It’s my first day on the field at New Hope For Orphans in Kampung Cham, Cambodia.   As I am sitting on a tiled bench anchored in the dirt, chickens nibbling around my feet, and sweat already forming on my back at a ripe 6:30AM — as unknown sounds of foreign animals vie for my attention and smoky aromas fill my lungs, my mind can’t help but recognize how there is absolutely nothing comfortable about this scene. There is nothing comfortable about taking a bucket shower without opening my mouth. There is nothing comfortable about cocooning my sleeping pad in a mosquito...

Last night I was talking to Vechit, a 20-year-old boy who’s mother died when he was 16 years-old. After his mother died, his father abandoned him and his 3 siblings. His father dropped them off at an orphanage called New Hope in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Shortly after abandoning his children, Vechit’s father passed away. Vechit has been living there for almost 4 years in February. Vechit opened up to me about his feelings of being abandoned and his fear. He explained that he has been questioning God and asking why God put him in a situation like this. I was moved to tears when I...

Jesus showed up today. This afternoon, we were released for an hour to spend some time one-on-one with Jesus exploring different spiritual pathways.  My team and I went down to a huge, open pavilion and one of the girls played guitar, worshiping quietly as we all settled down with our Bibles. I’ve always been insecure about my singing voice.  I’m surrounded with people who can sing really well, and I’ve always felt like my voice just isn’t good enough.  Growing up in a performing arts school, competing in musical theater, auditioning with solos…I’ve...