Seeing God’s Love Through NEXT Site Leaders
My first interaction with my site leaders – Lexi Collins and Collette Nybakken – was over Zoom. I remember instantly connecting with them over our shared love for coffee. From the start, I could tell I had some pretty special NEXT site leaders. When I first met Collette late at night in the Phnom Penh Airport, she immediately hugged Glory (my fellow intern) and me. Her kind and sweet spirit was evident.
Lexi (right) translating for Tori during a church service.
The following morning, Lexi greeted us with excitement and joy. As we went through that first week of orientation I could tell these were leaders I did not just want to be my “leaders,” but I also wanted to have as my friends. Their love for the Lord and loving kindness towards others was so obvious. I knew in that short period of time I could rely on them, whether I had an important question about ministry or just needed a friend to talk to. The following weeks continued to prove that to be true.
There was not some magical moment or big thing that led to trust and friendship but a collection of many small ones. It was the acts of intentionality: a text from Collette inviting us to grab coffee and study language together or Lexi opening her home for weekly family dinners. It was also the realness of who they were. They did not present themselves as “better” than us but openly shared the reality of the “slowness” of mission work, the culture shock they have experienced and the difficulties of living so far from family.
They also shared the great joys of mission work. They shared stories of relationships they were building with locals, and of those they had seen come to know Christ or grow deeper in their relationship with Him. They were honest with us. You could truly sense their love for God and his people in Cambodia!
(Left to Right) Lexi, Glory and Tori passing out snacks to kids at a local church.
Not only did our site leaders provide a space for us to feel seen and experience God’s love through them – but because of the relationships they’ve built and the time they’ve spent in Cambodia, we were given opportunities to show that same love to the people of Cambodia, too.
This included an opportunity for Glory and me to teach the Gospel to kids at six different churches all over Cambodia. Lexi’s knowledge of the Khmer language was invaluable to help us communicate.
And again, because of Lexi and Collette’s investment in Cambodia, Glory and I also got to teach English and show the light of Jesus to kids who are at risk of or are currently in abusive situations.
Lastly, through their intentional mentorship, I experienced God’s love. The conversations over a cup of coffee always left me feeling encouraged in the work God was doing through me in Cambodia. I always left with a deep sense that what I was doing held purpose and value. I was made aware of gifts and growth points I otherwise would have never known about. I left having a deeper sense of who the Lord has made me to be and how I can use that for his kingdom now!
Thank you, Lexi and Collette!
Collette, Tori and Glory spending time with one another during a family dinner.