Did 11 September 2001 change your life?

Well, did it? There are probably many ways that the events of that day ten years ago changed all of our lives. Security on air travel is much tighter than it used to be, just for one. But what about you personally? Did you lose someone special on that day? Where you traumatised by all the video footage? Or did you, like me, experience some compassion for those directly affected, but not really think about it more than that?

Actually, as I listened to the sermon this morning, I realised that the events of that day indirectly changed the whole direction of my life. 10 years ago today, I was busy working for Queensland Health as a data manager for the BreastScreen Queensland program. I had done some management studies, but really wasn't sure where I was going past what I was doing at the time. I'd thought maybe I'd like to move into management, but maybe not. I definitely had no idea that in less than six years I would have moved to Cambodia and started a new career. God used the events of September 11 for His good. He changed the direction of my life. He led me back to my childhood dream of what I always wanted to be, a primary school teacher, in His time.

About a month after that not to be forgotten day, during an announcement in church about a need for people to do childcare at a missionary conference in Thailand, I strongly felt God say to me, "You can do this, Karen". Now up until then I felt that short term mission trips cost a lot of money, and didn't necessarily serve a great purpose. God changed me. He challenged me to go on that trip, and so I did. He provided the means and the leave that I needed, and made sure I was accepted to be a part of the team, despite the misgivings of some. While I was in Thailand at the conference, I sensed God's call to longer term service as a teacher. The initial vision changed, but God's leading has been clear along each step of the way. In January 2007, I came to Cambodia for 6 months. I'm still here! I've changed schools, but that was His plan too. Right now, I firmly believe I am exactly where God wants me, doing exactly what he wants me to do!

So what did 11 September have to do with it? Well, my recollection is that one of the major reasons why the team from STBC was needed, was because people in the USA were understandably reluctant to travel after the events of that day. So, while it was a tragic event, and many of the events that have followed are tragic, God has used it for good. He used those events to help me get where He wanted me. What an awesome God we have! Thank you Lord.

Reconnecting

Way back in January/February 2003, and again in 2004, I had the privilege of working with a team from Calvary Church in Pennsylvania doing childcare at a PITAR retreat in Thailand. I made some great friends during those two trips, some of whom I'm still in touch with. A couple of years ago, my principal said he would be bringing a visitor to my classroom after school. I was delighted to reconnect with Jody Williams, who was in Cambodia with her husband Brian, looking at ministry opportunities. A couple of months ago, Jody and Brian arrived in Phnom Penh to begin language study. Today, I finally had a chance to catch up with Jody over brunch. Jody, having been a preschool director, and with many years of teaching Early Childhood, was particularly interested in finding out what I have discovered about education here in Cambodia. I'm far from expert on the subject, but I do know that while things are slowly improving, there's still a long way to go. It was great to be able to share with her some of the good things that I know are happening, at East-West International School, where I am now, and at Logos & Asian Hope International Schools. It's always exciting to know that experienced educators are in Cambodia, and willing to share their experience with the Cambodian people. For me, it was a reminder of the friends God has given me across the world, many of whom have a heart to share Jesus love with children, and with other people as well. I pray that God will lead Jody and Brian into the perfect ministry for their skills and experience. It's great having them here!

Week One

It's hard to believe the first week of school has already come and gone, but it's true. It was a good week. This year I have 21 students, 8 girls and 13 boys. All of the students in my class were at the school last year (although not all in my class), so I already know their names, which is really helpful. With that many boys, it is definitely a lively class, and will keep me on my toes, but they are great kids.

The first week has gone really well. The children were excited to be back at school, and there were quite a few cheers when those children in my class found out that I would be their teacher (always an encouraging sign). We've started getting some routines in place, our behaviour management system is operating well, homework has been started, and we've started our learning some of the things on the fourth grade curriculum. Sometime soon I'll take some photos of the new classroom and post them here, and I'll start writing again about individual lessons and some of the things that are happening. For now, it's great to be able to say the new year has begun well, and I'm looking forward to the coming weeks and months with the children.

Jesus Loves the Little Children

I recently wrote about adoption, and the blessing that can be to both children and parents. In the past ten days I have been made aware of one of the really hard parts of parenting. Two small children, one 14 months old, and the other 18 months old went home to be with Jesus. One family I know personally, although I have not seem them since their loss, as I have been out of the country in which we both live, but my heart is grieving with them in the loss of their youngest child. The other family I do not know personally, but have followed in the on-line community watching their delight in the achievements of their little one, who was initially not expected to live for many weeks, but who lived for 14 months and brought much joy to their lives (as well as struggles and heart ache).

I cannot begin to imagine the grief of losing a child. It is hard enough to lose a parent, whom you know loved the Lord, and who had lived for almost 70 years. You kind of expect that your parents will die before you do, although you hope they will live long, happy, healthy lives. To lose a child, either before they are born or afterwards must be even more difficult.

Will you pray for these families, and others like them around the world, who have lost precious little ones. Pray for God to comfort them. Pray for the other children in those families, that they will be able to express the loss that they are experiencing. Pray for those who are around them, to know the right words to say or not say. God gives us children for a season, to love and cherish and raise for Him. Sometimes we know they are only on a short loan to us, other times they are snatched away unexpectedly. We know He is sovereign and in control, and that He uses all things for God, but life can be painful at times. These families don't just need our prayers now, they need them for many years to come.

And pray for the children in your life. Pray for those children that are not yet born as well. Pray for God's protection and guidance, and pray that they will know Him. Jesus loves the little children.

