KL

police beat base/chick's about to drop dat beat

cambodia 2018

I went to Cambodia again! I have been wanting to return for some time now, but have not done so due to summer internships and what not. This year, Jesus remains faithful and I was able to afford two tickets - one for me and my sister. We stayed for a week in the center in Kampung Speu with the children. Most of those whom I've come to know during my time there are possibly graduating and going off. Other than the nasty insect/mosquito bites (honestly left me so paranoid, exhausted and super grateful for home) we had such a sweet time. We got to name all eight puppies, my favorite is Vanilla. Excuse the grunge, messy look, but the week was so sweet. So many of the kids remembered me and my heart was so full. So glad doors were opened this year.

The pictures below are some of those I found from 2014, and how they look today! What a sweet thing to be able to see them become the young man/woman they are today and to see how much they have grown.

___

Chiky

Pitset

Savadi and Srey Pich

Kakada

Check out my 2014 post and the album that has all the pictures of the kids four years ago.

beautiful feet

How lovely on the mountains 

Are the feet of him who brings good news, 

Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, 

Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Isaiah 52:7 (NASB)

So how was your trip?

Truth be told I do not know where to begin. Debriefing has taught me that how important journaling is to process everything. I learned that there are two outcomes, one personal, the other as a whole. Honestly, I have to be grateful for those two weeks. I wish I had more time there but it was definitely enough to have front row VIP seats to what God is doing on the earth. That He is not distant, watching from afar. But he is oh so near to us all - refugees or not. Almost one week has past and I am still trying to put off writing this because I know not how to describe my experience in mere words.

But wow those few weeks wrecked me inside out. I found myself walking on a deeper level with so much faith and confidence in God through community, prayer, worship, blessing on blessing, healing and oh so much kindness. Going into the trip not knowing half of the people in my team - and missing out on all the prep meetings made me feel SO unprepared. So unable to grasp what was about to unfold, hence I had close to zero expectations. But oh boy, whether you have impossibly high expectations or none, man does Jesus come and outshine those (non-existent) expectations away.

Coming into a new team, was something no one is recommended to do, but my amazing team welcomed me with open arms before we even headed to Germany. During our training in Amsterdam, they all prayed over me, and it was oh so sweet. I barely knew them and they were already speaking into my life. That was only the first day! Throughout the beginning of the training, wow, did my expectation level has began to rise. I remember distinctly, during our team meeting when we shared our expectations with everyone that there were a couple of my teammates (including Eric) who were wanting to see healing desperately. Although during this trip I did not witness a healing firsthand, Eric had so many stories of him praying over someone, or him being in a team and praying over someone.

Hearing about Eric's daily testimonies would be something I looked forward to during our team dinner. Faith doesn't get any cooler than this guys. He once told me that an intern (after a rather long conversation) asked a man, "Do you want to see something cool?" Laid hands on the man's head, and the headache was gone.

But of course if I were to share testimonies here I would not be sleeping. Rest assured I will save them for another rainy day. Let me just say this. There are some practical facts that I need to address, things of new insight to me. I will not consider this comprehensive in any way. But these are some of the few I actually remind myself to remember. 

1) Not anyone can enter Europe as a refugee. Proper documents are needed to even get off the boat into the first site (Greece). This is a real thing guys, we have heard stories of refugees being denied entry nine times. Yes friends, you read that right, even I don't have the hope these people have in trying nine times.
2) Refugees who enter Europe, and make it all the way to Germany are usually middle/higher class. I say usually, meaning most times, meaning it is not a general statement. But in all seriousness, documents cost money, the trip from their countries cost money, hiring someone to take them through all that cost money too. Although most of them have spent all their savings on trying to get to Europe, they are probably educated. So not underestimating them will be kind.
3) They have to live with language/culture barriers too. Yes, refugees from all over the world are put into the same site. So there you go, you think they all have it easy? Guards have told us of the countless fights they have within sites, tribal distinctions, religious differences, racism? They face it all too.
4) They are real. They are human. What do I need to do to emphasize this any more? Guys, they really are just like you and me. They have normal problems too, other than running away from their safety, they yearn to earn a living, a better life, to feel like they belong.

