Cambodia Re-visited

I can still remember when I was telling everyone I would be going with OMF to Singapore.  I made it a purpose to also say this was a role I can travel to Asia and to Cambodia as well.  From Singapore to Cambodia, it was a mere 2.5 hr plane ride.

Though I said I longed to go back to Cambodia, I was uncertain.  Last year I was uncertain-ed because the last time I was there I had a bad case of food poisoning.  Since then, I had a lot of conversation in my head whether I could go there and serve.  If I do go, would I be able to survive?

This idea, in a way, was a contradiction of my desire to serve the poor.  Especially knowing fully that to serve the poor is to work among them.  In many cases, it is dirty and filthy conditions.

How would it pan out?  What would it look like?

Since I am now serving with  OMF in Singapore, one of the cleanest city in Asia, I could put this debate for a while.  Let's not think about it.  Let's wait until I settle down in Singapore.

It wasn't long before my fiancee and I discussed about serving the poor. After all, this is the reason why we got together....I asked her, "I think it will be great if we do ministry together."  It was for the love of the poor that attracted us together.

When she proposed to go on a mission trip sometime this year before our wedding, I hesitated.  Would there be enough time?  What about cost?  What about my role in Singapore?

Through divine appointment, the Lord put a missionary couple visiting our church.  They served in Cambodia and just shared their experience.  Then a number of elders and church leaders approached us.

They also served in stopping child sex trafficking.

And so the debate that I subsided slowly resurfaced.   It would take a miracle for me to go to Cambodia.

Not because I am afraid.  Because  OMF medical adviser cautioned with liver transplant I shouldn't go to Cambodia while I am in Singapore.  That was the condition I could come to Asia to work for them.  After asking OMF for permission, to my surprise, they approved.

And so in the past four days, my  fiancee traveled to a country I visited a year and a half ago I figured I would never return.

The last time I was at Cambodia, I was shocked. Traffics were everywhere.  I can't describe in words.  You have to be there in person to witness.  Cambodia is Cambodia.  Strangely this time, I felt very normal to be in a busy city.

Perhaps, in a good way, my bad experience in Cambodia, that memory faded away.  On the plane to Cambodia, I had no hesitation.

As finacee and I stayed there for four days, we were more blessed than bless others.  The most incredible is the 6 am morning prayer time with the students at the Bible school.  The hunger for the Lord was incredible.  In a way, it blessed me (and shame me) that these new believers have a huge desire to seek Him.  We pray with them and shared them our stories.  We pray along the KTVs where the prostitution takes place.  We visited a safe home where abused kids where taken care. We visited Daughters of Cambodia.  We witnessed a kid hit in the head by a moving truck while crossing the road (and how to love these neighbors as ourselves).  And through this trip, no STOMACH ISSUE EVER.  Praise the Lord. ((Will blog more as I digest the experience))

As we boarded the plane back to Singapore, I couldn't help to give thanks.  The Lord directs and opens doors.

As I often do, I thought about the church back in Canada. I thought about those events or conferences where the speaker will ask the audience to participate.  Maybe it is a money offering.  And of course, to be respectful and to be polite the speaker will say something along the line to give whatever the Lord is prompting you to give.  And people will put in 5, 10, 20 dollars in the collection plate.  Then I thought about the missionaries and those who gave up their life to come to Cambodia to prevent child sex trafficking.   They didn't just give a bit of their lives. They give their whole lives for this cause. They believe this cause is worth giving their life to.

And how this kind of giving is exactly what Jesus expects His followers to do.

I am thankful to have a  fiancee, and soon to be my wife, to travel with me on this journey.  This journey is not merely a physical one.  We both realized that we need to prepare ourselves more in prayers and in the Spirit.  This is a spiritual warfare and it is not merely skills, money and talent will get the job done.  We are dealing with dark spiritual stronghold.  The Lord is on our side.  But we ourselves have to prepare.  It is like someone training for a triathlon. No one ever go to a race without training.  Because the moment the race comes, just like when trials come, we need to be strong and show no compromise.

