It's been a coupe of weeks since my last update. This update is an exciting one for me in many aspects...
Happy new year to everybody and I hope·you all·had a great Christmas. Whether you were working too much or not enough, I hope that you found time to be around those that you love and care for. Though Christmas was only three weeks ago, we here at the not4sale team, we worked straight through Christmas and New Year.... No family, but we love the team God has given us...
As well as working straight through Christmas and New Year we traveled a lot. I myself went up and down the country during the last few weeks. A lot of the last month we·have had interviews for our staff positions here in Cambodia. I have been able to initiate a lot of the contacts that we have had for our open positions. And even for one of the interviews we had, I was able, though very little, help with the translation of the interview. It's amazing to think that even the little I know can help in situations such as interviews and communication! Oh and for anybody that·is coming over as a missionary or to visit the project, I I'm starting classes for foreigners :-)... Gotta keep busy.
Actually on the topic of being busy, the last six weeks have been very busy. As well as all of the interviews we have had I am learning Quick Books and taking over the finances for the project. Hopefully we will have a staff member hired for this position eventually, but give me a few months and I'll be able to teach anybody.
We do have our first staff member though, she is the wife of a local pastor here. Her name is Srey Roat, before she met us she said that she never used to smile or laugh much, but now she is all smiles and laughs all of the time. We know it's because she has the same spirit and heart as·us·and God led her to us as well as leading·us to her.· At the moment she is working with us in the office and cooking mostly all of our meals. She is learning "Carin's way" as well, and seems to be loving it a lot. I have also :-)
We have been praying and fasting as well as working hard here for the month of January, and we have really seen God answer our prayers and give us the strength to work despite the conditions here. We are still believing for breakthrough in many areas but we know that God will provide all that we need.
We believe that the staff that we will hire will be leaders not only in this project, but leaders in their church, in their community and even across the country. For example with Srey Roat, we are encouraging her to step up and step out and trust that God will provide her·with·the wisdom and understanding·that she needs to become a leader in this house for the girls. We know·that becoming leaders will be the case for the other staff that God leads us to, as God wants to see the children that come to our home and leave our home,·restored and healed and encouraged in their pursuit of Gods purpose in their life despite the struggles and pain they have faced and will face in the years to come.
We were at a children's home·and we were given the chance to play some songs and sing for the children there. They actually had a few dances for some of the songs that we sang, as I tried to choose songs that were familiar to them.· Despite the songs being in Khmer, I have been given some help to translate the songs from English words into Khmer words, it's been amazing to sing in a different language. My work here·with the children will be limited but being able to worship in song with the children will be a special time to spend· with them and see them grow closer to God.
So, thank you to everybody that is prayed for us, those prayers have helped in a huge way. God is blessing myself in a huge way both spiritually and financially, that all of my needs are met each month. I am healthy and strong and thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.
Hopefully by my next update we will have all of our staff hired and in the process of completing the training before we open the facility. Continue to pray that God brings the right people to us both here in Cambodia and to the volunteers in Canada. Please also pray for every person involved in this ministry that God provides for their every need. We are obedient to Him and trust that He will sustain all of the staff connected to N4S and Victory Children's Homes, here and across the world.
God Bless You all, thank you!
This week has been a great week for broken down buses... For my entire time in Cambodia to this point I haven't been in a bus that broke down once, which incidentally is one of the most common occurrences in the country. Now two times in only a few days.
But what it did give me was a chance to chat with some Cambodians on the bus for a few hours more than usual. It is amazing what happens when learning a language and putting it to use can give you. It brings slot of fun, and relaxation. I am far from knowing Cambodian but what I do know helps me everyday. I was sitting next to a policeman and we chatted about a work and me, he even read my palm (not something I go and do everyday). I had my laptop out and he watched a movie with me. There was a young guy on his way to work. To some it would be hard to talk in an unknown language to unknown people, but as much of a introverted person I am, in small groups I love talking in Cambodian as they talk me in English. It's a funny dynamic, they ask me a question in English, and I an answer in Cambodian, and vice versa. It's the small things like that help me relax. When some people are skydiving etc for fun, not my thoughts of a fun time, but chatting for 10 minutes in Cambodian is a lot of fun.
But in a few weeks it will all be over for the first stage of the project, I will back in Canada for May, and no heat to live with, no rice everyday, no motorbike traveling. Re acclimatizing will be tough, it will have been the longest I have been away from a western culture. Despite the fact I will be going back again in a short time. Mentally I have to deprogram and weigh up all that has gone on, so that I am not a mess when I return. I should be fine, but if anyone sees me craving fried grasshoppers and speaking in a strange language, it's ok I haven't gone crazy, I'm just re-acclimatizing and I'm balanced :-)
Hmmmm, first time for everything... Three different modes of transport on the same 6 hour journey over 7 days, and a mugging (well half a mugging)...
“I found this book to be a delightful read!...” - Pastor Craig Buroker (Times of Refreshing Miracle Channel TV and crossroads TV) Read more...
It's been 6 months since I have been back here... Hot season nearly over, not as bad as I thought it would be...