We will sleep nine nights in Cambodia and be gone just under two weeks. I am eager to experience the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of this wonderful place. At the same time, my heart will miss my family. I don't usually spend time away from my husband, and I value his voice being beside mine as I travel and see new things. I will miss pizza night with the whole family. I will miss grandchildren hugs and stories. I am leaving a lot behind to go, and my family is doing many extra things at home to make my trip possible. I am grateful for all that love.

Our family celebration of my husband's birthday last Saturday

Since it is two days to go-time, I thought I would share my pre-trip prayer list.

Trip February 20-March 4, 2025

Prayer Requests…
- Pray for safe travels. We depart MSP at 2:45 on Thursday, February 20. Our longest flight is 14 hours, 40 minutes from Los Angeles to Taipei. Total travel time on the way to Cambodia is 31.5 hours.
- Pray for all things concerning our flights and for all the airline people serving us as we travel. Pray that our luggage makes it through both ways. We are bringing many items to bless the workers in Cambodia.
- Pray against swollen ankles and other possible impacts from long flights. Last time my ankles were swollen for the better part of a week. I'm hoping compression socks will prevent that this time around.
- Pray that we can hit the ground running despite the fact that Cambodia time is 13 hours ahead of MN right now.
- Pray for travel safety as we travel over 800 miles on the ground, and pray that we extend grace when plans change.
- Pray that God guards and guides our words and thoughts, so that we might learn what He wants us to learn and change how He wants us to change. Pray against us hanging onto pre-conceptions of what the trip is going to be and for us embracing what the trip actually is.
- Pray for our team (Liz, Amy, Lisa, Randy, Haley, Neilee, Taylor, & Andrea) to stay healthy and injury-free, and that we bond well and trust and support each other. 
- Pray for all the partners we are visiting, for their health and that our visit rejuvenates them. Pray that we are good stewards of their time and that we learn their needs and how we (and our church) can best support them going forward.
- Pray for the family members we leave behind. Pray for those who have to step up in our absence, for grace for them, for relief of anxiety they may have.
- Pray for adjustments and recovery when we return. Our flight arrives in Rochester at 10:30 pm on Tuesday, March 4. Total travel time on the way back is 35.75 hours.

I am hoping to write frequently (or as time allows) once we are in Cambodia. We will arrive there around noon on Saturday, February 22 (local time) - which will be around 11:00 pm on Friday, February 21 here. Time travel is weird. 🤣 Oh, bonus offer, for a limited time only - if it's your birthday when I go to sleep in Cambodia, it will also be your birthday when I wake up. This means you will get two birthdays and yet age only one year! What could be better than that? 

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers as we begin this journey!