Day 1 !
Love and Peace to you from God, our Father and Lord Jesus Christ!
Love and Peace to you from God, our Father and Lord Jesus Christ!
Must
tell you that I did experience an amazing hand of God at work as I flew
into Phnom Penh for my first oversees Missionary travel experience!
So,
my travel to Phnom Penh commenced with Andy and Ivin saying a good bye
to me at the Chiang Mai Airport. It was a great transition for me to
have visited the BEC in Chiang Mai before getting here, as I had a
couple of Thai students whom I taught there. It kinda helped me
visualise what to expect in Phnom Penh.
At the Bangkok Airport, I had close to 3 hours before my flight to Phnom Penh. When it was just about time for me to board the flight,
I had an Asian girl walk up to me and started talking to me.. She
introduced herself and said that she was from Karachi, Pakistan. With
all the political conflicts between India and Pakistan, you know it was
kinda strange feeling to have been approached by a Pakistan girl.
But
quite shockingly, that girl said she was volunteering for 'Jesus Youth'
and was traveling to Cambodia for 1 year! I was really impressed to
hear that! She was a wonderful person to have been on the same flight!
Anyway, the flight was pretty bad, as when it was just about to land, the flight picked up speed like crazy and flying
up again with NO info from the pilot. It kinda scared me to death! ;)
But, that's when I had these two amazing co-passengers, another man from
Karachi, Pakistan and an American from the State of Pennsylvania, who
was going to volunteer the design concept of building a nursing home in
Phnom Penh!
These two passengers made me feel
absolutely calm, though when it almost appeared like a possible plane
crash to half the passengers including me ;-) The American's dad flew
military planes, so he kinda sensed something was pretty bizarre but the
Pilot was trying his best to do his best! Anyway, it was a nerve
wracking flight, but praise God for these co-passengers who reminded me I was not alone! :-)
Reached
the airport almost 1 hour later than the scheduled arrival time. The
airport was absolutely crowded beyond my experience of a stampede back
home. Honestly, the stampede at the Phnom Penh airport is not what I
have ever seen in an Indian airport, but that is okay.. I was AT THE
AIRPORT! :-)
Bro Vitou recognised me and walked
to wherever I was standing, while I was still searching for a name
board ;-) to recognise Vitou...
It was
wonderful seeing a familiar face, Aunty Jackie, as I walked in and the a
few students exclaimed with joy, "Aw!!! Ivin!!!" I had to joyfully
& proudly tell them that I was Ivin's sister :-)
Vitou
quickly took me through the BEC and explained all the arrangements he
had made for me, though he had his own travel to be thinking about. Tim,
the other field worker here was of great help in taking me to the
nearby mall to arrange for my breakfast for the next morning... While
Aunty Jackie did a good handover of her classes and students to me as
she was leaving for Hong Kong the next morning.
I did kinda feel pretty home sick the first night, that was yesterday. And, I was rather exhausted after two flights,
so did not get into writing anything at all... Started feeling really
sick and not sure if I was feeling jet lagged, but I was not okay at
all..
But even though I was very tired, just
went humbly before God and said, "Thank you God for keeping me safe! I
am sure you have a plan for me. Please help me to TRUST you more, like
Jesus, my saviour!"
Day 2 !
With that tiring long day and sorta emotionally draining arrival, I had to get used to sleeping early, so that I could have my first Bible class at 6:30AM on Thursday, 02 Oct 2014!
Having worked in night shifts for a very long time, rising up early looked absolutely impossible! :-(
So, requested with another field worker I could swap classes only for the first two days, until I get used to the early to bed and early to rise concept! :-) Thankfully, that was sorted with no issues at all! :-)
Though I have been into Corporate Training for years, it took me a while to register in my mind what the BEC in Phnom Penh was trying to do? Teach English or Teach the Bible, or teach both? I struggled to fully comprehend this mechanism until by the Power of HIS GRACE I started my first session today! :-)
Today, though being the first day here, had 5-6 classes with quite a few students in each of them overall! Was not sure how they would consider having an Asian person teach them but the students seemed really happy with what they learnt, both in terms of language and also the Word of God!
What I realised and thanked God with all my heart was the experience I had 10 years ago, when Sister Susan helped me learn to pronounce the names of the states in the US, and attend an interview to find a job. Today, I was helping so many students who not only aspire to become nurses, teachers, tour guides, but also want to WALK WITH GOD like Jesus!
My heart really went out for them as they struggled to read or speak anything simple or basic in English. One thing I relied on at the start of each session was the Power of Prayer! When God could make the blind see, the dead rise through Jesus, I believe the same God will help these students to not only learn English but also Embrace the Way, the Life and the Truth in Jesus!
