The 5th day

191107
It rained.. like crazy this morning. We woke up at 530am. We worshipped and read the bible but still it continued. So we waited and sang. Cambodians simply love to sing. Shared my cereals with the folks and they found it weird but well. By 7am.. we decided to brave the rain, it was lighter of course and went through.. dirt trails. Muddy indeed. Traffic was thankfully not that bad. Reached school at 8. Took a long bath and settled to try to do some work.
Lunch was instant mee for me. Not too hungry and well.. didn’t really feel like eating. Rested a little… went online and saw my friends. Didn’t do much in the afternoon. Tired but can’t sleep… By 4 I was at the library ploughing through readings. I really need to finish this up. The Sarawak team was here to cut the students hair. Even Doris cut hers. The Dogs are also becoming a little bit friendly. Nothing much on the whole as I joined them for dinner, I managed to know some of them.
After dinner it was time for my lesson plan and I started to mug it down. Phew.. The most challenging is to spark interest and communicate but I think its possible lah. Overall it was good, or at least I hope. Tried to sleep by 11pm.. but sigh.. stupid mozzies. I covered all and now they bit my face and ears. The result. 1 hour of pure sleep at max. God keep me going... I'm really supposed to be enjoyng all this.. or maybe loving it.

1st 4 days...

Day 151107 2200hrs

And so here I am finally settled on the bed and wondering.. hmmm was it worth it? I crashed on the aeroplane , tiredness presumably. Really, I didn’t put much thought into this whole trip here. And so there it happens one more thing lost here… My Luggage.. my books, my clothes… Hmmm.. what’s going on? I shudder to think.
So my thoughts wander and I really imagine if this was going to be like that when I eventually arrive in a few years time? Who do I turn to? I’m not afraid, no no no.. as the song goes.. For the Lord, your God is with you.

So I will face a new day. Am heading off to the village, wow… really wonder what its going to be.. out of my comfort zone and into the fire. How do I teach? What do I say? Time to get moving Mel, you got a job to do.

Day 161107 1350hrs

Had a disturbed night. Was shaken and had to pray. Was woken up at 5 am by the prayer meeting going on just above me. Korean style prayer, that’s something I need to address according to Doris. Had bacon and bread made by Doris. It was good. After which was chapel where I met the students. Met Jessica the dean eventually and tried to fix the guitars. Hmmm, I’ve been tasked to teach the recorder, gosh really am in trouble. Lesson one, don’t say you know how to play. Die man. Looks like the afternoons might be the only free time for me.

Pastor Philip came at 945am and we went to Russian Market to buy my stuff. Well, had no choice but bought 1 pair of Levi jeans (Too tight), 1 espirit pants, 2 shirts, 1 polo top, and 1 addidas t-shirt and 2 boxers. Hmmm.. the colors were terrible, but well. They cost like 50 US. Wow. Not that cheap but well. Went to buy breakfast stuff afterwards at lucky. It was a 10 minute thing, so bought biscuits, cause they would last me to the end of the month.
Lunch was 1145pm, food was rather nice and I proceeded to the room to do somemore packing and get ready to go off.

2100hrs
Took a 3 on 1 bike ride with Prodh and Ming Thai to Satabo. Fun and I got to see the parts of Cambodia when we stopped. Hmmm, no need for bike license here, am tempted to just ride. It was 45 min ride. The church is really village style, the usual Cambodian messiness. Spent the afternoon with the kids and basically played a lot of guitar, teaching them new tricks. Then it was a simple dinner of cabbage soup and cabbage with rice. The children came at 6pm for lessons, there were 2 classes and I really enjoyed teaching them. Shared with the older group of the reason why I am here, and in the usual way of asking them who made things. Asked them to imagine about a world without color and got them to think about who could make them. Bath time was by the water pump, really rusty but no choice. We closed the day with worship at 930pm before sleeping by 10.

171107
We woke up at 6am. Was woken up many times by geckos and well, it was also tough sleeping on the wooden bed without a mattress in a house without windows. Breakfast was egg with rice. This morning we went to visit houses, was lost because of the communication barrier. Went with Ming Thai to the market to buy food for lunch. Before Lunch, I taught the factory girls some English. The books were not good because they were about Sydney. Why would anyone in Cambodia want to learn about Sydney. So we went to a discussion on food. The afternoon was spent resting a little because of the immense heat. By 3 pm, we took out the mats to wash. There were 10 in all. It was hard work because there were 4 sides and we had to squat to scrub. Took us about 2 hrs and by the time it was over, my hands were peeled. The kids came again for English lesson and I taught them some more greetings and new words. Seriously, I think the English curriculum is very bad, it was just a touch and go, where there was no understanding being communicated. I had to help Pastor Chamna to teach properly. Dinner was more vegetables and rice, with loads of MSG. The night was spent preparing for the next day’s service and we had some youths join us. Spent time reading the word and worshipping before sleeping. Hmmm, had some thoughts about the hermeneutics of the Cambodians, very interesting.

