I had the privilege of being a part of a project trip to Cambodia. These project trips are the heart of the mission of EMI; it has been rewarding to witness one first hand. Our team traveled to Cambodia for 11 days to asses the needs of the future university, the ministry, and the site. While we were there we designed both an overall master plan for the campus and the first phase multi-purpose building. A large majority of the work was done during while we were in country, while in the coming months we will have design reviews, further engineering analysis and finally we will present the ministry with a complete design package. My work now that I am home will be to design promotional material for the ministry to help in fundraising for the university.
However, while I was in country my main purpose was to lend a hand wherever it was needed. I got to help survey the site, build scale models of the initial design proposal, and prepare for the first of many design presentations. It is important to note that eMi is a faith based organization with an emphasis on relational ministry alongside the practical. And this is where I saw God’s purpose for me on this team. We experienced Cambodia culture and history, shared testimonies and worship at a local church, and had lots of fellowship with the Cambodian staff of TA. But my favorite was the time I got to spend worshiping, sharing devotionals, and just loving the rescued girls living at one of TransformAsia’s women’s shelters. Ranging in age from 10 – 20 each one of these girls was so precious, my heart broke for each one and the hardships they have had to endure. It is a testimony to the ministry of TA and the gentleness of the Cambodian people, that each of these girls were able to have so much joy after so much tragedy. They were each truly a light for Christ.
