Jum riep sou (sp?)

A Khemer hello from Cambodia - Jum riep sou (not quite sure how it is spelled). Cambodia is amazing. My first 4 days here have been blessed with time to know a little of Phnom Penh, eat some fabulous food, and fellowship and learn from some wonderful servents of God. The Lord has already begun to work out somethings in my heart and mind. Tomorrow we are going to have a few hours to explore the city...hopefully I will figure out some way to share pictures then.

Thank you everyone for your encouraging words and prayers.

Phoenix to Phnom Penh

So, right now I am in Phoenix where I have been for the last two days signing papers and getting logistical things taken care of for beginning work in Peru. Tonight though I am off with a group of 12 other Hunger Corps members to Cambodia. For three weeks we will be learning more about the values, mission and work of Food for the Hungry, as well as getting a chance to see some field projects in country. This should be a great experience and I am praying that God will use this time to continue to prepare my heart and mind for the service I will be doing in Peru. Check back to see updates (and hopefully a few fun pictures) in a week or so.

God is Good!

Just a quick update: God is Good! As of today I have 100% of my monthly pledged support requirement - thank you to all of you who have so generously pledged to support this ministry on a monthly basis. I now only need about $4000 (this is about 25% of my total outbound expenses) for the remainder of my set up costs, training and travel expenses - thank you to all of you who have so generously given gifts toward the first 75%.

I have about 14 days left before I go for training in Phoenix and then Cambodia for three weeks. I am so excited for this, and have been busy with preparations and trying to get in a few visits with friends in before I go.

God bless,
Lauren

Good Visits with Friends and Family

My friends Greta and Gunter were married last week in a beautiful ceremony - praise for that. Also praise for a wonderful visit with my sister, Alison, this week. It has been so fun for her to be home :) I am also so thankful for the outpouring of generosity from family and friends, as I have been building a support team of ministry partners. So many have been praying for me and various preparations for Peru and I am now so close to having 100% of the financial support I will need for Peru. What an scary but awesome experience to be so dependent on God and his working through others to bring about such a huge task; the outpouring of support has been such a blessing and confirmation that this is the next step the Lord would have me take. Please keep praying for the final funds to come in, but lift up a prayer of thanks for His providence too:)