To Be Continued...

Stories of ridiculous adventure and interesting encounters coming soon. This journey has already taken me from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh to Siem Reap to Battambang. At Battambang I left Megan (friend, co-worker and travelling partner) and Cambodia and headed for Thailand by bus. I crossed the border lugging a year's worth of luggage in the mud from Cambodia to Thailand. Right now I'm in Bangkok, Thailand, 10 hours away from boarding a plane to Hong Kong...

Trust

Peace that comes from trust. Isn't it strange how God like to take what we say and then see if we mean it? Hmm.. looks like God wants me to practice that. The day before I left Sihanoukville to go traveling, I found out that I was cleaned out of my travel money. USD300. And my Singapore money, and my Canadian money, and my Malaysian money. About SGD 60, CAD 70 and RM 6. Altogether over USD400. Gone. My first reaction was shock, and then anger and frustration. Darn you, man, who climbed in through the window and emptied my pockets! Darn me, who forgot to close the window!

But then I realized (with the help of my wise roommate, Megan) that it's just money. Do I really trust God? So I set off to Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore with $75 in my wallet and trusting that God will provide. 

p.s. don't worry, I still have a bank account with emergency money.

Endings

It's been an emotional roller coaster these couple weeks. Lots of goodbyes, lots of last meals, last photographs, and other things you might want to have a last of. Every so often I have to take a breath, lest I get overwhelmed with nostalgia and thoughts of the future all at once. Yet, there is also a peace deep within. I'm not going to lie. Some days this peace is buried deep, deep, deeep inside. It is clouded by thoughts, tiredness, impatience, uncertainty... But, it's there.

A peace that comes from gratitude. Wow, I get to spend an amazing year in this georgeous country, meet such loving people and hear some mind-blowing stories of immense tragedies and yet immense miracles. I do not deserve any of it, but I get it all. Thank You, God!

A peace that comes from assurance. Assurance that God has crazy/beautiful things still in store. What a year this has been. So unexpected, so challenging, so educational. Nothing I had planned but everything I desired. God did it all. He never failed. He never fails. He will never fail. Now, I know what Ira Forest Stanphil meant when she wrote the lines in the hymn:  

Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand. But I know Who holds tomorrow and I know Who holds my hand. 

A peace that comes from trust. Like I said, I have no idea what tomorrow brings. I want to go home but, to be honest, it scares me so much. People have changed, things have changed, I have changed. By the time I get back, it would have been 365 days. I don't know who I go back to or what. I know God has a crazy plan for my life but I don't know what. There is so much I just don't know. But I trust. It is so hard, so humbling. But I trust Him.

Weird Warm Fuzzies

So school is over and most of the teachers have left the country... But, my flight doesn't leave for home until September 14. 

So I've got about a month of traveling, visitng people and whatnots. I should be grateful. Which I am. I am very very blessed and grateful for the year that has past and for the upcoming adventures... But, I think I'm ready to go home.

I know this because I called my bank, C.I.B.C., to get my swift code so I can transfer money into my account. A nice-sounding young chap answered on the other side of the line with a matter-of-factly: "Good morning! How can I help you?" He then proceeded to help me out very politely. He sounded personable and familiar. And quite Canadian. And I got the warm fuzzies. You know you miss home when you get the warm fuzzies talking to the bank guy from home for 2 minutes.

(I'm not shouting it from the top of the roof but I think this Singaporean girl might be getting some Canadian in her. )

Love Letter

This is a great poem written by a great friend, Des. It also reflects my own journey with God this past year searching for love, affection and acceptance in a foreign country, in hard places, only to end up back at the feet of Jesus, time and again.

Love Letter No. 7 

by Desmond Watts

I’m just sitting here

thinking of the lessons I’ve learned this year

I figured like a good brother I should share

As I think about this year

I think of the many times I slipped

caused others to trip

or felt as if I was losing my grip

only to watch You catch me with those everlasting arms

As I think about this year

I think of times I fell victim of fears

I remember the time I had to cry those tears

only to see your provision power more clear

and those dark nights, you showed Your love is near

A Love that I shall always hold dear

As I think about this year

I remember that You had to die so that we would have right relationship

yet some many times I forget who’s in control of the ship

out of fear

I try to take the wheel and steer

and ultimately fail

Only when I let your spirit direct my sails

did I see myself prevail

As I think about this year

I see the many opportunities I've fumbled

the million times I've stumbled

I stand here a man humbled

by a better recognition

of my heart’s horrendous condition

and as I place the cross at the center of my vision

I see that You are what my heart desires

and far too often I listen to liars

who no matter how hard they try

they never truly satisfy

As I think about this year

I rest myself in your hands

hoping to live out your greatest command

to love You with every part of me

living in total awe of your majesty

then letting others see

and letting them feel

a love that can never be concealed

Before You I will forever kneel

saying Jesus take the Wheel

I am a living sacrifice at your altar

Trusting You to catch me when I falter

may I honour You with things I do and words I say

I pray

that I will continue to fall madly in love with You each day

Every year with Your love is just better and better

I pray You are blessed by this love letter

Signed Desmond Watts, Your son forever

Art Show Pictures