#135 - And the verdict is in! I ....

Vol.#135

I was overwhelmed with so many of you praying for me yesterday and the phone calls and messages that I received! 

SO ... I passed! 
7/10, 10/10, and unfortunately the listening text was only 5/10, but the speaking and talking about the problem within society went well. Fluency and ability to talk with teachers have improved! I got 19/20 in vocab. I would have gotten 20/20 but I did not understand the picture shown! And afterwards I found out that there were no separate answers for that one pic! LOL! 


As I sit here on the rooftop, reading about the woman giving her all to our Lord, with her tears and precious ointment, I sense that God is saying to me, Thank you my child for giving me your heart and soul. Just keep on persevering and I will give you the ability to speak and listen (my heart's desire) in Khmer, so that you can share My heart and hopes to those in your heart country! 

I had to talk about my future plans, so these were some of my answers: 
- To have the ability to speak Khmer so that I can joke and laugh with native speakers; 
- That I would have long hair (my hair is short!); 
- That I will be married (my two teachers were laughing);
- That I would be able to listen to a song in Khmer and sing the words immediately so that I can dance to it (I need to know what I am dancing to!);
- That I would be able to speak the language so well that the native speakers would not be shocked when I pronounce the words incorrectly (they are so polite that they would not show it but you know inside they are saying Really????)
- But most importantly, that I would have deep ties to the community here! 

This is my only day off with lots to do! We are having 3 special nights of service here at our church with a featured preacher on the theme of God and Sexuality. I am still exhausted from being up at 5am yesterday, and then finishing around 5pm, then rushing off into the traffic to get to the service which starts at 5:30 and goes to 8! 
I did not get there until 6, so today I need to rest before heading back into full time Level 7!!!!!!!!!!
Yay! 

Dancing with Him,

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia,

Your sister, Vidya 

#134 - Birthday Blessings and "Vidya Chaplain"!

Vol. #134 

Thank you all for your birthday prayers, cards, gifts and calls! 
It was a blessing to have Ian and Ramona Loberg from RAC here for my birthday week and what fun we had! 

They pampered me with not only their gift of time but also deep talks, laughter and great food! My house mate Channak was in cahoots with them to plan a 'surprise' birthday time with my former students, and from the photos you can see it was a blessing and fun time! 

I spent the first part of the day doing 'Drop-by' gifting. The first stop was at the Khmer bakery where I usually go, to pick up two cakes with the message, “Happy birthday to us!” The first cake drop-off was at the salon I frequent, since the owner and I share the same birthday. The second was at my school where I also dropped off a cake. I think I like the idea of doing 'drive-bys' of surprise gifts of cards and words of encouragement on my birthday! 
I was so blessed by you all that I know I need to pass on these blessings to others! 

I started my day with Him, with coffee and music and dance and a wonderful intimate time thinking back to my birthday one year ago when I was struggling to regain strength from the time in the hospital and was also in the midst of exams!  
How grateful I am that He has carried me, and has been my constant strength and foundation. I was just listening to a song, the words of which I am humming right now, ...through it all my eyes were on YOU!..it is well...it is well...with my soul!" 

Praise: 
I have adapted my part-time studies to being at school on a full-time basis! What does that mean? 
I still go in on the days that I do not have a formal class and sit and study and communicate in Khmer with other students and staff. It is exhausting because where I am there is no A/C until I go into the classroom where there is, but just being there has become a stopping point for many students from all the levels at G2K school. 
One of my friends has added a title to my name, "Chaplain Vidya!" 
It is fun as they are asking if that particular desk I sit at is my “own"! I have had many conversations in both Khmer and English and have been able to pray with others; to encourage and be encouraged as well! 

Prayer: 
Please pray that my eyes will continue to be aware of every curve and symbol in Khmer that I am reading; that my ears will continue to hear the nuances of Khmer language! 
I have been listening to Khmer radio as background (white noise) when I am studying or writing as a way of getting accustomed to the sounds of my heart language. 

Praise: 
With Ian and Ramona's help, I got a couple more pieces of furniture for 'the house' (no name for the house as yet!)

Prayer: 
We had gone to a furniture shop and the owner had come to measure for a sofa and then would call to let me know the price. I stopped by the shop but his wife who is the one who sets the price was not there, but they said they would call but I have not received a call back yet. So I was hoping that this was the one. It was exciting to choose the colour and fabric for my sofa! Pray for resolution please. 