We both came back encouraged.  The Lord brought us together to serve in ministry.   Side by side.  Supporting and encouraging each other.  Our minds are now open to see what the Lord will do.  There are so many potentials and possibilities.

I always had trouble explaining how's Cambodia is like and the ministries there are.  But I am glad she has the heart to go and willing to come.  I felt that this trip brought us both closer to each other and to what the Lord has called us to do. :O)))

Encouragement

Sometime encouragement comes in the unlikely places.

This is from Jason. A friend who followed my blog for a few years.

He was coming through Singapore a few months ago on his way to Cambodia.  We had a chance to stop by for a coffee.

This is the email he wrote after he went home (Australia) from Cambodia.

As I mentioned, been meaning to send this photo through to you for a while, for memory's sake! Hope all things are well with you in Singapore. I'm still busily reading your blog, although have retired from mine just for a while, I anticipate being back in action in the next few months. 

Cambodia was an amazing trip - my team (of 13 people) ended up going into Kampong Cham and staying at an orphanage run by a Christian organisation. We hung out with the kids, went into local schools and went around visiting the locals at their houses and sharing the Gospel. In total our team would have seen about 50 salvations and numerous people healed of various ailments, praise God! 

There were plenty of tears shed when we left the village - mostly leaving the kids as we built such a tight bond over the week we spent there. 

My mate and I have booked flights back to Sg for the end of the year, in anticipation of going on another trip, God willing. Pray for me, as I haven't had my leave from work approved for it yet .. am believing for a miracle! 

Also I read that things seem to be going well with your lady friend ... good to see! Overall life in Singapore is treating you well? I do miss the food ... and it must be a bit cooler over there than it is here at the moment - we are experiencing our eighth heat wave for the summer.

Whirlwind

Everyday I get up, it feels like a to do list.

That's how I was feeling for the past three weeks.  Everyday, there's something to do.  A list of things needed to be done.  Emails. Follow-ups. Plan. Make decisions.

I haven't posted as much in the past few weeks.   I went to Cambodia on a Vision Quest with Ratanak from Jan 22nd till Feb 4th.  I also visited Singapore and Hong Kong for a week before I came back.

Afterwards, it was busy.  I had my course, Missions in a Global Context, to catch up.  Books to read.  Topics to research.  Papers to write.

Between getting use to back in Canada, God gave me a wonderful surprise.

Before going to Cambodia, I met up with a missionary from Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF).  He heard of my stories and my interest in missions.  When I came back, he offered me an IT role in OMF Headquarters in Singapore. It is a two year role helping their IT infrastructure.  I took a look at the role description and it is exactly what I am doing at my work.

---

It's almost divine.

Divine because I prayed to God to send me overseas for 2-3 year.  I am single. I am mobile.  I can go.

Divine because Singapore is close to Cambodia.  Though a part of me want to go back to Cambodia to help, I don't know if my health can handle it.  I had a liver transplant and if I have any complications, who knows how I can get help.  Singapore, on the other hand, is clean in that aspect.  I still ask God if this plan makes sense.  Use Singapore for a base to go to Cambodia. It's only two hour flight.  I have no idea what I can do in Cambodia.  The need there is much more than here.  At least in Canada if I need to find a church, I can walk down the street.

Divine also because of someone I met in Singapore.  My friend said...'OMF had many offices in around the world.  US, Canada and Taiwain....and God sent you to Singapore'

Divine because this is exactly what I am doing at my current job.  Translate business requirement to technical requirement.  Train users to use the system.

---

And so the past few weeks were busy filling out forms, checking them twice, ask my family doc, ask my dentist, ask my friends for reference.

Among the ministries I am engage in.  Organizing a summer retreat for my congregation.  Lead University Fellowship.  Help out at Bible Quiz.....I am full.

Of all the things I miss, I missed those quiet times when I could get up early on Sat morning, grabbed my bike and go for a ride.  The quiet times I spent on the road and it was just me and Him.

Today I had a realization that if God is opening all the doors, I would be gone in two months.  That's fast.  I laugh (like Sarah) because I don't think that's possible.

