#230 - Praying to be F.A.T.!

Vol.# 230

As I listened to Pastor Candace and Worship Leader Ramona give their final interviews with Pastor T.J., I was drawn by the themes that they spoke about as their lessons learnt from their time at Rexdale Alliance Church, my home church in Toronto. It made me begin to think over the lessons I have learnt and am still learning from the past year as I borrowed their themes of life lessons and reflected on how God has been working on me “From The Inside Out”, a sanctification process to become more like Him, to be a servant leader here in Phnom Penh amongst those He has brought to me. I thought about how He has moved me beyond my comfort zone and how He has surprised me with new opportunities to serve Him! 

Before COVID-19, when the Skills Teaching Centre was opened to provide free education for those who could never afford an education, I was basically a facilitator, a teacher and a co-teacher and mentor. During COVID-19 when the Skills Teaching Centre was closed, and teaching went online, I had to learn new skills on teaching online, on preparing curriculum to be presented on a new medium. Previously, my relationships were centred on those I worked with at the Centre. In this unexpected season I now have to work with the staff in the office, with the church planting team, and with the pastoral and prayer team as we mobilized to look after the community, not only in the city, but also in our satellite sites as well. God surprised me with these new relationships as I was drawn into not only a discipleship role but also as a partner in delivering and praying over blessing packages which we delivered to over 200 families within the city, and to even more families in the countryside. I was humbled by the dedication of the staff and was introduced to other organizations who liaisoned to help Cambodians all over the country! There was severe flooding and the aftermath of that with dengue fever and other illnesses. I was humbled to be a small part of different teams who lent a helping hand at such a time as this!

BLESSING PACKAGES STILL BEING SENT OUT: THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME THAT WE CAN TOGETHER BE A BLESSING TO MANY!

As I think of the new year ahead, I am reminded of Ned Graham’s words as he spoke at his father’s funeral, the noted evangelist Billy Graham. He said that he wished everyone would follow his father’s example to be F.A.T.: faithful, available and teachable! 

I pray that I would remain faithful to His words, to speak and not compromise His truth, but to do so in grace and love. I pray to be available to step out of my comfort zone to follow where He leads, and to have a teachable spirit, to have a hunger to know more about Him so that I can be His servant leader in my heart country of Cambodia! 

I pray and thank God for all of you who have helped me in my different roles dancing with Him in Cambodia! I never want to become nonchalant of the awe of serving Him and experiencing His Presence! 

A Blessed New Year to all! 

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 

Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 

Your sister, Vidya 

#229 - Caring for parents and Cambodia

 Vol.# 229

 

Thank you to everyone for all your help with calls, food, and prayers throughout my quarantine time at the duplex! 

While in quarantine my dad was admitted to the hospital for 5 days. It was not COVID-19, but with pneumonia at the YOUNG age of 93 they wanted to take precautions as he also has a pacemaker. Thank you for your prayers, for BECAUSE of your prayers and advice, we were able to get transitional care for him at home!

 
I have joined my siblings in the care of my parents. They have done and continue to do an amazing job of taking care of my parents in this season of COVID-19. We now have a nurse, occupational therapist, and a physiotherapist coming in about 3 times a week. The first day I was back here from quarantine, my brother Vish had arranged for home care and they were all coming every day so we were quite busy here!

 
Cambodia is now going through their first wave of COVID-19. The first community transmission occurred last week, so malls, some banks, schools and churches are once more closed. The government is urging everyone to stay within their ‘bubble’ to stop the transmission. Whilst Canada and rest of the world were concerned with the health effects of COVID-19, Cambodia was more concerned with the economic effects with businesses closing and tourism down. With the onset of the rainy season, we were more concerned with the floods and the mosquito borne diseases from this! However, now they are hit with a double whammy of getting food to those who desperately need it combined with diseases. We are concerned that legitimate businesses are closed down whilst illicit businesses are on the rise!

