A Year-Long Journey
Meet Christy (pictured center with the Howell family, missionaries in Cambodia).
Christy is from India. She was able to fulfill her dream of becoming a missionary in 2019 when she accepted a call for a girls' dean for the scholarship students studying to become teachers for the Cambodia Boarding Academy project.
Christy loved being a missionary, but due to COVID-19 and some other visa issues, she was forced to return to India a little over a year ago.
On October 14, 2021, Christy stepped once again onto Cambodian soil. Here is what she shared about her experience:
I would like to share how God blessed me throughout this one year of waiting to get back to Cambodia. Many prayers brought me to Cambodia safely.
When we are ready to work for God, Satan will always be busy to catch us. This same thing happened to me. [After trying many times to get a new visa] I was planning on going back to Cambodia in February. Unfortunately, their new travel rules made me confused, and I couldn't get back. So I decided to wait until the country opened up.
Meanwhile, I had many trials, temptations, and problems in my personal life and in my hometown. Eventually I was no longer able to handle the situation. I asked Aunty Natalie Howell to help get me out of that place. She spoke with Uncle Jon Wood, and he was ready to buy the tickets for me to go to Cambodia. Due to COVID-19, it was highly expensive, and I had to travel for 42 hours. I got my visa and started travelling from my country.
Throughout the journey God was with me as well as Uncle Jon and Aunty Natalie H.; they were both with me and guided me through each step. I couldn't believe God's leading; it was amazing. Whenever I had problems, I got encouragement from Aunty Natalie H. She took care of me and she always reminded me that God is in control.
In all 3 airports I was so scared to show my documents in case they rejected me before boarding. After my last flight, I couldn't believe that I arrived in Cambodia safely. I had to quarantine at the hotel where the government selected. Usually it's 14 days, but due to some rule changes I only had to stay for 7 days. God helped me and took care of me during those 7 days too.
Finally I have made it to Battambang where Aunty Natalie H. and the rest of the Howells are. It is such a blessing to be with her and family. I wanted to thank many people who prayed for my travel. I'm so thankful to Uncle Jon who was ready to do everything for me. Even though I have been rejected and put down by many people around me, still God is standing beside me. I want to serve God throughout my life. I will try my best to show the love of the Lord to His people here in Cambodia.
Getting Christy back to Cambodia was complicated both on her end and on ours. A lot of time, effort, and prayer was involved in finding her a plane ticket from India to Cambodia. Since many countries currently will not allow entry to travelers from India, our options were extremely limited. She ended up having to travel through Doha, Qatar, with a 20 hour layover, and then to South Korea where she changed airlines before flying to her final destination. We praise God for opening the doors for Christy to enter the mission field once again and for guiding her safely through this year-long journey. We know that she will be a blessing to everyone involved with the Cambodia Boarding Academy project.
Please continue to pray for Christy, the Howell family, and the scholarship students as they work to make the dream of the Cambodia Boarding Academy a reality. If you would like to learn more about this project or support it financially, please click the button below.