Monday 2 December 2013

#32 - Gratitude and the Unexpected

Vol. 32

Thank you for praying for my Grade one class at 3 to 4 in the afternoon.
In His mercy, God has granted a fresh release of energy since I asked for your prayers, and also creativity to teach the basics to these little ones. I will be teaching them a Christmas song tomorrow, the same one that Lorilee and Solange were a part of as Shyamala's singing group at the last Christmas banquet at RAC!
The journey into Rescue from the city has taken on interesting undertones. It has become my ‘rooftop’! I begin to listen to whatever song my finger goes to on my phone (known to everyone here as the Ian! It makes many interesting noises such as the sound of a train when I get an email!). And instead of dancing literally, I dance by singing aloud! This is interesting because I am wearing a mask so I would not breathe in the dust etc., yet I am belting out the song and the tuk tuk driver is never sure if I am trying to communicate with him or just the fact that I am a foreigner and I do not know how to breathe using the mask! I get to close my eyes and pray for this land of Cambodia amidst the hustle and bustle; the beggars coming up to the tuk tuk when we stop; or for my students as I am going in. Interestingly enough, He gives me you to pray for. So please keep your prayer requests coming! 
Unexpected: My living and travelling expenses have increased for my 2nd year at POR, and my current financial support is at 60 percent. I am trusting God for His provision.
I am so thankful for each of you and your continued prayer and financial support.

Thank you for interceding and dancing with me, your style!!!

Dancing with Him with a new song,
Love, Sister Vidya

Monday 25 November 2013

#31 - Quick Prayer Requests

Vol. 31



Quick prayer requests:

-       -For creativity and energy for my class which is Grades 1 and 2 at the time of 3 to 4 in the afternoon. This class is not my strongest. It has the little ones and at a time when I am the most tired and the hottest.

-       -Pray that my translator and I have energy needed and that we are of one mind as we teach this class. 

Thank you and please let me know how I can pray for you!



Dancing with Him with a new song,

Love, Sister Vidya

Saturday 23 November 2013

#30 - A 'cool' Mr. Bean is back!

Vol. 30

Wow! It has been over two weeks since I have arrived and our Lord has allowed many highs and lows as I transition back into life here. 

Here I am, stuck in traffic breathing in all forms of diesel fumes and other smells as well! I am wearing my mask but it is not a deterrent to the smells! I have been travelling from the city to Rescue, which usually takes one hour, but so far I have been averaging one and a half hours just getting there! With the rains, the road that leads to Rescue as you turn off the main road is unpredictable, so what usually takes 10 minutes is taking more time. 


I am laughing because it is taking more time to avoid the holes etc., but I am convinced that my tuk tuk driver is going into all the bumps. My insides are so shaken up and as yet I have not bumped my head when we fly over a pothole. So thank You, My Lord, for making me five feet and two and a half inches!!

As I get into Rescue my grades one and two run to grab me [well, really my knees] and are yelling ‘teacher’! The older ones, being cooler, are yelling ‘Mr. Bean is back’! [That would be me by the way]. They are asking when I am going to teach them in the evenings, which brings me to my prayer request. 

Prayer request: We found a place that is right off the main road, but it needs some work to get it ready for me to move in: running water; a kitchen; bed; etc. Pray that this would be accomplished sooner rather than later. The travel is taking a toll on my body and it is taking me longer to 'get back in the zone' to teach. 

Praise: Lois, who I met here, has been gracious and allowed me to rent my room here. Yes it has a rooftop, so this is where I am hanging my hat for now.

Prayer: I am not accustomed to this area so I have to learn how to get around, where the supermarkets are etc. I need to start back eating properly. The drive in, plus having to get my lunch ready (no cooler yet) so it does not spoil in the heat takes creativity. 

Prayer: for relationships to run smoother; for me to have His wisdom and discernment as I am His servant; to remember the 'weapons in the heavenlies' that He has given to me so I can use them immediately to fight off Satan’s attacks.

