As you probably already know, my grandma went home to be with the Lord on July 16, 2013. I was fortunate to be able to go home for the funeral!
Phyllis Joan Lister
It was great to get to see my family and friends again! You can't imagine how encouraged I was during those two weeks. So many people gave me hugs, told me how they've been praying for me, asked questions about what God is doing in Cambodia ... It was a true blessing!
I was especially encouraged by those of you who I talked to and I could tell that you've been reading these blogs! That alone was a tremendous encouragement, so thank you to all of you who are reading this and not only keeping up with my personal life, but more importantly, getting updated in how God's at work on the other side of the world, AND YOU HAVE A PART IN IT! I pray that through this, you feel more a part of it and that it encourages you to pray for Cambodia!
I also really enjoyed answering questions and telling stories about what's going on here. Some of those times were over a meal with friends, in front of my church, and with my aunt's church! That being said, if you ever have questions, or just want to know more you can message me, and / or we could Skype. If I'm busy I'll let you know, but don't assume that I am busy, because I can generally make time for that, and it's a great encouragement to me! :-D
Some things I was "reminded" of while in America:
- I am truly loved by more people than I know
- So many people are taking part in this ministry though prayer and financial support
- People care and want to help (but generally aren't sure how)
- It's a hundred times easier to talk about Jesus with complete strangers, whether in the States or over seas, than it is with family
- Do what you need to do. Don't wait around for the perfect moment. (Before I left in Jan. I'd wanted to tell a friend of mine about something and also ask for prayer, but it didn't "come up." Again I got to see here while I was in America. It's not a secret and it was something she already knew about, but again it "didn't come up." Before I left she told me if there's anything she could pray for to let her know ... "well, actually ..." :-D which leads me to my next "lesson"
- Ask people how you can pray for them
- Take time and pray WITH them (I was visiting with another friend and she was going through a rough time, so I prayed with her. Afterwards she shared how she was so encouraged and thankful for that, which in turn encouraged me.)
- The same friend above said, " I could throw a fit, slam doors, and give the silent treatment, or I can just go with it and trust that everything will work out." (The second half of that was paraphrased)
- It is crucial to spend quality time with God each day! A wise woman told a group of us, "you don't wake up in the morning and wonder if you should brush your teeth that day." Why do we not have the same surety of spending time with God through prayer and His Word as we do that we'll brush our teeth?
- No place on this planet is perfect
- Only God can fill voids ... not a country, not a place, and not a person
Therefore, seek God with all of your heart.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Thailand
We had a meeting in Chang Mai, Thailand so we went a few days early to go to Krabi. We found out it was a bad time of year to be in Krabi, and were told to go to Koh Samui.
Krabi
- Check the weather before you book your vacation!
- Starbucks in Thailand doesn't have Chai Tea Latte :'-/
Koh Samui
It was so beautiful!
Chang Mai
Chang Mai is a wonderful city! It was nice to get to walk every where!
My roommate for the week Songtoaw (kind of like a taxi)
Thai tuk-tuk Me in the tuk-tuk (Cambodian tuk-tuks have a lot more room!)
Sticky Waterfall ... was awesome! We climbed down it then back up!
Bangkok
It was fun, but Bangkok's not my favorite city.
My first time to ride the BTS! View of the city.
Going back to America
Back in November, my grandma was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. While I was in Bangkok, my mom called and told me that my grandma had died. Now she is free from her pain and will be with the Lord forever! I got to talk to her a few days prior to her death and she said. "I'll talk to you later!" ... I thought, yes Grandma, I'll talk to you later in heaven!
A squatty potty in the Tokyo airport. Hello Cali!
Sunset in Houston. The plane I rode from Houston to OKC.
Krabi
- Check the weather before you book your vacation!
- Starbucks in Thailand doesn't have Chai Tea Latte :'-/
Koh Samui
It was so beautiful!
Chang Mai
Chang Mai is a wonderful city! It was nice to get to walk every where!
My roommate for the week Songtoaw (kind of like a taxi)
Thai tuk-tuk Me in the tuk-tuk (Cambodian tuk-tuks have a lot more room!)
Sticky Waterfall ... was awesome! We climbed down it then back up!
Bangkok
It was fun, but Bangkok's not my favorite city.
My first time to ride the BTS! View of the city.
Going back to America
Back in November, my grandma was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. While I was in Bangkok, my mom called and told me that my grandma had died. Now she is free from her pain and will be with the Lord forever! I got to talk to her a few days prior to her death and she said. "I'll talk to you later!" ... I thought, yes Grandma, I'll talk to you later in heaven!
A squatty potty in the Tokyo airport. Hello Cali!
Sunset in Houston. The plane I rode from Houston to OKC.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
"jong" ...
