Place of Rescue

A couple of things happened in November. One was the awareness that funds might be less than normal for Place of Rescue at the end of the year. We planned carefully for Christmas and I thought it might be less abundant than most years. But what I wrote in my prayer journal was this: “This will be the best Christmas ever.”

Who knew what the Lord had planned? In December we were contacted by the Red Cross to tell us they would be coming to visit Place of Rescue some time after our own Christmas celebration on Dec. 22. The president of the Red Cross in Cambodia is First Lady Bun Rany. wife of Prime Minister Hun Sen. The Red Cross has come to help us three times in the past. Soon we were informed that not only would Her Excellency Bun Rany be coming, but also the Prime Minister Hun Sen himself would come and they would arrive on Christmas Day

Several days previous to Christmas Day, fourteen people came and sat around a big table to discuss what was to happen. They gave instructions and listened to what our committee had to say. I was asked to prepare a short address, about 15 minutes in length. On the December 24 dozens of soldiers and police came and spent the night guarding our place. The big pump truck arrived and emptied out all our cesspools, a thoughtful, practical gift.

When I went to get my hair done in the morning, my car was completely boxed in by other cars. My driver had to take me to the hair shop with our bus…. and a police escort.

When the Prime Minister and First Lady arrived, they were greeted by a line up from Rescue and from the Red Cross. When he came to me, he asked the unanticipated question, “What shall I call you?” With no time to think about it, I answered, “Call me ‘Makyeay’ (Gramma) That is what everyone here calls me.” With a smile and a chuckle the Prime Minister agreed that he would call me “Makyeay”.

We proceeded under the canopy that had been erected. Stunning red and white bunting, tables which would be laden with many kinds of delicious food and chairs covered in white fabric with huge red bows were more beautiful than most of our adults and children had ever seen. Not only were our own residents present but a representation of staff and children from our Mongkol Borey orphanage, our Pailin orphanage, and the neighboring UNACAS orphanage were there as well. Gifts and money were given to everyone at all these places.

The Red Cross had prepared special gifts for everyone: a package that included a towel, notebooks, pens, tin of cookies, candy and pop. They also gave us sacks of rice, cases of noodles, bean paste, bottled water and pop and cases of fruit (apples, oranges, grapes and ply mean) Everyone was given a gift of money as well. In addition we were promised a ton of rice and $750 a month for the year 2016.

I had no idea that my address and Prime Minister Hun Sen’s response, would be the only items on the program. Because it had to be given in Cambodian, I had practiced many, many times and though I was somewhat nervous, I was calm. During my address I commented that in some countries it would not be possible for us to do what we do because we teach the children of Jesus. “But this is Cambodia,” I said. “In Cambodia we have freedom.” This got an ovation. I thanked the Prime Minister for giving his people freedom of religion. My speech ended with three requests that we were making. One was that the muddy, pot-holed road from Place of Rescue to the main highway could be graded and red gravel spread on it. This request was granted but beyond our expectations, we heard the Prime Minister say it would be paved. The second request was that permission be given for Place of Rescue 4 south of Phnom Penh, to be opened. When we presented our MOU to the authorities earlier this year we were told we could not ask to expand to open any new place. Now permission was instantly granted so as soon as we have staff we can begin to receive children who need temporary care there. This place will be for children whose parents are temporarily unable to care for them because of sickness, accidents, domestic violence or other difficulties. The third thing we requested was permission for the construction of our high school. The Prime Minister’s attention to this matter would ensure and speed up the process of presenting this request through regular channels. We explained that the size of our classrooms would be 6.5 meters by 5 meters and funding had already been promised. The Prime Minister said the classroom size was not be up to standard. The rooms needed to be 8 meters by 6 meters. When I told him that we did not have enough money for such a large school, he immediately said that we should keep our money for the children’s needs and he would pay for the whole thing. He also told us that we should allow some students from the neighbourhood to attend. He said the teachers would be government teachers, paid by the government but we could supplement that if we wished. So prayers we prayed here and prayers many in Canada prayed for us were answered within minutes. The Prime Minister thanked our donors in Canada and elsewhere for their contributions.

