3 Months in Cambodia
I’ve been involved with EMI for about 4 years. EMI is a non-profit development organization made up of architects, engineers, surveyors, and construction managers who use their skills to serve the least reached world. I went on my first project trip to Honduras in 2016, my second trip to Guatemala in 2018, and over the last year I have served as the leader for the Chicago EMI Network. It’s safe to say this organization holds a special place in my heart, and has played a significant role in shaping the person I am today.
I’m excited to share that I’m taking it a step further. This Spring I’m moving to Phnom Penh, Cambodia for 3 months to volunteer with EMI.
EMI opened a Cambodia office in 2015. After civil wars in the 1970's, Cambodia has worked diligently to make up for those lost years—sparking an era of rapid development and urbanization. Phnom Penh now has a large number of young, motivated and bright university students and design professionals, ready to do their part to shape the future.
Starting in March, I’m taking an unpaid sabbatical at my company to donate my civil engineering services to EMI. I’ll be teaching, training, and mentoring young engineers (both local and international) as we work on water, wastewater, and drainage projects for ministries in Southeast Asia. I’ll be helping with office wide training focused on civil aspects of a project, and helping young engineers develop good civil engineering practices. I’m excited to come alongside the engineers there to share my design knowledge and mutually learn from one another. This will undoubtedly challenge me personally, professionally, and spiritually - but I’m confident this is where I’m being called next.
The total estimated cost for me to live in Cambodia for 3 months is $6,000 (including flight, rent, my work visa, food, etc.) I’m asking friends and family to come alongside me for both encouragement and financial support. EMI is a registered 501(c)3, and any donations you make are tax deductible. I hope you’ll consider supporting me and the work I’ll be doing. To donate, click the button below.
If you’re still reading, I imagine you’re wondering how I got to this point. Let me take you back…
In October I attended the EMI Conference here in Chicago. It was an incredible 3-day event. I went into it very expectant for God to move me in some way. I figured at the very least, I’d leave with an idea of what my next project trip might be. I thought perhaps I’d connect with a future trip leader.
On the last day of the conference, in the closing speech during dinner, the CEO of EMI challenged and encouraged volunteers in the room to consider longer-term trips. He called it a “sabbatical” and said … 1 month, 3 months, 6 months … whatever our employers would allow and whatever amount of time we’d be willing to give. He talked about several of the EMI overseas offices that are in need, looking for mid to senior level professionals to give of their time, specifically to mentor and train younger staff.
This thought had never crossed my mind. I didn’t even know it was an option. Up to this point, I had planned to go on a project trip with EMI every-other-year, and 2020 was supposed to be my “on year”.
When the CEO was speaking, it actually felt like he was looking right at me when he made this compelling speech. Has that ever happened to you? Where you feel like someone is looking and speaking directly into your soul? It’s pretty uncomfortable actually. (I’ve concluded that’s probably the Holy Spirit.) In that moment, I shrugged it off, and instead looked around the room and thought, “This opportunity is probably for someone else.” I couldn’t possibly live somewhere else for an extended period of time. That would be crazy.
The conference wrapped up, and then I said my goodbyes. On the drive home I cried, but I wasn’t really sure why. When I got home Shay asked me how the conference was. I hadn’t seen him in 3 days. It was late, I was tired, and I wasn’t prepared to share what was stirring up in my heart… so I gave a vague answer and we went to bed.
That next morning I woke up and spent some time alone journaling and praying:
October 13, 2019
I got in the car to drive home last night feeling sad. I was prepared for that, but I was having such a good time over the last few days that I didn’t think sadness would come. I started to say goodbye to people and felt like a deer in the headlights. I needed to say goodbye to people I just met that weekend, some I had traveled with years ago to other parts of the world, and some people I had only ever known through a phone call, email, or heard of over the years. It’s a strange feeling. The whole weekend felt like the perfect example of the two spheres of heaven and earth overlapping. Color coming back to what I do for a living - in a season that feels grey. I was able to hear stories from all over the world about the impact EMI is having on communities. Not just with designing / building projects, but with building up people - training and employing local professionals… hearing stories of redemption… and of course hearing ways in which we can always do better as an organization. It was so encouraging… I’m currently wrestling with whether or not I’m being called to another 2 week project trip, or if I should be giving more of my time, skills, and resources. Should I take on a 3-month assignment? Was I the kind of person the CEO was referring to? Am I needed? Or am I just in a dry season trying to fill in the gaps with anything else that sounds better than sitting right where I’m at? Am I just looking for something extreme?…
And with that, I closed my journal and went to talk to Shay. I was nervous to bring this up. I was worried he’d think I was being dramatic. Or that he’d give me a hundred reasons why this is a bad idea. I was sure he’d tell me I was acting on emotions, and that I hadn’t really thought this through. Shay knows I live for adventure. I’m a risk-taker. I was worried that’s all this would translate as.
I intentionally waited for Shay to get in the shower so I could talk to him from the other side of the curtain. I was afraid to look him directly in the eye, and I didn’t want him to see my tears or see how nervous I was. Shay was immediately supportive. He affirmed that this made sense based on everything I’ve ever talked about with my job, my passions, and where I feel like I’m currently at in my career. We talked about how this oddly feels like the “right” time to do something like this. The conversation ended with, “I guess I could come visit you?”
I had his blessing, and that was the spark I needed to reach out to EMI and let them know I was in.
I share all of this, because it would be really easy for me to just talk about how excited I am. And while I am excited and I truly believe this is where God is calling me, I tend to avoid sharing the uncomfortable parts… the part where I was initially really scared to talk to my husband about it, and share it with friends and family. And how I’m nervous to be far away from Shay and Gatsby for 3 months. I’m not delusional. This will be really challenging. Even though I trust that this where the Spirit is leading me, I’m still scared.
With that, I’d love for you to step into this with me. Whether it be following along on this journey and receiving email updates, offering words of encouragement, or supporting me financially (or all three!)
Whether you choose to support me financially or not, I do ask that you support me through prayer, positive thoughts, good vibes, etc. I’ll be traveling to a country I’ve never been to, and I’ll be far away from family and friends – which can be a scary thing. It helps to know I’m not alone in this! (While I'd love to connect with you, you can choose to remain anonymous.)