What I've been reading today

Earlier today I returned a book to the library here at the guesthouse, and just happened to see a book which I'd never read, and the title of which caught my eye. The book tells the story of two Cambodian girls who were officially adopted by American parents. The story tells how these parents, who were empty nesters, were invited to consider adopting first one, and then another Cambodian girl. They share how God led through the whole process, and the love they have as a family is wonderful. Even after they discovered that the birth mother of one of their "daughters" was still alive, but had relinquished all rights to her child, they still gave the girls opportunity to know their Cambodian families as well as being part of an American family. God's grace is shown again and again through this story. As the girls, at different times, revealed how they had been abused over the years, and as their adoptive parents showed Christ's unconditional love to them, this story was a reminder of how much He loves each one of us, and each and every child in the world, and wants the best for every one of them.

Reading this story did however highlight again for me some of the issues surrounding some Cambodian orphanages. Many of the children placed in these orphanages are not true orphans, in that they still have at least one surviving parent, but who does not feel able to provide adequately for their children. Not having been a parent myself, I can only imagine what it costs them emotionally to do this. The orphanages mentioned in this story had very primitive living conditions for the children, with limited food, and medical care, although obviously better than the situations many of the children had come from.

God tells us to care for the widows and orphans in this world. There are no "buts" to His command. My queston is how can we best do this with the limited resources we have available. Are orphanages the answer? I believe that more and more other options are becoming available to provide adequate care for children while keeping them within their families. Over the years, I have longed to be a mother, and yet I've sensed that God said no. Biologically, it's highly unlikely that I will ever give birth to a child of my own. I've considered adoption, especially living in a country with so many orphanages and so much need, but I know that parenting is not an easy task. I believe God's plan for children to have two parents is a wise one, so He would need to make it very clear before I could move any further in that direction as a single. Be assured, I'm not saying it is wrong to adopt children, and even for singles to adopt, but I am saying God hasn't directed me to move this way at this time, and so I leave this topic. I'm happy for these girls. Their story is a precious and happy one, and I know there are many more happy adoption stories. It's just not for me right now.

What are holidays for?

So what do you think holidays are for? I guess it depends what type of holidays we're talking about. If you're talking about those wonderful Cambodian public holidays that appear on the calendar more or less regularly through the school year, well I'd say they are for sanity preservation! They give me a chance to get marking/planning under control and also to have a little "me" time without feeling guilty. Longer holidays are awesome for that too, but often I need a project to do in the longer breaks so I don't get bored or spend all my day playing Scrabble on Facebook.

Back in April we had a week off school for the Khmer New Year holiday season. It was a really timely break, to recharge batteries for the final 10 weeks of school, as well as time to get a few jobs done - like passport renewal etc. Something I also did during that time was help a friend who was editing a special issue of Japan Harvest. God's timing is always perfect, and in this case the time when she needed a hand was the time when I had time of school. Amazing. Today I finally got to see the complete finished product when I found the package of magazines at the post office.

Today has been a great holiday day! First I went out to visit my old school, and pay an outstanding debt, which it felt really good to be able to do. It was fun seeing the staff and even some of the students out there, especially seeing two of my past teaching assistants. Next it was off to lunch with a friend who lives on that side of town. It's been quite a while since we caught up, so it was great to see her and catch up what's happening in her world. Then I managed to do two banking jobs and some grocery shopping, and finally I decided to call in at the Post Office on the way home, and there, sitting on the counter, was the package with my name on it! Hooray! Now to enjoy reading it and sharing it with others. I hope that as others see how God is working in Japan, they will be encouraged in their own lives, and also encouraged to keep praying for the people of Japan. We don't hear as much about the disaster now, but it's still an ongoing nightmare for many people.

I love holidays! I love the extra time they give me, for writing and for building relationships with people, as well as the time for quiet recharging of my batteries ready for the new school year to begin at the end of August. Hooray for holidays.

God leads ...

One of the things that I do here in Phnom Penh is lead worship at the ICF once a month at the 4pm service. Originally I was just the pianist, but about 2 years ago I was asked to lead services occasionally, and it seemed that God has given me a gift in this area. I was hesitant, but willing, and over time God has shown me again and again, that if I am open to Him, He will guide me in exactly the right direction.

This weekend I was leading and playing, but I got distracted during the week, so it was Thursday evening before I started putting the service together. All I knew was that our guest preacher was preaching on Psalm 23. I prayed, and asked God to guide me, and proceeded to select a number of songs and arrange the service. I e-mailed if off, and then continued with other things. Yesterday I actually did some piano practice (well on the keyboard, but better than nothing), then this morning I finished off the planning.

One of the songs I had chosen is an older song by Geoff Bullock, titled "Have Faith in God". I'm not sure why now, but I googled his name, and discovered that he had rewritten some of the lyrics to this song. The new lyrics are even better than the old ones. You can find them here. What I like so much about them is that the focus is now even more on the God that we have faith in, and His mercy and grace. As I sat listening to the sermon, it struck me how perfectly this song went with the message. I couldn't have done that. Only God can do things like that. I'm so glad He is in control, especially when it comes to planning and leading worship. I may not be the world's greatest musician (trust me, I am far from it), but I'm willing to serve God with the abilities and training He has given me, and I continue to see His blessing as I trust Him to lead.

If God wants you to do something, then trust Him and do it, because He will supply all you need to do whatever He asks of you.