One day, when we were done visiting at a site, we were strolling downtown into the heart of the city with a dear friend. However, when we were about to approach the shops the town square, we asked him if he has been there, then he quietly said, 'No, the people here don't love us'. For some reasons I am not able to forget the look on his face when he said it. It breaks my heart to pieces to know that a community, can make someone feel like an out cast without verbalizing anything. They can feel it in the air. How crazy is that? And friends, who have every right to an opinion, I know the situation seems so bleak, with the influx of these people coming into European soil. I am not here to endorse them, or defend them or get into a discussion on whether those handling the situation are making the right calls. That needs to be put aside, for I am afraid that we have forgotten what it is like to be human.

We are in grave danger if we do not know that the only solution is love. A love that came and died for the painful life they have come to know. To see the hope and the smile of people who once dodged bullets, who saw loved ones die, who live with the constant fear that a loved one may be lost forever. Yet they chose to be kind, and to receive us, and our presence with open arms. If anything i've internalized at all during this trip is this - wow that God is real. The many encounters i've had with the women in the sites have been nothing short of miraculous. I have witnessed walls being broken, and just a whole new openness towards the message.

A little back story for the picture above. We were visiting a huge site (huge meaning we know there are many refugees living there) that is closed off an guarded by guards. We could interact with those who came out, and that obviously made things more complicated. Day after day, the interns would pray for the women to come out. They would have almost no interaction with women at times. This particular day, I got assigned to this site and when we turn around the corner we saw a whole group of ladies, kids and some men, but mainly ladies! It was a miracle in itself. Among the group, a teenage girl was the only one fluent in English. After getting to know her, Miki shared about Jesus with her. I got to witness this beautiful conversation unfold and by the end of it, she agreed to meet up again to read what Jesus really is about. Apparently the crowd was there because a local university invited a group of them over for an event. They were all waiting on instructions on how to get there. Shortly after the conversation, she was called by the other ladies to translate for the university personnel. So me, Allison and Miki sat on the curb randomly talking about pendants. I was asking Miki what her oyster pendant meant, and mid conversation this girl's sister (who was also trying hard to converse with us with her English earlier) came and sat beside us. I explained that we were talking about the oyster and the pearl, then I asked if she understood what I was saying. And she was like, 'Yeah! My sister's name means pearl!'...............divine. Just, simply Jesus. What are the odds?

But I want to brag on community before I end. Let me just say that I started out calling them teammates, but ended the trip finding a new family. They prayed over me, spoke life into me, called out my faith and showed me so much love and kindness. I had to take a final midway during the trip and everyone asked how the test went and days later, they asked if I got my grades back. I've made the bestest of friends with the unlikeliest of people. Living life with them for that bit has showed me how loved I am - even away from home. What a constant reminder of a Father who knows that my home is where the people is. And for Him to constantly place people to speak life over me. Wow.

So how was your trip?
I came into this trip expecting nothing, I came home feeling like I've received much, much more than I've given.

beautiful feet

How lovely on the mountains 

Are the feet of him who brings good news, 

Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, 

Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Isaiah 52:7 (NASB)

So how was your trip?

Truth be told I do not know where to begin. Debriefing has taught me that how important journaling is to process everything. I learned that there are two outcomes, one personal, the other as a whole. Honestly, I have to be grateful for those two weeks. I wish I had more time there but it was definitely enough to have front row VIP seats to what God is doing on the earth. That He is not distant, watching from afar. But he is oh so near to us all - refugees or not. Almost one week has past and I am still trying to put off writing this because I know not how to describe my experience in mere words.

