The Power of Prayer

This morning in class we watched a Transformations video on how 4 different communities around the globe have been transformed because of prayer. In each of the communities, as the people gathered to pray (including different denominations coming together to pray) things started to change for the good in their cities. I have noticed that we, Western Christians, have missed the message somewhere as not many people pray like they used to.  Rarely do people come out to prayer meeting or have their own weekly prayer meetings at home. On Sunday night, I went to visit a church and the guest speaker spoke about how his Muslim friends make the time to pray 5 times a day. I can say, that as a Christian I don't take the time to spend in prayer 5 times a day, yet we are called to pray without ceasing. How can we expect God to change us and use us when we are not willing to make the time for Him in our day. I think its time I learn to get on my knees and spend some quality time in prayer. Will you join me?

Date with a Sweet Old Man

A while ago a bunch of us were at Tim Hortons for a study break and we met this nice old guy. He was sitting by himself so we invited him to join us. We ended up having a great evening chatting with him. At the end of the night we decided to get his phone number so that we could take him out for coffee...

So that's what we did tonight. We met up with him again and spent an hour and a half talking about God, church,  family, the provinces, and so on. Selfishly, I rather enjoy our conversations. I think that there is so much that we can learn from people who have already lived through most of their life and experienced so much. The seniors who God has placed in my life have been like hidden gems to me, you may think nothing of them at first but then as you get to know them you realize how much you value their friendship. My grandmother, for instance, has been one of my biggest supporters and encourager's. I have gotten to know her, all because I called her once. My old neighbour became a special friend all because we shoveled his driveway once and took the time to say hi. I wouldn't trade my conversations with them for anything. I hope that one day when I am old, someone makes the time for me.

Raw and Real

This afternoon I was sitting in the library with a friend. We were both working on papers that we have to write and she was referencing from her Bible.  A passage really struck her so we started talking about it.  An hour later we were still talking about it, God, our failures and God’s grace. It was raw and real. This is what it is all about: spontaneously being vulnerable with each other, encouraging one another and praying for each other. Too often, we can get so focused on the task at hand and the busyness of life to actually make time for God and those around us. In the grand scheme of things, school/ work is only important in the here and now, but one's life has eternal importance. We need to make time for people. We need to make time for God.

Bed Bugs

So I think we have bed bugs in our room. Right now my roommate and I are kicked out of our room for the afternoon so that they can spray it. All our clothes, bedding, teddy bears etc., have all had to be laundered. I feel like I am living in the laundry room. Anyhow, this whole experience has brought two things to my attention:
1) I think I had bed bugs in Cambodia because my bites look the same as the random bites I used to have there... which is why I have just lived with it here too.
2) I realize that I have way too many clothes. I thought I was good and not so materialistic but my closet would tell otherwise. Once my clothes come out of storage I am going to do some serious re-evaluating.

So that is my life right now.
Yeah bed bugs!

By the way... the one I found crawling inside my mattress cover looked more like the the one at 8 o'clock in the picture.

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus...

This week, during the business of exams, my mind has been anywhere but where it should be. I had to share briefly at the inter-cultural program's special dinner about my experience last year. Reliving my experience brought back all the memories. With the memories came the question about where God is taking me and what comes next? It all feels so unknown. I have to try not to think about it, rather I need to just pray and ask God to lead me and then trust Him -- but that is easier said then done.

One song that has really spoken to me this week is "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus":

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, 
and to take him at his word; 
just to rest upon his promise, 
and to know, "Thus saith the Lord." 

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! 
How I've proved him o'er and o'er! 
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! 
O for grace to trust him more! 

I'm so glad I learned to trust thee, 
precious Jesus, Savior, friend; 
and I know that thou art with me, 
wilt be with me to the end. 

Father, I am coming home to You!

Tonight, while in downtown Vancouver, we decided to go for a walk through East Hastings. For those of you who don't know about East Hastings, its where all the shelters are, where the prostitutes and drug addicts are. Its the opposite of the white picket fence neighborhood.  We ended up going to into a service at one of the missions. As I sat and listened I became overwhelmed with just how much God loves everyone who was there -- from the tough guy with the tattoos to the guy with his hands lifted up to heaven. One of the songs that they sang said "Father, I am coming home to You" and it nearly broke my heart. That's what its all about. That's what home is. Its for all of us.

Cambodian Food

So today a bunch of us drove to Vancouver because I wanted to try a Cambodian restaurant that I discovered online. I was really excited about it until we got there. The sign was in Chinese script and it said they served Cambodian and Vietnamese food (but there was no Khmer or Vietnamese on the sign). The menu was the same, except it added Vietnamese, and all the waiters and waitresses looked Vietnamese. I was so disappointed because I wanted to speak Khmer to someone. :( Anyhow, the food was good but it wasn't Cambodian (except for the loc lac beef and amok).

(Sarah, Steve, Kristena & I)

The best part about the meal was that they had ice coffee with sweet milk. HELLO! It was strong but delicious.