Well, the least I can say is getting to Cambodia was quite the struggle. It all started with the bus drivers changing our departure time twice. We were supposed to leave at 7 am on Thursday. It got switched to 6 am and then 5 am so Thursday morning we arrived around 4:45 am at our takeoff location. The rest of the squad came and we were all ready to go by their said time. Turns out they were either late or some miscommunication happened because we didn’t end up taking off until 7 am…. The original time. We got all our bags on, (not all fit under the bus so we had to throw some in the isles) got situated, and were all prepared for a 16-hour ride to the border of Cambodia. This ride was gorgeous, a little loud, but overall fun to be with the whole squad. Around 5 pm we finally arrived at the border where we all got out and had our passports ready to go. Some of the leaders were going first but it was taking unusually long. After about 30 minutes the leaders all had a meeting together and eventually called us over to explain what was going on. Turns out this border is only for locals. I didn’t hear the full details but we weren’t allowed to cross here despite our leader triple-checking with the company. Our only option was to go back 11 hours and cross on the other side of the country. We all hopped back in the bus where we spent the night there and arrived at the next border around 7 am. There were mixed emotions between some being happy we got more squad time and others simply wanting to be at our bases in Cambodia. We all grabbed our passports again, got into our teams, and started the process of crossing when we ran into another issue. Our passports have now expired due to the delay with the other border. After a couple hours, a VERY hot bus, leaders meetings, and lots of questions we were told we had to drive back to Ho Chi Minh City where we had debrief at the beginning of Vietnam and stay the night in a hotel. They would not let us through and said we had to visit the immigration office in Ho Chi Minh. Somehow we were able to get a hotel for all 45 of us in the city. This was a surprise since we all never expected to be back. We dropped all our stuff in the hotel, and FINALLY got food…. None of us brought meals for the last 24 hours and haven’t been able to purchase any due to the wrong currency. We then took the same bus to the immigration office just to be rejected again…. We were all once again confused. 20 minutes after arriving we were told the only way we were getting out of the country was through the airport with a plane ticket in hand. We booked the night at the hotel again and dispersed for the rest of the day.
The extra time we had in Ho Chi Minh ended up being some of my favorite days on the race between hanging out with the squad to having some fun adventures. Despite being exhausted we truly made the most of our time there. The next morning we were told our AIM staff found and booked us all flights for the following day at 8 am. If the hotel wasn’t a miracle in itself, this was. Our tentative plan was to leave our hotel the next morning at 3 am. Once again we made the most of our last few hours there which included smoothie bowls, golfing, ice cream, and a visit to the zoo. Luckily 2 of the people in our group for the day had service because at 6 pm our leaders called telling us to come back ASAP to pack and leave for the airport now. I don’t know why we were even shocked at this point but the 8 of us piled into a 6 person car and headed to the hotel. Luckily I had already packed for the plane ride earlier in the day so I simply needed to grab my bags. I called a grab for 4 of us and we were on our way to the airport around 7. Somehow my group ended up being first, despite being one of the last ones to the hotel. We were told the airport immigration closed that night so the morning wasn’t an option. We all piled our stuff in a spot on the airport floor and dispersed again until 4 am. I ended up pulling an all-nighter instead of sleeping for a few hours somewhere on the floor. It was a good time but by the morning it was safe to say I was tired. We all finally got our passports figured out, signed the necessary papers, and got in line to have our bags checked. Turns out on this airline (Cambodian Airlines) not only was there a weight limit on our checked bags but our personal and Carryon items as well. This was a shocker for most since our routines consisted of throwing the heaviest items in our carry-on to avoid an overweight fee with our big packs. They also made everyone with guitars pay their $65 fee to check it due to “no room on the plane”. Our items and checked bags together couldn’t be over 15lbs. Considering I had my camera, all toiletries, and books in there I knew that wasn’t a possibility. It came to my turn and they simply didn’t weigh my “personal items” with the heaviest things…. Miracle number… I lost count. Many did have to pay though and with the lack of sleep, some people were a little upset, understandable. By this time we maybe had an hour to get through security and to our gate. The next scene consists of about half the squad being called back due to flagged checked bags. They flagged all bags with portable chargers and other essentials. 2 of the girls on the squad ended up going through all the bags and digging for the potentially flagged items. By the time they finished, they were calling for us to board the plane. Nobody had track of where everyone was so whoever was there went on a bus to board the plane. I truly believe it was another miracle we all actually boarded the plane on time. We were definitely some of the last on the plane and before we knew it we all took off. It ended up being a 45-minute flight where a big prayer was all our big packs were actually on the plane with us. Thank God, we landed, everyone was there, all our bags, and everyone was safe and healthy. We all got through the customs and had finally officially walked out of the airport into Cambodia. The relief at this moment was so real. Throughout it all there was an unrealistic amount of peace washing over each of us. It was clear God was sustaining each of us through the chaos. Getting to see a new part of my squad mates all coming in the clutch to help one another was so cool. It was more evident than ever that each one here walks so closely with the Lord and His characteristics showed through each of us, even in stress. After another hour on the bus, we were finally on base. We jumped right into orientation and unpacking. This somehow ended up being longer than Guatemala to Vietnam. I learned, that not being mentally prepared for such a long travel day was the hardest part. Last time I prepped for our long travels but this time I believed there was no need. Somehow, despite getting some of the worst ( or no sleep at all) each night the Lord was so faithful in restoring my energy after a single night of good sleep. Enough to go serve for a full day of ministry the very next day. throughout it all as well, we worshiped God, bonded further, and have a crazy story to tell forever. We all agreed we wouldn’t change anything.
As for ministry, we just finished our first full week and it is very different and new. I can’t wait to explain that and share how God is moving in my team and squad. Time is limited here, therefore I will post whenever I have more time! Thanks for reading about our crazy travel day!
^ our crazy pils of luggage!
What kept me busy in the bus haha
One of the many border crossings
Extra day in Ho Chi Minh
packing again!
