October’s theme seemed to be: Seek Wisdom. It came to life in two very different ways – in my Khmer language studies and in my job hunting. At the beginning of the month, I sent out a message to a few close friends asking for prayer when it came to seeking wisdom. I had a few job opportunity options and I wanted to make sure I made the right choice. I just needed to focus down on what I wanted to do. At the beginning of the month I was so energized by so many different options, I was seeking wisdom to focus down and see what God “bubbled up” to the top. I knew that no matter what choice I would make would be the right choice and that God can and would use every opportunity to be glorified. Before I even moved to Cambodia, I had four things I wanted from an employer to know it was the right fit:
1. Year long contract – both for renting out my house back home, but also for visa stuff here in Cambodia.
2. I wanted to use my marketing degree. I still feel super blessed to have had to opportunity to go to college, I wanted to use that plus a decade of professional experience to make an impact here in Cambodia.
3. I wanted to work with vulnerable populations – and human trafficking definitely fit that bill.
4. I wanted to be able to bring Bullet with me.
Now that I have a year under my belt, I’ve added a few other “musts”:
a. I wanted to work somewhere that valued language learning.
b. I wanted to work for an organization that had some checks and balances – a board of directors, grants that they had to report on, and other various forms of accountability.
c. I wanted to work with a team, be a mentor, but also receive mentoring.
d. Had a solid job description with clear expectations for my role.
e. I wanted to work for an organization that allowed me some flexibility while I continue to learn and grow here in Cambodia.
All that being said, I’m really excited to announce that I’m now working as the PR Advisor for an organization called, M’lup Russey (MRO). This is a Christian, non-governmental local organization in Cambodia that works with orphans and vulnerable children to receive care. They believe that communities play an important role in the development of families and children. They partner with all levels of Child Welfare Networks and cooperate with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY) to promote Cambodia’s alternative care policies, procedures, standard, guidelines and best practices in case management issues by the Cambodian government. There are so many reasons, why I’m so excited to be joining this amazing organization. (Other than the fact that Bullet will be joining me in office on Wednesdays!) I’ll be working with their really smart, IT Manager, to help get their website up to date in both Khmer (for the communities) and English (for the donors) and highlighting all the really amazing work they are doing in the communities. Just this week, MRO presented on “Orphan Care and Trafficking” with some experts on implementing partnerships and supporting partners at an Integral Alliance Anti-Trafficking and Exploitation Collaboration workshop in Bangkok, Thailand. How amazing is that?! I’ve already hit the ground running at MRO in November getting some new content to be published soon on their website and Facebook page. If you have any questions about this organization or my work there, please send me a note and I’ll be happy to answer as best I can.
The other way I spent October seeking wisdom was in studying for my Khmer language final. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepares in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10 I don’t shy away from sharing this, but I couldn’t read until 3rd grade. I struggled hard to focus and learn basic reading rules. I was in Special Education and honestly didn’t struggle with the shame of that. My parents constantly encouraged me, my mom spent countless hours reading out loud to my brother and I and putting up with summer school homework. As I learn how to read and write Khmer – the same struggles come up – but so do the same coping strategies that I spent years perfecting. I was emailing my mom in October thanking her for investing in me and how at 32 I see it paying off. God is still good. Language is key to understanding. Hard work pays off. With a lot of hard work and prayers, I passed my level 3 Khmer final and am already in starting Level 4 Khmer with the blessing of my new job (since the entire NGO is conducted in Khmer – it’s important to them.)
Like in September, I struggled a little bit with, “I’m a missionary, but I’m not really doing much in terms of missionary things at the moment.” God, in His fatherly goodness, really pressed into me that this was in fact a negative belief. Here are just one of the ways during a month of “no missions” I could see God weaving His story into my story and beyond.
Bumblebee Soap:
It’s no secret I love beer and I also love business as missions (BAM). Erich, my friend from the bar, once asked me if I had any ideas for things he could sell at his bar. My response was, “Well all the hipster bars in Portland, sell things like handmade soap. I know a soap company here. I could see if they would be interested?” He gave me the green light, I asked my friend, who owns Bumblebee Cambodia Soap, a Christian non-profit, teaching women how to make soap, if she would be interested in a beer collaboration. She jumped at the idea! Not only that, but they have already SOLD out of pre-orders for the beer soap – IPA and Stout scents! We were joking it was a good problem to have right before the holiday season. This partnership will allow Bumblebee to continue to employee amazing young woman to learn a fairtrade job and allows Erich, to showcase his beer – just in a different form. It’s been great to connect two awesome people here in Cambodia to make a very fruitful partnership. (Plus, I got lucky enough to get my hands on some samples – it’s an amazing product!)
Thank you again to my home church, Oaks Parish, for being my sending church and helping support me as a Christian missionary. I still get your weekly updates and it’s been great to talk to the Pastoral team as Oaks Parish continues to grow in these upcoming months. It’s been amazing to continue to pray for wisdom for the church as well. So thank you for sharing with me and continuing to share with me.
A lot of other awesome things happened in October, I went to Vietnam for a motorcycle ride, finished an amazing cross cultural book, continued to teach at the Craft Corner at my English church. I seriously would love to share more with you. Please write to me! As always, below are some prayer requests. I really love hearing from everyone back home. I look forward to hearing from you!
Hugs from Cambo,
Jenna (and Bullet)
There is so much good news and answered prayer in this update. I am doing my happy dance!