#180 - Toronto: The V Has Landed!

Vol.# 180

The V has landed in Toronto! I came in last night and want to say thank you for prayers for safe travels. 

It is now 4:30am. I have been up since 4am and I did some exercises in my room, had my devotions and chose a couple of verses that I read in my Khmer Bible to send to my sister Bopha back in Phnom Penh. 

All is quiet. I love it! 

Praise: 

My housemate helped me to weigh my suitcases and each one was 3kg over! I had just spoken to one of the pastors from New Life church in Phnom Penh, who with her family had just returned from the U.S.A.  They had been charged for each kilo that they were over the weight allowance given to them. So with that warning in mind as I went to the Cathay Pacific airlines, I was worried about the charges I might incur! However, the lady there was so nice, chatting with me and did not even blink an eye at the weight! It was then I noticed that I was at the Business/First class counter, not the Economy where I should have been! I had just walked to the first counter I saw where there was no line. For those of you who are wondering, I still sat in Economy class.  

Thank you to my housemate for helping to carry my 2 heavy suitcases down the stairs and staying with me until it was time to board. 

Transition in Hong Kong was smooth though the ride was a bit bumpy at times on the 15-hour flight from Hong Kong to Toronto.

As expected, sleep did not come easy on the flight, and the two men I sat next to snored for the whole flight here! But 15 hours did not seem to be that long, so thank you for your prayers! 

On arrival here, when I got to the kiosk at Customs, I was praying that my electronic check-in into Pearson would go smoothly since the customs attendant who was directing us to each kiosk was a bit grumpy! Well, the computer could not ‘read’ my passport, and then when it was time to take the photo, it kept saying ‘cannot take photo’! Now I am having a picture in my mind of Customs hauling me off because nothing was working. So I eventually called the agent who somehow miraculously was not grumpy when she helped me! She said ‘no worries about the picture’ and then afterwards it was all smooth sailing!

Praise: 

I had asked you to pray for the Asean Christian Conference. I was wrong about the numbers. There were over 2500 people who attended the conference! They had to bring in more chairs and are already thinking of a bigger venue for next year. I was hesitant at first about the prayer time during and after each service. It was overwhelming with so many coming up for prayer, 99 percent all Khmer! I am still trying to debrief that experience in my quiet time with God! 

ACC Prayer Team 2018

Praise:

I love walking in the cool air, with no sounds of construction and busyness here this morning. God provided angels who helped me this morning. The first was the maintenance guy at my parents’ place. I was doing laundry but could not get the washing machine to work with the card. The guy noticed I was having trouble and came to help. The second one was at Walmart. I could not find the shampoo I needed, so I asked one of the workers and the next thing I knew I had 3 ladies there helping me look for it! Then I went to the library to renew my card, and naturally, I realized I did not have the old card with me, but the librarian there was so helpful. I got to hear her story about when she grew up in China and only read academic books when required for her studies, and now here she loves reading (I may have been too enthusiastic about being in a library and having access to so many books which initiated our conversation!). She renewed my card online and I was allowed to take out books. Today I will return with old card to give to her.

I am looking forward to seeing you all and hearing your stories as well! 

However, you know you are not ready to meet with people when…
- You hear the ‘ping’ that the microwave is finished but you go to open the fridge door instead and wonder where your food is…
- At Walmart when the ladies there were trying to decide which shampoo I needed to match the color of my hair, and there was no agreement: brown, ash grey, red? And I start to laugh and cannot stop…
- When you go to the sink and just want to drink the water from the tap…
- You stand in the middle of sidewalk just inhaling the fresh cool air and everyone has to walk around you! 

I am enjoying spending this week with my Dad and bonding over watching cricket as my mom is in Trinidad, even though I am falling asleep during the game! I am looking forward to spending time with my two brothers and my sis as well, and yes, eating some good Trini food!

I just have to say special congrats to my nephew, Nathan, on his engagement to Sarah!!!!!!! 

Yay!!!!!! Proud and so happy for you both!

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 

Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 

Your sister, Vidya