 

KHMER LEADERS PRAYING ON BEHALF OF CAMBODIA

Praise God:

 

I praise God for my community back in Phnom Penh who are helping me with keeping my house safe. Thank you especially to my former housemate Channak who was able to get workmen to go into the house to repair my fridge. It had broken down and unfortunately was stocked with food for those who were going in to use my place as their refuge! He was instrumental in talking to my landlord and negotiating for repairs to be made etc. I thank God I was able to pass on the spiritual authority of my place to those who would be using it as their retreat/refuge centre.

 
Praise God:

 

Even though I am here, my former students from Refuge are sending prayer requests to their “Holy Spirit Sister, Mr. Bean” (that would be ME) for protection from COVID-19. 

MY CHRISTMAS TREE AT NEW HOME OF FORMER RESCUE STUDENTS

Prayer Requests:

 

- Would you please pray with me and the leaders of the churches in Cambodia for my heart country against COVID-19, but at the same time pray at this time we would have a hunger to know Jesus the Christ more intimately!

 
- Please pray that as I am on site here at home with my parents, for wisdom as we meet with health workers to ask the right questions to get the best help for them.

Finally, I want to say thank you to all of you in the medical profession. My Dad has received wonderful help from the hospital, and again I want to thank Dr. Gamble and Dr. Stel for their continued medical care of my parents and myself! Dr. Gamble, you are truly a doctor/shepherd for us all! We have been blessed by the quality of care my Dad has received which has released some of the stress off my Mom.

I am looking forward after this busy season to connecting with you all! 

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 

Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 

Your sister, Vidya 

#228 - The Journey to Canada and Beginning Quarantine!

 Vol.# 228

 

Thank you all for your prayers for my travel back here to Toronto.

FIRST SUNRISE YESTERDAY MORN IN REXDALE!

 

I am now in Day 2 of my quarantine right here in the duplex next to the church! 
Thank you to all of you who helped to prep the duplex and stock up the larder for me. 

 

The second and third legs of my travels were much better than the first journey from Phnom Penh to Seoul! The 10-hour stay at the airport started off a bit tiresome since most places were closed and finding a lounge to stay in was a bit difficult, especially after following instructions from the persons at the info desk. I wandered around for half an hour before finding a lounge where I could sit and be ‘safe’ and have snacks! 

 

PAL AT SEOUL AIRPORT QUITE FASCINATED WITH MY HAIR!

On the second plane I had not only the whole row to myself but also the rows in front and at the back of me were empty! I was served a box of cold sandwiches that I declined because it really was not tasty or inviting to eat. HOWEVER, your prayers allowed me to not feel claustrophobic like in the first plane, and I slept with not only my mask on but also the blanket over my face!  

 

Just as I was on the escalator to board the third plane, this carry-on came hurtling down and slammed into my leg. I looked up and it was this older gentleman’s carry-on and he was so sorry. Thankfully, all I have from that incident is a huge black and blue discoloration of skin to match the color of my hair! It is a bit sore but praise God I did not lose my balance or fall when the suitcase hit me!

 
I got through the thorough customs in Vancouver and, with no time to waste, entered into the pre-boarding for third plane. Here only coffee was served, and no blankets, but I was warm enough with my jacket.

 
I got into Pearson, picked up my luggage and when I got to the curb, an airport limo was there, so I was able to get to the duplex in a short time, and the driver helped to carry my suitcases up the outward stairs!

Again I am thankful for your prayers. God reminded me that when I carefully prepare, HE would give the results! I had prepared by doing the COVID-19 test, inputting relevant info on the ARRIVE-Can APP so that going through Customs on my arrival to Canada was a breeze as opposed to others who did not have the info prepared beforehand!

At my last Sunday service in Phnom Penh, Pastor Samdy had preached on the topic of the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, and God reminded me of His mission for me just in case I would become nonchalant about my calling in Him. 
I am so thankful to have a place here to quarantine where there is an ensuite washing machine and dryer. YEAH! When I get to my parents’ place after the quarantine on December 1st, I will have to use the laundry facilities in the basement of the apartment building and with COVID-19 restrictions, which should be interesting to say the least!

 
Prayer Requests:

 

- Please pray that acclimatization would go smoothly. Already I have found the air to be very dry with the heat on. Thankfully Chris K has a humidifier that I can borrow! Sleep then would be much easier!