A cool thing has been happening and I mean it literally, ‘cool’. Being in the tuk tuk can be draining with the heat and onslaught of dust and smells. I thought, “Lord you gave shade under a tree, water gushed forth from a rock, manna fell from heaven for those who were starving, so I am going to be bold and ask for a cool breeze to surround me as I travel the long journey into Rescue!” Well, I got that cool breeze, so cool that my 'pores were raised' as we Trinis say or ' I had goose bumps!! It did not strike me that I was feeling cool until I started looking for my scarf in the tuk tuk, and then I started to laugh and cry at the same time! Yes, my driver thinks I am 'chacouth' especially when I started to sing about His majesty! 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mr. B:

I cannot end this without mentioning my Brother Barry Beaver who is now in His Arms. Mr. B, as I would call him, was my gentle encourager, always with a kind word and a one liner joke for me! We had many fun times when I used to volunteer for Neighbourhood Connection, and on the Mondays he would be in with Mrs. B and the rest of the gang, and I would be trying to find us something to eat from the kitchen! 
Mr. B., I would miss your warmth, your gentleness, your humour, and your vulnerability when you asked for prayer. You have taught me a lot and I mourn your passing here on earth for you and Mrs. B became my family at RAC.  But I also celebrate that you are running around in heaven at peace with your Lord and Saviour.  Thank you for the dinners and talks! 

Dancing with Him with a new song,

Love, Sister Vidya

Sunday 10 November 2013

#29 - I Am Here! Hugs and More Hugs!

Vol.#29


I am here!
I am humbled by Our God, who has sent us, yes, us on this journey! I may be here on site, but all of you have prepared me.

There I was, after saying goodbye and going through Customs, struggling with getting computer etc. back in my bag when I felt this tall presence next to me! Yes, an angel! Seriously, how else would you describe someone who would escort you to your gate, buy you your last Starbucks mocha with whipped cream, and then buy you your book and magazine? Yes, Mr. S, that is what you were to me, Mr. S is one of my 'sista's' dad, and he works there!

(Just an aside, I am writing this in a cafe in Phnom Penh and the girl who served me came to clear my plate and said to me, "I forgot you do not like jackfruit! [I left it on the plate uneaten!] I have not seen you for a while. How are you?"
I was taken aback because contrary to popular belief I am not that memorable! Then it struck me that they remembered my cup! That is, my Starbucks mug! They were fascinated that it could hold very hot coffee yet stay cool to the touch!)

My journey was uneventful. I had just gotten my body at that angle (if you are off by one degree it is uncomfortable!) where my contortions were causing amusement to the guy sitting next to me, when they announced we were landing at Seoul. Yes, there was no sleep for 15 hours! As I deplaned, I saw a familiar face. It was Lois C. who works and lives in Cambodia. She is from Toronto and I met her on my missions trip in 2009 when she worked for Daughters, an after-care facility there. We chatted until the next leg of the journey and then, before you knew it, we were in Cambodia. We got in early and I got my visa for one month and had my picture taken (usually we wait and then pay for the rest of the year at a later date), and again the Lord provided a strong man to help me get my luggage off the turnstiles. (It is SO helpful to look so frail!) 

I was greeted by my best buddy in Cambodia who had the foresight to go to the hotel and come with them to pick me up. Laughter, teasing, pizza and reconnection continued. As I got upstairs to the hotel and was greeted by the staff with hugs etc. (Okay, I was the one screaming in delight and initiating the hugs, but what is a gal to do?), I met Brian McConaughy and Peter from Ratanak! They were staying there with their group, so more hugs ensued! (They initiated it, for the curious out there.) 

Then began the lack of sleep. I could not sleep but did not feel it was the time to go up to the rooftop! I thought I had the passages from the Bible to read out loud but felt I had to wait. I started to look for things in my suitcase but the lights were so dim in the room, I had trouble finding anything! I changed my room since then. This was when I contemplated that here I am, shed a few tears, and then read cards given to me. I got to talk to my Dad to let him know I was safe.

