Vol.# 220
A quick update on my expected return WITH URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:
I felt a need to pray and fast over my return to Toronto, and God gave me Phil.1:23-25. [23] I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ (my family and you, my ‘other family” which is better by far, [24] but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body (here in Cambodia). [25] Convinced of this, I know that I will remain…” After doing WhatsApp calls with my parents and with my spiritual mentors, and talking with my siblings, the decision was made to delay my departure from here. God has confirmed this many times over, allowing me to know that it is wisdom, and not the fear of contracting COVID-19 that is the determining reason for being here! Thank you all for your prayers and words of support as well!
“Hello Holy Spirit Sister, do you have a picture of Jesus?”
I quickly responded with, “No, but I can get a Cross for you!”
I had been invited to a house warming by three brothers who were once at the orphanage at Rescue. Two of them had been my students and translators when I had taught there, ‘my boys’ as I call them now! As is the custom here, a picture of the Prime Minister, a picture of the King and of the King’s mother are usually on the wall for all to see, and a shrine dedicated to Buddha placed either just outside or as you enter the main room of a house or business. Visal, along with his brothers, were now proud co-owners (with the bank) of a town house. I was invited to go and bless and pray over the house, and to stay and eat together with the rest of my former students from Rescue! I, however, had to be wise and not join them for eating since they were not part of my ‘bubble group’.
However, I did go earlier, and the journey, which took about an hour with the traffic, felt as if I was going to the orphanage back in 2011 before they fixed the roads! It was one bumpy dusty ride and I was laughing with Mr. Paat, my tuk tuk driver, because the 25 kg bag of rice and case of Coca Cola were bumping and moving all over the tuk tuk as we drove along! It was my honour to pray for and then to anoint the window and doors as Viseth, the younger brother, whose education is in house design, was already putting up the Cross on the wall! This is their first home that they can call their own. I was proud to see them move forward and I prayed that they would be able to meet their rent payments as well as fill the house with praises to God! I prayed as the Cross was being nailed to the wall, that it would be a physical symbol as to how they would live their lives. It is so easy to put up a Cross, but a different story to take up the Cross and to live out His values.
However, I did go earlier, and the journey, which took about an hour with the traffic, felt as if I was going to the orphanage back in 2011 before they fixed the roads! It was one bumpy dusty ride and I was laughing with Mr. Paat, my tuk tuk driver, because the 25 kg bag of rice and case of Coca Cola were bumping and moving all over the tuk tuk as we drove along! It was my honour to pray for and then to anoint the window and doors as Viseth, the younger brother, whose education is in house design, was already putting up the Cross on the wall! This is their first home that they can call their own. I was proud to see them move forward and I prayed that they would be able to meet their rent payments as well as fill the house with praises to God! I prayed as the Cross was being nailed to the wall, that it would be a physical symbol as to how they would live their lives. It is so easy to put up a Cross, but a different story to take up the Cross and to live out His values.
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| AT HOUSE BLESSING WITH VISAL AND THE CROSS |
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| FROM HAMMOCKS TO HOUSES: 8 YEARS AGO AT MY HOUSE AT RESCUE. THESE 2 NOW HAVE THEIR OWN HOUSES! |
Just prior to that day, I received a call from one of the former house moms from Rescue, who is Mom to another ex-student, asking if it was possible to receive a blessing package of groceries from the church. Usually we give on a one time basis to families (each case is different but we follow that rule since so many are in need), and I had already given to that particular ex-student, but he and his wife and new baby had opened their one room place to his sister and brother with their Mom to live with them. So with a combined family of six, and the fact that they are saving to make a down payment on a town house close to Visal’s home, all considered, they certainly could use all the help they are able to get now in cutting down expenses. Both the former student and his wife are still gainfully employed, but at a lower pay at this time. So after prayer with the pastoral team, I was given the green light to give the groceries! I was happy to see the former house mom and grateful that she felt that she could ask for help since she is usually shy!
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| FORMER HOUSE MOM AND I |
The following day I received a call from another former student, but this time it was to ask for prayer for healing as he had to have an operation on his nose for a breathing difficulty. So I was able to pray over the phone with him, and God answered by providing alternate treatment other than the operation for him, so he knew that it was to Whom we prayed other than who prayed that answered his prayer!
Prior to the call for the house blessing, one other former student’s face kept popping up in my prayer time. I discovered that he had returned to his home town, was no longer living here in the city, had no job, and his spiritual walk had grown cold over the past 6 months. I felt disappointed within my heart when I could not go to ‘lime’ (chilling and eating time) with the guys and their girlfriends at the house blessing because I found out that A was coming into town just for this event. I prayed and asked God for time with him, so I sent a message asking if he could come to the church office, knowing that the precautions of temperature check and hand sanitizing there would give me an opportunity to sit with him. I was so happy that he agreed to come back on his way to his hometown, and I love how God put together His timing for one specific pastor to be free to come and pray with us. This pastor had information to a church plant right in the same village as A (who thought there was none), and who not only prayed and gave him contact info, but also immediately called the church leaders there to connect A with the church there! I know it is up to A to follow up, but I marvel at God’s connecting to show A that he was being loved and cared for by GOD, even though he is far away not only in physical distance but spiritually as well. GOD cares for him where he is NOW.
How sweet is that?
How sweet is that?
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| PASTOR, A AND I |
As I celebrated Canada Day and sang our national anthem out loud with a fellow Canadian in nearly empty office, I was so grateful for my adopted country which has allowed me to grow and gave the opportunity to meet all of you, to call you my family even though we come from many different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds! I was wearing my red shirt and red and white scarf in honour of Canadian colours of red and white. Then it struck me that, with my black pants, I also was wearing my birth/Trini to de bone (Trinidad and Tobago) colours of red, white and black, and also my heart country of Cambodia with the red and white and the blue in my hair! (Yes, I got blue highlights!) All three countries rolled into one! Love it!
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:
On Monday we are going to extend my visa. Please pray for favour with the relevant authorities and wisdom on the process as the government has been changing the requirements here for foreigners on extension of visa! Thank you!
Until we meet face to face, please keep sending in your stories and prayer requests! Thank you for your continued financial and prayer support!
Love, His Warrior and Disciple,
Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia,
Your sister, Vidya