 

 - Please pray that my mind would disengage from things in Phnom Penh and I would relax and enjoy this 2-week quarantine, getting stronger spiritually as I spend time with Him.

- Please pray for my parents’ health, especially my dad, as with winter coming on the cold just seeps into the bones. 

- I do have one ZOOM meeting in the next couple of days with the Head of Prison Fellowship International from New Zealand. Please pray that we are able to connect with the change in time zones. We will be talking about Prison Fellowship Cambodia and my role as prayer mentor for its Executive Director, Oun Muylen! 

 

DOWNTIME WITH EXEC. DIRECTOR OF PF CAMBODIA AND DIRECTOR OF BRAVE NGO

I am very grateful to be here and send my love and appreciation to all!

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 

Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 

Your sister, Vidya 

#227- Grateful for Prayers! Farewell Cambodia, Hello Toronto!

 Vol. #227

Thank you for your prayers. God has graciously answered and I am so grateful for:

 
- COVID-19 test: My former housemate, Channak, was instrumental in not only finding out the best place to go for the test but he also accompanied me! At first I was a little taken back because all of the clients waiting for the tests were Chinese, and then there was me! One guy was in full protective gear, with the gloves and masks! Not very reassuring! However, I was impressed by the professionalism of the Khmer staff from the processing and to taking of the test itself. I was anxious about the actual test since I had spoken with many who said it was uncomfortable and hurt a bit. But I AM HERE TO TELL YOU that my nose was made for this! I felt no discomfort and I had a bit of allergy type cold so that my nose was not dry, so easy for the long cottonelle type testing stick! Yes! I was so surprised the whole thing only took about 10 minutes total! Channak had asked me to pray before we went in for things to go smoothly and it did. Channak even surprised me by paying the $130.00 for the test and the documentation for the airport!  So, yup, he was my angel sent by God for this time! 

- Looking after my place: Well, God answered this request in a way that was totally HIS way! My regular tuk tuk driver heard me talking to the landlady about getting someone to only clean the outside (rooftop, stairs and outer places) since I could not trust just anyone to go into my place. Mr. Paat, the tuk tuk driver, suggested his wife, who came over a couple of hours before I left for me to show her what I wanted cleaned and where the mop, hose and broom were. Well, she not only agreed to the asking price, but get this, she prayed for me to have a safe journey and good time with my parents, praying for their health!

 

- My community of friends stepped up and they will be the ones checking in on my place. Lauren and Julia will make sure the payments are on time and also getting the rental invoices signed. Lauren will facilitate the paying of the house cleaner for me as I already prepared the money and invoices for the appropriate time.

 

Being Prayed Over by The Caretakers of my Home!

- Bro. Krong and Sister Liep as well as my main pastor from church will be able to use my ex-housemate’s room which is on the top floor (the UPPER ROOM!) as a retreat and prayer room, with a lamp, a table and a chair/bed already in there as well as a working A/C! I felt God saying to let this place be His refuge. I have put all of the prayer books and spiritual retreat books there as well. I prayed for His cloud to be over that room and the house, prayed for my spiritual authority to be transferred to those staying there for His purpose and plan!

Praying with Visal and girlfriend as they came to pick up my Christmas Tree for the boys to enjoy this Christmas!

Farewell at Salon with my girls and Jheri, the owner, and Bingo, the dog

 
- I felt so blessed that during the staff worship meeting last week that I was called up to say a few words (who knew I COULD say a few words??) as I was leaving to come to Toronto, and then the whole staff surrounded me and prayed for me. Then at my place, before I left, I was prayed over. Then at the airport two brothers from church came to see me off and to pray. They were there around 7ish and I did not get to the airport until 9ish since I was leaving at midnight! 

Being Prayed Over At Staff Meeting at NLF

Being Prayer Over By Sister Mel (BRAVE NGO), Pastor Leah (GLS Cambodia), and Pastor Mara (NLF)

Being Prayed Over By 2 Bros from NLF who came 2 hours early to see me off!

