Year Ten

Soon, calendars all over the globe will be changing to 2020. For the Grace and Peace Gals in Cambodia, it means YEAR TEN! Looking back on our younger selves in 2010, busy packing, preparing, presenting, (and maybe panicking) we could not see much beyond the two years we had committed to Cambodia. Now we sit almost 10 years past our original decision to leave China and set out for a new calling as a sisterhood in Phnom Penh. 

Year 10 has been on our radar for quite a while. Several years ago, we were acutely feeling the weight of the work. The weight of the stories in particular. Though our work consists of a lot of paperwork and planning and building buildings, the bulk of our work is actually people. And people carry stories. Some stories are full of joy and hope and redemption; but too many of these stories are full of unimaginable pain and horror.  

So we started seeking the Lord about a pause. Could we enter into a deeper rest by taking a longer break? Would this help restore us for more ministry years to come? Though it was hard to think about taking an extended time away, it was very clear that taking time was not only needed, it was wise and good. We have come to embrace the idea of taking a furlough - a sabbatical, a break, a rest.

The timing of this break was never going to be easy. We desire to pass on our duties to our Cambodian coworkers in a purposeful and sustainable way, so we have been preparing for this transition over the past year. But now the time has come! On May 1st, 2020, the Grace and Peace Gals will begin an eight month US-based furlough. 

AIM School will continue on strong and stable, and we will be long-distance advisors for a time as other people settle into our roles. For the Grace and Peace Gals, we will remain with Agape International Missions (AIM). In May, we will settle in Prescott, AZ, which has become our home-base. From there, we will be venturing out to see family and supporters. But our main goal will be extended periods of rest, renewal, counseling, and seeking the Lord for our future. Our plan is to return to Cambodia in January 2021.

There are several ways you can continue to support us during our furlough. We will have additional expenses while living in the US; click here to learn more. Please pray about helping with these specific needs.

We will also use some of our furlough time to develop new financial partnerships. It has blessed us immensely that most of our partners have been with us since the beginning! And, we have naturally experienced a decrease in support. We would like to strengthen our partnership network so we go back into 2021 with a solid support base. We are looking for $1,500 a month in additional support (e.g. 30 people at $50 a month, 15 people at $100 a month). If you have ever considered supporting the Grace and Peace Gals before - now is the time! Joining our partnership team NOW means we will spend less time in 2020 fundraising and more time in renewal and rest. Please click here to donate. 

As we make plans for 2020, if you would like to connect with us in person, let us know. We are beginning to map our our itinerary. We would love to see you.
Please pray for:

• The upcoming transition of our roles to Cambodian co-workers
• Our hearts as we go through some tearful goodbyes and transitions
• AIM School as a whole, to carry on strong
• Financial stability for our furlough

Thank you for your continued love and support throughout nine years of ministry in Cambodia. Here’s to year ten and beyond!

The Grace and Peace Gals
Kimberly, Becki, and Rachel


Let us therefore go forth 
and steward one another’s stories. 
taken from "Liturgy of Leaving" from Liturgy of the Ordinary. ​