But wow those few weeks wrecked me inside out. I found myself walking on a deeper level with so much faith and confidence in God through community, prayer, worship, blessing on blessing, healing and oh so much kindness. Going into the trip not knowing half of the people in my team - and missing out on all the prep meetings made me feel SO unprepared. So unable to grasp what was about to unfold, hence I had close to zero expectations. But oh boy, whether you have impossibly high expectations or none, man does Jesus come and outshine those (non-existent) expectations away.

Coming into a new team, was something no one is recommended to do, but my amazing team welcomed me with open arms before we even headed to Germany. During our training in Amsterdam, they all prayed over me, and it was oh so sweet. I barely knew them and they were already speaking into my life. That was only the first day! Throughout the beginning of the training, wow, did my expectation level has began to rise. I remember distinctly, during our team meeting when we shared our expectations with everyone that there were a couple of my teammates (including Eric) who were wanting to see healing desperately. Although during this trip I did not witness a healing firsthand, Eric had so many stories of him praying over someone, or him being in a team and praying over someone.

Hearing about Eric's daily testimonies would be something I looked forward to during our team dinner. Faith doesn't get any cooler than this guys. He once told me that an intern (after a rather long conversation) asked a man, "Do you want to see something cool?" Laid hands on the man's head, and the headache was gone.

But of course if I were to share testimonies here I would not be sleeping. Rest assured I will save them for another rainy day. Let me just say this. There are some practical facts that I need to address, things of new insight to me. I will not consider this comprehensive in any way. But these are some of the few I actually remind myself to remember. 

1) Not anyone can enter Europe as a refugee. Proper documents are needed to even get off the boat into the first site (Greece). This is a real thing guys, we have heard stories of refugees being denied entry nine times. Yes friends, you read that right, even I don't have the hope these people have in trying nine times.
2) Refugees who enter Europe, and make it all the way to Germany are usually middle/higher class. I say usually, meaning most times, meaning it is not a general statement. But in all seriousness, documents cost money, the trip from their countries cost money, hiring someone to take them through all that cost money too. Although most of them have spent all their savings on trying to get to Europe, they are probably educated. So not underestimating them will be kind.
3) They have to live with language/culture barriers too. Yes, refugees from all over the world are put into the same site. So there you go, you think they all have it easy? Guards have told us of the countless fights they have within sites, tribal distinctions, religious differences, racism? They face it all too.
4) They are real. They are human. What do I need to do to emphasize this any more? Guys, they really are just like you and me. They have normal problems too, other than running away from their safety, they yearn to earn a living, a better life, to feel like they belong.

One day, when we were done visiting at a site, we were strolling downtown into the heart of the city with a dear friend. However, when we were about to approach the shops the town square, we asked him if he has been there, then he quietly said, 'No, the people here don't love us'. For some reasons I am not able to forget the look on his face when he said it. It breaks my heart to pieces to know that a community, can make someone feel like an out cast without verbalizing anything. They can feel it in the air. How crazy is that? And friends, who have every right to an opinion, I know the situation seems so bleak, with the influx of these people coming into European soil. I am not here to endorse them, or defend them or get into a discussion on whether those handling the situation are making the right calls. That needs to be put aside, for I am afraid that we have forgotten what it is like to be human.

We are in grave danger if we do not know that the only solution is love. A love that came and died for the painful life they have come to know. To see the hope and the smile of people who once dodged bullets, who saw loved ones die, who live with the constant fear that a loved one may be lost forever. Yet they chose to be kind, and to receive us, and our presence with open arms. If anything i've internalized at all during this trip is this - wow that God is real. The many encounters i've had with the women in the sites have been nothing short of miraculous. I have witnessed walls being broken, and just a whole new openness towards the message.