- My ‘guys’ from Rescue led by Channak also came to say goodbye. I have turned over all of the times that I have left here and there has always been at least 2 or 3 of them who would come to the airport to see me off!

 

At Airport

Channak, former Rescue Students, and 2 Bros from NLF at Airport

- My parents and siblings through WhatsApp and other social media also sending their prayers and making sure I am being taken care of at the duplex! 

- Ian and Ramona for spearheading arrangements, along with Ruby and Solange ensuring that I have a local phone number, and going before me with getting things sorted out at the duplex after Bro. Paul and Pastor Sam gave their blessings for me to quarantine there. I needed to have certain info to input on the ArriveCAN APP for quarantine and social tracing otherwise I may have problems on re-entry into Canada. They went ahead to help ease my way back!

 
Prayer Requests: 

I will go on second leg of journey after my 10 hours here in Seoul. Please pray that I will sleep on the plane with no claustrophobic moments and all will go smoothly with customs at Vancouver airport as well as Toronto Pearson airport.

 
- Please pray that a cab/taxi will be already at the airport curb waiting to take me to the duplex on my arrival! 

Thank you all and I pray I get to see you even ‘mask to mask’ during my time home! 

 

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 

Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 

Your sister, Vidya 

#226 - Prayer Requests: Preparing for Travel

Vol. #226

PRAYER REQUESTS

I have just 11 days before my return to Toronto, but so many things here that need to be done before I return! Can I please ask you to join me in prayer for:

- COVID-19 test: I have received different information where I need to go, to not only get the test but also the MUCH NEEDED travel documentation that says I am NEGATIVE. The concern here is the time. According to airline policy here, the test has to be done at least 48 hours PRIOR to boarding the airplane. My prayer request is that I would be able to find the right place and the doctor who would be able to issue the documentation within the required time period at the right costs! 

- I am still looking for a trustworthy house cleaner/helper to take care of my refuge here while I am away.

- Safety on the flight. I leave Phnom Penh to Seoul, BUT I am in Seoul for about 10 hours. I cannot go walking about due to COVID restrictions. Please pray that I would be able to find one place at the airport where I can just be until the next leg of my flight to Vancouver where I am in transit for about 4 hours until my final flight to Toronto! 

- Pray for favor as I go through airport security and for luggage to arrive safely!

- I leave here around midnight on the 16th but arrive in Toronto around 7:30 in the evening. Please pray that I would not be claustrophobic with wearing the mask for such a long period of time! 

- Please pray that I am able to meet with those HE has put on my mind here in Phnom Penh before I leave! 

Thank you all and looking forward to connecting in creative ways with you all when I return to Toronto! 

 

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 

Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 

Your sister, Vidya 

#225 - Please Pray For Cambodia...

 Vol.# 225

 

When I hear the sound of rain, I remember my childhood days back in Trinidad and I feel a sense of comfort and happiness. I remember working at Place of Rescue and finishing class early when the rain began so that we could all go out to play and even shampoo our hair in the rain, because usually it is so hot and we never have enough water! 

However for the past few weeks whenever I hear the sound of the rain, I feel a sense of dread for I know what that means for so many here in Cambodia. It means flooding, loss of livestock, loss of livelihood, and loss of life! The following pictures speak for themselves and I ask you to pray for the land of Cambodia please!

 

FLOODING AT PLACE OF RESCUE 11

However, in the midst of the rain, we have used the water that has been filling up in the dams and ponds to perform baptisms! Out of these dire circumstances we had baptisms in one of our satellite plant churches in the countryside! 

With the rains came a loss of power last Sunday when I went to join the church services in one of our smaller church plants in Toul Sang Kai. Yet we did church with the worship singer, a guitar and a beat box! It was moving and inspiring to see the whole church filled (with COVID seating), and to hear the voices raised in worshipping our Lord! 

Thank you for joining me in praying for my heart country of Cambodia!

 
And yes, I will return on November 17th, and will quarantine for 2 weeks at the duplex, but more of that in my other update. I want the focus to be on praying for Cambodia right now. 

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 

Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 

Your sister, Vidya 

#224 - 'ថែរក្សា' ...to look after...

