I’m embarking on a new season and a new adventure, much like Joshua faced when Moses died. God called him to lead His people into a new land filled with vineyards, pastures and cities overflowing with milk and honey. Would there be battles and challenges? Yes, but God was with His people through every trial. The one thing God reiterated time and again to His leader was to be strong and courageous because fear has a way of knocking the wind out of us, so to speak, or keeping us from moving forward with confidence. No wonder God told him to have courage!
I’m sitting in my hotel room in Bangkok, Thailand getting ready to enter a new culture with new surroundings, meet new people and have to learn a whole new language. And just like God told Joshua to be strong and courageous, He is saying the same thing to me. God has called me to help set children free from human trafficking – to be a voice for the voiceless and take a stand against injustice. I will be making my way to Chiang Rai, Thailand this afternoon where I will be living for the next year or more, writing for Destiny Rescue – a Christian non-profit organization dedicated to freeing children from human trafficking.
With all the new environments, surroundings and people, fear has tried to come over me as I take steps forward. Yet, God keeps reminding me that He goes before me, just as He did for Joshua and His people entering the Promise Land. God’s perfect love casts out fear. He gives His people peace when they fix their eyes on Him instead of their surroundings!
I sit anxiously anticipating the days ahead with great faith and expectation because God goes with me and is for me. I look forward to meeting new people, rescuing children who can’t deliver themselves and being the hands and feet of Jesus to all God brings across my path. And, I look forward to working for Destiny Rescue and all the amazing staff that risk their lives on a regular basis.
I am also reflecting on the past 2.5 years I lived in Fort Wayne, IN. It was an incredible time of growth, building amazing friendships with so many great people and doing life with my amazing family! I am truly blessed and realize I could not be where I am at today without them helping me along the way!
So I press on in this next season, encouraged by the words of Jesus, “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29 NLT).
Many stories to come in the days ahead!
Cory, that’s a great article! I know he will continue to do a work in you and others will see that is hand is truly upon your life. You are doing such a great thing as lives are being saved and hope is being renewed. I admire your faith and dedication, take care man I’ll see you next year, God bless!
Hi Cory,
I just wanted to offer some encouragement in the form of my testimony. God has given me an amazing, inexplicable peace throughout my journey here in Cambodia. I have been alone quite a bit in the last two months (there are a lot less people here than are working for DR in Thailand!), but I have never been lonely – Jesus always makes His presence known when I look for Him. With many of the new situations and problems that I’ve encountered in my work here, I’ve realized that God prepared me long ago to respond to them. God hasn’t just gone before me; He has equipped me to navigate the path that He set for me. I know that as you’ve followed Him and sought His will in your life, He’s done the same for you.
Hi Cory! So sorry it’s taken me so long to reply – I got sent up to Siem Reap for six weeks and so have been resettling here.
I’ve learned a Khmer word here and there, but I haven’t yet buckled down to studying it in earnest. When I get back to Phnom Penh, I’m going to take classes at a school that’s been recommended to me. Khmer isn’t tonal, so I don’t have to worry about that! I’ve been told I have a good Khmer accent.
I really appreciate your prayers. I’ve been asking God to send me good friends here that I can just hang out with. I’m not an outgoing person, so it can be hard for me to connect with people, but I know that God works with my limitations. You can also pray that I can gain a full understanding of my responsibilities here and am able to do my job with wisdom and discernment.
Are you planning on visiting the Cambodian projects at all?
Cory, I was delighted that you wrote such a great article already on this incredible journey of yours! Good job God doesn’t get tired of hearing from us because we are pummeling the gates of heaven with prayers for your safety and the strength and courage to do exactly what Christ has called you to do… be His hands and feet. Never feel alone or forgotten… NOT GONNA HAPPEN! You are a truly amazing man of God and I know you will touch lives all around you in Thailand just as you have done in Ft Wayne, Indiana! Looking forward to seeing what God has in store! Sue Pierce