"jong" is Khmer for "want"
This afternoon one of the guys on the team wasn't feeling so well, so he spent the afternoon/evening resting at the hotel. One of the girls taught his afternoon class, and I taught his evening class. Today was the last day of actual classes, and the team wanted to make sure to share the Greatest Story Ever with each class, so that's what I did with this evening class!
While I was sharing, there was one guy, Sa-Rye, who was very interested in the story. There is this look that people generally have when they're truly listening and wanting to learn more about Jesus, and his eyes were filled with that desire! (He has been studying with our organization for well over a year.)
I shared the whole story with this small class of five students, two of which are already believers, then at the end I asked what they thought. He was the first to say anything ... "I want to believe Jesus." I'm not sure why, but I was somehow a little shocked, and unsure what to do. I encouraged one of the other believers, Roahtana to talk more about what that means, then I shared Romans 10:9, then the other believer told him in Khmer, "You can believe NOW if you want?" He said, "jong," which means he wants!!! It was so exciting to hear that in Khmer, understand it, then hear him say in his own language that he wants to believe.
Roahtana led Sa-Rye in prayer to follow Christ! They talked for a little bit afterwards.
Later in the night, when I was on Facebook, Sa-Rye messaged me, "Teacher, what can I do when I believe Jesus?" :-D That is so awesome! --> Pray, read the Bible, and tell others about Jesus!!! Our classes have been studying the gospel of Mark, and they all have a copy of it in Khmer and English, so I suggested that he start reading Mark.
Please pray for Sa-Rye, as he begins to grow as a new child of the King!
Also, pray that others will, "jong" too! ;-)
This afternoon one of the guys on the team wasn't feeling so well, so he spent the afternoon/evening resting at the hotel. One of the girls taught his afternoon class, and I taught his evening class. Today was the last day of actual classes, and the team wanted to make sure to share the Greatest Story Ever with each class, so that's what I did with this evening class!
While I was sharing, there was one guy, Sa-Rye, who was very interested in the story. There is this look that people generally have when they're truly listening and wanting to learn more about Jesus, and his eyes were filled with that desire! (He has been studying with our organization for well over a year.)
I shared the whole story with this small class of five students, two of which are already believers, then at the end I asked what they thought. He was the first to say anything ... "I want to believe Jesus." I'm not sure why, but I was somehow a little shocked, and unsure what to do. I encouraged one of the other believers, Roahtana to talk more about what that means, then I shared Romans 10:9, then the other believer told him in Khmer, "You can believe NOW if you want?" He said, "jong," which means he wants!!! It was so exciting to hear that in Khmer, understand it, then hear him say in his own language that he wants to believe.
Roahtana led Sa-Rye in prayer to follow Christ! They talked for a little bit afterwards.
Later in the night, when I was on Facebook, Sa-Rye messaged me, "Teacher, what can I do when I believe Jesus?" :-D That is so awesome! --> Pray, read the Bible, and tell others about Jesus!!! Our classes have been studying the gospel of Mark, and they all have a copy of it in Khmer and English, so I suggested that he start reading Mark.
Please pray for Sa-Rye, as he begins to grow as a new child of the King!
Also, pray that others will, "jong" too! ;-)
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Lions, Tigers, and Bears ...
Phnom Tamao
Last weekend we went to the market with our 3:30 classes, and today we went to the zoo with our 1:30 classes!
Foreigners pay $5.00, and Khmer pay $0.50! It's like this everywhere we go. The glass half empty - foreigners get ripped off ... the glass half full - Cambodians get a discount!
The purpose of these trips is to build relationships with our students, create more opportunities to share The Truth with them, let the team explore Cambodia, and have fun! We did all of the above! My favorite part was the playground at the end! Several of the guys competed on who could do the most pull ups, and the older lady tried to do them too! :-D
The ride there ... 30 people in a 25 passenger van ... it worked!
The ride home
On the ride home I got to talk with the two guys behind me (to my left, which you can't see in the picture), one of which is Islam. They've only been coming to class for about a week, so they've just started learning about Jesus. One thing I noticed was when they talked about Jesus they'd say it in Khmer and leave out, "Pray-uh," the part of His name that means God. Jesus in Khmer is "Pray-uh Yae-soo," and they were saying, "Yae-soo." I'm praying that one day God will open their eyes to see that Jesus is "Pray-uh," too!
We will be leaving in the morning to go to Siem Reap! We will only be there for 2 half days, and 1 full day! After that we will return to Phnom Penh, and the team will only have a week and a half left. Please pray for God to work mightily!
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:20-21
Last weekend we went to the market with our 3:30 classes, and today we went to the zoo with our 1:30 classes!
Foreigners pay $5.00, and Khmer pay $0.50! It's like this everywhere we go. The glass half empty - foreigners get ripped off ... the glass half full - Cambodians get a discount!