A little back story for the picture above. We were visiting a huge site (huge meaning we know there are many refugees living there) that is closed off an guarded by guards. We could interact with those who came out, and that obviously made things more complicated. Day after day, the interns would pray for the women to come out. They would have almost no interaction with women at times. This particular day, I got assigned to this site and when we turn around the corner we saw a whole group of ladies, kids and some men, but mainly ladies! It was a miracle in itself. Among the group, a teenage girl was the only one fluent in English. After getting to know her, Miki shared about Jesus with her. I got to witness this beautiful conversation unfold and by the end of it, she agreed to meet up again to read what Jesus really is about. Apparently the crowd was there because a local university invited a group of them over for an event. They were all waiting on instructions on how to get there. Shortly after the conversation, she was called by the other ladies to translate for the university personnel. So me, Allison and Miki sat on the curb randomly talking about pendants. I was asking Miki what her oyster pendant meant, and mid conversation this girl's sister (who was also trying hard to converse with us with her English earlier) came and sat beside us. I explained that we were talking about the oyster and the pearl, then I asked if she understood what I was saying. And she was like, 'Yeah! My sister's name means pearl!'...............divine. Just, simply Jesus. What are the odds?

But I want to brag on community before I end. Let me just say that I started out calling them teammates, but ended the trip finding a new family. They prayed over me, spoke life into me, called out my faith and showed me so much love and kindness. I had to take a final midway during the trip and everyone asked how the test went and days later, they asked if I got my grades back. I've made the bestest of friends with the unlikeliest of people. Living life with them for that bit has showed me how loved I am - even away from home. What a constant reminder of a Father who knows that my home is where the people is. And for Him to constantly place people to speak life over me. Wow.

So how was your trip?
I came into this trip expecting nothing, I came home feeling like I've received much, much more than I've given.

Flying in America

No it is not my 2015 annual post. Not yet. In all honesty, I am always here because I somehow found free time to actually start ranting. So this one will be about customer service. Yeah, you got it right.

So, after high school, I landed a full-time job as a customer service officer at a nearby gym (it was "part time" technically). Honestly, this gave me so much insight about the business relation between a consumer and a businessman. Well, not that much, but enough to know that you treat the waiter with respect and the person on the counter? Well, being nice to these people goes a long way, I can't even begin to explain how. I think honestly, it just rubs on you and never wears off - you know, when you are put on hold, but you are patiently waiting because you understand that there is a reason you are waiting (not because the person is a jerk and decides to make you wait pointlessly), saying thank you and not being so pissed when you get a wrong order, understanding that if your food comes late there is a valid reason - basically just being patient as a whole. Yes, it takes effort - but being nice is vital. That was what I learned through my brief experience of having to deal with customers day in and day out. 

But here I am in this awkward position where I am the complainer. So let me backtrack a little bit and explain what was going on. In short, my $253 round trip flight ticket was deemed "no value" because I did not cancel it and basically just missed the flight traveling there. Hoping I could use it to travel back, I left it to the night before to check on my flight details (way to go!). Obviously, I was not able to check in. Looking through my emails and confirmation, I found an email in my spam folder from the travel agent that I had to inform the airline if I was not going to show up. This was less than 24 hours before taking off mind you. So obviously I called United. Waited on hold for 32 minutes and no one answered. Tried a different number for 20 mins, and I decided to wait till I got home/the next day to double check. Bearing in mind also, that the price ticket changes daily, I called later that night at around 1 am. They offered to waive changing fees $200 and the total amounted to $71.40. On top of my "no value" $253 AND my second flight ticket traveling here. Got pushed around obviously. The reps honestly said so many blunt and vague statements like 

"If it was an open ticket, you could still use it" (emphasizing on the OPEN TICKET part and not the IF),

"You have to call the travel agent to talk to the superior to waive the fees for you" (he meant PARTIAL fees not EVERYTHING) 

I had to call multiple times, and even once I got to speak to the supervisor - and I may have mentioned that I would not fly United ever again - and she just hung up on me. Welp she was obviously not concerned about the business whatsoever, she needs a raise if any United Airlines manager is reading this. Okay. Rewind. This may sound confusing, but the bottom line was that I was genuinely angry. Angry that I had to be put on hold for so long. Angry that no one could fix the problem for me. Angry that I was not aware of the situation. Angry that I had to put up with extra costs. Angry that they did not value me as a customer. Also, it was really late. 

