Psalm 37

Lately I have been wondering how much more I can handle in terms of the junk that happens in this world. My heart breaks every time I hear about someone getting raped or another child trafficked or molested, etc. I get angry and I wonder why God lets it happen.

Anyways, today I was reading Psalm 37:1-20 and it really spoke to me:

 ¹ Do not fret because of evil men 
       or be envious of those who do wrong;
 ² for like the grass they will soon wither,
       like green plants they will soon die away.
 ³ Trust in the LORD and do good;
       dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
 ⁴ Delight yourself in the LORD
       and he will give you the desires of your heart.
 ⁵ Commit your way to the LORD;
       trust in him and he will do this:
 ⁶ He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
       the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
 ⁷ Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
       do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
       when they carry out their wicked schemes.
 ⁸ Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
       do not fret—it leads only to evil.
 ⁹ For evil men will be cut off,
       but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
 ¹⁰ A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
       though you look for them, they will not be found.
 ¹¹ But the meek will inherit the land
       and enjoy great peace.
 ¹² The wicked plot against the righteous
       and gnash their teeth at them;
 ¹³ but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
       for he knows their day is coming.
 ¹⁴ The wicked draw the sword
       and bend the bow
       to bring down the poor and needy,
       to slay those whose ways are upright.
 ¹⁵ But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
       and their bows will be broken.
 ¹⁶ Better the little that the righteous have
       than the wealth of many wicked;
 ¹⁷ for the power of the wicked will be broken,
       but the LORD upholds the righteous.
 ¹⁸ The days of the blameless are known to the LORD,
       and their inheritance will endure forever.
 ¹⁹ In times of disaster they will not wither;
       in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
 ²⁰ But the wicked will perish:
       The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields,
       they will vanish—vanish like smoke.

Isn't this an awesome reminder that God is more powerful than Satan and evil will be defeated!

3 Things In the Past 24 Hours Worth Mentioning

1. My Broken Heart

So last night on facebook I saw this link of a newscast on the sex trade in Cambodia. It's just so real and heartbreaking. (Note, the places shown were two of the places I was supposed to help, but that didn't work out.) I think I have a more difficult time dealing with the sex trafficking stuff now that I am at home then I did there. I think I may be experiencing a slight burn out. It breaks my heart and makes me scream "why God?" Tonight someone asked for prayer for a family friend who had been raped and all I could do was fall to my knees and moan. Somehow, I have to choose to entrust those girls to God and trust that somehow He will reign over the situation. If you haven't watched the video yet, watch it. And, please remember the girl who was raped and her family in prayer as well as those mentioned in the video and the countless others.

Cambodia Children Sold Into Slavery - ABC News

2. Awesome Opportunity to Feast on Other's Brains

So today there was a special PAOC deliberation at the school where a bunch of big wigs gathered to discuss a redefining of the term 'pentecostal.' At first I went only because my professor cancelled our class to give us the opportunity to sit in the back and listen. But it was so interesting that I stayed for the whole thing. They discussed how the identity of Pentecostals has vs: hasn't become obsolete, and if there is a need to define Pentecostal and how it should be defined. Anyways, it was very intellectually stimulating and it was an honor to get to participate. 

3. The Blessing of a Church Family

This evening I attended the weekly Bible study at my church for the first time. It felt so good to attend and be a part of the intimate gathering of the church. It was so insightful and you get to know the people way better. We also ended with an awesome time of prayer that brought back old childhood memories of listening in on the church prayer meetings my parents attended. Then a couple came in off the street asking for food so my friend offered to take them to McDonalds. Many people from the meeting started putting money in her hand to pay for it. Then the pastor decided to show up at McDonalds to join us after he locked up the church. It was a really good demonstration of leading through example. It just reminded me of how good it feels to be connected to a church. 

The Ugly Truth

I realize that I haven't exactly written from my heart much lately. 2010 has been a difficult year for me so far. At the beginning of January I prayed asking God to open up old wounds that have not healed properly and bring complete healing. I was actually praying this for the whole student body...but God seemed to have answered this prayer in my own life.

Since returning to school in January I was told that I potentially have celiac disease. Celiac disease is a severe allergy to wheat and gluten. One of the symptoms of this disease is depression. Basically, the more you eat the food you are allergic to, the more you destroy your small intestine so that it is unable to absorb any nutrients. So now I have to watch what I eat and work on self control. As long as I stick to the rules I feel great... but it is really hard to stick to the rules when everyone around you is enjoying cookies, muffins, delicious bread and so on.

To add the physical battle, the door for me to return to Cambodia with PAOC has closed. I know God has a reason for this and I am praying to see what He wants for me. Nonetheless, this closed door has ripped open a wound in my heart and brought out a lot of nastiness that I wish was not in me. I am trying to learn to just TRUST GOD. When living at Wakil (where I lived during university) we used to always say "trust and wait." Well that is a lesson that I have to learn again and again and again.

Well that is the ugly truth about what has been going on with me this year. Thank you for all your prayers!
Love, Beca

Olympic Fever

Friday night I went down to Vancouver with some people from the school to celebrate the Olympics. 

It was awesome!

We drove to Surrey (which is just outside of Vancouver) to ride the Sky-train downtown. Right beside the station, at Holland park, there were some Olympic festivities which we decided to check out. Mainly we ate some sweet Vietnamese food in a tent packed with people watching the hockey game on the big screen. As soon as Canada scored a goal the tent would turn into this big awesome frenzy.

(Adina and I at Holland Park standing in the rain.)

Then we rode the train downtown and went to see the Olympic torch. 

We then walked to Robson Square for the fire and light show. 

Here is a little clip of the mania.