The most refreshing company that I enjoyed between the classes, was getting to know Shreytut, the most kind cook or lady/ sister in the kitchen, and Ratana, who has been absolutely helpful and understanding! There has also been another Sister Navee, who has been assisting in the kitchen and helping with the BEC house keeping, she has been lovely too! She wants to talk but feels shy to speak..
Anyway, some very interesting lessons for me today while teaching the students was:
1. Heaven is God's Holy Place, where God dwells. But the students also asked if God lived only in the sky or amidst us also if we love Him and love one another?
2. Genesis 17:1-2, where God told Abram to walk with Him and to walk without any blame. God would put into practice the covenant to greatly increase him in numbers.
So, a student asked me 'Why God said this to Abram?' Was difficult to answer but Praise God, the Word helped me answer! :-)
3. About 'Sacrifice' of Christ! What is the difference between sacrificing a lamb and Jesus sacrificing his life. As I explained, I could not help but feel so blessed and overwhelmed by my Lord's sacrifice!
So, at the end of Day 2, I am here awestruck with what God was doing in my life while I was learning both English and the Scripture ever since I was 12, only to be in another Asian country and help so many young aspiring students and the disciples of Christ, God Willing!
Please do pray for me as I learn to put God first over all the comfortable things that the other fieldworkers and I do miss about home!
May our Loving Lord soon return and until HE comes use us in HIS glorious service!
P.S.: My name is now changed to, "Bermie from Burma" by Sister Ratana and Brother Vitou ;-)
Day 3 !
Day 3 started at 8am 8AM for me, though I was absolutely optimistic that I would be able to be up by 6am for a session at 6.30am but yeah, I am still getting used to the change of working during the day, instead of staying up all through the night!
What amazes me is God's Word becoming real to me as I teach each class of students!
From 9am to 10 am, I had a couple of students who learnt about Cain & Abel's offering. One of the students asked me if God liked eating 'meat' (animals), than vegetables as God was pleased with Abel's offerings! It was cute, funny, but kinda appeared tough to respond in a sentence!
Thanks be to God for the answer lies in the Word itself! Had to explain to them how God is not a man, but Spirit! God is Love! And then, help them read from Genesis that Abel offered the best, the first, and with FAITH as recorded in the Bible!
It is wonderful to see that the students make a good effort at understanding the Word, and also improve their language!
Between the classes, I feel privileged to take a break and help Sreytout in the kitchen, while enjoying getting to know her and those who come and help at the BEC! Putya, who works in the office has expressed her interest in learning Hindi from me! :-)
The classes went on pretty smooth, interesting, and spiritually uplifting beyond my imagination!
A few stunning questions and points from the students were:
1. Who else lives in Heaven? The passage said "Angels" and continued explaining that the Angels praise God, obey God, serve God, and do what God wants them to...
So, a student asked if we did all of those, praising, obeying, serving and doing God's will, if we would be Angels? He also pointed to, "He will give his angels charge over you, Jehivah Jireh cares for you!"
2. While continuing our lesson on 'Abram' from Genesis 17, the student asked me, "How can all nations come from Abraham?"
3. How is it that God said that the covenant was between God & Abraham and also His children to come at all times?
Finally, my last session for the day ended with learning about the 'Truth' that will set us free, and also about One God, who always does right and whose law is ever true!
It was a great reminder for me to believe that God is always right and HIS law is true! Sometimes, it is difficult to keep our Faith Strong, but when the Spirit of God works in us, it brings forth the fruits of the Spirit!
Thanking God for the thirst I find in these young minds to learn the scripture and also the language! Some wonderful cute and innocent humour I came across was when a student could not pronounce "Jesus Christ is in heaven," he ended up saying, "Jesus Cry (Chri) in heaven." Most students have a major issue pronouncing the consonant sounds like 't', 'd', and 'th'...
Anyway, it was another spiritually uplifting day for me with the students!
P.S.: Will try and click some photos next week, God willing! We don't have classes during the weekend and on Monday. So, will write to you all again on Tuesday, God willing!
Much love in our most definite promise of Christ's soon return,
End of first week !
Wow! My first weekend at Phnom Penh - what an incredibly amazing weekend I had! Praising God for the wonderful time I enjoyed getting to know the family of Christ here!
While Tuesdays to Fridays are really packed with classes going on back to back, and a pretty busy schedule to follow, Saturdays to Mondays are a bit relaxed. However, a few students still come in for a couple of classes on Saturday and Sunday too.
For the first time in my life, I feel absolutely privileged to have the day off on a Monday! A big dream come true after my ten years of busy Monday experiences!
It was great being able to ride a local BEC motorbike on Saturday, and do some shopping at the most popular Night Market and Sorya Mall..
