Getting Ready!

Hi Everyone!

My team and I have had a bunch of meetings, going over what we'll be doing in Cambodia, what to expect, the roles we can assume, etc. It's been really great getting together with the team. They really are a great group of people and I'm super-excited to be serving alongside them!

Today is officially a month before I leave to Cambodia!

I can't believe how quickly time has passed! I'm getting together my lesson plans for our time at Logos. The first week for VBS, I'll be teaching and leading the Crafts. As for the rest of the weeks, I'll be teaching and leading the Bible lessons, alongside my teammate Jeffrey. That's for the mornings. In the afternoons, we'll have the opportunity to reach out to the community kids (who can't afford to go to the school) and play sports, swim, and teach them ESL. I can't wait to meet the kids!!On the weekends, we hope to visit the ministries that the school is involved with. :)

As the time to go is approaching quickly, I ask that you please keep us in your prayers. It can be hard figuring out all the details of the lesson plans, so please pray for wisdom in what would be best for the kids!
I'm very excited for what God will do there. I know He has an amazing plan for each of those kids.
Please pray that we're flexible and willing to do whatever it is God needs us to do!
Please pray for the kids, that they'll come with open hearts, curiosity, and a willingness to deal with us strange foreigners! :) Please pray that they'll get to know and experience the incredible love of Christ. :)
Please pray that God gets all the glory and honour and praise!
Please pray that I get all the funds I need, so I can go to Cambodia.
I would just like thank you all for supporting me with prayers and financially! It's really appreciated!!

 ^" At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. " Matthew 18:1-2

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Titles

As you know, the location of where I'm going has changed. We're now going to Southeast Asia, but I will keep my blog's URL as www.annawestasia.blogspot.com.
Sorry for any confusion!!

About Cambodia

I've been researching Cambodia, to get a feel for this country and the people I will soon meet.
I am blown away by the rich history this country has. It's really hard to summarize! I think it's safe to say there have been a lot of take-overs and wars in this country.
It's located in Southeast Asia, bordering Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.
It's tropical there. We'll be going during their rainy, monsoon season (May to November).
90% of the people that make up this country are Khmer, 5% are Vietnamese, 1% are Chinese, and 4% are "other."
96.4% of the people are Buddhist, 2.1% are Muslim, and 1.3% are "other."
Cambodia is a multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy.
31% of the population is below the poverty line.
There are a total of 17 airports, with only 6 that have paved runways.
That's a bunch of random facts I've gathered about this country. I know these facts can't describe the lives these people live, but it makes me really excited to meet these people! :)
We'll be guests of the Logos International School, who teach kids from Kindergarten to Grade 8.  We will be running a VBS camp the first week we're there. For the rest of the weeks, we'll be teaching ESL, and running a bunch of activities. Can't wait!!  

CHANGE OF PLANS

A few days ago, I got an email. My team was to have an "urgent" meeting for this Sunday (April 10).
At the meeting, our team leaders let us  know that, due to a building demolition, we would not be able to go to West Asia.
This news was a complete shocker! However, they told us of some other plans:
There is an opportunity to go to Cambodia!
In Cambodia, we would be running a VBS camp for the first week, and then teach ESL for the remaining weeks.
Although plans have changed, we know God is in control, and leading the way to Cambodia. How everything worked out with the dates, as well as the place, and what we would be doing there, is a testament of God's hand in all this.
God is so amazing, and I'm so glad for this opportunity this summer. =]
The trip is still set for June 16-July 11. I'll keep you all updated!
God bless!

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." -Proverbs 3: 5-6

W5H

So I thought I`d do some explaining!

Who: To tell you a little more about myself:
I love to read, spend time with my family, and do things outdoors. I am currently in my second year of university. I am in the Liberal Arts and Professional Studies Program at York, where I am getting a Specialized Honours degree in English. With this degree, I hope to teach! I`m not sure which age group just yet, but that`s my goal!

What: I am going to teach conversational English with 6 other amazing people.
When: I will be leaving for West Asia June 16th, 2011, and returning on July 11, 2011.

Where: I will be going to West Asia!!

Why: I want to go teach conversational English because I feel like that is where God is leading me to use the skills I am learning to serve others in a different part of the world. I am also extremely excited to get to know the students!  =) The most important thing on this trip is to build relationships with the people and to serve them, and I am so excited to be given this opportunity!

How: Here are some ways in which you can partner with me on my journey to West Asia:

You can support me through prayers! Supporting me through prayer is absolutely essential to my trip. Every single day, I will need the support of your prayers. It makes a huge difference when you`re out there, knowing people are praying for you!
Ephesians 6:18-19: Be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord`s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel.
If you feel God is leading you to support me through prayer in spreading God`s love to other parts of the world, and if you would like to know specific things you can be praying for, please contact me at a_kistol@hotmail.com  =)

You can also support me financially. The total cost of my trip is $3700. I will be going for 26 days. That means it will be about $142 CDN per day. I will need to have the full amount in my account 30 days before departure. It`s a lot and I really can`t go without your support, but I know all things are possible with God!
Philippians 4:19: And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.
If you feel God leading you to partner with me financially in spreading His love to another part of the world, then please contact me at a_kistol@hotmail.com and I can send you the donation form to send to Crossworld.

1. If you live in Canada: You can send a cheque, payable to CrossWorld, to 11-1020 Matheson Blvd. E, Mississauga, ON, L4W 4J9. Just be sure to include my name on it: Anna Kistol.
2. If you live in the U.S.:You can send a cheque, payable to Cross World, to 10,000 North Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO, 64155-2010. Please be sure to include my name, Anna Kistol on the back.

Or, you can also give online at www.crossworld.org/givenow.html
Here are the instrucitons:

• Choose Manual under the Donors in Canada heading
• Fill in the personal info on the next page including your name and email address and click Next Page
• Under Part or all of this gift is to go to: please select a specific Missionary or Project
• For Missionary or Project description, please enter: Anna Kistol, West Asia, 45291
• Enter the dollar amount of your donation under Amount to Missionary or Project
• Keep This is a one-time gift selected
• Under Notes to data entry clerk about this gift, please enter: Please apply this donation to Anna Kistol, account # 45291, in support of her mission trip to West Asia, June 2011
• Click Next Page
• The final page will ask for your billing and credit card information. Please note that receipts are not automatic but will be mailed to you after processing.

I am so excited to be going to West Asia, and I want to thank you all for being a part of my life. I hope you can partner with me on this journey with your prayers or financially! God bless!

I'm Going to West Asia! =)

Hi Everyone!

I am so incredibly excited to tell you the good news: I am going to WEST ASIA!!
I was approached by my team leaders and was asked if I would like to go.
I was praying about it, asking God for guidance: is this what He wants me to do right now and is this where He wants me to go?
I was going through the book of Joshua at the time. In Joshua 3, the Levite priests had to step out into the river (which was at flood point at the time!), carrying the ark of the covenant, in order for the Israelites to be able to cross over (the water would stop flowing).
That is the passage I read that night.
When I first heard about this trip, I was unsure. I was unsure of my abilities, I was unsure about my safety. But God was telling me to step out in faith, just like the Levite priests, and go where He was telling me to go.
So I will be heading off to West Asia June 16-July 11, 2011 to teach conversational English, and I hope you will support me with your prayers! =)
Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”