 Vol.# 224

As I am about to write my latest update here in the office, determined not to be distracted, I look up and watch as one of the staff tenderly picks up the plant which is on his desk, and carefully looks at each leaf and then puts water in the plant pot. One word comes to mind, 'ថែរក្សា' which means to look after, to take care of. As I look back down on my IPad, this same staff member, Oun (younger brother) Reaksmey, comes up to me and says, “Bong (older sister) Vidya, I want to give you this pen!" Oun Reaksmey will be leaving his job at the church to go with his family back to his hometown to live and to look after his parents who have been asking him to come back home. Oun R is married now with 2 kids and could not go since his wife was a 'city girl'! So he waited and prayed. A couple of months ago when they were at his hometown on a visit, his wife told him that she wanted to live there! I looked at him and again said to him 'ថែរក្សា''. He is indeed going to look after his elderly parents who are not yet followers of Jesus Christ. He has waited for and looked after his wife and kids in the city and has been faithful in his calling to look after those God had given to him here, and now will now embark on a new season! I got the opportunity to pray with him and started to write my report! 

What a busy 3 weeks this has been! I had the opportunity to help the country leader of Global Leadership Seminar Cambodia facilitate a workshop to leaders from diverse business sectors including a conglomerate, insurance, medicine, real estate, education, architecture. They got to hear speakers of influence from around the globe, from a Christian and non-Christian perspective, speaking on integrity within the workplace, time management, and how failure is really an opportunity to do something else etc. We had chosen around 12 speakers whom we thought would be easily understood in a Khmer context and would not be too hard to translate into the Khmer language. The first workshop was on site at the business headquarters with 35 attendees, only 2 of whom were Christians. We quickly recognized that the room was not conducive for discussions since it was difficult to view the screen (the seminar was not live but on screen) and then rearrange the chairs for group discussions. The head of the conglomerate recognized this and switched the workshop to a new arena, the Himawari hotel. Instead of doing one morning of seminars, they asked us to combine the 2 following sessions into one day! So we began at 8 and ended at 5 after handing out certificates of participation. In the midst of this we had our first church openings, with 6 services, each 30 minutes in duration according to the government regulations!

 

GLS Attendees: Elder (without mask) and his PA

GLS Workshop and Certificate Ceremony

GLS Workshop

With the GLSCAMBODIA, the COVID precautions were simpler, the wearing of masks, the disinfecting of hands and temperature checks. Those who were meeting were already their own 'bubble'! With the church services, it was different! 

Can I now take some time to say thank you to you at RAC for training me in the coordinating of big events like our Easter services with breakfast and the Christmas banquets with Pastor Sam, Jerry and Maggie Ages, Ruby I. and Christine S. being the leads In different areas and also Bert and Jo Anne Van Lange and  Sureshmi F. for the annual Garage Sales! 

It was and is amazing to see these teams sit and analyze the new COVID seating, the setting up of the registration online/onsite, the barriers to delineate the entry and exit lines, the temperature checks etc. Last Sunday was the second Sunday of restarting our services, and the overseeing team leaders had a banner made up to say, not Welcome Back, but Welcome Home!!  

First Sunday: Ready to Re-open! Welcome Desk

Welcome Home!

Each pastor has had to learn to edit and refine each sermon to 15 minutes, the rhythm worship part to 12 minutes with announcements to 3 minutes, and guess what? So far all on time and on target! We have 2 different worship teams on and 2 pastors who do 5 services in Khmer and one pastor who preaches one service in English! For us Sunday begins at 7 in the morning and finishes at 6:30 in the evening. The first Sunday we ALL were on for the full day, but last week we worked in 3 hour shifts. My favourite job on a Sunday is chair ministry (I named it that!). I get to re-position the chairs after each service (we have blue tape on the floor for the setting up of each chair so it is easy to re-position!) and pray over each as I do my section! I shadow Oun Ally and am her chief helper on a Friday going accompanying her to buy extra things needed for Sunday, cleaning the headsets and making sure each is fully charged, to trouble shooting with her on different scenarios and providing solutions together. 