My friend, studying MBA in a prestigious University, found out I am going to OMF and the role is a faith based role (aka I don't get paid.  God provides the funding)...in which he asked, "Cliff, what about retirement?  What are you going to do about that?"

I thought for a sec.  Trying to say it in a gentle way over Gmail chat.  Who am I following God or money?  If God calls me to go, I go.  I bang home with Matthew 6:30-32.  What am I seeking?  Retirement or His Kingdom? I also joke with him that he's only 30 and he's too young to worry about retirement.   Side note: I don't disagree with retirement.  It is just in the light of the world, when the world makes less than 2 dollars a day, and what Jesus commands of the rich...retirement seems a minor factor when it comes to His Kingdom.

He told me I am crazy (I don't disagree).  At the same time we both agreed that if we read the Bible, this just make sense.

I can say I am scared.  I joke that this is what happens when you pray too much.  He answers.  In the beginning of Luke, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, could not believe that the Lord would give him and Elizabeth a child because they were old.   The irony is that they pray for it.  Now the Lord answers and he was afraid and could not believe it....

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

Luke 1:18

I am still wondering why I am so scared.  Probably because He does answer.  Going to Cambodia.  My blood pressure.  My health.  This role.  God moves so fast I can barely keep up.  In a year, everything changes.

The guilty side is that a part of me don't want to change. I am comfortable here. I am comfortable in Mississauga.  In my job.  In my things.  I don't want to give it up.  Then I remind myself, these things are only temporary comfort.  They are minor when it comes to the Glory Of God.  And I remembered...vaguely of those times when I experience His Grace.  Everything else does pales in comparison to that.  Why would I want to go back?  There's no joy there. It might feel comfortable but no joy.

So here I wait.....a while ago I made a post on four doors in March 15th.

These are the four doors God have to open if I will be gone to Singapore....

• home
• field
• medical
• support

If you are the praying type, please pray for me.  Following Christ is definitely an adventure of a life time.  I wouldn't want it any other way.  Someday, I wanted to look back to this day and I can say to myself that I took one small leap of faith for Him.  I still think I am a  mouse of faith :O)

Thanks!

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

   “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34

When God calls and grows..Gospel shared with the Cambodians

I am working on my paper for my Mission course and I stumbled upon this video.

This is taken from Tahas Bible Institute, a school in Cambodia to train up Christian leaders and pastors.

Below is a video of how it got all started.

I found this video very encouraging.  Through a set of 'unforeseeable' circumstances, God used a methodist church in Hamilton to reach out to Cambodians.  When they pray, God provides.  Simply awesome!

A Cambodia moment

When we visited Reaksa up in Siem Reap (close to Angkor Wats)...

The pictures were taken at a Library/Church.

I find a book about myself in the library :)

The book is Clifford's First Valentine's Day.

Keep Sleeping

 35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 

 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 

 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Mark 4:35-41

I read this passage from my church's annual report on Sunday.

A lot of times when our own storm comes against our boat, we get scared.  A friend recently told me how I am so positive among all the 'trials' in my life.  I don't think I am positive. I worry a lot. I laugh and replied that I am positive because I am not bright enough to be scared.

Before I went to Cambodia, my blood work was going crazy.  I have blood work taken every three months to measure my liver functions.  My numbers were so high they had to redo the blood results a few times.  The norm of the numbers should be in their 20s.  Mine was 200+.

Another friend told me to have faith and not be afraid.   And so we prayed and the numbers were back to the normal right before I went to Cambodia.

I took another blood work last Fri and the numbers were normal except one.  Then I remembered this story in the Bible.  The disciples were worried because of the storm rocking the boat.  Jesus was sleeping and they had to wake him up.

So here's my storm....and I am going to sleep.  Keep sleeping, which should be no problem because I am very good at that ;o)

The clinic told me to take another blood work end of next week ;O)

Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?

The Lord is my shepherd; 

I have all that I need. 

Psalm 23:1

Prayerful heart

It has been a while since I prayed like I did last night.

It is one of those moments where I felt referesh after praying.

Perhaps it is because of the busy-ness of going back to my routine back, I hadn't spend as much quiet time.

