Kindness

I am feeling so very appreciative of all the encouragement and love people are giving me as I prepare to move to Cambodia. Thank you so much to those people who have been praying for me, offering financial support, advise and practical help. You know who you are, and I am feeling overwhelmed with how kind you have been.

x x x x x x x xx 

"SUESAWDAY"

The word for 'hello'  in Khmer is pronounced 'sue-saw-day' with sue as in a woman's name, saw as in a thing you cut with, and day as in sunday.

I have been doing some basic language study- learning Khmer is essential as the women I will be working with  mostly don't speak English, and some are illiterate in Khmer. I cant find a language school in London which teaches Khmer, so I've got a CD. I can so far only say a few basic words/phrases. Once I get to Phnom Penh I will be having some language lessons, and I am fortunate that there are some wonderful translators at Daughters. 

"You want Moto Lady"

Phnom Penh moto's

Another challenge for me is going to be riding a moped around the streets of Phnom Penh- Im scared of Motor bikes, bikes, mopeds, anything with 2 wheels (give me a horse any day). So far I have managed wobbling on a Boris bike around London, it was the 1st time I have ridden a bike since I was about 12! Next I will be getting on a friends Moped-eeek!!! Im selling as many of my belongings as possible, so I can hopefully afford to buy a Moto when I get to Phnom Penh-how exciting!!

I am so excited about this amazing opportunity to share all that I have with such wonderful Women in Cambodia. I have Luke 4:16-19 going around in my head. God has shown me personally what this verse means in my life: he has set me free, given me riches beyond measure, and freedom to be who he made me to be. My prayer for the women I meet will be that they also receive the freedom Jesus offers them-that they would know his Kindness beyond measure!

“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, to proclaim the year of the lords favor” Luke 4:16-19

Email newsletters

If you would like to receive my monthly email newsletters, which will include prayer updates and requests, then please send me an email/facebook message and let me know your email add. so I can include you on the mailing list.

Financial supporters

‘Daughters of Cambodia’ will pay me a local salary, and cover costs for my accommodation, visa and health insurance. I don’t have to raise all this money myself, but as ‘Daughters’ is a charity they need financial donations and supporters in order to be able to employ me. If you would be able to financially support ‘Daughters’ and the work I will be doing then please go to Donate page- link below...

http://www.daughtersofcambodia.org/get_involved.php

Send us out to shine in the darkness...

Both the evening service and youth group were on Social justice tonight...more than just coincidence in my opinion!
I love it when God makes it that clear what he is saying to us as a church, it was unplanned between church team and youth team but we all look at the same theme on the same day!!
Did you know in the bible there are over 300 verses about the poor, and God's concern for them (he makes it so crystal clear we cant ignore this!!).
As Christians we are called to have compassion on those who are the last, the least and the lost.
As Christians we shouldn't turn a blind eye to the needs all around us.
As Christians we are called to LOVE our neighbour!!

"And what does the Lord require of you? 
To act justly and to love mercy 
and to walk humbly with your God" Micha 6:8

However...
As I sit writing this on a comfy sofa with a blanket over my feet, and a cup of tea next to me, I know that there is a homeless man sleeping rough outside our church, I know as I listen to the rain bucketing down outside that so many people here in London have no shelter, no bed, no hot drink. I feel like a hypocrite spending my evening thinking about loving those most in need, but now I feel helpless to know what to do, how to help him.
We all have an inbuilt conscience, we all know right from wrong, no matter if we call ourselves followers of Jesus or not, we can see the world around us in full of injustice, poverty, abuse, inequality, we all get too comfortable with our comfort.
"There is enough in the world for everyones need, but not enough for everyones greed"
What are we going to do about it? What am I going to do about it?...

I rediscovered this song today, Vicky Beeching, break our hearts.

I long that God would do just that. Break my heart for the things that break his, and send me out to shine in the darkness. Not just sing about it...But actually be his hands and feet, taking his love to those most in need.

The preparations have begun!!

Cambodia here I come...well in 11 weeks time anyway :)
Im so excited, Im counting down the days (75 to go)!!

Ill be going to work for 'Daughters of Cambodia'. A Christian charity in Phnom Penh, in the heart of the red light district in Cambodia's capital city. 'Daughters of Cambodia' provide a way out of the sex trade, for women who are working as prostitutes and want to leave. Many of the women (and men who have been working as Ladyboys) have been forced to work as prostitutes by their families.

Im going to work for 'Daughters of Cambodia' from the end of August 2011. All of the women who are employed by Daughters learn a skill or set of skills, the long term goal is that these women can then find good employment outside of the sex trade. I will be teaching them design and pattern cutting skills. I will also design clothing, home-wears and fashion accessories to be made by the beautiful Daughters girls in the sewing centre, and sold in the Daughters boutique. There is an optional church service on a Friday at the Daughters centre, where I hope to sometimes teach God's word. I would also love to run some Discipleship Bible study groups with the Women and the Men from Daughters 'Sons' project, who have become Christians. Having enjoyed looking at self esteem and image with teenagers and women over the past 2 years, Id love to also incorporate biblical image and value workshops.

Here is a video about Daughters if you'd like to find out more...

This is a blog to keep in touch with friends and family once Im there, but I have set it up now as I begin to prepare for the move. I hope you will feel a part of what Im doing as you read my updates, as i reflect on my experiences and follow the passion God has put on my heart to show these amazing women that he has made them in his image, overflowing with potential for a new future and able to put their trust in him for a new life.

... and you never know perhaps you can come and visit me sometime..... x x x