My vision trip in Cambodia at the Guesthouse is about halfway over, and it has been a whirlwind.
I have met Scott and Christina, a beautiful couple who just got engaged and will soon be married.
The Guesthouse was Scott’s idea, he started it from the bottom, doing an almost complete overhaul in cleaning the place up while serving guests to the best of his ability. Christina came for a short-term trip to help out and they fell in love. I am so thankful for both of them and their support! Christina has completely overhauled and organized ALL the finances and it is super helpful as I learn and prepare to take over in January. Scott has set up a great Khmer staff here and trained them well. He has also challenged me to grow more in my management skills.
Tara is a beautiful soul who is here short-term.
(her hair is shorter now and blonde)
I am really bummed she won’t be here in January, but she has done a great job ministering to the staff and loves them so well! She helps manage the place and does women’s ministry in the city as well.
Thomas helps around the Guesthouse.
He does whatever is needed while looking for more ministry partners in the area. He and his wife recently moved from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap to work. Stacey works for an NGO. They have been a HUGE help in learning about life in Cambodia and tips for us when we move here.
My teammate, Kristie, came with me on the vision trip and will return in January as well.
She has a HUGE heart for women’s ministry and great plans on how to create a sustainable safe house. She loves people where they are and has so much joy! She already has several friends in town that she ministers to.
All have been great community to work and live in! Most Americans involved with the Guesthouse are World Race alumni which has been helpful in feedback, challenges, community and a sense of understanding the vision of this place.
So, that is who I am here with. Since being here, I have learned more about our Khmer staff and their roles; we have cooks, cleaning staff, and receptionists. I have ‘shadowed’ them all in different ways. Our receptionists are great and very hospitable to our guests. I think meeting our guests has been the one of the best parts for me! We have people from Malaysia, Australia, Spain, and the U.S. just to name a few. They all come in with different personalities and itineraries, some for a night and others for longer. We had a wonderful couple from Australia/New Zealand, she was originally from the Northwest. They shared about their tours and excursions at the end of the day or over breakfast the next morning. They had gorgeous pictures from all over! We even got to help her celebrate her birthday!!! A couple from Germany just left. He is German and she is Cambodian. They came to visit her family for the first time in 3 years!! We also have a World Race team here and they are AMAZING!!! I don’t want them to leave, they have been super helpful and encouraging. I have enjoyed visiting with all our guests over breakfast, when hanging out in the lobby looking at our snack selection, or while they wait for a tuk-tuk. It is kinda sad when they leave us though.
As Operations Supervisor, I will be in charge of the financials and overall running of the Guesthouse when Scott and Christina leave. This has been a HUGE process to learn, but again I am grateful for the organization we now have and I know I will grow in confidence as I become more comfortable in the role.
There are so many aspects to what will be going on when I move in January, but I want to offer you the opportunity to be directly involved. I am building a support team. I am also looking for prayer warriors and those I can reach out to for support during my ministry. As I am responsible for support raising for my ministry, I am looking for people to partner with me in finances monthly. I am looking for at least 30 people to partner with my financially for the next two years. Please prayerfully consider becoming one of my ministry partners and bringing the Kingdom to Siem Reap, Cambodia through Overflow Guesthouse.
Thank you for all your love and support. Have a happy weekend!