The quiet times are those I enjoy.  Especially when I am training.  Out on the road.  Even in the cold, the wind and in the snow.

Though my body is here, my mind and heart is in the other side of the world.  The faces.  The joy.  The heat.  Not sure what to say or how to describe it. 

A friend asked me earlier the week to name one thing I learnt from this trip.  No clue. I just mumble something. I am slow to process.  In my heart, I wanted to say I learnt everything.

I need to pray more and seek....

...pictures taken at an orphanage in Cambodia.

Seek His Kingdom - unspoken prayer answered

Last night, I received an email from a staff at Hagar International.  She's from Canada as well.

The first time I corresponded with her was last year in September. That's six months ago.  I was inquiring a visit to Hagar facility in Cambodia.

I also emailed Place of Rescue to see if I can visit them.

The plan to visit Hagar International sorta fell through.

By the end of November, I received an email from Lisa at Ratanak International that there is a Vision Quest to Cambodia.  During the Vision Quest, we visited a number of NGOs, including Hagar International.  I also had a chance to visit  Place of Rescue.

Looking back, it's funny how the Lord provided and opened the door for me.

Six months.  Half a year ago.  I asked the Lord to send me over to the other side of the world to seek His Kingdom.  He answered.  And my world is turned upside down (literally).

Thinking about it, looking back, I am still in awe from the events that unfolded in the past few weeks when I was in Cambodia, Singapore and Hong Kong......He indeed provides.

;o)

Hagar Aftercare for Girls

I watched this video this morning.

And to think three weeks ago, I was in the same facility. I walked in the playground.  Played with the same kids.  Went through the classroom...



The organization is called Hagar International.

It's not that bad

Yesterday, I went back to class.  I am taking a course on World Mission at McMaster Divinity College.

The teacher was a missionary in Nairobi for a number of years.  He shared with me the following...

95% who went on a short term mission and did nothing afterwards.
95% of long term missionaries went on a short term mission!

I shared with him about my struggle with my stomach while I was in Cambodia.  I also said that now thinking about it it ain't that bad.

In which he replied, 'yeah.  It's not that bad.'

He mentioned about missionaries getting use to the food and the culture.  I am still recovering from jet lagged and I was so tired during the class.  Despite that, it was the most wonderful time as we discussed different culture and different world views affected how to share the gospel.  I shared about Cambodia and some of their world views (at least to the extent that I can understand and observe) and how it related to poverty and child trafficking.

It was a great class indeed.

This was posted on Facebook by a friend.  The picture was taken at Cambodia...
Here's the comments describing this picture:  "What can I eat?"
My response: "Congee again!!"
"I wonder where's the washroom is?"
"Have I brought enough tissue paper?"

And really, looking back in Cambodia...it's really not that bad! =D

Unusual

Thoughts from my trip in Asia...

After going to Cambodia, I spent a few days at Singapore.  While I was there, I had the privilige of meeting with Scott Hurd, the CIO of OMF (Overseas Missionary Fellowship).  During lunch, I shared the experience I had at Cambodia.  I made a comment that I never realized how important it was to have running water and electricity.  At that point, Scott told me that majority of the world do not have running water and electricity. How unusual for us to have such luxury.

Coming back from, different thoughts and images ebb in and out.  What Scott said stood out particular in my mind.  Indeed the life I live in Canada, where I can get fresh water from the tap and have electricity at my finger tips, is unusual.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:35-40

Repost: Words on Short Term Mission

This is by far one of the best posts I've read regarding short term mission.

In short, short term mission is not a tourist trip.  It is a key leading to long term mission.  Though it might seen there is big expectation, I think it is important for us to wrap our head about missions and the implications of every Christians.

http://joeydelapaz.blogspot.com/2011/02/some-words-on-short-term-missions.html

Going into Cambodia, I can feel myself being difficult in their culture. I have to learn (and relearn) how to listen and how to learn.  I need to be a follower.

They should not criticize the local culture--their language, food and the way they do things. 

They should not assume that they know more than the people on the field just because the have more education and training. 

They should not criticize the local culture--their language, food and the way they do things.