Schools have reopened here, but our Skills Training Center at the church has not reopened yet. The government representatives have to go into each school faculty to check to see if COVID precaution measures are in place and to look at the classroom enrolment. Since we are not a school but rather a skills training centre that supplements the school training, we are not a priority yet for re-opening! However our New Life Fellowship School, which has from SK to Grade 10, will be reopened next week. They just got the government approval!

 

As I continue to write this, I look up to see 2 different staff members staring at me so I immediately look down at what I am wearing to see if anything is wrong. Then I realize maybe I should go and ask how each is doing, so I walk over to one and she wanted to share a prayer request while the other one wanted advice on English wording for a report due. Both were hesitant to approach since I was so focused on my report writing! As I finish this up, the head coordinator of the church onsite services and online services just randomly said to me, “You know, I was thinking of your role here, Bong! And I think it is to take care of us the leaders!” Again the word 'ថែរក្សា'! Don't you love the way God connects things to verify certain things within your heart? Love it! I am grateful to Pastor Sunder and his thoughts on Isaiah 40: 9-11:..mount up with wings as eagles…' I always interpreted this as strength but as I read his words, 'to get perspective', I thought, yes that is also what this season has been about for me: new perspective on my new role in this season here. He has been using me to give new perspectives on COVID -19 scenarios here at New Life Fellowship. How relevant is His Word, how comforting to know that His Word is for all seasons, for all generations and specifically for me ...and for YOU! 

My new song on my playlist is King and Country's 'Together'! 

Thank you for dancing together with me on this journey! 

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 

Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 

Your sister, Vidya 

#223 - Qualified! We are His!

 Vol.# 223

 

It is early Sunday morning and the loud blowing of horns sends people in my neighbourhood scurrying out into the streets! It is a unique sound that we all recognize and may cause either a peace or anxiousness to prevail over us. Is it the sound of the ice cream man? Or is it another kind of vendor? No, it is the garbage truck! Then either we are peaceful because we know we have already put out the garbage or become anxious because now we have to run down quickly to put it out or else the garbage will remain for another 3 to 4 days before the truck comes back again! As I watched my neighbours from my rooftop gather outside to either instruct the garbage workers on how and where to go and get the garbage, and then interact with each other on the street, I ponder the scene before me. Here people are running towards something that literally ‘stinks’ with no hesitation. 

I wonder, Lord, am I doing the same thing, but in a spiritual way? Am I looking towards other things, ‘idols’ for my direction and purpose in life? Things that have an unholy stench in Your eyes? Or am I going to You to get rid of those things in my life that have come as an obstacle to my worship and my vision and mission which is centred on You and around You? It is so easy to get comfortable in things that are kind of spiritual but are not godly! 

Praise: 

In my Bible readings with Him, Jesus Christ has affirmed part of my purpose here through 1 Corinthians 14:3...to speak words which strengthens others, encourages them and comforts them. In Khmer translation it says to build up, to challenge or warn and to encourage others. My senior preaching pastor here in PP spoke on this verse last week and I knew that God was confirming what HE told me the week before! God again confirmed that I am supposed to be at New Life Fellowship during this season when I walked into the staff worship morning meeting and I just felt this overwhelming love and affection for those that God has given to me during this season. Yes, we are all different but together we will work to build up and challenge and strengthen each other! Then, just in case I did not get it, came a third confirmation from 2 Corinthians 11: 12...”And what I am doing I will continue to do...” During this time when roles change and therefore personal vision/mission may change, the one thing I do know is that HE will always confirm His purpose in His Word if we stop to spend time with Him because HE never changes! 

Praise: 

I am grateful to be here for the birth of a baby boy to Lokru (Pastor) Samdy and Nekru Navy. What I love about Khmer culture is that people just ‘drop in’ with food and snacks to hang out and celebrate! When I went to visit at their home with my Sister Liep, there were already 4 people there sitting on the floor with Lokru Samdy and his wife Navy and their new born baby Rithypong in their bedroom,  and then Liep and I joined them! 

