Gioia Michelotti, of Cambodian Christian Arts Ministry in Phnom Penh, came to visit my church this July for a Sunday school presentation. She talked about the incredible ministry that she is a part of, along with her missions partner Noren Vann Kim, fellow missionary Kelsey Wilson, and teachers Sophun and Reaksmey Ty, along with other teachers and volunteers. Cambodian Christian Arts Ministry School's mission statement is as follows:
"To evangelize and train Cambodians for Christ through the arts, giving priority to the disadvantaged.
(1 Corinthians 9:19-22; Psalm 82:3-4)
We rescue the disadvantaged children to join the CCAMS family,
We evangelize the children to become members of the Body of Christ,
We disciple the children to walk closely with God,
We train the children in Bible, academics, and arts to serve faithfully in His Kingdom, especially using the traditional Khmer arts, and then
We send the children out through CCAM Performing Teams to share the Gospel,
And we produce and distribute videos and music CDs of their performances,
As well as publish and distribute storybooks that they have written and illustrated,
To evangelize the rest of the population." (Mission statement taken directly from http://www.ccamvision.org )
How did God tell me about CCAM? Well, I had been in prayer since May about another missions opportunity in French speaking Quebec, which I had my heart set on for over two years. The first two years I wasn't in prayer about it as much as I should have been, and didn't feel financially or linguistically prepared to go, so I didn't apply. Then, in May, I realized how important it was that over the summer I be in prayer over God's will for my future. I really wanted to surrender my life to God and His will for me.
So, as I was in prayer, very eagerly hoping for "Yes!" about the mission opportunity in Quebec, it simply didn't come. At the time I felt impatient, and I just wanted God to give me an answer. He put John 2:4 on my heart back in May: "'Dear woman, why do you involve me?' Jesus replied. 'My time has not yet come.'" Yep, I know this is Jesus talking to his mother about turning water into wine, but it still hit me. God's timing is higher than mine, even when I make my own human plans.
I stayed in prayer for the next few months, and as time passed, I felt less and less comfortable committing to the mission trip in Maniwaki, Quebec. Though I love the work that the team does in Maniwaki and I fully support them, it didn't seem like the right fit for me anymore, and I wasn't receiving any affirmation from God that Maniwaki was where I needed to be.
During this time of discouragement about Maniwaki, God put the following verses on my heart: Proverbs 23:17-18 ("Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.") and Luke 1:76-79 ("And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the LORD to prepare the way for him, to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide or feet into the path of peace.")
Shortly after this year's Maniwaki team returned, Gioia came to my church and delivered a moving presentation about CCAM. She mentioned several of my passions: vocal performance, drama, visual art, and even creative writing! CCAM also trains in dance which is totally incredible, but unfortunately, I have been blessed with the dancing skills of a peacock in rollerskates. However, everything that CCAM stands for and the work that they do falls right into my passions: education, the art forms, and they were even in need of preschool volunteers! I have been working in a preschool program every summer for the past five years! I couldn't believe what an incredible ministry CCAM is, and how well it lines up with everything that God has gifted me in.
I immediately felt that I would love to serve in Cambodia with CCAM, and I felt an incredible sense of peace about it. I talked with my mom, who felt the same peace and agreed that it seemed like a perfect fit!
We talked to Gioia about it (and I have since been in contact with Kelsey as well), and it seemed like a great fit. I hope to go serve in Cambodia next summer. It would be incredible if I could stay for most of the summer, but of course it isn't my choice. However long God wants for me to stay is how long I will be in Cambodia!
God has given me the following scriptures as affirmations for this trip, which I would love to share with you!
-Psalm 96:3 "Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all people."
-Psalm 96:9-10 "Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before him all the earth. Say among the nations, 'The LORD reigns.'"
-Psalm 97:1 "The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice."
-Psalm 98: 2, 3b "The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations... all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God."
-Psalm 105:1 "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done."
-Revelation 3:8 (a verse from Gioia's presentation) "I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name."
-Esther 4:14 "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
Of course, this is going to cost money and I am not financially blessed enough to fund my own trip. So, I have created a GoFundMe page which you can visit here:
I have some perks listed where you can commission art work for a certain donation amount or, for a lower amount, receive an already completed artwork. I really appreciate anything you can help out with, and I know that through all of this, God will be faithful and provide the money if it is His will.
More than anything, CCAM could use your prayers. The following areas could use your prayer support:
-spiritual, physical, and emotional health of CCAM students and staff
-more prayer and financial partners
-adequate funds to pay for operating and program expenses, housing, and projects
-more staff and volunteers
-creation of new art works to glorify God
-more open doors to ministry opportunities
-protection from the evil one
-any persecution problems
As far as any prayers for me, please pray that:
-God would be glorified in anything and everything that I do, and that I would seek His will in prayer for all of this
-that I can meet up with travel buddies soon because I can't fly to Cambodia unless I link up with some adults who are also going! A good deal of my planning also depends on who my travel buddies are
-health and safety before and during the trip
Thank you so much, and if you can donate to my GoFundMe or if you feel so led then please do so! I know that everyone does not have any money to give, so if you cannot donate financially, then please pray! It is so, so important and sometimes overlooked when finances seem to be the main concern.
Cheers,
Riley