Cannot believe that I have been here only for a week this Wednesday, but I feel at home with all the brothers and sisters, and students! Thank God for Andy & Ivin's good work here that many people do feel that they know me because of their special bond with them!
The highlight for today was when I was helping Bro Puttsar go through the life of Enoch from Hebrews 11 and Genesis 5. It could not have been anything but the Spirit of God at work in helping us see this Truth, that Enoch was a Young Man, just like anyone who is less than 30-35 years today, but Enoch remembered the LORD, his Creator in the days of his youth, before the days of trouble came.
What a great example Enoch is for that verse in Ecclesiastes 12:1. Compared to all the people who lived in those days, Enoch was only 365 years old, implies, he lived less than half his life span... Considering today's lifespan to be 60-70 or even 80, half the lifespan could still be referred to as 'Youth'! We were happy to find this example of a young man who Walked With God!
May the Truth that became flesh in Jesus also become flesh in us every day by the Power of His Grace!
Much love in Jesus,
Bernie
With that tiring long day and sorta emotionally draining arrival, I had to get used to sleeping early, so that I could have my first Bible class at 6:30AM on Thursday, 02 Oct 2014!
Having worked in night shifts for a very long time, rising up early looked absolutely impossible! :-(
So, requested with another field worker I could swap classes only for the first two days, until I get used to the early to bed and early to rise concept! :-) Thankfully, that was sorted with no issues at all! :-)
Though I have been into Corporate Training for years, it took me a while to register in my mind what the BEC in Phnom Penh was trying to do? Teach English or Teach the Bible, or teach both? I struggled to fully comprehend this mechanism until by the Power of HIS GRACE I started my first session today! :-)
Today, though being the first day here, had 5-6 classes with quite a few students in each of them overall! Was not sure how they would consider having an Asian person teach them but the students seemed really happy with what they learnt, both in terms of language and also the Word of God!
What I realised and thanked God with all my heart was the experience I had 10 years ago, when Sister Susan helped me learn to pronounce the names of the states in the US, and attend an interview to find a job. Today, I was helping so many students who not only aspire to become nurses, teachers, tour guides, but also want to WALK WITH GOD like Jesus!
My heart really went out for them as they struggled to read or speak anything simple or basic in English. One thing I relied on at the start of each session was the Power of Prayer! When God could make the blind see, the dead rise through Jesus, I believe the same God will help these students to not only learn English but also Embrace the Way, the Life and the Truth in Jesus!
The most refreshing company that I enjoyed between the classes, was getting to know Shreytut, the most kind cook or lady/ sister in the kitchen, and Ratana, who has been absolutely helpful and understanding! There has also been another Sister Navee, who has been assisting in the kitchen and helping with the BEC house keeping, she has been lovely too! She wants to talk but feels shy to speak..
Anyway, some very interesting lessons for me today while teaching the students was:
1. Heaven is God's Holy Place, where God dwells. But the students also asked if God lived only in the sky or amidst us also if we love Him and love one another?
2. Genesis 17:1-2, where God told Abram to walk with Him and to walk without any blame. God would put into practice the covenant to greatly increase him in numbers.
So, a student asked me 'Why God said this to Abram?' Was difficult to answer but Praise God, the Word helped me answer! :-)
3. About 'Sacrifice' of Christ! What is the difference between sacrificing a lamb and Jesus sacrificing his life. As I explained, I could not help but feel so blessed and overwhelmed by my Lord's sacrifice!
So, at the end of Day 2, I am here awestruck with what God was doing in my life while I was learning both English and the Scripture ever since I was 12, only to be in another Asian country and help so many young aspiring students and the disciples of Christ, God Willing!
Please do pray for me as I learn to put God first over all the comfortable things that the other fieldworkers and I do miss about home!
May our Loving Lord soon return and until HE comes use us in HIS glorious service!
P.S.: My name is now changed to, "Bermie from Burma" by Sister Ratana and Brother Vitou ;-)
Day 3 !
Day 3 started at 8am 8AM for me, though I was absolutely optimistic that I would be able to be up by 6am for a session at 6.30am but yeah, I am still getting used to the change of working during the day, instead of staying up all through the night!
What amazes me is God's Word becoming real to me as I teach each class of students!
From 9am to 10 am, I had a couple of students who learnt about Cain & Abel's offering. One of the students asked me if God liked eating 'meat' (animals), than vegetables as God was pleased with Abel's offerings! It was cute, funny, but kinda appeared tough to respond in a sentence!
Thanks be to God for the answer lies in the Word itself! Had to explain to them how God is not a man, but Spirit! God is Love! And then, help them read from Genesis that Abel offered the best, the first, and with FAITH as recorded in the Bible!
