#58 - A Renewed Commitment

Vol. 58

A RENEWED COMMITMENT

Revelations 14:3: And they sang a new song...

God has given me a new song in the service to the Lamb, 'Oceans' by Hillsong. The first Sunday back in November as I sat in the church at Rexdale Alliance, that song was sung as an affirmation of what He had given me prior to leaving Cambodia! And here in Trinidad, as I listened to the morning gospel station, this song has again been His Word for me.

During Solemn Assembly, I too prayed and fasted even though I was not with you on site. I gave God everything, surrendered my hopes and passion for Cambodia, my life in Toronto, my life here in Trinidad. 

And what does God do? 

He gives me back His heart and mind and soul for His land of Cambodia! When He gave me His heart the first time, we were studying the book of Isaiah and I remembered thinking everything here speaks of Cambodia!

Now as I am reading through Genesis I see Cambodia again:
-in the way Abram sold his wife Sarai for wealth and protection; 

-the way Lot was ready to give up his two virgin daughters to the mob; 

-the way Jacob kept quiet when he found out his daughter Dinah was defiled; he was the father figure yet he did nothing to comfort or help. 

So much like Cambodia, yet you see the springs of living water flowing from this land, the joy and hospitality of a people overflows, and I am humbled that He would still have me to be part of His team in Cambodia.

My parents have not only blessed me and released me to return but also my extended family here. I know my aunts and uncles and cousins are puzzled by my desire to be there, but my Mom and Dad were the ones explaining to them His plan for me in Cambodia! 

I have been blessed to spend time with them here and to be able to speak of His work and His heart for my Khmer brothers and sisters.

Last Sunday, my parents' church prayed and commissioned me back to Cambodia. It was very humbling as a dear lady came up to me and said that she prays every day for me. Another said she was sick and as she put on the television here, there was a program on Cambodia and she said she kept looking for me throughout the two-hour program!

So today is my last full day here and I humbly ask for:

Prayer Requests:

-        -No pain in my ears as I travel; there has been a lingering cold and when I came here there was some pain in my ears.

-        -Safety and favour as I go through Customs and then on the flight back to Toronto.

-        -Sale of the house still had some kinks to work out. Please pray for continued wisdom for my Dad and Mom as negotiations are being processed.

Praise:

My parents are much better. Thank you for holding them up in prayer for physical health. My mom still needs to get stronger.

I will leave you with this priestly blessing from Numbers 6:24-26: The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you, the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace..."

At the end of each service at my parents' church, each person turns to someone and says this to them and then everyone stands and then repeats it aloud! Looking forward to seeing and connecting with all of you who would love to 'go' with me as I return to Cambodia!

Dancing still.

Love, Sister Vidya

#57 - Daily Bread, Chocolates, and Christmas Cards

Vol. 57

Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

I am sorry for the delay in writing, but today is the first day I was able to get Internet here in Trinidad. I had gone on the 23^rd to get Wi-Fi but had to wait until today, Jan. 8^th, to have a technician from the phone company come to the house. I had been calling every two days to find out if they could come sooner, but to no avail!

My mom was pretty sick with the virus when I arrived. Thank you for your prayers. 

She is doing much better, and Dad who had the virus, is also better as well. 

But this meant that we did not go out to church for Christmas or New Year’s Day. 

However, on Christmas Eve, my Dad and I were out delivering gift bags to our non-Christian neighbours, bags filled with Daily Bread devotionals, a box of chocolates and a Christmas card!

What is one of the wonderful things about being home here is that no matter what your religious beliefs are, everyone loves getting the Daily Bread booklet! 

In fact, my Mom keeps several in her purse that she gives out to receptionist at the doctor’s office, the cashiers, the garbage men, and the lady she sits next to at the hairdresser’s! Here, those booklets are treasures. My parents give a donation to the Radio Bible Corp. office, and in return she gets these booklets.

I have already attended a funeral for the last of my parents’ friends (from their generation) two weeks ago. Uncle David, as we called him, was admitted to hospital and soon after died from complications from various things. Auntie Flora, his wife, had passed away unexpectedly five months ago. It was a solemn time but a timely reminder of legacies!

What kind of legacy would I want to leave behind?

Uncle David and Auntie Flora, although not blood relatives, always prayed for me whenever I came home but I know I will be seeing them in heaven!

First Sunday at church:

I was able to go to church last Sunday, and, yes, I was invited to share about Cambodia at Arima Missionary Baptist church, my parents’ church. This was the first church plant headed by my Dad and a few others and the location is directly across from the old/former location.

I knew I would be asked to speak (just like Cambodia, you can get called up to pray and speak unexpectedly!) 

One of my parents’ oldest friends, Brother Haynes, from our first church, came that morning, and I went up to give him a hug. He told me that I was a gift from God because I brought back memories for him for how long our two families have known each other and how much my Dad had helped him in his time of need! He gave a testimony and he kept repeating, “Put God first”.

So my blessing to you all is for you to put God first in all that you do.

Prayerfully, I will be able to live stream via the laptop tonight for Solemn Assembly (Thursday). I have also been at His feet praying along with you.

Prayer Requests:

-For continuing wisdom as we finalize the sale of the house;

-Relocation to Canada for my parents and their physical well being;

-That I would remember: in the smallest things that we need to be faithful; in rubbing my parents’ feet before they go to bed; in the hanging up the clothes on the line for them to dry; that I am blessed to be here to spend time with them.

Dancing still.

Love, Sister Vidya