...short-term missionaries need to realize that God may be calling them to long-term missionary service.  While more and more people are going on short-term missionary trips, fewer and fewer individuals seem to be accepting the call to enter into career missionary work. 

I highlight the last point because speaking with one of the pastors in Cambodia, he said going to Cambodia for two-three weeks are not a kiss of fun.  If you want to make long lasting impact, you need to live with the people.  For years.  Two weeks, for what it's worth (and it can be very useful) is not enough. Even Jesus spent three years on earth doing ministries. People need to see you live with them in order to be accepted.

One of the things I enjoyed in Cambodia are the people.  They are very friendly.

And I also miss fish amok (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amok_trey)

A Cambodia Reflection: In Search of a Vision

On Jan 20th till Feb 2nd, I was on a 12 day Vision Quest with Ratanak.  The purpose of the trip was to visit Cambodia, visit Ratanak's partnering Non Government Organizations (NGOs) and develop a personal plan to help prevent child sex slavery and other poverty issues.

Prior going to Cambodia, I sat down with one of my professors at MacMaster Divinity College, Dr Lee Beach.  Over a cup of coffee, he asked me if this was the first time going to a third world country? Yes.  He told me I would have a very vivid experience.

Before I left Canada, I post the following prayer letters to my friends...


Hi everyone,


I will be travelling to Cambodia the end of this week with Ratanak on a vision trip.  We will spend ten days visiting different ministries from Ratanak and other Christian Organizations (Hagar International etc.) I will also spend an additional two days at Place of Rescue (www.placeofrescue.com).


I am sitting here with my suitcases half pack. We are bringing some medications and vitamins over.  By God's Grace and your support, we have plenty.  


I am not sure where to begin.  Perhaps, one question I ask myself is why go? Why Cambodia?


In applying for this vision trip, I put down that the gospel is much needed in Cambodia.  The country has gone through so much. People do not know their right hand from their left.  There's the poverty issue.  And if you heard anything about Ratanak, there is also the issue on child sex slavery.


I don't think I am doing much.  I don't have the skills. I have no resources.  I am only there for 14 days.  We are only observers. 


We should remember that the battle is not against this world.  It is a spiritual war where our Lord and Savior is leading and He is in charge.  It is not my fight.  It is His fight.  


And so, I go and seek.  I shared with a friend that I want to seek His Kingdom as hard as I can. 


And so, I go with a heavy heart, open eyes and a hopeful heart.  For there is something we can preach and rejoice from Luke 4:18-21:


18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, 
   because he has anointed me 
   to proclaim good news to the poor. 
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners 
   and recovery of sight for the blind, 
to set the oppressed free, 
   19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”


 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”


===


Jesus said it has been fulfilled.  Though what we see might be full of darkness, we know that His Words are true and eternal.  Jesus has fulfilled them!


And with this hope I go in.  
We can go into the darkness and fight the good fight.  
B/c He will bind the evil one down.  
He will give freedom to the prisoners of poverty.  
He will heal those who are hurt.  
He will free the slaves from the brothels.  


And YES, we can all proclaim the year of the Lord's favor!!!


With all these in mind, if you can spend some time each day while I am gone to pray for the following items, I will really appreciate it. I will be there on Jan 22 and will stay until Feb 4th.


First thing first, please pray for me to wear the armor of God at all times. We know how satan loves to tempt and taunt.  As a guy, lustful tempation is huge.  May I be strong in seeking His Kingdom that I will not trade His majestic Glory for the sins of the flesh.


Pray for the Cambodian people.  Pray for those who do not know Christ.  Pray for the children that they will be free.  Pray for the brothel owners that the Lord will open their eyes and their heart to see the wickedness in their business. Pray for the customers that they will have the consciousness of the Lord that there is much shame in their actions. 


Pray for our fellow Christian brothers and sisters in Cambodia laboring day in and day out.  Pray that they will be strong as satan roams around like a lion among their midst.  May their actions are filled with grace.


Lastly, pray for God to blow my mind.  That He will speak with such a strong voice that I will be encouraged to seek His Kingdom ever more....