Angst aside. Things worked out after 10374572 phone calls and 1047294794795826937 minutes of waiting. Honestly. their only saviour was the last customer service rep I called - who was genuinely helpful and very concerned. She helped me sort these up and I am already checked in for my flight. So United, all hope is lost, but my faith in UA has not reached the negatives yet. I am definitely not going to fly United again for sure, but it is not a total no-no I would say. Like if it was the last resort - I would actually buy a ticket.

But yes dear readers, sadly, I am discouraging anyone from flying with United. I never really like things like this - reading it or writing something so crappy about a company. But until United realizes that customer service is everything, I would say try American or Southwest. Too many people have recommended these airlines, but I was too fixed. Lesson learned? Make wise choices while traveling and always remember to take good advice. 

Thank you for your precious time. Thank you for reading my rants. 4.20 and I am checked in. I can't complain anymore.

**

On a side note, the brother stayed up till 3-ish just making sure I got everything sorted. AZ, you were expensive but you were so good to me. I cannot wait for summer already. Till then.

#737 Snippets

Top row:
(1) December last year - 2013. With the cousin. Annual Christmas Roadtrip KCH-BTG-BTU-MYY.
(2) With Kamera and Samid in Cambodia - March 2014
(3) Road trip No. 4 - Frasers with Dad's HF group

Second row:
(1) With Bing and Sean during my Kuching trip for > (2) Shell Award Ceremony: Miss Siti, Dad and Aunty Mag. Grateful for their support and their presence on the day itself.
(3) Road trip No. 2 - credits to Tiff

Last row:
(1) Varsity Camp with John - after quitting my job. (2)(3) Goofing around on the day we moved. Yep. Moving day.

So since I completed my foundation, I went on four road trips so far:
1. Sarawak
2. Malacca
3. Johor
4. Frasers
(5). Kuching - TWICE once for fun (joking) and again for an official ceremony, but it's not counted. Or is it?

The collage as you may have noticed, isn't chronically arranged. Nevertheless. These are just bits of pieces of what I've been up to. Of course there have been countless meet up sessions with school/work friends but sadly I don't have many pictures. But that's okay. I've been so caught up with SAT and university applications. So yeah.

85/ That's it for now!

Johore

Part 1: zoo

Sleeping beaut

Part 2: Desaru beach

Paradise? No edits for these two, not even colour. Cleanest beach since Redang.

Thats it for now. :)

Roadtrippin' 2014

This morning, after sending off my application Mom decided to take us somewhere(since it is the holidays). So I drove us all to a nearby state - Malacca. It was Samantha's first time seeing the sights. She has been there plenty of times; but only in hotels. Well, here are some of my favourite shots. Took more but I am just too tired. So this will suffice, I am sorry if you don't like the colour but I love the temperature in the edits. Heh.

Famous Malacca Cendol

Amsterdam in Malaysia?

Shot by the baby sister - haha I like it despite the exposure

Another of my fave shots - only changed the colour.

Thats it for now. My legs felt better. So healthy and okay with walking around for almost three hours. God is good. Today was a good day. :)

#620 Khmai New Year

The kids have gone back for the holidays - Khmai New year is just around the corner. I'm praying for everyone of them to have a blessed time and take care of themselves. Oh how I miss each and everyone of their beautiful faces. I will always be grateful for my family of 100, love them all.

To all the lovely Cambodians celebrating:
Happy Khmai New Year!

Kuoa, Sok Chit, Seha, Narun

Till today everything still reminds me of them. I see my phone and remember them 'fighting' over who sticks the screen protector nicer. I see my camera ( The eye focus rubber thing came loose, almost 3 year old camera ) and I remember Kim Meng refusing to fix it; but does it anyway. So excellently in face it looks close to perfect. I will always remember the time spent there.

De-briefing was over and I told Pastor I am willing to do it all over again - and I meant it.




