Thursday, 20 September 2018

#180 - Toronto: The V Has Landed!

Vol.# 180

The V has landed in Toronto! I came in last night and want to say thank you for prayers for safe travels. 

It is now 4:30am. I have been up since 4am and I did some exercises in my room, had my devotions and chose a couple of verses that I read in my Khmer Bible to send to my sister Bopha back in Phnom Penh. 
All is quiet. I love it

Praise
My housemate helped me to weigh my suitcases and each one was 3kg over! I had just spoken to one of the pastors from New Life church in Phnom Penh, who with her family had just returned from the U.S.A.  They had been charged for each kilo that they were over the weight allowance given to them. So with that warning in mind as I went to the Cathay Pacific airlines, I was worried about the charges I might incur! However, the lady there was so nice, chatting with me and did not even blink an eye at the weight! It was then I noticed that I was at the Business/First class counter, not the Economy where I should have been! I had just walked to the first counter I saw where there was no line. For those of you who are wondering, I still sat in Economy class.  

Thank you to my housemate for helping to carry my 2 heavy suitcases down the stairs and staying with me until it was time to board. 
Transition in Hong Kong was smooth though the ride was a bit bumpy at times on the 15-hour flight from Hong Kong to Toronto.

As expected, sleep did not come easy on the flight, and the two men I sat next to snored for the whole flight here! But 15 hours did not seem to be that long, so thank you for your prayers

On arrival here, when I got to the kiosk at Customs, I was praying that my electronic check-in into Pearson would go smoothly since the customs attendant who was directing us to each kiosk was a bit grumpy! Well, the computer could not ‘read’ my passport, and then when it was time to take the photo, it kept saying ‘cannot take photo’! Now I am having a picture in my mind of Customs hauling me off because nothing was working. So I eventually called the agent who somehow miraculously was not grumpy when she helped me! She said ‘no worries about the picture’ and then afterwards it was all smooth sailing!

Praise
I had asked you to pray for the Asean Christian Conference. I was wrong about the numbers. There were over 2500 people who attended the conference! They had to bring in more chairs and are already thinking of a bigger venue for next year. I was hesitant at first about the prayer time during and after each service. It was overwhelming with so many coming up for prayer, 99 percent all Khmer! I am still trying to debrief that experience in my quiet time with God! 

ACC Prayer Team 2018






Praise:
I love walking in the cool air, with no sounds of construction and busyness here this morning. God provided angels who helped me this morning. The first was the maintenance guy at my parents’ place. I was doing laundry but could not get the washing machine to work with the card. The guy noticed I was having trouble and came to help. The second one was at Walmart. I could not find the shampoo I needed, so I asked one of the workers and the next thing I knew I had 3 ladies there helping me look for it! Then I went to the library to renew my card, and naturally, I realized I did not have the old card with me, but the librarian there was so helpful. I got to hear her story about when she grew up in China and only read academic books when required for her studies, and now here she loves reading (I may have been too enthusiastic about being in a library and having access to so many books which initiated our conversation!). She renewed my card online and I was allowed to take out books. Today I will return with old card to give to her.

I am looking forward to seeing you all and hearing your stories as well
However, you know you are not ready to meet with people when…
- You hear the ‘ping’ that the microwave is finished but you go to open the fridge door instead and wonder where your food is…
- At Walmart when the ladies there were trying to decide which shampoo I needed to match the color of my hair, and there was no agreement: brown, ash grey, red? And I start to laugh and cannot stop…
- When you go to the sink and just want to drink the water from the tap…
- You stand in the middle of sidewalk just inhaling the fresh cool air and everyone has to walk around you! 

I am enjoying spending this week with my Dad and bonding over watching cricket as my mom is in Trinidad, even though I am falling asleep during the game! I am looking forward to spending time with my two brothers and my sis as well, and yes, eating some good Trini food!

I just have to say special congrats to my nephew, Nathan, on his engagement to Sarah!!!!!!! 
Yay!!!!!! Proud and so happy for you both!


Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 
Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 
Your sister, Vidya 

Thursday, 13 September 2018

#179 - Please Pray

Vol.# 179

Prayer Requests: 

Please pray as I am heading into a very hectic 4 days at our Asean Christian Conference in Phnom Penh. An estimated one thousand will attend the conference over the next few days, coming in from all corners of Cambodia as well as from neighbouring countries.  My day will begin from 5:45 a.m. The conference begins at 8, and those of us volunteering at the information desk have to be on site at 6:30. I do have breaks in between and the shift ends at 12:30 lunchtime. I am then on altar call prayer at the end of group worship time from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of His Spirit over me.  Before I can pray and serve others here, I need to be refreshed and alert as I pray with and over others.
Some of team with access bands

Pray for the weather. It has been raining everyday around 4:30 onwards, but sometimes it rains early in the morning as well. I am praying that the clouds part and the sun shines so that all who are coming will be able to get here safely and will come and not be deterred by the rain!

Some of my students from English class I have been teaching will attend, so please pray for eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to be opened for those who do not yet know about Jesus the Christ! 



Pray for good conversations amongst my team, and that my Khmer will be good enough to understand all the different ‘sounds’ from those coming in from the province areas. Pray that HE will give me discernment as I meet and talk and help those who are coming to the conference

The conference finishes on the Sunday night and then I have Monday to wash clothes, pack and get things ready here at the house before I head out to you in Toronto on Tuesday morning! 

Thank you so much for your prayers

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 
Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 
Your sister, Vidya