"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."


Matthew 13:44

---

Before flying to Cambodia, I had a thought of spending two three years as a short term working there.  After all, how hard can it be?  I spent the past year giving up on tri and trying to live as simple as possible...easy huh?  I can do it.

By the third day in the Vision Trip, I got hit with a bad stomach flu.  I spent more time in the washroom. It became almost a routine everyday after breakfast.  My stomach will turn and I know I had to go and try get rid of all that it is inside my intestine before we go out. While everyone was having meals at good restaurants, I resorted to staying in the hotel eating congee.  

So how are you going to be out there doing the work of the Lord if your stomach can't even take care of itself?

he (satan) taunted...

What are you going to do?  Don't you want to go back? You want to huh?  You want to help but you long to go back home?  So much comfort. At least you will have clean food and you won't be stuck in the toilet all the time?  How are you going to seek His Kingdom?  You can't do it.  You might as well forget about this and go back home.  Go back to your comfortable life.  There is nothing you can do here.  How can you stop the child sex slavery?  There is too much poverty around here.  Too big of a problem.  Your effort won't make a difference.  So go.  Go back to Canada.  Go back home.

he (satan) taunted...

I remembered sitting in the toilet making a decision that I am going to continue to Praise the Lord regardless of what happened to my stomach.  There were times I really wanted to go home.  Go back to my house.  Go back to my normality. I thought I was low maintenance and tough. I thought I could do it.  I wasn`t and I ain`t.

Through the whole trip in Cambodia, and to Singapore and Hong Kong, Isaiah 58:1-12 kept popping in my mind.


1 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. 
   Raise your voice like a trumpet. 
Declare to my people their rebellion 
   and to the descendants of Jacob their sins. 
2 For day after day they seek me out; 
   they seem eager to know my ways, 
as if they were a nation that does what is right 
   and has not forsaken the commands of its God. 
They ask me for just decisions 
   and seem eager for God to come near them. 
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, 
   ‘and you have not seen it? 
Why have we humbled ourselves, 
   and you have not noticed?’
   “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please 
   and exploit all your workers. 
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, 
   and in striking each other with wicked fists. 
You cannot fast as you do today 
   and expect your voice to be heard on high. 
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, 
   only a day for people to humble themselves? 
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed 
   and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? 
Is that what you call a fast, 
   a day acceptable to the LORD?


 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: 
to loose the chains of injustice 
   and untie the cords of the yoke, 
to set the oppressed free 
   and break every yoke? 
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry 
   and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— 
when you see the naked, to clothe them, 
   and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, 
   and your healing will quickly appear; 
then your righteousness[a] will go before you, 
   and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. 
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; 
   you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.


   “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, 
   with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry 
   and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, 
then your light will rise in the darkness, 
   and your night will become like the noonday. 
11 The LORD will guide you always; 
   he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land 
   and will strengthen your frame. 
You will be like a well-watered garden, 
   like a spring whose waters never fail. 
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins 
   and will raise up the age-old foundations; 
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, 
   Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.


I remembered a sister shared with me how she went to a conference about sex slave trafficking and Cambodia, a speaker at the end of the conference asked them to open their eyes, hold their hands up, stared at them and pray.  Pray to use these hands, however they can be used, whatever they can be used, to use them.

I looked at my hands.  I thought about Matthew 25 (to serve the least of them). I thought about Luke 4:17-19 (to free the oppress and proclaim the year to the Lord`s favor).  I studied them. I know the Scriptures.

It is definitely a different picture when I walked in the places where light shines immensely in the cloud of darkness.  We visited organizations with people dedicated to do whatever it takes and as long as it takes to restore broken lives (Hagar International).  We visited orphanages and places where brokenness are restored (Daughters of Cambodia, Bloom, New Song Center etc).  We visited a prison ministry where prisoners were given food, basic needs and a second chance.

This is almost like the Lord is saying...

I am working here.  This is my work and I am restoring this nation.  

