#53 - Running Water and First Snowfall

Vol. 53

Running Water…First Snowfall

How amazing it is to turn on the tap here, to have running water come out that I can drink!

  

Last week found me outside at 5:30 a.m. to see the snow falling, in my pyjamas, with mouth wide open to catch the drifting snowflakes!  It was beautiful but cold!

I am still acclimatizing to the weather, and the different pace of life here. For one year I have been getting up at 5 or 5:30 a.m. because of the sound of traffic, or the people next to my building making lots of noise, or the monks chanting, or getting up at 2 or so and trying to fall back asleep.

But no matter what, I have set my alarm for 6 a.m., and I make coffee. I am training myself to get back into a routine of spending time with Him.

I sit on my chair that just so happens to be underneath a painting that says ‘shush!’

Some of you may think it is for me NOT to talk and you may be right!

It is a reminder that now I have the greatest honour of being quiet before Him, with no other voices to disturb my time with Him. 

Not even music.

Just His Word.

Spending time at His feet. 

The phone and laptop are off so I can just be still and know that He is God. 

I have missed this unrushed time with Him.

God has given me the gift of being able to be at the Tuesday prayer time at church here, at Ratanak core group prayer time, and to sous chef once again! 

I have missed these three things and to be allowed to be part of it is an honour.

Prayer requests:

-I covet your prayers as I continue to seek Him to the specific ministry when I return to Cambodia. It has been great to Skype with students and friends since my return.

-For a buyer for my parents’ house back in Trinidad and Tobago; one that is honest and will buy our house at a suitable price.

-Many of asked how I have been doing since I got back. Thank you. I am beginning the rounds of medical appointments next week. Please pray for wisdom from doctors.

Thank you for the hugs, and words of encouragement.  I cannot wait to hear more about how YOU all are doing! 

Still dancing even though it is now in long johns and hats and mitts!

Love, Sister Vidya

#52 - YAY!

Vol. 52

Yay!

I am back on Canadian soil!

Thank you for your prayers on the trip. It went really smoothly from Seoul to Toronto. I had an aisle seat and my seat companions did not even go to the bathroom during the 12-hour flight! It was only at the end when one did! I did have a screaming baby on the other side of me, but I befriended the little guy and the poor parents during the flight!

It was smooth sailing through Customs. In fact, the female Customs officer was asking why I was in Cambodia, and we started talking about the food and then the sex trafficking. She was interested when I told her my church sent me! She said she is not a religious person, but if we are helping Cambodians, it was good. She asked for my contact info, so I gave her my email address. She said she wanted to talk more about what I do there and why!

A gentleman not only helped me put my carry-on in the overhead bin, but also helped me get it down when I reached Toronto. So angels appeared everywhere to help. Then when I touched down at Pearson, I was greeted by my sister and one of my sistas as well!

So here I am sitting at my place set aside by my hosts, and I am overwhelmed by how beautiful everything is here, and the love and time put in to make my refuge here so comfortable! This is luxury for me and I want to thank you all for setting it up for me!

It is a bit surreal to think that I was in Cambodia just barely 24 hours ago and now I am in Toronto!

I cannot wait to meet you all and to hear what has been going on in your lives.

Love, Sister Vidya

#51 - Part 2 - What not to do at airport or on airplane!

Vol. 51 – Part 2

Things you may not want to do while at airport or on the plane!

1. You may not want to talk to your suitcase when it keeps falling down; some people might think you are crazy! After the fourth time when the suitcase fell, I was saying to it, “Really, you fell again, what is wrong with you?” Then I realized that some people were looking at me, and I thought, “Did I say that aloud?” Apparently I did!

2. In the airplane, I could not get the volume working on the TV show I was watching. So, finally, after 10 minutes or so, I asked the flight attendant who looked at me and said that maybe I should plug my headphones into the other outlet! Yes, I was plugged into the wrong one! Then when I got it plugged into the correct one, I had forgotten that I had the volume way up, so I jumped and said, “Oh Sweet mama!” My seat companion looked at me oddly and smiled! I think if I was Pastor Sam, I would have used that opportunity to start a conversation about my beliefs, but alas, I did not. I just turned and listened to the show.

3. Do not listen, and I repeat, do not listen to anything Trinidadian because you would be laughing very loudly! My sister sent me this link and with my headphones on, I was listening and killing myself laughing! (Trini expression), which brought on smiles from people and yes, Pastor Sam, an open door for sharing my faith, but again I was laughing too loudly! As I was listening and watching this in Seoul, people were looking at my laptop to see what was so funny!

Do not worry. I did not tell anyone I went to RAC. So you all are safe from embarrassment! 

Just thought I would share!

V-DAY is a-coming!

Love, Sister Vidya

#51 - Prayer request, farewells, and V-DAY.

Vol. 51

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Urgent prayer request: that I sleep, and that my ears would not hurt! I have a bit of a cold (healthy until I had to travel!), so they were hurting on the way down! Also I would like to switch my seat since I was told it was a middle seat, and that would be difficult to stay comfortable for the next 13 hours or so! Thank you for your prayers!

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Here I am in Seoul, waiting for the next step in my journey back to Toronto. 

Some friends that I met through Channak and New Life Church picked me up and took me to the airport. 

I had a hilarious time trying to get my 2 suitcases, one carry-on, my computer bag and my purse through the gates! I could not find the trolley so I had to take the suitcase one by one into the custom area since my friends could not come through the gate with me.

And wouldn’t you know it?! 

One of the suitcases refused to stay standing up and just kept falling over! 

Then I had to wait for the flight desk to be opened! 

Finally I got everything checked (the previous night was spent in weighing and making sure everything was okay!), and then went back out to see some students who made the trek to come say goodbye! 

Two of them had come to the airport since 7 and I did not get there until 9 since my flight was departing at 11:30! Apparently more were coming to see me but I did not know since I said goodbye to them and went inside. I got Skyped while I was seated waiting inside and they said about 10 of them were on their way! I had to say, “Already inside, so sorry!"

I am emotionally exhausted just saying goodbye, not only to people, but also to the place in the city that had become my refuge from Bek Chan. Lois had moved two days prior so I was in an empty room. Someone had come to get the beds and mattresses, so I was sitting on the floor writing out cards to hand out before I left. Two students Skyped to ask for prayer for healing and another wanted advice on future plans.

I am just sitting here remembering some good laughs I have had over the past few days, thanking God for the best down time. I had gone on a road trip and saw His hand protect us in so many ways! 

See you all in soon!

V-DAY is a-coming!

Love, Sister Vidya