It is 6 in the morning and I am on the rooftop. It is Independence Day and from my vantage point I can see a parade, Prime Minister Hun Sen and hundreds of school kids lined up to pay their respects. Then the helicopters started to circle around and I went back downstairs. It was then in my reading from Psalm 140 and 141 where God gave me the Word to proclaim. So here I am in the lobby and reading it out loud in the adjacent room (the lobby is divided by a glass wall, sitting in the one looking out on to the street and thought, “Well, let me read it out loud, and after that, Joel 1.” Oops! I can see some shouting and hands up in the air. Excuse me while I look! "Oh, they are my tuk tuk drivers. They can see me, so they are waving and saying welcome back! Ha! That is so funny! They are laying down the foundation for my business!“

If you have time, please read the above passage. It talks about rescue and refuge; about the state of the land; the need for repentance; for a land that had been taken over and laid dry. If that is not Cambodia, I do not know what is! I am in tears as I see Him confirming my call and showing me how to intercede using His words! 

Janice Henderson, who is on Ratanak team just saw me and gave me the biggest hug! (Do you notice a theme here?) I am so happy to see her, in our land! I am invited to breakfast with them, so off I go. I am still suffering from lack of sleep so I make apologies to the team in case I am somewhat disjointed in my speech. (Yes, some of you are chortling to this, but I am sticking to my story of jet lag etc. contributing to my lack of clarity in speech.) Oh, there is a gentleman who is by himself, excuse me while I ask him where he is from. He is here with group to work at Tabitha House, so he is in the clear. (Not a potential pedophile, that is.)

At breakfast I get a text message from one of my senior students who is now living in the city who wants me to join with the rest of the students for a concert given by New Life Church. I am tired but say yes to going, because again no sleep. I take my first tuk tuk ride, and the driver turns to me and says the sun is in his eyes so to prevent that he is looking back as he drives forward! Really? I must remember to pray vocally before I go in one of these! You forgot the smells and the dust and did I mention the smells? Need to buy me a mask to wear, and then there I was, with the kids!
Twenty of them! HUGS, garbled speech and then I went into the cinema, which is where the concert was, free of charge! 

You have to try and imagine this. In less than 24 hours since I am here, I am now with over 1000 people, mostly kids, praising and singing to Our God! The words on the screen are in Khmer and English, and yes 10,000 Reasons came on and HE is able! I am looking around and seeing His vision for those who are lost and not yet been redeemed!
I am wiped out, but wait, the best is yet to happen! You know how you have a fashion show? Well they had a BIBLE fashion show. Two young people would come out, with traditional Khmer music playing in the background, and have the Bibles opened out and walk across the stage! THIS WENT ON FOR 10 MINUTES! They had old versions, new concepts, IPAD versions etc. I sat and had tears flowing down as I witnessed this. 

Okay it is time for pizza. It was meant only for 10 but next thing I knew, it is 20! The kids pay for the tuk tuk and Coca Cola and I paid for the pizza! We took pics that I hope to retrieve and send to you, but I got my last gift from Him that night, no not another hug, but it was a form of a hug! It was my moto ride back to the hotel. The kids thought it would cost too much, so one of the kids said “Cher, can you ride side saddle on the moto?” And yes, of course I did! The curious thing was that I did not know this particular student but as he was talking to me as we rode together (telling me the fact that there are at least 74 moto accidents in one day!!!!! I thought the timing of that particular topic was hilarious), he said, “The students tell me that you would give of yourself and your money to pay for bbq etc..., I want to thank you for allowing me to be part of the party tonight even though you do not know me”, and then he dropped me off at the hotel!

Well it was all spontaneous, but as Janice said to me, what a welcome back to Cambodia! 

Well, it is Sunday and I will go to church now (was not sure I wanted to rest).

Sorry for the long update, but He has done more than I can ask for and I had to share!
I was on the rooftop last night and this morning, and introduced Jan and the gang to the rooftop! 

Prayer requests:
-for sleep;
-for reconnecting with others when I go back to Rescue.
-I am not sure of accommodations, but I want to show His fruit of the Spirit by my responses, to have His words and to listen to others. 

Dancing with Him with a new song,

Love, Sister Vidya