Vol.# 282
Here I sit watching the fireworks from the rooftop of a hotel. It is the celebration for the Water Festival, and I am having a bit of a rest from the construction and heavy traffic from around my area! I am taking the time to ‘breathe’ and spend time in prayer in the midst of a busy time here.
We have moved our office space from the upstairs part of the church building to the lower floor. They are trying to minimize operating costs by occupying a smaller space for each ministry as utilities and air conditioning cost more in a larger space. So my group ‘Soul care’ with Youth Ministries, and Worship Team (part of the 5Ps) are all in the same shared space whilst other ministries are in other self-contained rooms.
It was because of this move that when I was seated in the cafe waiting for the maintenance to put my cubicle in place, God put together 4 divine appointments. The first was with Oun Pisey, who works in the Finance Department, and also sings on the Worship Team. She came downstairs to buy an iced tea, and when she saw me, she came to sit with me. I got an opportunity to hear what has been happening in her life and then to pray with her.
This was then followed by Oun Sombath who was coming in to see Media personnel that is now located in the downstairs area. He saw me and came to talk and told me of his upcoming driving test and English test interview for possible admission to a South Korean-run university right here in Phnom Penh that specializes in the Arts. If he is successful in the latter, he can then apply for a scholarship to further his studies in Music. Again it was another opportunity to pray and also for him to practise his English with me! Since that day, he did pass his driving test and his interview was postponed until after the Water Festival holiday.
Still while there, I was sitting with Sister Meychen who is part of my team. She is in charge of teaching Bible courses and baptism and discipleship classes for those who have accepted Jesus and are new Christians. She also teaches one course in speaking English. She is a beautiful and gracious Khmer sister who is about to have her second child in late February. She offered to go with me to buy gifts for a baby shower for another sister in Christ here, and during our buying time we were able to have a conversation on life and His amazing grace over our lives.
Finally, Oun Sam, who volunteers and rarely comes in during the day, came in as the University students were having a special last day party for the year. I call him ‘Communion Sam’ to differentiate from Youth Leader Sam. Sam and I had to prepare communion for over 100 youth last year, hence the nickname! I had not seen him since my return, and he just came in and knelt down and put his head my shoulder (he is way taller than I am) and just stayed like that for a moment! I prayed a birthday blessing over him, and yes, I bought him his coffee as a treat! Oun Sam’s mom is a member of the Women’s Leadership team and also a single mom who has brought up her son to be kind and generous with a soft spirit! What a bonus to pray with and over him!
As I look back on that Friday, I had thought that I did not have to come in that morning as they are still putting in the finishing touches to our office space, but felt led to go on in and I am very thankful that I did! It brought back memories of when I was the Coordinator of the Drop-In Centre at RAC and I had to change from being in the big room, where all the kids congregated, to upstairs at the entrance where they came in. I thought that I would be missing out on all of the action, but God in His grace made that space the ‘liming space’ for those who were coming in. They stopped and listened to my stating the rules of the Drop-In (I am sure not really listening, but more anxious to get in to play games and connect with their friends,) but then it became that space where they stopped to share something about their lives. I usually asked permission to pray with and for them, and it became the spot to be before going in where my Bro. Joe was supervising them downstairs!
Sometimes we think that God has us in a minor role but when we surrender that position to Him, He surprises us on how to use that for His glory!
Then two days ago I attended an all-day seminar led by a Dutch evangelist who has been a partner with New Life Fellowship church for many years. The main focus of this seminar was to gather all of the church plants from the provinces in one room, and have a discussion on revising mission and vision plans for each of the churches. It was humbling to sit and see all of the leaders, men and women alike, discuss and then stand up and reveal on big sheets of paper what they envisioned for their church for the present time and upcoming years. As the representatives from each province stood up to declare their vision, the rest of us, comprised of the main campus and the other provinces, surrounded them and clapped and prayed over them.
At the final session there were bamboo sticks on each table (I thought at first it was sugar cane and actually bit into one of them!). The speaker talked about the importance of Moses and his staff/stick, and how God used Moses’ obedience and a stick to accomplish His work and then asked each of us about what we each had to lay down in order to pick up His staff to do His work. We got a chance to individually write on a chosen bamboo stick (representing our staff) what we felt God was saying to us personally (after a period of silence and reflection), and then when we were ready, we put our sticks at the foot of the Cross, surrendering that particular dream/desire/vision. If that was not moving enough, suddenly one group picked up a larger and longer stick and put it on their shoulders lengthways. Then they began to slowly walk in unison to place that at the foot of the Cross! That necessitated team work with the same pace and rhythm, each one having had to put down the Moses’ staff they had individually envisioned and carried, to pick up the group staff, and then also trusting God with that particular vision, surrendering it to Christ for His timing and His way of accomplishing that vision!
I am still debriefing in my mind all that God has said and will have individual conversations with those who attended it this week. What a blessing that seminar was, and also to see those expat organizations speak in Khmer to lead and bless those who attended.
I thank God for you who have been dancing with me at different rhythms and pace over the past years, and I am so grateful for your sacrifice of resources and time as you pray for and with me! Please keep sending your requests, as we are dancing together with Jesus as our Dance Leader and Partner in life!
Love, His Warrior and Disciple,
Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia,
Your sister, Vedya
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