God bless!

cambodia 2014

FGA Childcare Center, Kampung Speu

02 March 2014 - 30 March 2014

Hello everybody. In February, I decided to visit the Childcare Center for a month. I wouldn't call it a mission trip because I didn't exactly share the gospel to anyone. Honestly it wasn't what I planned. I wanted to go on Logos Hope and have the "experience of my life" like my brother. Haha. Turns out God works differently for everyone. But I hope my presence has impacted those around me. With that being said I will share the highlights of my trip (in this post or maybe the next few to come). What I find most interesting, what I miss, what I love about the place, and maybe even what I do not like? Stick with me, I hope you'll find this a good read. Here goes:

When we left home at 4 am I had so many doubts - honestly. I've heard great things about the center, but I have no idea if the kids would like me, I kept rethinking if a month was too long. Whether I'd be missing out on anything when I was gone. The list goes on. Anyways, excitement quickly overshadowed my doubts. After I found John, we met Yee Pei, we were on the same flight and we sat together. She was going to work with the IVHQ (International Volunteers Headquarters). Despite our sleepy faces God greeted us with a sunrise, shortly before arrival. Sadly I didn't get a good shot, but this will suffice.

Walking through immigration alone for the first time was surreal. The fact that my parents aren't around I mean. So different from local flights (To Kuching, Swinburne)  Walked through the outdoor-alongside-a-garden walk way out to the arrival lounge - so very different from air-conditioned marble floors. When we arrived outside we immediately saw Yeepei's organisation representative with the IVHQ sign so we hugged goodbye. She didn't get to drop by the FGA CCC cause I left too early. Shortly afterwards we saw Uncle Sunny. Immediately he started a conversation with us. When we got into the car he got to know John and where he's from etc. After exiting the airport, Uncle switched modes to a tour guide. Literally; ahahaha he introduced famous prisons, schools, factories. If at any point of his life he decides not to direct the FGA CCC he can totally pass for a Tourist Guide in Cambodia. But. Jokes aside, he really knows things and made the drive seem very short; he even informed us that the king just died. We had a really lively conversation going till we reached Kampung Speu, about 45 minutes drive. 

The kids have just finished service with Aunty Kim. She was sharing that day. They we just sitting around, probably uninformed of our arrival hence, blank stares followed us till we entered Uncle's house. I got a nice cosy bedroom with my own bathroom (I found out later their school's principle, Teacher Poh Chin stayed there for a year and they nicknamed it Poh Chin's room). My bags were locked so I borrowed Aunty Kim's slipper. We went for lunch soon enough and found out about the finals - the football league. 

After a short nap we both decided to go, but John overslept. So, I went into Uncle's car. It was my first day, truth be told I forgot their names the second after they told me. Nevertheless, my penpal and her twin Siang Eng and Siang Ee were there, so I stayed with them. First day of having so much dust in my feet. In my face. But its okay, I took some pretty nice shots. Went back, had dinner. Aunty went back to the youth house in Phnom Penh. Not sure if I joined their tuition that night but I slept well. That was day one.

I'll break it down into weeks to simplify things:

Week 1: We stayed at home (the center) to wrap the library books, do puzzles etc. On Wednesday Uncle brought us to the market - he was afraid we would die of boredom. Haha jokes. We also stopped by their school to see the principle. Went to school for two days: observed on those days. Weekends the kids helped us wrap. (After their chores of course). It was like a gotong-royong. When Uncle Sunny was not around Aunty Kim came. We spent the Sat night eating mangoes, talking and laughing under the tamarind tree. The boys had endless stories of ghostly encounters, farting stories and so many. Laughed till it hurt. Really. Honestly, working with John was not easy at first. I think he knows it too. Haha. But thankfully the Lord gave me a new grace, more patience and this made me grateful to be placed with him. I learned that it was His plan to understand others more instead of selfishly getting things done my way. For that I am grateful and thankful to have John around. And, yes before you judge: in the end we managed to agree and we got along. I'm kidding about the judging part, haha but for the curious ones, in case you are wondering.