The purpose of these trips is to build relationships with our students, create more opportunities to share The Truth with them, let the team explore Cambodia, and have fun! We did all of the above! My favorite part was the playground at the end! Several of the guys competed on who could do the most pull ups, and the older lady tried to do them too! :-D
The ride there ... 30 people in a 25 passenger van ... it worked!
The ride home
On the ride home I got to talk with the two guys behind me (to my left, which you can't see in the picture), one of which is Islam. They've only been coming to class for about a week, so they've just started learning about Jesus. One thing I noticed was when they talked about Jesus they'd say it in Khmer and leave out, "Pray-uh," the part of His name that means God. Jesus in Khmer is "Pray-uh Yae-soo," and they were saying, "Yae-soo." I'm praying that one day God will open their eyes to see that Jesus is "Pray-uh," too!
We will be leaving in the morning to go to Siem Reap! We will only be there for 2 half days, and 1 full day! After that we will return to Phnom Penh, and the team will only have a week and a half left. Please pray for God to work mightily!
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:20-21
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Cambodia Bucket List
baby duck egg ... check! I ate an entire baby duck egg tonight ... and it wasn't bad. I'm really thankful for the team from America, because if it hadn't been for them, then I probably wouldn't have finished it. BUT I DID!
I tried it a couple months ago, and didn't like the taste, but wanted the team to try it too, so I was willing to eat it with them. They're rock stars! All five of them ate their baby duck, and a couple even ate a second one!
To give you an idea ... baby duck egg in Southeast Asia is like pizza in America. It's not too expensive, it tastes delicious (according to the people who live there), and it brings people together! Now you get the idea? Cambodians don't normally like pizza at first. They have to acquire a taste for it ... yea I know, crazy!
I tried it a couple months ago, and didn't like the taste, but wanted the team to try it too, so I was willing to eat it with them. They're rock stars! All five of them ate their baby duck, and a couple even ate a second one!
To give you an idea ... baby duck egg in Southeast Asia is like pizza in America. It's not too expensive, it tastes delicious (according to the people who live there), and it brings people together! Now you get the idea? Cambodians don't normally like pizza at first. They have to acquire a taste for it ... yea I know, crazy!
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Crazy Week ...
Jau
Jau is Khmer for thief. In the city there are a lot of thieves. It's well known that if you leave anything out / not locked up really well, then it will not be there the next day, or even the next hour. Growing up in Oklahoma, things get stolen, but not too much. Here, I've heard stories of thieves stealing women's purses while they're on driving down the road on their moto. The thief either pulls really hard to break the strap, or they come prepared to cut the strap with scissors. Like I said, I heard of these things, but didn't really take it too seriously. Honestly, I thought that Cambodians are just too paranoid. Well, a couple of nights ago I was driving home, just before 9pm on a busy street, and two guys came up beside me on my left side. My purse strap was across my body, and my purse was in my lap. All of a sudden, the passenger on the moto grabs my purse and started pulling on it. I immediately yelled a long NOOO at the top of my lungs while slapping him with my left hand and driving with my right. He kept pulling for a few seconds, a car behind us was laying on their horn, then the guy let go and the moto sped off. Praise the Lord that I am okay, we didn't wreck, and he didn't get my purse! Needless to say, I bought a small backpack the next day! (Thieves won't try to steal a whole backpack because it's not easy to steal, like a purse with thin straps.)
--> I tell you all of that, not so you can be worried, but so that you can pray for our safety, and pray for this country. We should be careful and take all safety precautions, but no matter what we do God is in control!
Phnom Penh Tour
I started out the day with Proverbs 16:1, "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord." The original plan for the PP Tour was to have three groups of 2 Americans and 2 Khmer, with the Khmer taking the students to certain "touristy" places around the city on their motos. As of yesterday, one guy cancelled, one girl tried to cancel so we weren't sure if she'd show up or not, and another girl said she didn't have a moto; therefore, we changed the plans to three tuk-tuks. Another guy was able to come unexpectedly, the girl did show up, and the other girl did have a moto! We already hired the tuk-tuks, so we just continued with that plan, which gave us more quality talking time during traveling! Here are some pictures:
Both groups of girls at the Royal Palace (left) and the Riverside (right).
My group (left), and all three groups together (right). Both are at Wat Phnom.
Market Scavenger Hunt @ P'sa Orussey
This was the part of the day that I'd been worrying too much about all week. We invited both 3:30 classes to go to the Orussey Market with us on a scavenger hunt. I was praying that God would have the right students come, and the right number of students. I was really worried that too many students would show up. The number I thought would be ideal was 3-4 guys and 6-8 girls, but still knowing that God's thoughts and ways are higher than mine.
