#297 - Wedding and Lunches and Poster Girl!

                                                                    Vol.# 297

                                                                            
My apologies for the delay in sending this out! 

 So much has been happening here. 

I talked about the wedding of my former students from Rescue. Many of you already know that I was working as an English teacher back in 2011 at Rescue Orphanage, my first job in Cambodia. Sreyleak was my student and then translator for my classes. She now works in HR at my church New Life Foundation SMC, and we still get together and connect every Tuesday morning over preparing the communion for our weekly staff meetings. It has been a joy to witness her marriage to a godly young man whose biggest concern was that his family, who are not Christians, might not approve of the non-traditional wedding ceremony. The wedding occurred the day after I arrived at a well-known restaurant. Only 150 people were invited (at another venue, over 200+ are usually invited) with 15 tables. I prayed with her now husband that the Holy Spirit would be over the ceremony and that his family would listen and not be restless. It was overwhelming to see the peace over his face and then to watch his family who came in from the province (countryside) witness the foot washing part of the ceremony. Sreyleak and Vitnam first washed her Mom’s feet and thanked her for her sacrifice and support over the years. Then each washed the feet of his Mom and Dad and then thanked them for their sacrifice and support. Most of us were in tears after this. The public thank-you is unusual in this culture, so his family were listening intently and taking pictures! Then came a moment when Lokru Samdy asked for the leaders and those important in both Sreyleak and Vitnam’s lives to come up to pray over them. We did, and as I turned to leave, Sreyleak just turned to me and opened up her arms so I could give her a hug! That was a special moment and so unexpected! I was glad I was still energized enough, no jet lag yet to enjoy the whole ceremony!

Sombath is another young person who is part of the worship team. He is teaching the youth to play the guitar, and also how to use and repair the many machines associated with the sound system, learning by YouTube how to do much of it! It was his birthday, so I took him out for pizza/pasta, and listened to his testimony. His Mom died when he was in fifth grade, and at 15 years old he came to the city by himself for school! He chose to believe in Jesus when he started to go church and then attended English classes being taught at the church. Currently he has just started his first year at university. He waited until he could save up his money and he works at the church. I have seen this young man grow in the Lord with a servant’s heart as he works tirelessly at 3 services helping out wherever he can. He is one in whom God has told me to invest! I urged him to read the Word for himself, not just a few verses, but to start the read the whole Bible, as Lokru Samdy had preached that Sunday in his sermon. We have so many ways now to read his Word through the Bible App! 

I have previously spoken of Oun Pisey. She was the Youth Leader and created many programs for the youth at the church. She then went on to the church planting team, helping to translate for many of the teams coming in. She has mentored many and now she has the opportunity to go to the School of Theology in Singapore for a year to further her Biblical education! It has been my joy to be a prayer partner and big sister to Pisey and I took her out for a celebratory lunch. She will be missed but I am so excited to see her step into this new opportunity that God has created for her.

One of my roles here is to meet with the leaders and listen and then pray with them. I had my meeting with the Worship Pastor, Bro. Veasna, who is transitioning into part-time at our church and stepping into a new role with a NGO as its leader! Veasna is a Psalmist. He writes music, and has produced with the Life Band (roots at New Life Church) many wonderful songs. He also has a shepherd’s heart as he has discipled and trained many even though he is so young! He is a new dad and is relishing being a ‘papa’! We will continue to have monthly meetings in his part-time role here at New Life Church!

 

SCHOOL! We have been physically preparing at the new location for the education classes. 

We had pictures taken back in December that they turned into flyers that were distributed to the new area. To my surprise and chagrin they turned part of it into a full-blown banner that they put on the wall of the new location! Chagrin, because up close the pic is not that good, it looks as if I am grimacing rather than smiling like the rest of the teachers! The ONLY good thing, for vanity’s sake, is that hopefully when the students meet me, they will say, I look better in person! And no, I was not asked if they could put me on this banner! LOL! You just go with the flow here! 

Prayer Requests: 

-   - Please pray that speed to get the classes started would not impede the level of professionalism and quality of education. The curriculum has NOT been approved of and the coaching of the teachers has not begun YET. Flyers etc. have already been distributed! 
- Please pray for patience for me as I begin the coaching with the teachers, all of whom have NO experience teaching in a classroom. They may have taught a Bible lesson but never an English class. 
- Please pray that as I spend time at the main campus and then at the new location, that God gives me wisdom on planning the new schedule and JOY as I enter into this new phase! 
- Please continue prayers for healing for my big brother in Florida and for extra care for my parents in Toronto.

Answer to personal prayer request: I had wanted to exercise more, but where I live, going for walks was not an option, and finding a gym that was good and affordable and nearby was also not an option. Then I looked at my Mom who does her exercises from YOUTUBE every single day in the afternoon! She does not have to go out anywhere, it is free, and she can choose which exercises she wants. So I have followed in my mom’s footsteps and am doing the same. Thanks Mom!

Thank you all for your continued sacrifice of time and resources for His plans here in my heart country of Cambodia! Let us continue to dance and allow our Saviour, Jesus the Christ, to be the leader in all that we do, for He does order each step we take as we put our hands into His Hands and allow Him to direct us! 

Please continue to share your stories and requests as we dance together in life! 

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 

Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 

Your sister, Vedya