181107
Church this morning began at 830am. There were only 8 of us; Pastor Chamna shared with me on the state of the church last night. Struggled to stay awake. Shared on Romans 5 with them and the song, “Thank You for the cross”. Service was over by 10am. Didn’t join Pastor for counseling because it was quite a hindrance. He shared with me later that there church members were going through problems like divorce, land issues.
Lunch was early and I really didn’t feel like eating. It was more rice with fermented fish. Realised, I’ve been drinking unboiled rainwater, but God is good, a strong stomach he has given me. In the afternoon was Sunday school, but no kids came, rather it was the kids who were from the English class. Taught some more English and played game with them. I love kids, but struggle to communicate. Chatek was the game of the day. At about 4pm. I took a half hour ride through the village on a bicycle. It was rather interesting because there were so many things to see. Cambodia is really a beautiful place, yet it has been destroyed time and time again by wars and destruction of the land.
Had more fish, but this time it was fried. Had my bath and at about 7pm, there was a blackout. No choice, we had to sleep early. Tossed about in bed through the night, and there was a thunderstorm.

Brain Mcknight - Back At One

This song is dedicated to the one I'm gonna miss for the next 10 days. Really I love you....

Catch ups and break ups

Finished my exams... Finally... As usual I like to do my exams fast. Been doing that for far too long. Had a simple lunch with some MAPcs and my classmates, just chatting about stuff..Sharing with Mr Lang and really just thankful to be here.

Then headed down to Bugis to see if I could get my guitar. Hmmm, i want to get a classical one.. smaller one to carry . But well. Still undecided. And well eventually headed down to Starbucks to get some work done and meet the ladies and nick for tea. Interesting conversations. Of Course mich finally got off work and we walked down to Marina square before settling down to have dinner. Hmmm, had a few laughs at dinner, and coffee. Gosh everyone looks so different.. Esp, Sin Yee and Fiona. And so we all parted.

Hmmm What's tugging at my heart? Everyone.... Relationships are my strongest magnet and this one month is going to be long... long for me. A timeout from the things that are dear to me, My family, my friends and perhaps you? If leaving for one month is tough what about the next decade or so. My heart Lord, My heart..... Gonna miss.

Random shots

Hmmm... really? Caught this as I walked pass Capitol. Without life... music ceases to exist. As Jose says.. the art has become the message. Hmmm. Haven't updated much.. but hey I've been really busy.

Went down to Jumbo Restaurant to have dinner with my Family.. Dad's Birthday.. Food was good.. But some how.. only the crab satisfied me.

Of course it was Mr Wong's birthday too.

But mostly I've been busy typing papers. Its the old syndrome of writing but not typing. Really for me.. I'd like to consider the process as more important. But the changing of lives as the most important.

I'm going to fly off soon.. and I'm suddenly feeling a little emptiness.. Hmmm. Interesting how Roselind Preached on Luke 14:25 -33 today and JM on Colossians. I need to be loosening some relationships. To my friends.. You guys take care yah.. I'll try to be on MSN... We'll chat.. and you are in my prayers

Of Altar Calls, papers and friends.

Hmmm... I've been deliberating many papers.. because of the whole question of salvation. So I'm stuck wondering if I should use the practice of "altar call" this week. But once again I'm reminded to commit it to him.. for God is far sovereign over it. Whats up this Sunday? I really don't know. Its his spirit who will call, its the duty I must fulfil.

This week has been about friendships as well. Interestingly enough... I've made up with a friend.. A calvinist I must say. Let's just say grace was involved and the common understanding that we are in the same boat. A small one against the tide of huge luxury liners coming my way. Somehow we've sharpened each other.. to rely on the Lord and be faithful. I've been well listening to many heresies this week.. Actually I make it a point to listen. I don't condemn the preacher.. But I really feel my heart tugging for the people. Kenneth, I hope you know what I mean... I really struggle when the words of certain preachers can distract from the truth. I guess its also the week where I hit lows and experience highs in the receiving of Grace. I am not perfect.. I'm very much a sinner. I'm very much in need of Grace. Lord.

Also preached my first sermon on a Fantabulous book.. Its been exciting to prepare one but really need more time.. Energy and focus...

It was great to catch up with the latest not so small person too. Lord, Be her guide as she continues to trust in you. Becoming a little more pastoral these days. Must be laniaks book.

The outing on Thursday was good too. Some how I realised that I've been leading this group for well about 4 years already. Been through quite a bit. What's next?

You know a lot of people say I'm becoming to cheem. The truth is, I'm not. I just happen to see it a little clearer. That seems to be the way I appreciate the things around me. I'm going through a bit now. I mean its been such a change since the last month. Going to prison, meeting new people. Its like a new "Season". Many many firsts again. Lord I commit it to your hands, for you O Lord will lead me. You have foreordained my paths and you will guide me in your time.

The Crowd or the Cross

Christ my savior and my Lord... By his grace I will follow.

Christmas

The first sign of Christmas.... only about a month left.. and less than 12 days to go before Cambodia.. Sigh.. I better finish my work soon.. I really must. Haven't been up to much.. eating a bit.. running a bit.. facing some problems.. but lets just say friends are always good to have..