Vol.# 216
Okay, I am prepared!
I have all the necessary things I need and here I go!
Am I preparing for a trip? No! To cook? No!
I am preparing to take a ...shower! It is SO HOT here that the water turns from cool to BOILING HOT within a matter of 2-3 minutes. Thus, if I am going to wash my hair, I have to carefully lay out the route from one shower in one room to another, in the hope that I can lather up under one shower before sprinting to the other one to wash off the shampoo! Well, it gets my heart pumping, but does nothing to cool me down since it is a sprint! And I NEVER run!
But that is life here. The water tank on the rooftop gets pretty heated up, so you learn never to take a shower in the midday. Early in the morning and late at night are your best options. As I ponder the different ways I have to adjust to the hottest month and season of the year, I look at the ways I have had to adjust to COVID 19.
I still get up early to meet with Jesus, but instead of 5:30a.m., I now have to do it at 5:00a.m. since the day gets hotter earlier and I like the coolness of the morning as I watch the sun begin to rise. I still have to ‘get dressed’ and be ready for impromptu video calls from my Khmer co-teachers and the head of the school. It is not usually a set time and I have learnt to be prepared, because for the first few times I would answer, and they, being at the office and not self isolating, would be prepped whereas I was not. Invariably one of them would take a picture to post on the staff link of us talking and yes, that pic of me was never flattering!
I still get up early to meet with Jesus, but instead of 5:30a.m., I now have to do it at 5:00a.m. since the day gets hotter earlier and I like the coolness of the morning as I watch the sun begin to rise. I still have to ‘get dressed’ and be ready for impromptu video calls from my Khmer co-teachers and the head of the school. It is not usually a set time and I have learnt to be prepared, because for the first few times I would answer, and they, being at the office and not self isolating, would be prepped whereas I was not. Invariably one of them would take a picture to post on the staff link of us talking and yes, that pic of me was never flattering!
As of yesterday, we have had no new COVID infections for the past 15 days from the random testing, no deaths and 70 percent recovery rate. These statistics are given by the Cambodian government, whereas Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, the surrounding countries near Cambodia, have had higher rates of infection and deaths. However, large gatherings are still banned. No school or church. Weddings and funerals are still happening but on a smaller scale. Flights to and from Cambodia are restricted and in some cases not allowed, but it is business as usual on the streets and in the malls. The big difference is that when you go to a bank, your temperature is taken, and in some malls, especially if you are a foreigner, your temperature is taken and hand sanitizer is sprayed on your hands. There is no community distancing here except in most groceries, there are signs on the floor where you should stand to wait at the cashiers. I have been at the office for three days a week since the protocols of temperature taking and hand sanitizing has been put in place. It has been good to be with everyone, taping lessons and being creative together in reaching out to our students.
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| TEMPERATURE TESTING WHEN I GO IN AND YES, I ALSO ASKED FOR TESTING WHEN LEAVING MUCH TO THE SURPRISE OF THE RECEPTIONIST! |
Praise and Pray:
It is a simple task. I put my sheets and other laundry in the washing machine. When it is finished, I hang them up to dry. I am grateful. In Toronto, I think of my parents who have not stepped out of their apartment for over a month now. They do not have an ensuite washing machine and dryer, and cannot go down to the basement there to wash bigger items and put them in the dryer, because they are at high risk. My mom has to wash smaller items and put them to dry in the apartment, but the bigger things like sheets and towels they cannot do. My sister, bless her heart, goes to pick up those things and then takes it back for them. I take this task for granted and I pray for those of you who do not have access to laundry facilities and many other things for His grace and creative ways to get the simple things done.
Prayer Request:
In this season the expectation that is often mentioned is that we become more like ‘Mary’ who sat at Jesus’ feet, listening and praying, versus ‘Martha’ who was all activity and getting things done. As I look at those around me and at myself, I pray that I do not become a Martha to be like a Mary! What does that mean? Perhaps that I am trying to fit in this allotted time to pray, to study the Word, to do a spiritual activity so I can show others and also reassure myself that I am using this allotted season to stay at Jesus’ feet!
Praise:
Many of you had prayed for creativity in how to reach out to others in this time of need. In my conversations with the leaders at the church, they have identified those in dire need, as well as the ‘sellers’ of certain goods within the congregation, and have linked buying those staple items from these sellers, who would not have business because of the closing of many shops, so that we can then give those items to those who have been identified as in need! A win-win situation!
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| BAGS OF 20 KILO RICE, OIL, INSTANT NOODLES, SUGAR, SOYA SAUCE AND FISH SAUCE BEING ASSEMBLED. WE DID 23 SETS YESTERDAY! |
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| HONOURED TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER 1 FOOD PACKAGE TO TWO MEMBERS IN THE MARKET. JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE ONE ON THE RIGHT THEN GAVE FROM HER PACKAGE TO OTHERS! |
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| THIS PRECIOUS ONE STOPPED COMING TO CHURCH AND HAD JUST SOLD HER PHONE TO GET MONEY FOR FOOD WHEN A CHURCH LEADER FELT GOD SAYING TO GIVE HER ONE OF THE BLESSING BASKETS. SHE CRIED AND SAID, "GOD IS ON TIME!" |
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| ONE OF THE OLDEST AND POOREST MEMBERS CAME INTO THE OFFICE TO OFFER HER TITHE. SHE WANTED TO BLESS OTHERS. BROUGHT TEARS AND SMILES AT THE SAME TIME. |
I have never been this much ‘churched’! Before COVID 19 I went to church twice on a Sunday, one to serve at, and the second to join! Now I go to church 4 times online! We encourage our students to join and just be there for online prayer requests. So at 8am, 10am, 3pm and 5:30pm, I am at church!
Prayer for Nova Scotia:
My heart went out to Nova Scotians as I read about the killing spree. I pray for all of those grieving and in pain over lost ones. I pray for His grace and mercy for those directly affected.
You are not forgotten. Thank you all for your continued prayer and financial support in the midst of this difficult season. Please continue to send your prayer requests and stories of your lives as we dance together for Jesus!
Love, His Warrior and Disciple,
Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia,
Your sister, Vidya
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