What can I say.  As a Christian, it is an obligation and a privilege to get involve. I will be honest. I am weak.  There`s a huge part of me that just don`t want to deal with it.  Since I am back in Canada, it is so far away. I don`t have to read it nor do I have to care about it.  I can simply flip my channel somewhere or do something else.  Yet Isaiah 58 reminded me.  Like a tiny whisper. It speaks of those who worship God by doing the rituals (in today`s words, it will be going to church, going to prayer meeting, going to fellowship) in verse 5:

5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, 

   only a day for people to humble themselves? 

Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed 

   and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? 

Is that what you call a fast, 

   a day acceptable to the LORD?

Isaiah, in response to Israel in the times of the prophets, responded what was dim appropriate for the Lord in verse 6 onwards:

6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: 

to loose the chains of injustice 

   and untie the cords of the yoke, 

to set the oppressed free 

   and break every yoke? 

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry 

   and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— 

when you see the naked, to clothe them, 

   and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 

To take care of the hungry, to take care of the needy. Isaiah repeats this in verse 10 as well:

and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry 

   and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, 

In NIV version, it uses the word, spend.  Sometimes, we think that we only need to pray and that will be that.  No, in this passage, the Lord is telling Israel, through Isaiah, that they should get involve.  Aka, they need to give money, to spend to help someone out. Mere praying and fasting is not the kind of fasting the Lord wants.  

And this continued to remind me.  It reminded me that this is the obligation of one who follow the Lord.  One who goes and sees the need. One has an obligation to show love to his neigbour in a real and tangible ways.

At the same time, this ain`t a hard rule.  I do not think God is giving us a task like a chore.  No.  God is in all of this.  This is His work and we also have the privilege to be a part of it. It is an honor to spend on behalf of the hungry and give clothing to the naked.   This is not a punishment from God because we follow Him. No.  There is an honor in doing what He is doing.  How should we be joyful to be able to partake in this journey with the Living God.

Lastly, in verse 8, God promises to Israel that if they change their ways and fast the way He wants, the Glory of the Lord will be their rear guard. For some reason, I found this verse particular reassuring.  That the Glory, His Glory, will be behind me.  I will be protected by His Glory.  His Glory will not leave me behind. His Glory will not fail me.  His Glory will be there right behind me.

Sure, satan can taunt and discourage me.  And now back in Canada, I pray.  I pray lots and seek more.   Because this ain`t a task that I can do with my own strength.  Haha, the times in the washroom proofed to me that I am too weak by myself for such task.  His Glory, however, is more than enough to do what`s needed.  

And if we follow Him.  Into the darkness.  Some of us will be called repairer of broken walls and restorer of streets with dwellings (verse 12).

AMEN!

Strangely Familiar

After three weeks of travelling across Asia: Cambodia, Singapore and Hong Kong...
Three weeks of meeting new faces, old friends and families...
Three weeks of visiting from the wealthiest cities to the poverty stricken nation...
Three weeks with nothing but a backpack...(where customs kept asking me where's my luggages)....

I am back home.
It is a strange and familiar sight.

This morning I woke up to this...

For the past 23 days on the other side of the world, I was in 25+ *C weather.  The last few days at Hong Kong were 15 *C low.    

I went downstairs and made me a simple breakfast...

There's a lot to process. A lot to think about.  A lot to reflect. And the list to dos is mounting as well.

I spent today at home doing nothing.   Stop and be silence.

In a whirlwind of three weeks, there's so much to say yet I can't put anything in words.

How can I describe what I gone through...the places I seen, the people I met.  Where darkness and hope intertwine.  Where my own doubts and desire all mix in one.  Where what I read, what I learnt, how I felt all mingle in twenty three days of frenzy and travelling.

Coming back, there's familiar activities I will enjoy doing again...blogging, doing my laundry, the smell of roasted coffee in the morning....

In the near future, I will be traveling to more unfamiliar places...there's a huge desire to go out and do my own thing.  Sometimes in a state of anxiety, I want to just go and do things. Yet, this is not the way.  The way begins with Him guiding me. And in a time of uncertainty, I will need a lot of guidance!

My home was my desire while I was in Asia..yet it felt strangely familiar.