Love... is all we need!

One thing that I have learned during my time so far in Cambodia is that everyone no matter where you live, what race you are or what "class" you're in, we are all looking for love. The love you seek may be different, maybe for some they are looking for it in attention from others, some seek it in things they love and others may pursue it in their actions or deeds. The truth behind all of this is that we can get all of that from Our Savior. Jesus gives us the attention we so seek. The word says in Song of Songs "You are beautiful my beloved there is no flaw in you" and "Arise my darling, come away with me." He longs to give us that attention that we so desire. The things of this world will not fill that void.I am often reminded of the song "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" it says:

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace."

His glory, grace and love exceed all the things this world has to offer. Everything else compared to Him will grow strangely dim.
And finding love and fulfillment solely in deeds and actions does not get you anywhere. You need faith behind those actions. Today we were told how easy it is to open an orphanage here in Cambodia. Literally all you need is a building and to say we'll take your kids. but the problem with that is that those people doing that aren't helping anything. If they don't have people supporting them they almost always fail. The Christian orphanages here that are backed by supporters and have their base set in Him are the successful ones! They have faith along with deeds and in that they find love and fulfillment. In James it says "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" You need both faith and actions to truly feel that love.
Ok, so I know that this was really wordy and kind of philosophical but it all boils down to the fact that we can try to find love in many other things, people and actions. But the only TRUE LOVE we can ever feel or even express comes from Him.
During my time in Cambodia I am praying that all I do and all that I take part in is backed by Him and His powerful love and grace. Whether I am teaching my students or saying hello to the neighbors across the street I want to do it all keeping in mind that His love is what they are seeing!
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18

Cambodia... The Land of LOVELY people!

I made it to Cambodia! It is so crazy to think that I am in another country! I have already taken in a lot even within the 6 days of being here! It was a slightly overwhelming transition... mostly the heat! Please pray for me and that transition a little smoother! I went to observe the class I will be working with today and I am amazed at the students English ability!

Cambodia is a very interesting country. The people (at least the ones we have met) are extremely nice. Even today as I was riding my bike home a young man rode along side me and was telling me all about his education. He was asking me what I thought about Cambodia and the traffic. He had exceptional English and wanted to talk to me and practice his English. Also, our "Tuk Tuk" driver is a very kind man and he has very good English. He always makes sure we get to the places we need to go to! These are only a couple of the many examples of the kind of people that I have met in Cambodia!

Tomorrow (monday) I start teaching full time in the class! Be in prayer for that as the kids are very bright and will need to be challenged! I am excited to get the ball rolling though!

Cambodia's Coming!! (Actually I'm going there! ) :)

I must say that before this week I was very anxious, very nervous and very emotional leaving my family and friends to come to CA first for training then to Cambodia... I don't know what I would have done without the amazing support of my loving Family; Mom, Dad, Inga, Stephen... everyone! and the loving support of all my friends especially Vanessa! I don't think I would be here now if it weren't for all of you! <3

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; Cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:9 &10
This is such a good verse! I have just been in California for only a few days now and training has been incredible... We have not had a single moment of rest... honest! I'm tired yet excited and stressed yet relieved.. complete opposites I know! The one thing I can say is that this verse spoke so clearly to me... Not only will I (in about 4 days) be in CAMBODIA teaching children in a new culture I will also have to be able to stay connected to my teammates. In all of these things I am praying that God would make this verse true! That when I'm with the students at school I would have sincere love. That when I'm with my teammates I would cling to what is good! And that in all things I would honor others above myself! It has been an incredible week (and its only Wednesday!) I'm finally able to feel excited about my trip to Cambodia and feel like I'm so excited I could jump up and down just knowing more about what we'll be doing and experiencing (Vanessa, that was for you! <3) Thank you all for your prayers!

Faith... what a lesson!

"So keep up your courage... for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me." Acts 27:25

I will be leaving for Cambodia in a little less than 12 days. (Actually that's to CA but it's connected to my trip!) And I don't have all the funds necessary... and for me (the planner) it is extremely stressful and faith-testing. I would say that I am normally a pretty calm person but in some things, like this, I sometimes just want to scream! AHHHH!! There that feels much better :) So through prayer and fasting this week (even though it’s only Tuesday) I am already starting to feel a much greater peace. I found this verse, Acts 27:25, and it just reminded me of the fact that God will provide because I have faith in God and it will happen just as He said it will! He wants me to go to Cambodia and He lined everything up so it will work out! Believe me when I say that this is absolutely the hardest thing to not only say but TRULY believe! Thank you all for your constant love and support! If you would like to support my mission’s trip to Cambodia you can go to www.teachoverseas.org/contribute and put my name, Carin Hinman in the box for supporting a teacher.

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.

We all have days where the stresses of life seem to overwhelm us. We can be disappointed, depressed or just plain angry. We can blame others, ourselves or even worse God. We often can feel at the bottom of the pit and not know where to go. But remember this verse! Matthew 11:28-30 says to come to Him. Jesus will give you rest. His yoke is easy and His burden is light! He wants us to lay our overwhelming struggles at His feet so we don't have to be burdened or weary. When this world tries to weigh you down remember that our Savior is gentle and humble and wants to give you His peace. What a great promise!

Reflection: Take a few minutes to meditate on this promise. Have you laid down your burdens today? Come to Him and you will find rest!

Carin' in Cambodia

"And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

Soon I will be changing the name of my blog to "Carin' in Cambodia" because God has opened the door for me to go to Cambodia. I will be teaching English to Kindergarten to 2nd grade students that are relatively new to the English language.

It’s hard to believe that in about 3 months I will be on my way to Cambodia. I am super excited as the planning and preparation season sets in. I constantly am learning more about Cambodia, its people and its history. I’m also educating myself more about teaching English in a foreign country.

This will be my first experience overseas so I am also getting excited about living in another country and being completely immersed in a new culture and new environment, surrounded by others speaking a language that I am not familiar with.

I wanted to let you all know of the progress on my fund-raising. I have currently received more than $1,000. I am completely amazed by the faithfulness of my family and friends. THANK YOU so much for your prayerful support. I believe that God will provide all the funds necessary so I am asking all of you to pray for me during this time of preparation and, as the time draws closer, prayer for the trip and my time in Cambodia.

Again, thank you all so much! I am so blessed by each and every one of you!

A LONG Time Coming!

"The Lord is my light and my salvation -- Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life --of whom shall I be afraid!"

Psalm 27:1
It has been a LONG time since I have posted anything and think that its a good time to update. A lot has happened and changed since June. Summer is over and Fall is past and Winter 2010 is upon us, soon to be 2011. WOW what a difference a few months can make. In these months I have worked my summer job... stressed out about a job for the school year, GOT a teaching job and now teach at a local elementary school... I was so consumed by these things that I know I often forgot to rely and fully trust in the Lord. It's quite funny to look back and think "Wow, Carin how much easier would life have been if I just gave it to HIM!" Starting a new job and moving into that next stage of life, the "Real World," is SUCH a hard thing. I'm learning more about myself then I ever have in the past and God constantly brings up things, some are fun and exciting and others are a little harder to swallow! But I am constantly reminded of Psalm 27:1 that God is my stronghold, my light and my salvation. I have NOTHING to fear or be afraid of!

Another sweet and new thing that is happening is that I am going to Cambodia for a month this summer to teach English!! With this decision and through the whole process (Which has just started :) ) I have already found that constant reliance and full trust in HIM is what will get me through this process!
I am so comforted by the promises of God's Word!