On the way to Spain about a little over a month ago my
heart was aching for Cambodia, and for a ministry called Agape International
Missions more specifically. They are a ministry in Svay Pak that is on the front lines battling child trafficking. I have heard their story, raised funds
back in Buffalo with my college ministry, and prayed often for them but on that
plane my heart ached to be there loving on those girls myself. I quickly
corrected my heart, thinking it was what I wanted and not what God did but that
question still lingered even after the plane landed.
About a week later I revisited that question asking God
myself if it was what I wanted or what He wanted. His answer was so sweet to my
ears as he whispered, “Sarah, it’s what we want. I trust you and I’m with you
in this decision.”
There is a point in any relationship where maturity
happens. We grow, we trust, and we make decisions knowing the other person’s
heart involved. I knew I was at a point where my heart was aligning with God’s and
that He trusted me to make the decision knowing I had His heart in mind. So I
took a risk, a leap of faith and applied for a job with agape.
When I opened the email reply a couple days later, my
heart dropped. “I’m sorry but you don’t have what we are looking for” was all I
had to read to start protesting God in my mind and let doubts rise in my heart.
During this time, we had a teacher here at G42 named Ethan who was sharing his
story- where he has honestly faced almost every trial that could come against
his dream and yet He was still standing before us encouraging us in ours. I
didn’t understand it. He told us that at one point he felt like he had stepped
out of the boat again and took that step of faith only to feel like Jesus had walked
away. Man, did that resonate well with how I was feeling
.
A couple days later I found out that Don and Bridget- the
founders of Agape were coming to Mijas to speak at our school. Once again I
heard God’s voice speaking for me to keep fighting for that dream. I wanted to
protest it but at the same time I my heart still wanted to be in Cambodia. A
staff member arranged it so that I could have lunch with the Don and Bridget
and they couldn’t have felt more like home to me. We both shared our hearts and
I knew this was a divine appointment God had made.
Don and Bridget left just yesterday after asking me to be
a part of their team- teaching some of their beautiful girls that have been
rescued from the evils of trafficking. So it is with great excitement to share
that I will be in Cambodia working with Agape after my time here in Spain comes
to an end. I can’t wait to contend for these girls hearts and become a part of
this community as the Lord uses me to teach and love on these precious girls.
More details will come soon, but all I can say is that I am blessed to have a
savior that gifts me with great things and has put a dream in my heart to
contend for these precious young girls.
