#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