Vol.# 143
Elevate conference at my church here in Phnom Penh was amazing.
The guests speakers coming in from Singapore shared their stories about the business world and talked about certain topics, such as how to start a business, and a social enterprise; how to create and recognize opportunities for business; how to make a business plan; and how to pitch your plan to potential investors. These were just a few of the subjects that they talked about!
Pastor Simon Chua, who is the head pastor from New Life Church, Singapore, shared 4 principles on the Friday night that he said you would not see in any business curriculum on the topics noted above, but which he felt were fundamental values.
He spoke of asking for wisdom to solve problems, to negotiate deals; and spiritual insight to see what others cannot see. This wisdom comes from knowing God's Word. When you know the Word, you get to know more about God, and God is the One Who will open doors and opportunities for you.
He spoke of honour, giving respect to those with whom you come into contact, respecting your employees by paying them well, never humiliating them; following God's example in how to treat others.
He made the distinction between respect which benefits the receiver, and honour which benefits the giver.
He spoke on humility, knowing the difference between seeking prominence and significance. Humility gives His grace because you have received His grace. Significance comes from His heart and prominence comes from a need to boost your ego. We should always seek significance in our dealings and relationships.
Lastly, he talked about faith. When times are uncertain your faith in God is what will bring you through; submitting your actions to Him always, and trusting that even when doors close you know that God wants the best for you, and closed doors just mean another open door is awaiting you.
I think that the above points are life points as well in anything that we do!
The CEOs of Asia’s biggest companies came to share how God is using them to transform communities with not only providing physical jobs but also filling a spiritual need! The speakers all recognized that the creativity they had to have in establishing and maintaining businesses and opportunities all came from God and each one gave Him the honour, so that the focus was always on God and not on their achievements.
Answers to prayer requests:
My tutor could not make it to the conference because one student unexpectedly asked her to work and it was too far away from the church for her to come, plus that night it rained heavily! But I know there is a timing for everything, so I look forward to try to tell her all about the conference in Khmer in our tutoring sessions this week.
Many of you asked for pics of my hair! Well, on the same day of the conference I just popped into the salon to give my 'girls' a quick hello and when the owner saw the colour of my hair which had gone to a 'rust colour’, he asked me if I had some time to stay with them to chat and they proceeded to correct it! I was not expecting anything, and I got coffee, mangoes, and the owner of the salon working on my hair! LOL!
He just kept shaking his head and saying he could not have me going to a conference with my hair “looking like that”, and he was sure I would be wearing a hat to cover it (which I was), and that was not a good advertisement for them!
And now on a personal note.
The Three Indianteers
Mama Tara: I woke up yesterday to the news that Pastor Sunder's mom passed away and I want to extend my prayers and love to Pastor Sunder and Sham, Vijay and Sheila, and their own families, and to our RAC family who loved and prayed for Mama Tara, not forgetting Peter Van der H who she always called her 'tall son!"
Those of us who were not 'blood family' all had special relationships with her. I was fortunate to spend many hours with her at the vicarage. I spent many hours together with "Diva Mama”, as I respectfully and lovingly called her, as she taught me to cook 'dhaal ' properly and how to make delicious Indian vegetable dishes!
We spent many mornings as I sat on one side of the couch reading my Bible and she would be reading her books, but she would always stop to listen to worship music being played, especially if it was Vijay and Upper Room band!
I remember the many times Ruby Issac would drive over to take her out on errands and we three would all go out on our 'joy rides' as I would call them, with the drive beginning with the drama of getting her to put on the seat belt, which Ruby would be helping her with; I would always be telling her the rules for the drive which was to sing loudly (actually only had one rule!) which she never did, but I have caught her moving her hand to the music.
The first time she ever got a pedicure was at the mall on Islington and I remember the 'talks' we had before she consented to go because she had a very bad ingrown toe nail and she was in pain, so finally she went and yes, she had her toes done!
I remember her quick wit and probing questions. She would ask about why I believed in Jesus Christ. I think she was the first one to ask why I never anglicized my name and I told her that I was proud of my West Indian heritage, and of the name my parents gave me, and that God changes the heart and life, so why should I change my name?
Diva Mama Tara always called on Jerry and Maggie Ages who lived closed by to help to change bulbs or for anything around the house, but I do remember a time when the dish washer was not working, and it was a Sunday and the whole family was at the house (Pastor Sunder and Sham were away) and she called me over to tell me it was not working. I nodded and laughed because I definitely did not know how to fix machines, especially the dish washer, so I asked her to ask her grand kids to help, but then she said, “No, I am asking you because you will pray!”
I was caught off guard, but I did pray, and yes, my God has such timing and humour, the dish washer began to work!
She looked at me and said, “Okay you can go now!”
That was my Diva Mama, straight to the point!
I once asked her why she only made just enough coffee for 2 cups, because sometimes I may want to drink one and a half cups. She gave me a 'pained look' and said, “But we always drink only 2 cups, so we must stick to our habits!”
Maybe in hindsight I was not the best person to be with her, because I was always changing the 'tradition' and 'habits' that she had! But she respected my tradition of praying before I ate, and always held my hand and waited until I prayed at breakfast! One time she began to eat her toast (my job was to make the toast, hers was to make the coffee) before I prayed, so I gave her a 'pained look' to which she responded by moving her head slightly back and forth to show she was sorry and put her head down while I prayed!
Ah, we had a wonderful relationship and I treasure the times that Ruby, Diva Mama Tara, and I had together! She had nicknames for us, and somehow my nickname always had to do with making trouble! LOL!
I always thought that I would have time to go see her in Singapore, but I never got the chance. I can honestly say that there is no one other person I have prayed over and interceded more for than my Diva Mama Tara, following the example of her daughter-in-law Shyamala.
Even now as tears roll down my face, I pray that she had a conversation with Jesus on her last breath, and I am grateful that He gave her as long a life as she had to make the decision to become His child, because that is Our God. He gives us a choice to choose life with Him forever.
My choice? Life with Him, because there is no other place I would rather be than with Him now on earth and forever with Him when I die.
Love, His Warrior and Disciple,
Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia,
Your sister, Vidya
