Progress and Setbacks...

Sorry It's been awhile since I've updated.... let's just say we don't have the most reliable wifi connection.


On the first day, we visited the killing fields and the school-turned into torture prison.
I wanted to put a lot of pictures up but it's almost impossible to load several photos...
We saw bones all over the place, pretty sad.

                                                    
                                                                   Genocide Center

People by their house.

They would use these to slit the throats of people.

Mass gravesite where hundreds of bodies were found piled... The monk's blessed the bracelets and people put them on the side.

Legitimate bones on the ground.. It rains so much here that the ground shifts and every few months bones show up.

The torture prison.

We then went to in his steps ministry and visited. Mark did the sermon on Sunday and we started on the playground on monday... some of us girls went and visited the orphans and taught some english classes.

adorable kids!

she is 99 years old, she is the happiest most humble person I've ever met.

A stove at one of the houses.

A blind widow, she was heavenly. 

Today a few of our staff members seemingly have food poisoning. Please pray, as we need all the men back to normal!

Blessings, Nataly

Safely Arrived in Cambodia!

Hey guys, I am so happy to say that we've safely arrived, without issue to Phnom Penh. We are exactly 12 hours different from you guy back in Texas, so keep that in mind!

Everyone was right, it's CRAZY humid here, and incredibly hot. It's currently over 100 degrees with 100% humidity, but oh well. I'm here on a mission, not to complain :)

So far things have been laid back, on the way here I quickly learned there are no rules on the road... motorbikes are swerving in and out through cars and it just seems like a disaster waiting to happen, but somehow everyone gets it.

We have a meeting to meet the staff of In His Steps Ministry, which is who we are partnering with while here.

Here are some pictures:

Mr. Sargent and I on the bus, he's the best.

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Our Hotel Room

Bonnie being cray.

part of our team walking up our hotel entrance.

Finally Landed... in Taipei

Quick update... Just wanted to let you guys know that I met up with Mark Roye and the team in L.A. and got on our flight to Taipei. Luckily people were able and willing to change seats with us so I got to sit next to Bonnie, with a middle seat in between us open... and Mark and Larry were close by! I have been to Europe, but let me tell you, this flight was insanely long and I am happy to be off it (nearly 14 hours)!    We are now situated in the Taipei airport and soon we will be leaving for Cambodia!
I will post later tonight, but I just wanted to give y'all something.

Blessing,
Nataly

Ready for take off...

Well, it's 10:23 at night on May 14th and I have packed only about 6 items.. not to worry, the rest of it is either ready to be packed or in the middle of a wash or dry.... Plus, I always work best at night, so this seems pretty fitting.

I leave tomorrow evening at 8:28 where I will fly from Austin to L.A. and then from L.A. to Taipei, and then to my final destination of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  It'll be a very long few days of traveling, I think it totals to over 28 hours with layovers and flight time combined! Either way, I am praying for safe travels with no issues at all.

People have asked me "are you nervous"... and honestly,  not really. The ONLY thing that makes me nervous is leaving my daughter... I don't think I could ever ever leave her this long unless it was for something like this. I am praying that her heart be still while I am away and that when we go to the airport tomorrow that she doesn't cry when I have to say goodbye. I just really pray that she doesn't cry; I won't be able to handle it. I am however, very grateful for skype, facetime, and the internet.. Thank you lord for these things that will keep me connected to my family.

This will be my last update until we land in Taipei, but I just wanted to take this time to THANK EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU who have contributed in some sort of way or prayed for me! I know God's hand is in this, because not only did he give me a vision and the heart for it, but also plenty of provision.
God is telling me something big is going to happen. Tonight I had a little "send off" dinner at my house and my sweet friends really helped calm my heart.
I am excited, and open, to everything that should and will happen here.

Thank you Lord for everything.
Thank you to EVERYONE for the constant love and support.

Blessings from Texas,

Nataly

Generosity...

The last few days have been really stressful in terms of getting ideas and things together in preparation for this mission trip; it's all I can think about.
Yesterday I spent a lot of time at my church with my friends Abby and Ashley who helped me come up with creative fundraising ideas.
So far this is what I've got tentatively lined up:
1. Car/Bike Wash
2. Selling Breakfast Tacos at church, or probably just taking donations.

I keep thinking about my own daughter, and how precious she is to me. She has more than enough: more than enough clothes, more than enough toys, more than enough shelter, more than enough food, and more than enough love and protection....I would do anything in my power to ensure these things... but Cambodia is different, children literally are taken away from their parents or even traded by their  for money out of desperation... AS YOUNG AS MY daughter, and given a life where they are used for slavery and SEX... I couldn't even imagine the trauma, the fear, the hurt, the physical pain... it's harsh, but it's real and devastating. Kids walk around on the streets with filthy feet, no clothes, and nothing to play with.... giving them a playground is like taking our children to disney world... amazing, memorable, fun! It's been proven that play is a form of therapy for children... giving them a playground gives them a safe place to go. Teaching them about washing their hands, cleanliness, and giving them small items is a HUGE deal... all things that we take for granted. Pretty eye opening. All I want to do is bring love, and hope... and maybe some toys :)

I have this mentality that no matter WHAT it takes, I AM raising the funds to go. I am overwhelmed but the deep desire to be on this trip. God is telling me, "Nataly get there, I'll do the rest." I really do look forward to letting God use my heart and hands to pour out the love of Christ to a starving and hurting nation.

So far, I have raised $625 from only 3 donors! This leaving $2,375 more dollars to raise, and quick. One of the donations alone was $500... which was a God-send considering how discouraged I was yesterday... I am completely blessed by this.


I have a long way to go, but it's reachable! I can't wait to be updating you guys from Cambodia.
Until then, please pray for me and my progress....
and If you'd like to donate to my trip, visit my funding website:
http://www.gofundme.com/2argr4
ANYTHING helps and is much appreciated.... also again, if you are local and would like me to come clean your house, PLEASE let me know...I will do it for a donation, not a charge.

Blessings,

Nataly

Spreading Love: Mission Trip to Cambodia

I once was told that God doesn't put a desire in your heart that he doesn't want to fulfill, but that sometimes it takes a step in faith to see these things play out.... Well that's where I am.

For about 2-3 years I have had a strong desire to go on a Mission Trip, not any mission trip either, preferably in areas where I am strong and know I could help like with women, children, and the sick.

Obviously, being a wife, mother, and student puts limitations on opportunities leaving little to no doors open.

Well all that has changed, being that I am a student, we have small breaks between semesters. God has strategically placed this wonderful opportunity to go to Phnom Phen, Cambodia to help in a country stricken by poverty, and illegal sex trade. 

Although I only have a few hundred dollars in the bank (which are going to bills this friday), I am stepping out in faith and hoping that not only to be given the opportunity to work for money to afford this trip, but to be blessed by other people. Often, asking for money is pretty hard. I have had to do it before, under different circumstances, but sometimes you just have to humble yourself and understand that sometimes people really do want to help!

I am praying for many things: God to reveal to me what he wants me to share, prayers for safe travels, emotional and physical strength, and of course the impending financial aspect of this journey.

I will be updating regularly to let everyone know how this goes.

Please know that anything helps: $1 is just as big as a blessing as any other dollar amount.

Please visit my link to donate:

http://www.gofundme.com/2argr4

I would also like to try and clean a few houses to save up some money!

if you'd like for this to happen contact me directly at 512-905-8603!

Love and Blessings,

Nataly