Final DTS Update!!

Mar 3

5 min read

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Update:

By the time you're reading this, I will be less than a week away from graduating from DTS. I am experiencing so many mixed emotions right now. I am excited to be back, but I am nowhere close to being ready to leave. It doesn't feel real. This has been the longest and fastest season of my life, and in the same way, the most beautiful and rewarding season.

My Last Month in Cambodia:

While in Pailin, I had the opportunity to teach a beginner level English class four days a week for about 6 weeks. Pailin runs a program called YDC, or Youth Development Center. If you know me at all, you know that I love teaching, especially English. It was truly the sweetest experience! It was so fun to build connections with my class and teach alongside one of my friends! I learned so much and will forever be grateful for this class!

My darling class on our last day of ministry in Pailin!

We also spent so much time together as a team! From daily team times to random movie nights, I don't think I could ever thank God enough for this group of people. The Lord was so intentional in individually picking out each person to be in Cambodia in this season. We started by barely knowing each other, and now we are all best friends. There was no one else I would rather have been in Cambo with!

My Love Letter to Cambodia:

Cambodia has become so dear and special to me. The country, the people, the animals, the sights. I have fallen in love with the culture–the ways people prioritize relationships, look for joy in everything, and choose to encourage one another.

Goodbyes were harder than I had anticipated. The staff were so special to us, along with all the kiddos. I will miss driving around on the tuk-tuk, waving and saying "heyoooo” to all the sweet children. I will miss late night walks to the night market and getting ice cream from one of the best ice cream places I've tried. I will miss team times and simply living in constant community–what a beautiful gift that has been. I will miss the fact that any meal over 2 dollars feels expensive there. I will miss the advice and silly conversation during my one on ones with my leader.

Even the challenging aspects I know I will miss at times. I will miss going to church on Sunday mornings where the entire sermon is in a language I don't understand. I will miss eating dinner where it's about 2% meat, if even, and 98% bone. I will miss breaking apart thousands of sticks in 90 degree weather on Christmas day.

Some of it is dirt, while some is flowers, but it really is all a garden.

Looking back now and seeing the ways my life has drastically changed is such a gift. Cambodia was a space where I was challenged. Where I saw both quiet and loud growth. Where I learned more, not just about who God is, but who I am. In seeing my strengths come out during ministry and getting through some of the most challenging moments, I learned to love myself in new and beautiful ways. I have come back to America as a completely changed individual. My life will never be the same, and I give all my thanks to Jesus for that.

Writing in the dirt with a sweet boy from the village!

My incredible leader!! Endlessly grateful for her!

While in Siem Reap, we had the opportunity to pray for this man on our day off! We prayed for 3 people this day--the Lord was working even when we weren't in an active ministry time!!

What is next?

I have this last week of lecture and debrief here in COS. On March 6, I will graduate DTS, and this season will officially come to a close. I will spend most of Saturday saying goodbyes to my people and the mountains, and then land back in OKC that evening.

I am very confident in what my next steps will be, however, I want to spend a little while longer praying and talking to friends and family before I make that announcement. Expect a newsletter in the next month or so! I plan to be home for at least 5-6 months before my life really takes off and I step into the next season.

I am both expectant and nervous for this break season I am about to have. I know my life will not be the same that it was when I lived at home last year, as I have walked through a time of transformation, however, I will be getting back to a lot of familiarity. I plan on going back to the daycare, watching my friends dance, and spending time with loved ones. I wasn't originally wanting to come home for very long at all, but the Lord has asked me to, so I am going to listen. I know it will be hard to not be in constant community, with people who hold me accountable and love Jesus as much as I do, but the Lord has something for me during this time, and I am ready to receive what He has to offer.

Final thoughts:

I think the thing I am most scared of is saying goodbye. What do you mean I have to say goodbye to my very best friends as we all go to different parts of the world? I have friends that will be in France, the UK, South America, and all over the US.

My life truly is already completely changed, and I still have the rest of my life on the mission field. Seriously! If this has confirmed anything for me, it's that my yes to Jesus is one that will last a lifetime. This will be what I am doing until the end of my days, and He has it all laid out for me! The goal that I am setting for myself when I go home is that this mission trip never ends. Ministry is where your feet are, so as I go home, my ministry will continue. I will continue to walk in obedience to His calling, no matter what that means. I will leave everything I have ever known to make Jesus known. Here I am, surrendering my life and my desires to the King of Kings, who is so worthy of that and so much more.

Thank you all for supporting me both financially and through prayer in this season. I wouldn't be sitting here writing this if it wasn't for your partnership. Again, be on the lookout for my next newsletter and ways you can support me as I step into the next season come fall. Love you all. Signing out for now :)

PRAYER REQUESTS

Pray for the transition going back home after DTS. It'll be a big change, and I don't want to fall out of my routine!
Continue to pray for Cambodia! The Lord will continue to work there, even though my team is gone!
Pray for peace as I step into the next season, not just for me, but for friends and family!