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A Changed Mindset

2010 Cambodia Mission Trip

Last year, my sister-in-Christ, Melissa Miranda, forwarded me an invitation from ASAP to join a mission trip to Cambodia in February 2010. She, along with another close friend of ours, Cyndi Looc, participated in previous years. Their wonderful testimonies of their experiences moved me, but I was uncertain whether I could accomplish what they did. I was hesitant to participate, but from their encouragement, I decided to go.

Unfortunately, I prayed inconsistently about the trip, thus left in trepidation that I would go into Cambodia spiritually unprepared. I also feared being the typical “ugly American” with an attitude of complaining left and right. I admit going with the mindset that I, Irene Tarigan, would bring “qualified” skills to the Cambodians. How foolish I was. God in His infinite mercy revealed to me it was the Cambodian people that would bless me tremendously. And it is He who qualified me for I was unqualified in ministering to the Cambodians.

The church I attended on the first Sabbath was a small hut built on rented land next to a garbage dump. As you can imagine, there was a stench that permeated from the garbage. I was also assigned to preach but what does one preach to a poverty-stricken congregation? Again, I was fearful that I would not be able to reach their hearts because I didn’t understand nor was I able to relate to their sufferings. God again worked a miracle in my favor whereby He prompted me to tell the story of Jesus calming the storm in the sea. I shared with fellow believers that God is always with us whatever storms come upon our lives. Although the place of worship was small, the congregation worshipped in spirit and in truth.

Much of my responsibility consisted of interviewing and ministering to church planters, medical missionaries and literacy teachers. I learned what God has done for them during the past year. The first two days of interviews were amazing. Hearing the miracles God has wrought in their lives made wonderful impressions upon my heart. These workers have so little and yet they are willing to give the little they have. Their lives reminded me of the story of the widow with only two mites in Mark 12. These workers give all, just as she gave all. And like the Pharisees of that story, I have much but I have not given all that I have to the Lord.

Even though the trip has ended a few weeks ago, the memories have not left me. The Cambodians have left a deep impression upon my heart. If it is the Lord’s will, I would like to go back to Cambodia again because it is through ministering to those in need that I die and it is Christ that lives in me.