While my friends and family are sleeping in their beds at home in the US I am surrounded by the liveliness of city life in Asia. At this moment I am in a coffee shop in Phnom Pehn. (I am happy to have already discovered a good coffee shop where I can recharge. It was definitely a gift.) The name of the coffee shop is "Jars of Clay" and it is run by believers. They help at risk women provide for themselves and get out of the sex trade. Combine good coffee with redemption work and you have a pretty amazing thing in my book. My teammates and I discovered this place as we were walking to the Russian Market where we bought supplies for our house. Right now it is Cambodia's "winter" and yet I am very thankful to escape the heat and humidity for a little while and take some time to process everything. 
It is hard to put into words what has been running through my head the past couple of hours. I have been silently absorbing everything and breathing it all in. The city is colorful and fast paced. Motor cycles and tuk tuks rule the streets. The sound of honking, roosters, barking dogs and the clanging of construction create a symphony that is uniquely Phnom Pehn. The air smells sweet and hangs heavy. This is my home for the next two years.
The sex trade still does not seem real to me. I have a feeling that that is going to change very soon. Walking around I look at every shop, every home and wonder what is really going on inside. At night a row of coffee shops by our house are used as brothels and the women sit outside waiting for their clients. Some shops advertise back rooms that are used for sex by hanging Christmas decor outside. At night it is not hard to find the brothels, pink lit rooms with lots of men going in and out. It is hard for me to fathom that girls are being used and abused just down the street from our house. On the outside the Khmer people are so friendly and inviting and it is hard for me to believe that they could be involved with the sex trade but the truth is that a lot of them are.
Language school starts next week; which I am excited about. There is so much I want to say to people and feel handicapped by language. I know that it is going to take time to learn but I am ready to start the process. Each of us are going to find our own internship and get involved with different organizations in the city. I am so curious about what my role is going to be. I would love to work with kids and help them see their value and do prevention work, or do bar ministry and actually be a part of rescue, or I would love to do counseling and art therapy. There are so many needs and I can't wait to see what God has specifically for me.
God is so good. My heart beat seems to match the rhythm of this place. I know that I am supposed to be here and I am so excited to see why.