At Lokru Samdy and Navy's House to Celebrate Baby Rithypong

Baby Rithypong

Then just a few days ago I got to go with my ‘girls’ from Rescue to visit our receptionist who also had her baby just a few days before Sister Navy! We brought food and just took it across during our lunchtime from the office! Again, to just spend time and just be with them! 

At Receptionist's Home with Former Rescue Students

Praise:

I had a follow up meeting with the new Executive Director of Prison Fellowship, Oun Muylen, to see how I can be of any help. It was good to go there and meet some of the staff. We got to pray together and listen to each other’s hearts. She is so passionate about her love for God and believes strongly in the restoration and healing that can only come through Jesus Christ! I will be writing more about my sister Muylen in later updates!

With Sister Muylen: Executive Director Of PFC

Praise: 

We continue to provide blessing packages for many outside of the city. We gather as a team to assemble the packages in one corner of the parking lot of the mall. It is a hot and dusty time but also fun filled. Then I got the utmost privilege to pray over these blessing packages that would go out to families who are suffering economically during COVID-19 and pray that these physical symbols of His love will lead to a stronger understanding of the Father’s love for His children. A physical act of fulfilling the words from 1 Cor.14:3 that the rice, oil, canned food, soya sauce, laundry detergent and much more will not only encourage and build up those who are weary and dispirited, but will also challenge them in their faith as we all walk together in this journey with Jesus! 

Preparing Blessing Packages

Thank you to ALL of you because as you give to me financially and spiritually, I then can give to others here! YOU are reaping the harvest here; YOU are being His heart by your giving not only financially but also with your prayers and words of encouragement! THANK YOU! HE sees and knows of your sacrifice of finance and time!

 

I thank God for teaching me each day to walk in obedience. This past Monday I was thinking, Lord why am I here today since we had no taping of classes online or meetings about preparation of classes. However we were invited to join the taping of the church service, which usually would occur on a Wednesday, but because of the upcoming 10 days of holidays we were doing 2 tapings this week, so I went to the auditorium. There were many of us from the staff as well as 2 or 3 visitors, and as the worship began one of the women began crying softly, and she kept crying as she felt His Presence pervade the room. I went to stand next to her and put my arm around her and we swayed together to the worship music. As I began to look around for 2 of the women from the pastoral care team to maybe come over to talk/counsel her, I noticed they had their eyes closed in worship as well so I could not connect with them! Then suddenly the woman turned and went into a full hug with her head on my shoulder and began to sob loudly! In my spirit I was asking God to nudge the other pastoral team members to come over, but then I just heard His voice quietly say to stay and wait and to be His presence for her. So I just held her and waited until she was ready to let go. After the service the Khmer pastoral leaders came over to talk with her, as they already knew who she was. God reminded me that it is in the ‘small things’ He wants me to be obedient. I may think I am not qualified to be of use in certain times but sometimes He just wants me to be His quiet presence. 

All of us play a role in His plan, so for all of you reading this who think you need some special qualification to be worthy to be used, you are qualified! YOU are HIS, you have said yes to HIM, so be ready to move when He moves your spirit. Do not be shy or think others can do what He is asking you to do, which may be just to say hello to someone, or smile or make a phone call. HE has opened your heart to His heart, so be ready to open another person’s heart to His love by being obedient to His nudges! 

Prayer Request: 

I will be helping to facilitate a Global Leadership Summit Cambodia workshop with a local business on Sept 26, October 3rd and 10th (3 consecutive Saturdays). Please pray for wisdom and discernment as I help those who are leading the workshop, that I would be able to anticipate needs and to strategize on how to help organize the workshop so that it would be 100 percent led by God and conducted in a professional manner! 

Keep on sending me your prayer requests and life stories as we dance and do life together! 

 

**The coolest thing happened as I was sending this off. I received 2 messages. The first was from the Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Cambodia asking if I can officially be one of her mentors! I said yes! Then there was a video call from the missions team here as they go to the province asking if I would pray over them before they leave! Very cool but I had uncombed hair, no make-up, still in pajamas as it is very early in the morning here!

Thought I would share a cool pic that shows the creativity of Khmer: One Moto, Many People!

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 

Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 

Your sister, Vidya