WHY?!

This week a team from Vangaurd Bible College in Alberta has been here helping out. Last night I took two of the team members to the Saturday kids service that my children from the orphanage attend. For Easter, they decided to show The Passion movie (they showed it early because Easter time is around Khmai New Year which is a big holiday here). During the scene where they were whipping Jesus, before they hung him on the cross, I held the girl sitting on my lap tightly and tears started dripping from my face. I was lost in thought wondering WHY?! Why did Jesus have to go through that? Why does He love us so much? I saw myself as the one with the whip and realized that each time I am disobedient I am inflicted more pain on the One I love. As I was lost in thought, one of my little boys came up behind me, wrapped his arms around me and wiped the tears from my eyes. Wow!

I was thinking that if I were in Jesus' place, I don't know if I could do it. I don't know if I could withstand all that He did. I don't know if I even love anyone enough to go through all that for them. I wish I could say that I would -- that I would go through torment and die for those I love-- but in honesty, I don't know if I could do it. But, Jesus did it for us! He died on the cross for us so that our sins can be forgiven and that we can have a relationship with Him. He went through it all because He loves us that much! Isn't it amazing that someone could love us that much?! He didn't have to die for us. He was innocent and could have proved it. Instead, He knew that He needed to make the ultimate sacrifice. I am so grateful that He did.

The point of all of this is to say that JESUS LOVES YOU! HE LOVES YOU SO MUCH THAT HE DIED FOR YOU AND HE WANTS YOU TO LOVE HIM BACK. Usually I try not to be too preachy on my blog, because I know that many of you who read this are not Christians; but, today I just really need to tell you this. Deciding to follow Jesus is the best thing that I have ever done, and I want you to experience it to. Please feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Beca

Starbucks!

So we are getting a fake Starbucks in Cambodia. I am so excited. I can't wait to go try it out and see if it tastes anything like the real thing.

Hong Kong

Following my family's time here in Cambodia, we all headed to Hong Kong for a few days. The first few days we spent touring around together and we met up with my friend Roz who is teaching English there. She showed us around the city and we had a fabulous time.

Hong Kong reminded me so much of Toronto with it's tall buildings, a subway, crosswalks, and all the modern conveniences of home (except its a little better).

Then I spent a day and 2 nights with Roz at her place. It was so nice and refreshing to spend time with her and we were able to spend time praying together like old times. Friends are such a wonderful blessing from God! (Thanks Roz!)

My time in Hong Kong was so refreshing and just what I needed, however, it was hard to say goodbye to my family and Roz again. Now I am home again and it feels good to be back.

Pictures

Here is a picture of the floating village that I mentioned in my last post. We also went to see a silk farm, aspara dancing show (the cultural dance), and hit the beach.This morning we are heading off to Hong Kong. They are supposed to have a layover there but they decided to take a couple days to see it and I get to come too. I am excited because it means that I get to visit my former housemate, Roz, who is teaching there. Yeah!

What do you think?

Right now we are living in an economic crisis and it is easy to think that we have nothing. Yesterday, I went on a boat tour with my family to a floating village. It is a village where people live in a dire state of poverty. It is such a wonderful reminder of how much we have. When you feel like you have nothing I just want to encourage you to start praising God for what you do have. I know so many people say this... but it is so true. If you live in a house that keeps the rain out then you have more than most. If you have enough food in your stomach and some food in your fridge you have more than most. During the hard times, I just want to encourage everyone to have a grateful heart, because God has blessed us with sooooo much. (I will post pictures of our trip later this week).

A friend of mine just posted a fabulous post on his blog that I highly recommend reading. http://jonjuane.blogspot.com/2009/03/is-this-what-good-news-has-become.html

Many blessings!

Photos

Yesterday my family and I packed into a tuktuk for an hour long ride to place of rescue -- an orphanage and HIV hospice run by a wonderful Canadian lady. We had a great time meeting many people and praying with the children, grannies, and one family with HIV.

Today I put everyone to work at my orphanage. Mom and Aunt Susie took the younger kids and were very creative in creating a program of songs and games on the spot. Dad, Uncle Dave and Ty helped me by each taking a small group of older kids and making them practice their English.

Today was Aunt Susie's birthday so we all went out to one of the big hotels for a special dinner.

Family & Street Ministry

Chum reap suer! (Formal hello)


On Saturday morning, my family arrived here in Cambodia. It was wonderful to see my dad mom, aunt uncle, and cousin.


Last night they came with me to street ministry. They were wonderful with the children. When we arrived there was a wedding in the street and so all our street people were kicked off of their street. When street ministry was over, we helped a family carry all their belongings to a near by wat so that they could sleep on the street there. It was heartbreaking as uncle Dave pulled a cart full of all the family's belongings and we walked with them. Imagine everything you ever owned fit on one small cart that you could pull and you had no home. You just lugged a baby on your hip and your kids wandered around you as you pulled your cart place to place looking for a place on the street to sleep.

Loved with an everlasting love!

Today I want to share with you what God has been speaking to me. I have found myself in a battle lately. Like Paul, in Romans 7:15-20, I find myself in a loosing battle with my own desires. I end up doing the things that I know I should not do, and I don't do the things that I really badly want to do and know I should do. But despite how many times I screw up, I am reminded that God loves me with an everlasting love -- a love that will never end. Romans 8:37-39 says:

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Today in church, a man from Finland spoke on Isaiah 43 and part of it really stood out to me today. Verses 1-3 say:

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; YOU ARE MINE. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour..."

Wow, isn't it amazing how much God loves us and how much he cares about it. It's it encouraging to know that we are HIS. He paid for our sins for us by dying on the cross. He loves us more than it is humanly possible to love another person. I am constantly amazed that God would love me even though I keep hurting Him by doing things that I know do not please Him.

If you are fighting the battle like me today, do not give up. Keep fighting to serve God. Psalm 46:1 says that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Use His strength. Persevere. In Jesus' name we can win this battle.

Thank you to all of you who are praying for me! Please don't stop!