Thursday, March 5, 2015

Important Dates Correction Updated!

Hi friends!

After all the editing of my last update, I forgot to double check the dates, I'm so sorry! I will be visiting churches on Sundays. Here are the correct dates:

Minnesota 
March 11 - April 2

Trinity Lutheran Church
Sleepy Eye, MN
Sunday March 15

Shepherd of the Valley
Afton, MN
Sunday March 22 (only)
10am & 11am 

Korea
April 3 - 5

New Harvest Ministry
Seoul, Korea
April 5 (Easter)

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone! Send me an email if you'd like to get coffee or meet up! 

KRISTA.ALLGOR@GMAIL.COM

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Jan / Feb Update Pics

View from a temple at the top a big hill
&
Joyce and I 



Korea food with friends!



The Cambodia's Got Talent stage that 
wasn't as impressive as I thought it would be,
it was an experience :) 


Thursday, January 15, 2015

Nov & Dec Pictures

ARH Girls' First Music Recital


Our girls playing a worship song in the band they formed. 
I'm so proud of them!


Spending time in my old home, Seoul


Gwanghwamun Palace 

So great to have Amy Rae visit me in Cambodia & travel 
with me to Korea

Beautiful rainbow over Seoul 

My cousin building his robot



Christmas & New Year's in Laos


Me, Janay & Ellen exploring Don Det

 Janay, Ellen, Rachelle & me with new friends Tom & Cam in Vang Vieng 

 Vang Vieng

 Got to catch up with my friend Lauren in Laos!

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Sept & October Update Pics

9th Annual School Opening Ceremony 






Adventures in Ratanakiri, Cambodia







Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Pics from my July & August Update


Excited to finally check out the new bowling alley!
Below: Janay, me, Joyce





Janay & I celebrating her birthday



My amazing surprise birthday party crew, on a boat :)



Part of the beautiful painting at ARH



Last night with the NHM team in Cambodia





Saturday, February 15, 2014

Reflection & Change

"We live in a time that puts too much emphasis on activity and accomplishment, and not enough on reflection and contemplation."  - Timothy Keller (Galatians for you)

To be honest, over the last few months there were times when I felt somewhat unnecessary at work. I was comparing myself to others and what tasks they were doing. I got lazy and wasn't as engaging with the girls. Then God convicted me...again. He reminded me of the role He's called me to fill. He led me to question if I was using my gifts well and doing my best, not just in my actions. He prompted me to check my heart. Was I preparing well? It's easier to recognize what I'm achieving or not achieving. It's harder to make solitary time with God and recognize what He's preparing me for and to prepare well regardless. It was a humbling process.

Shortly after refining me, God invited me into more responsibilities at work. I am grateful and excited for this new opportunity. I'm still teaching English, but I'm also starting to lead and train our teachers. And...I have officially extended my time in Cambodia for another two years (at least)!

The thought of staying until I'm 28 (or older), made me panic for a second. I considered my desire to further my education, save money for the future, to get married and live comfortably (without sweating profusely for one day!). As I prayed through it, I realized they're not necessarily bad things to desire, but they were all earthly things. Things that God was telling me not to worry about. Matthew says in chapter 6, "store your treasures in heaven...wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." I want my desires to come from God and I trust that He will provide according to His will. It's a privilege and an honor to serve God here in Cambodia. I think I've said this before, even in the midst of the trials, I believe there is nowhere else I'm supposed to be!

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Thank you big big ^^

Thank you to all my faithful and loving supporters! I've been in Cambodia for a little over 2 months now and I'm doing well! Newsletters have been sent out in April & May, if you haven't received them please let me know or subscribe using the box below to the right -->

Everyday I'm learning more and more about Khmer culture and I even started learning the language. Kelly (my supervisor and friend) and I are studying with a tutor several times a week. It's a slow process, but I'm starting to recognize some words. However, I keep thinking and sometimes responding in Korean instead of Khmer...oops. I'll get there!

Work is going well too! Well most days are good ;) The girls are adorable and the staff are incredibly sweet and helpful! As we brainstorm about how to restructure our English program, I've been helping to prepare and set up a new computer lab. It's coming along nicely, can't wait to see it finished and start teaching! I'm learning a lot every day and still feeling very blessed. I also started teaching a dance class every once in a while. We learned Rise Up last month and they were amazing <3


A couple of the girls painted my nails last week.
These girls are so creative and talented! So cute ^^

A couple weeks after I arrived, I received my first Cambodian tattoo. No, not a real tattoo, a burn from a moto exhaust... :(  I hadn't bought my moto yet, so a friend kindly drove me home. I wish I could blame him, but it was totally my fault for not paying attention and getting off on the wrong side... I learned my lesson though! It was really gross and painful for a while, but thankfully it's completely healed now. I'll just have a nice round scar for a long while. I got my own moto about a month ago and I'm starting to get used to driving it. I had a few good lessons and many helpful tips from the guys. I'm really enjoying driving here, even with the chaotic traffic and crazy drivers!


My moto!

While I’ve only been working a short time, I’ve already been on 2 short vacations! Apparently Cambodia is like second in the world for number of holidays. I guess it’s nice though, especially for those who’ve been here longer and are in need of breaks. I was a great way to ease into the lifestyle here and get to know people. We decided to go back to the same place twice, Kep and Kampot, and both times were amazing! Here are some pics from our trips :) 



   
I've been blessed to have two friends from our church in Korea here to visit this weekend! I'm enjoying our adventures, esp. the three of us on one moto haha. And so grateful to have them! Another update to come soon hopefully. As I hear often from the girls, thank you big big! And, see you when you see me! <3 

~Krista~