We've always obeyed the buddy system with teams, but in the past it was okay for one of the buddies to be a trusted student. This year, it's important for the team that there are two Americans together at all times, which meant we could only have three groups. To no big surprise ... God is in control and He does answer prayers!!! We ended up having 4 guys and 7 girls, in addition to us 6 Americans. PERFECT! The groups weren't too big, each group had one tuk-tuk, and we all had a wonderful time!
Dried Shrimp BBQ'd pigs
We ran into the guys ... and the girls!
Ducks only feet away from death We came back and ate snacks together
We all tried crickets for the first time! They're really not too bad! I wouldn't choose to eat them, just because it's a mental thing, but I'd eat crickets over hot dogs any day! They're kind of like chips!
Please be praying for the students in the pictures. There are only a couple students pictured that say they are believers, and only one that I've seen fruit from. A few of the students, we haven't gotten to talk to them much before today, but most of them are genuinely seeking! These seeking students already KNOW The Truth, but aren't willing to surrender yet. Please pray that they'd quit saying, "no" to the Holy Spirit, and confess Jesus Christ as Lord!
Also pray for us, as believers, that God would give us strength, energy, health, obedience, and above all LOVE for our students!
"For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf." ~ 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Jau is Khmer for thief. In the city there are a lot of thieves. It's well known that if you leave anything out / not locked up really well, then it will not be there the next day, or even the next hour. Growing up in Oklahoma, things get stolen, but not too much. Here, I've heard stories of thieves stealing women's purses while they're on driving down the road on their moto. The thief either pulls really hard to break the strap, or they come prepared to cut the strap with scissors. Like I said, I heard of these things, but didn't really take it too seriously. Honestly, I thought that Cambodians are just too paranoid. Well, a couple of nights ago I was driving home, just before 9pm on a busy street, and two guys came up beside me on my left side. My purse strap was across my body, and my purse was in my lap. All of a sudden, the passenger on the moto grabs my purse and started pulling on it. I immediately yelled a long NOOO at the top of my lungs while slapping him with my left hand and driving with my right. He kept pulling for a few seconds, a car behind us was laying on their horn, then the guy let go and the moto sped off. Praise the Lord that I am okay, we didn't wreck, and he didn't get my purse! Needless to say, I bought a small backpack the next day! (Thieves won't try to steal a whole backpack because it's not easy to steal, like a purse with thin straps.)
--> I tell you all of that, not so you can be worried, but so that you can pray for our safety, and pray for this country. We should be careful and take all safety precautions, but no matter what we do God is in control!
Phnom Penh Tour
I started out the day with Proverbs 16:1, "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord." The original plan for the PP Tour was to have three groups of 2 Americans and 2 Khmer, with the Khmer taking the students to certain "touristy" places around the city on their motos. As of yesterday, one guy cancelled, one girl tried to cancel so we weren't sure if she'd show up or not, and another girl said she didn't have a moto; therefore, we changed the plans to three tuk-tuks. Another guy was able to come unexpectedly, the girl did show up, and the other girl did have a moto! We already hired the tuk-tuks, so we just continued with that plan, which gave us more quality talking time during traveling! Here are some pictures:
Both groups of girls at the Royal Palace (left) and the Riverside (right).
My group (left), and all three groups together (right). Both are at Wat Phnom.
Market Scavenger Hunt @ P'sa Orussey
This was the part of the day that I'd been worrying too much about all week. We invited both 3:30 classes to go to the Orussey Market with us on a scavenger hunt. I was praying that God would have the right students come, and the right number of students. I was really worried that too many students would show up. The number I thought would be ideal was 3-4 guys and 6-8 girls, but still knowing that God's thoughts and ways are higher than mine.
We've always obeyed the buddy system with teams, but in the past it was okay for one of the buddies to be a trusted student. This year, it's important for the team that there are two Americans together at all times, which meant we could only have three groups. To no big surprise ... God is in control and He does answer prayers!!! We ended up having 4 guys and 7 girls, in addition to us 6 Americans. PERFECT! The groups weren't too big, each group had one tuk-tuk, and we all had a wonderful time!
Dried Shrimp BBQ'd pigs
We ran into the guys ... and the girls!
Ducks only feet away from death We came back and ate snacks together
We all tried crickets for the first time! They're really not too bad! I wouldn't choose to eat them, just because it's a mental thing, but I'd eat crickets over hot dogs any day! They're kind of like chips!
Please be praying for the students in the pictures. There are only a couple students pictured that say they are believers, and only one that I've seen fruit from. A few of the students, we haven't gotten to talk to them much before today, but most of them are genuinely seeking! These seeking students already KNOW The Truth, but aren't willing to surrender yet. Please pray that they'd quit saying, "no" to the Holy Spirit, and confess Jesus Christ as Lord!
Also pray for us, as believers, that God would give us strength, energy, health, obedience, and above all LOVE for our students!
"For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf." ~ 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
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