It is wonderful to see that the students make a good effort at understanding the Word, and also improve their language!
Between the classes, I feel privileged to take a break and help Sreytout in the kitchen, while enjoying getting to know her and those who come and help at the BEC! Putya, who works in the office has expressed her interest in learning Hindi from me! :-)
The classes went on pretty smooth, interesting, and spiritually uplifting beyond my imagination!
A few stunning questions and points from the students were:
1. Who else lives in Heaven? The passage said "Angels" and continued explaining that the Angels praise God, obey God, serve God, and do what God wants them to...
So, a student asked if we did all of those, praising, obeying, serving and doing God's will, if we would be Angels? He also pointed to, "He will give his angels charge over you, Jehivah Jireh cares for you!"
2. While continuing our lesson on 'Abram' from Genesis 17, the student asked me, "How can all nations come from Abraham?"
3. How is it that God said that the covenant was between God & Abraham and also His children to come at all times?
Finally, my last session for the day ended with learning about the 'Truth' that will set us free, and also about One God, who always does right and whose law is ever true!
It was a great reminder for me to believe that God is always right and HIS law is true! Sometimes, it is difficult to keep our Faith Strong, but when the Spirit of God works in us, it brings forth the fruits of the Spirit!
Thanking God for the thirst I find in these young minds to learn the scripture and also the language! Some wonderful cute and innocent humour I came across was when a student could not pronounce "Jesus Christ is in heaven," he ended up saying, "Jesus Cry (Chri) in heaven." Most students have a major issue pronouncing the consonant sounds like 't', 'd', and 'th'...
Anyway, it was another spiritually uplifting day for me with the students!
P.S.: Will try and click some photos next week, God willing! We don't have classes during the weekend and on Monday. So, will write to you all again on Tuesday, God willing!
Much love in our most definite promise of Christ's soon return,
End of first week !
Wow! My first weekend at Phnom Penh - what an incredibly amazing weekend I had! Praising God for the wonderful time I enjoyed getting to know the family of Christ here!
While Tuesdays to Fridays are really packed with classes going on back to back, and a pretty busy schedule to follow, Saturdays to Mondays are a bit relaxed. However, a few students still come in for a couple of classes on Saturday and Sunday too.
For the first time in my life, I feel absolutely privileged to have the day off on a Monday! A big dream come true after my ten years of busy Monday experiences!
It was great being able to ride a local BEC motorbike on Saturday, and do some shopping at the most popular Night Market and Sorya Mall..
Cannot believe that I have been here only for a week this Wednesday, but I feel at home with all the brothers and sisters, and students! Thank God for Andy & Ivin's good work here that many people do feel that they know me because of their special bond with them!
The highlight for today was when I was helping Bro Puttsar go through the life of Enoch from Hebrews 11 and Genesis 5. It could not have been anything but the Spirit of God at work in helping us see this Truth, that Enoch was a Young Man, just like anyone who is less than 30-35 years today, but Enoch remembered the LORD, his Creator in the days of his youth, before the days of trouble came.
What a great example Enoch is for that verse in Ecclesiastes 12:1. Compared to all the people who lived in those days, Enoch was only 365 years old, implies, he lived less than half his life span... Considering today's lifespan to be 60-70 or even 80, half the lifespan could still be referred to as 'Youth'! We were happy to find this example of a young man who Walked With God!
May the Truth that became flesh in Jesus also become flesh in us every day by the Power of His Grace!
Much love in Jesus,
Bernie
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| Bro Him, an inspiring speaker, giving a talk at the Saturday Bible Seminar, that takes place at the dormitory. |
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| The audience at the Bible Seminar on Saturday evening. Some of them are students who stay at the dormitory, while the one with a big smile is Sister Kunthe. |
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| The students at the dorm listening to the Bible Seminar on 'God'. |
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| The most lovely and amusing couple, Bro Vanni & Sis Chantri! I could write a book about all the young couples here! :-) |
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| Sister Nirat, and a few others catching up after the seminar. |
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| Monday, being a weekly off, Sister Dany, a truly cheerful person, hosted a BBQ for us in the absence of Sreytout's cooking! ;-) |
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| This dear Sister Ratana (her name means A Pearl), is indeed a real treasure I feel blessed to have met and getting to know at the BEC! |
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| A quick click taken during a break today, Tuesday at the office! :-) With Sis Dany & her baby Jessica, Sis Phap, whose wedding I look forward to in Dec, God willing, and Sis Ratana! :-) |
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| A selfie taken with a few students I had today. Sis Vichem, a lovely sister, Mr. Lucky behind Vichem and Dina, the one with the glasses on.. |
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| Class time! :-) |
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| I am sure I am having a good laugh at some word they would have cutely pronounced! ;-) |
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