Week 2: Went to school 4/5 days. My reason: bored and sick. Teacher made us go back to wrap books, and for John, to draw.. and so we did. Obviously John got to do something he did and I just became a professional book wrapper. Yeap, certified in fact. Haha! On the brighter note, we got coconuts to drink too! In the crazy hot weather it was like heaven especially chilled ones. Mmm.. Meanwhile, in the center we got most of the wrapping done. Taped the labels and numbers while typing the books into the system. Occasionally I got so tired I let the boys type it in. It is funny seeing them looking for alphabets on the keyboard, haha typing lessons 101. But they didn't mind, and neither did I so everyone was happy. Soon after that we made envelopes and when she was around Aunty helped cut the cards and write on it. That Saturday, after helping the girls sweep and pick up the rubbish, Uncle Sunny made pancakes for our breakfast! A rare occasion according to Aunty. Hahaha, I miss being in their home sometimes. Anyways, that weekend during service Uncle spoke about friends - choosing them wisely. By that time I remembered 3/4 of the kids name! Okay I still had to guess sometimes. But trust me it was not very easy. On Sunday I got to go to the village to see the Grade 9's class. Afterwards Mum Lee took us to her place. It was really nice. She had a very nice garden and two very adorable dogs. 

Week 3: By this week I was very close to the kids already. Specially the little ones and the girls in Lamb dorm. Spent naps with them, study sessions, night tuitions too without a doubt. At night we assisted them with whatever we could, but trust me - we always end up talking. Talking about Malay (In Khmai they call Malaysia: Malay), places they wish they could go, people they like, their families. About the happenings in school, center and etc. Wednesday and Sunday I got to see to villages where the Grade 9 and 10 teach. On Wednesday the tuk-tuk driver took us all to his house. His wife was almost going to give birth. :) That Friday I skipped school to go to Srey Touc's village. It was around 20 mins on motor. Her brother-in-law picked us up. I know it was a dangerous thing to do, get on a strangers motorbike in an unknown land, but I got back safe and sound hey! It was great to see the village life anyways. Despite the poverty of the families there I could see the contentment on their faces. With the little they have, they live, they play, and they love. That's what matters most. They just need Jesus. Someday.. someday. That weekend, we finished up the library work. Mostly I lazed around with the girls. Something big happened. Well not exactly but one of the girls had a panic attack - which led to a series of events, but that shall be a story for another day. I learned how to elevate drips, remove them and faced my fear of needles. Ugh kind of terrifying, really an experience. 

Week 4: Kim Meng wanted to go to the village with me since forever to get me a new phone case. They said mine is so aloi. One of the girls got me a screen protector for 2500 riels, and the boys helped me stick it on. On Monday I skipped school again to finish up the books. Realised that there were some left undone because the girls cleaned up and left some books hidden. So that Monday I got the work done, Sross was a sweetheart and sat down with me for 4 hours. Writing cards. That time, the mothers got into a huge disagreement but he stayed with me and talked as if nothing happened. Uncle Sunny came to make sure I got rest, water etc haha. Finally went for lunch when the kids came. The rest of the week was sad. Took a group picture after prayer meeting on Wednesday and joined their combined prayer meeting the next morning. On Thursday I made everyone take pictures with me. Friday everyone asked if I was really leaving the next day. Some of them thought I was just kidding haha. 

And so, if you're reading all the way till here, congratulations! Pray about going to see these wonderful kids okay. Yes it was a joke. But if, on any occasion, if you happen to be there, send them my love. 

More than a week has passed since I left. My heart hurts less but I've never stopped missing them as much. Pictures are up on Facebook here. I'll try to add more captions too tell more. :)

God bless.

News from not so far away

I am attempting to journal my Cambodia trip. So stay tuned.



God bless.

Here's a verse:
Deuteronomy 2:7 “For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.”




update: INCASE U MISSED IT, LINK IS HERE