Life's a Journey....

Good Morning my Friends,
I pray often that life is good for you and that God is keeping you and your families in His care.
Life is a constant journey isn't it? We never stop growing. Which is of course what keeps life interesting, I suppose. Even when it's boring or routine. If you know what I mean?

I am very well. I am growing daily, as there are a lot emotional battles that being away from home, and living in a foreign country, brings daily. But God is faithful and helps me grow through them. I am healing and becoming stronger. Although I love what I am doing here in Cambodia, I have to work at keeping my spirit woman strong, because it does get lonely. And if you haven't got an excess of money (or mates for company), you are very limited in what you can do in your time off as well.
Each morning the devil tries to bring me down with thoughts like...What are you doing here? Are you really helping? No body loves you. You have no family at home...You'll be lonelier when you go to Kampong Cham (Heartland Int. rural area - I go in July for 2 months), etc etc. Then I have to pray for God to strengthen me, and remind myself that I am here for a season, and a reason. And that only God knows all the where's and why's and how's, so I just have to trust him. He won't bring me here and let me go. He has a plan and that plan is GOOD.
So I planned a couple of little things to do on my days off. After practising my guitar in the morning, (I am having guitar lessons, and also have a guitar teaching DVD that I have been watching on an old borrowed laptop), I had a nice lunch out and then visited the Royal Palace. (I've been here 5 months already, and no haven't done that yet). I loved that cause I got to have a little jam session with some of the national musicians playing their traditional instruments. I just wandered upon them, and the older gentleman invited me to play along. He gave me a beat and then just left me to join it. It was great, I loved it. I didn't do too bad either!!

I also had an afternoon guitar lesson with my young khmer teacher, TR. That always lifts my spirits, as I enjoy music so much. TR is a christian from New Life Fellowship. He also gives our girls lessons, each Saturday, which I sit in on. Then I help the girls with their practise and timing etc. I have learned to sing and play a Khmer praise song. So the girls and I might perform it for Hilary when she comes back in June. Some of the girls will play guitar, and some will dance to it.

Julie and I went to a teaching night at the International Christian Fellowship Church that evening (yes I fitted a lot in this day - when you are on a roll???). They had a guest speaker, and the topic was ""Living Well with Stress"". The speakers are long time missionaries, and have a lot of experience. Have you heard of Jocelyn & Stephen Head? Stephen is a lovely man with a real pastors heart. He talked about all the stresses of living in a foriegn country, and doing missionary work etc. How to recognise your optimum efficiency level, without going into burn out. (He has suffered burn out and depression) How to manage it all, bring balance to your life etc. It was really good. Julie (the project supervisor) and I want to keep getting fed while we are here, and New Life Church doesn't really do that for us.
There are a couple more teaching nights that sound good, and we plan to go to. "Living well with Grief and Transition", "Where is God in your crisis?"'Personality clash?" Jocelyn will give her personal testimony during one of these sessions. They are here for about a month and are running a few workshops/training sessions at ICF Church. I'm looking forward to the rest of the sessions.
I have also booked a City Architectural Cyclo Tour, for the 10th of May. Thats a three hour tour on a cyclo (a traditional pedal pushed cart in the front of a bike, that you sit in and a khmer man will pedal you around), around Phnom Penh city centre. It covers places of architectural interest, and they give a lot of history of Cambodia also. Which is something I am very interested in. Look out for that blog.
So I have some things to look forward to. And I am looking at an evening river cruise and bike ride one Thursday evening, in the next couple of weeks. We need to plan some things that get us out of the house (where I live and work most of the time), and bring a bit of ""normality"" to our lives - whatever that is...Ha HA HA. It's all about balance...see I did learn something at the teaching night!!!!
But all is GOOD. The house is going well. All the girls are going really well with their studies, and personal growth. Also adjusting to living all together in our "different"environment. We give out Merit/Encouragement Awards once a month to encourage them. We presented three yesterday. The house mums nominate the girls that deserve recognition and praise for doing that little extra. Whether it be in studies, attitude, helping around the house or otherwise.
I have nominated one of my students, for an award next month, for her application to her studies.

She is 15 years old, and although she has had no schooling to speak of, and her learning capacity is challenged, she puts every effort in to learning what you are trying to teach her. She has come along really well in her English, and from what I can see, she has really grown personally. She used to pride herself in being the loudest, and seek attention this way. She has settled down and applies herself better to to the opportunities that are offered to her.
Most of the girls have regular contact with their families, and home visits once a month. It's a learning curve for everyone concerned, including the National and European staff. But we are getting there.
Much love to you my friends. And thank you for your generosity and faithfulness (you know who you are). May God continue to bless you and your family heaps.
Lots of Love , Lane.