About Me

"So, who's this Jeff guy?"

Me with some village kids while in Cambodia on the World Race

Bringing the KINGDOM to the Kingdom

My name is Jeff Bray, I'm 25 years old, and I am humbled to serve God in a place that few people go.  Yes, it’s true that people need God here in the States, but God planned for ME to live daily for Him in Cambodia even before I was born.  Once I leave the comforts of America I won’t change.  I’m not waiting to arrive in Cambodia to start living radically for Him.  Once I do arrive, I’ll still be the same Jeff who loves living life with people and serving God.  I will still enjoy helping people develop a relationship with Christ so that they can live in the freedom of Him daily.  I’ll still desire to know more of Him and to give glory to Him in whatever way I can.  I’ll be the same me, simply on the other side of the world.

Oh, and I will still try my hardest to watch/listen to my favorite sports teams!  Although with the “success” of my teams (Cleveland Indians, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Ohio State), it may be best to take the two years and pretend they don’t exist 🙂

Cambodia…. really God?

Some of the village kids we spent time with in Cambodia on the World Race

My passion for Cambodia started when I spent a month there on the World Race in 2012.  To say it bluntly, living conditions there sucked and I hated the first week.  I even remember saying to my teammates “Out of all the places in the world, why would anyone want to move here and serve.  It’s miserable!”  It’s funny how God has a way of turning that into one of the most amazing months of my life.  The people, culture, passion, and simplicity of life captured my heart to the point that the surrounding inconveniences and problems were simply an afterthought.  Through much prayer and seeking God’s will, I finally made the decision to serve Him in Cambodia for a two-year commitment beginning in January 2014.

Me and my team walking through the typical Cambodian countryside.

Come along for the ride!

My desire for this blog is for you to come alongside me in this journey.  To make you feel as if you too were living in Cambodia.  To learn the language, religion, and customs with me.  To share in the awkward moments, celebrations, challenges, and to rejoice with me when God shows up in some unexpected way.  It won’t be easy or good news all the time.  In fact, there may be long periods of seemingly no progress for the Kingdom.  But that’s when we hold steadfast in our Faith and persevere.  God will show up.

Game-face.  Let's do this!!
(Popular mode of transportation in Cambodia)                    

If you would like to partner with me please feel free to get in touch.  All of my contact info is located on the “Contact Info” tab to the left.  If you feel called to support me financially, please click the “Support Me” link as I continue to work towards my goal of $56,000.

So, more about this Jeff guy

I'm single, live in Ohio, and I have a passion for reaching the world for Christ.  I’m a quiet person but I love adventure, cultures, languages, people and discipleship.  I’ve been blessed to personally see God move in 27 countries and 5 continents.  I speak Spanish and am preparing to learn Khmer (language spoken in Cambodia) once I arrive there in January 2014.  I currently love my job working as an ELL (English Language Learners) translator/Aide for a middle and high school here in Ohio.  I spend most of my days reading, watching sports, serving at my church, or spending time with family.

New Philadelphia ELL Thanksgiving party                      Me with some of my ELL Middle Schoolers

Can’t say enough about these people!

I’m an only child and I was raised by to wonderful and supporting parents.  My family and friends are SO important to me and I wouldn’t be the man I am today without their love and support.  In fact, they are a huge reason I am going to serve in Cambodia and I know they will have an equally important impact on the Kingdom while I am away.

Me with Mom and Dad in Arizona
                                                                                            Me with Grandad and Ann

“O-H-I-O”

I’m proud of my university.  Actually, ask anyone I know and they will tell you I never shut-up about THE Ohio State University.  While there, I double-majored in Psychology and Criminology because I love to counsel and help people work through difficult times.  I also minored in Sociology and planned to go to law school, but thank God He had a different plan for me!

With Dad, Mom, Pop, Aunt Chele, RJ, and
Uncle Rob at my college graduation                      With friends Cody, Dani and Marty at OSU Game.

Jeff’s retro Cambodia

If you would like to read more about my previous experience in Cambodia, check out some of my blogs I wrote in Cambodia while on the World Race: http://jeffbray.theworldrace.org/?category=10%3A+Cambodia

Last but not least, 10 Random and Fun Facts about Jeff:

1. Played college baseball
2. Hate vegetables
3. The Ohio State University (enough said)
4. Neat freak
5. Learned to drive a stick-shift vehicle for the first time in Bolivia with a mini-bus full of children
6. Never received a speeding ticket
7. I have a fear of spiders and bugs (um, Cambodia = epicenter of creepy crawlies)
8. Deadly allergies to seafood (again, not good.  Cambodians eat seafood all the time!)
9. I love Midwest winters (sad day.  Cambodia = see ya winter in two years)
10. I love junk-food!!