#29 - I Am Here! Hugs and More Hugs!

Vol.#29

I am here!

I am humbled by Our God, who has sent us, yes, us on this journey! I may be here on site, but all of you have prepared me.

There I was, after saying goodbye and going through Customs, struggling with getting computer etc. back in my bag when I felt this tall presence next to me! Yes, an angel! Seriously, how else would you describe someone who would escort you to your gate, buy you your last Starbucks mocha with whipped cream, and then buy you your book and magazine? Yes, Mr. S, that is what you were to me, Mr. S is one of my 'sista's' dad, and he works there!

(Just an aside, I am writing this in a cafe in Phnom Penh and the girl who served me came to clear my plate and said to me, "I forgot you do not like jackfruit! [I left it on the plate uneaten!] I have not seen you for a while. How are you?"

I was taken aback because contrary to popular belief I am not that memorable! Then it struck me that they remembered my cup! That is, my Starbucks mug! They were fascinated that it could hold very hot coffee yet stay cool to the touch!)

My journey was uneventful. I had just gotten my body at that angle (if you are off by one degree it is uncomfortable!) where my contortions were causing amusement to the guy sitting next to me, when they announced we were landing at Seoul. Yes, there was no sleep for 15 hours! As I deplaned, I saw a familiar face. It was Lois C. who works and lives in Cambodia. She is from Toronto and I met her on my missions trip in 2009 when she worked for Daughters, an after-care facility there. We chatted until the next leg of the journey and then, before you knew it, we were in Cambodia. We got in early and I got my visa for one month and had my picture taken (usually we wait and then pay for the rest of the year at a later date), and again the Lord provided a strong man to help me get my luggage off the turnstiles. (It is SO helpful to look so frail!) 

I was greeted by my best buddy in Cambodia who had the foresight to go to the hotel and come with them to pick me up. Laughter, teasing, pizza and reconnection continued. As I got upstairs to the hotel and was greeted by the staff with hugs etc. (Okay, I was the one screaming in delight and initiating the hugs, but what is a gal to do?), I met Brian McConaughy and Peter from Ratanak! They were staying there with their group, so more hugs ensued! (They initiated it, for the curious out there.) 

Then began the lack of sleep. I could not sleep but did not feel it was the time to go up to the rooftop! I thought I had the passages from the Bible to read out loud but felt I had to wait. I started to look for things in my suitcase but the lights were so dim in the room, I had trouble finding anything! I changed my room since then. This was when I contemplated that here I am, shed a few tears, and then read cards given to me. I got to talk to my Dad to let him know I was safe.

It is 6 in the morning and I am on the rooftop. It is Independence Day and from my vantage point I can see a parade, Prime Minister Hun Sen and hundreds of school kids lined up to pay their respects. Then the helicopters started to circle around and I went back downstairs. It was then in my reading from Psalm 140 and 141 where God gave me the Word to proclaim. So here I am in the lobby and reading it out loud in the adjacent room (the lobby is divided by a glass wall, sitting in the one looking out on to the street and thought, “Well, let me read it out loud, and after that, Joel 1.” Oops! I can see some shouting and hands up in the air. Excuse me while I look! "Oh, they are my tuk tuk drivers. They can see me, so they are waving and saying welcome back! Ha! That is so funny! They are laying down the foundation for my business!“

If you have time, please read the above passage. It talks about rescue and refuge; about the state of the land; the need for repentance; for a land that had been taken over and laid dry. If that is not Cambodia, I do not know what is! I am in tears as I see Him confirming my call and showing me how to intercede using His words! 

Janice Henderson, who is on Ratanak team just saw me and gave me the biggest hug! (Do you notice a theme here?) I am so happy to see her, in our land! I am invited to breakfast with them, so off I go. I am still suffering from lack of sleep so I make apologies to the team in case I am somewhat disjointed in my speech. (Yes, some of you are chortling to this, but I am sticking to my story of jet lag etc. contributing to my lack of clarity in speech.) Oh, there is a gentleman who is by himself, excuse me while I ask him where he is from. He is here with group to work at Tabitha House, so he is in the clear. (Not a potential pedophile, that is.)

At breakfast I get a text message from one of my senior students who is now living in the city who wants me to join with the rest of the students for a concert given by New Life Church. I am tired but say yes to going, because again no sleep. I take my first tuk tuk ride, and the driver turns to me and says the sun is in his eyes so to prevent that he is looking back as he drives forward! Really? I must remember to pray vocally before I go in one of these! You forgot the smells and the dust and did I mention the smells? Need to buy me a mask to wear, and then there I was, with the kids!

Twenty of them! HUGS, garbled speech and then I went into the cinema, which is where the concert was, free of charge! 

You have to try and imagine this. In less than 24 hours since I am here, I am now with over 1000 people, mostly kids, praising and singing to Our God! The words on the screen are in Khmer and English, and yes 10,000 Reasons came on and HE is able! I am looking around and seeing His vision for those who are lost and not yet been redeemed!

I am wiped out, but wait, the best is yet to happen! You know how you have a fashion show? Well they had a BIBLE fashion show. Two young people would come out, with traditional Khmer music playing in the background, and have the Bibles opened out and walk across the stage! THIS WENT ON FOR 10 MINUTES! They had old versions, new concepts, IPAD versions etc. I sat and had tears flowing down as I witnessed this. 

Okay it is time for pizza. It was meant only for 10 but next thing I knew, it is 20! The kids pay for the tuk tuk and Coca Cola and I paid for the pizza! We took pics that I hope to retrieve and send to you, but I got my last gift from Him that night, no not another hug, but it was a form of a hug! It was my moto ride back to the hotel. The kids thought it would cost too much, so one of the kids said “Cher, can you ride side saddle on the moto?” And yes, of course I did! The curious thing was that I did not know this particular student but as he was talking to me as we rode together (telling me the fact that there are at least 74 moto accidents in one day!!!!! I thought the timing of that particular topic was hilarious), he said, “The students tell me that you would give of yourself and your money to pay for bbq etc..., I want to thank you for allowing me to be part of the party tonight even though you do not know me”, and then he dropped me off at the hotel!

Well it was all spontaneous, but as Janice said to me, what a welcome back to Cambodia! 

Well, it is Sunday and I will go to church now (was not sure I wanted to rest).

Sorry for the long update, but He has done more than I can ask for and I had to share!

I was on the rooftop last night and this morning, and introduced Jan and the gang to the rooftop! 

Prayer requests:

-for sleep;

-for reconnecting with others when I go back to Rescue.

-I am not sure of accommodations, but I want to show His fruit of the Spirit by my responses, to have His words and to listen to others. 

Dancing with Him with a new song,

Love, Sister Vidya