Vol.# 245
The rains fell heavily yesterday, and as I sat in the tuk tuk on the way home, I was amazed that God in His mercy had allowed us to NOT have a traffic jam! Usually when it rains like that, the traffic is horrendous, but then I smiled as the tuk tuk that I was in went in and out of back streets as the Main Street was like a river. Then we hit a side street that was so flooded that I thought being in a canoe or a small boat would be better to travel in! I was praying the motor on the tuk tuk would not stall since that would mean getting out in thigh high murky waters with my IPad in my back pack! But again God in His mercies allowed us to get through to my street that had no flooding!
I had just returned from an amazing day after being present for the taping of the church service. We had a full band, and a female worship leader who had not sung for nearly 2 years was leading the worship! Before COVID, anytime she would lead was a physical battle, because when she sang she brought you into His Presence so intimately that tears would fall from my face as she would sing from His heart through her heart and voice! So as we all had an early breakfast together and then went into rehearsals before the taping, I had the privilege of praying with her and hearing her say, “I know you have been praying for me, Bong, you are showing me the importance of serving God no matter the capacity, for when we serve our relationship with Him becomes so much closer because we HAVE to depend on Him.”
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| BREAKFAST WITH WORSHIP TEAM |
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| PREPARING FOR WORSHIP WITH SISTER LEADING AFTER 2-YEAR ABSENCE! |
This conversation highlighted the transition from the Foundation ministry team of which I was a part because I was teaching at the Skills Teaching Centre (one of the branches of the Foundation Ministry) that for obvious reasons due to COVID-19 had to be closed down. I am now switched to Dynamic Worship Service where I help with the set-up for the services, prepare with the Information Desk Team for the welcoming of the congregants and the Worship Team Ministry itself. I will be meeting with the Worship pastor and his team leaders every Wednesday afternoon for a time of prayer and listening to the Lord; a time of listening to those on the band, the camera crew and the IT crew, to their concerns and to pray with them! We are also trying to designate a day and time for me to be in the office to edit English business outgoing mail and to help translate incoming correspondence as well. I said trying because here you have to be flexible. You may get a request to help edit at 8 at night or at other times! I am still part of the school program in the sense of praying for the Khmer teachers and helping with English content, BUT not teaching online! I would be a disaster online trying to figure out logistics of how to do it. (And yes, we have tried!)
I have been thinking of the word presence and its impact on us here in everyday life by the very fact that we cannot be present at church or at school or in groups bigger than 15 people. I was thinking of this as I sat at a cafe with all of the COVID-19 precautions in place and looked on in amusement at a ‘social influencer’. She came in all dressed in the necessary brand clothing, with the latest IPhone detailing her time there at the coffee shop; making sure her make up was on properly and that her presence on camera was ‘perfect’! She drove a Mercedes Benz and seemingly had it all! But as I looked at her, she was there alone. No one was physically present with her, just her followers on social media, and I thought how exhausting it must be to be ‘on’ all the time, showcasing your presence by physical appearance and material possessions to make sure you maintain and increase your followers on social media! Then, wham! The next day at the staff meeting online, we were shown how our youth were on social media talking about the Bible challenge of reading 1 and 2 Timothy and interpreting what they read into real life, showcasing their life as Christians and challenging others to read and get involved in helping out their communities! I was seriously in tears as I watched the creativity of the youth led by Oun Pisey who I will introduce in my next update to you, a young Khmer woman who has a passion for the youth who unashamedly tell about their walk with Jesus Christ in the midst of COVID! Some of these youth are also part of the worship team here so I get a chance to interact with them as well!
THIS PHOTO OF A YOUNG MAN PREPARING DAILY FOOD OFFERING FOR STALLS AT MALL MADE ME THINK OF MY PREPARATION FOR JESUS; READYING MY HEART TO LISTEN AND LEARN AND LEARN FROM HS WORD
Praise: We finished up our study of James and I listened again as each person shared on the impact of what we learnt and how to apply it to our lives. This has been one of the gems coming out of COVID, the intimate study of the Bible in our small group and the heart stories and prayer time together.
Prayer: We will begin Hebrews this Sunday. Please pray for clear internet/Wi-Fi since 3 in our group are connecting from outside of the city back in their hometowns.
Praise: Bible study time with Oun Muylen on book of Esther is always exciting for me as I learn new themes through her eyes!
Prayer: Oun Muylen just received the booster shot and has been quite sick. Pray for her recovery as her body reacts to Johnson and Johnson booster vaccine.
Prayer: As I try to get the booster vaccine, Canada still does not recognize the Sinovac vaccine. So I am thinking if I can get the Johnson and Johnson as a booster vaccine, then it is acceptable, since you need only one shot of that vaccine as opposed to 2 shots of the Astra Zeneca. You need to be fully vaccinated to travel. Please pray for wisdom and favour. The Johnson and Johnson is the more difficult one to receive (you have to ‘know’ people!!). We know the Connector, Jesus the Christ!
Before I end this, I would like to express my heart felt condolences to Ruby I. on the passing of her father into the arms of Jesus. He was a man of few words but always welcoming and kind to me. Prayers are with you, Ruby and your mom and your brother and sister-in-law.
Chand Persaud: Chand would pick up Sister Dipali and myself to go in and sous chef for Neighbourhood Connection, for Jerry and Maggie’s team, and so many more events. His jokes, his tasty recipes, his kindness to me and being part of his cooking team with others are so memorable. My love goes out to Marty and the family. Chand is now with Abba Father. That is our gift, knowing that both Ruby’s dad and Chand are in heaven now.
Prayer: As I help others here, pray for our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan, and to know how to share their plight to those here who are trying to survive amidst the COVID epidemic. Sometimes when we are in our own bubble of crises, it is difficult to come out of it to pray for others! I have been using Esther, chapter 9 as a reversal of circumstances where the Jews were saved from annihilation from Haman, but also using Acts chapter 7; 54-56 where Stephen in the midst of the stoning saw Jesus, and in his face his killers saw that peace and the glory of God and were convicted!
Please continue to send in your requests.
Thank you all for your continued dance with me here in my heart country of Cambodia. Thank you for your continued sacrifice of finances, and taking time to write and pray for me!
Much love!
Love, His Warrior and Disciple,
Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia,
Your sister, Vidya
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