Prayer: 
EXAM TIME! My assessment and exam is on Monday 27th at 1:30p.m. I have to prepare 2 topics. The first one is on the main problem in Khmer society, what it is, the outcome and then solutions to solving the problem. The second topic concerns my future two years from now. Then I have a role play with the teacher (improvisation); a listening text where I have to answer questions after listening to a text. That is the first part of the exam. 
The second part is written; grammar and vocab recognition; writing a card to someone. Can you pray for clarity of thought as I prepare the first two topics, for clear speech, and steady hands as I write in Khmer. 

Prayer: 
This Saturday I am taking one of my teachers who is about 7 months pregnant and the cafe owner's wife who is also 7 months pregnant, to have their feet massaged etc.. Both are Khmer and are becoming part of my community here. Please pray that we will be a blessing to my girls and the owner at the salon! 

I sit here at my table on the balcony thinking I need to start revising, but it is now too HOT! And it is only 7:25 in the morning! Yikes! 

Please keep on sending in your prayer requests and stories! So humble to be part of your lives! 
Dancing with Him.

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia,

Your sister, Vidya 

#133 - Our First Rooftop Worship Time!

Sweat is pouring down my back as I mop the floor on the rooftop area. I am getting it prepped for the first Worship time here at the house! I am still thinking of a name for the house, so if you have any ideas please feel free to send them to me. 

One week ago I was reminded by my Khmer teacher from G2K about having worship time here, and he said, "Why not begin on the first Saturday of the month?" 
So with 8 adults and two young kids, we began our first worship time. We began in English but then at the end we did about 4 songs in Khmer, the same songs we used to sing when I worked at Bek Chan with the corresponding dance moves! 

 First Worship Time On The Rooftop

We all prayed together at the end and then discussed if Saturdays were the best day to have the worship and the time for it! All agreed yes! 
The plan is to sing and worship our Lord, and then to spend time in prayer for people in our lives, and of course, for the land of Cambodia! 
Chris, whom I met for the first time 2 days ago, is from G2K and he brought his beat box and man, is he ever good! Teacher Meng and his Khmer friend from his church came equipped with a guitar, and they took turns playing while the rest of us sat and sang and we were gifted with not only His presence, but His sunset! 

Praise: 
I have asked you all to pray that I would start forming a community here, and I just want to say how humbled I am that David and Lauren, my classmates who have already graduated, still want to spend time with me. It is awesome to have a brother and sister, who although they are SO unlike me, are one with me because of His sweet Spirit and our love for our Lord Jesus Christ!

Prepping the info desk at the new church

Prayer: 
- Pray that I would learn how to balance being a Martha and Mary, so that people not only feel welcome as if they are walking into His arms when they come here, but also that I would not stress out about the cleaning and prep time! My house helper quit 3 days before our meeting tonight and the cleaning of the stairs and roof top area is quite difficult. SO...

- Please pray that I would be able to get another helper who can do the heavy work (very dusty here), and one with whom I can speak Khmer! 

School: 
I had written that I was struggling with being a part-time student, not really feeling connected or having that continued rapport in Khmer which I had as a full-time student. After praying, I decided to go in early at 7:30am as I would if I were having classes in the morning, sit in the lobby at the desk, and study my Khmer. At same time I am able to talk and connect with others in Khmer. 

The teachers told me that it had been so quiet without Julia (my comrade in arms) and myself in the mornings at school! 
The first morning I was there, I was saying good morning and how are you in Khmer to all and sundry. So much so, that new students were handing me their forms for school because they thought I was part of the welcome committee of the school! 

Then I began having God conversations with a few students who are struggling to balance language studies and living cross culturally. So thank you for praying with and for me on this. I still have problems with  comprehension when I am being spoken to in Khmer at a fast pace! Ten minutes later, I will be, "Oh now I understand what they were saying", after I had the time to process. 

Praise: 
I actually spoke in Khmer to our landlady here, and I understand her when she spoke to me because I knew what the topic was all about.

Prayer: 
- Pray for ways to build bridges with her and her family here. 

Thank you all for your continued support in finances, prayers and words of encouragement! I may take a longer time to respond, but be patient because I will respond to all of your emails! 
I love to read what is going on in your life. It makes me feel connected to you and gives me more info on how to pray more intimately for you! 

It is nighttime now, and I am enjoying the gentle breeze, the beautiful sky and the sound of the washing machine as I do my laundry! 
Dancing with Him on the rooftop!


Love, His Warrior and Disciple, submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia,

Your sister, Vidya