Sokhan and I followed the Prime Minister and First Lady as they made their way around the tables. Our grannies were so pleased and honoured; our children awed and a bit shy.

When Her Excellency Bun Rany arrived at the meeting hall young people on the platform burst into song, “Happy Birthday to you!” Her birthday had just passed on Dec. 20.

All too soon the visit ended and we were left feeling like we had awakened from a dream. It is all too huge for us to take in.

I urge everyone who loves Cambodia to pray earnestly for Prime Minister Hun Sen and First Lady Bun Rany. President of the Cambodian Red Cross. May God grant them much wisdom. May they ask Him for wisdom so that this wonderful country can continue to grow and prosper in freedom.

In November there was a wonderful speaker at International Christian Assembly. She was Andrea Wrigglesworth from Scotland. I was greatly inspired by her message. She spoke about Jesus telling us to speaking to the mountain and commanding it to move. It seemed that my mountain was the possibility of insufficient funding for coming months. It occurred to me that if there is an obstacle, a mountain, blocking a river, there would be a huge flood of water that would rush in after the obstacle (mountain) was removed. My heart was being prepared for this flood of blessing. On Christmas Day we saw the beginning of it.

The speaker also spoke of Caleb and of how he said, “I am as strong as I was when I was forty years old. Therefore give me this mountain.” She urged us to believe for the fulfillment of our dreams. For me, part of that was being able to open Toul Kraing and the high school. I wrote down four things. Two are going to happen and I believe the others two will also happen in the proper time.

All the friends of Place of Rescue who pray for us and send donations of money and other gifts and all of us who work here are in a wonderful partnership. This honour does not belong just to me but to all of the generous and compassionate people who are in this partnership. Especially this honour belongs to the Lord Jesus. May He be exalted and praised forever.

My favourite picture of the event. “Good-bye my friend.”

A Personal Note

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.”   In 1994 this verse came to me over and over.  I began to realize the Lord was speaking to me, giving me this powerful promise.  During the ensuing weeks, I contemplated and prayed and journaled seeking to fully understand it’s meaning for me.  “Sure-footed, confident, daring, able to judge danger, able to bound away, able to see from afar” reads one entry.  Residing high up above the world with its chaos, clamor and cares and walking close to God where it would be easy to hear his Voice were added insights.  Tongue in cheek, I wrote, “The mountain goat is thinking lofty thoughts.”   As the journal entries multiplied, I shared this experience with Rosa Brandt a senior missionary friend from Switzerland where the mountain goats populate the magnificent Alps.  She added to my insights by telling me the mountain goats are good at finding their own food.  When it snows they know how to uncover the nourishment they need, digging away the hindrances and feeding themselves.  She said that if, as they traverse the precarious mountain pathways, their rocky ledge disappears, they know how to safely jump to another path.  The crowning experience that assured me this was truly from the Lord, came in the form of a postcard from a long time supporter in England.  She decided to send me a word of encouragement.  Of all the numerous postcards she could choose from she sent one that had a magnificent mountain goat standing high on a rocky crag gazing outward with confidence and fearlessness.  The verse, “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.”  was on the card.  She did not know that the Lord had been speaking this truth into my spirit.  She was simply seeking to encourage me with a postcard.

All my previous experiences and impressions from the Lord find their fulfillment in Rescue.  Cambodia is a maternal society.  In my position as resident Gramma, I am indeed in a high position, as far as respect and influence are concerned.  Every once in a while, the Lord reminds me of this scripture by calling my attention to the mountain goats.  It happened during a service at Rock Pointe Church in Calgary when I happened to be in Canada.  At an innovative worship service, they showed a series of slides.   It happened again the other day when I saw a post on Facebook.  The “co-incidence” of seeing these pictures just now is not lost on me.  We have just had our tenth anniversary celebration and are gearing up for the next decade.  In addition to that, the previous night I received a phone call from a friend.  What she had to tell me blew me away.   A U.S. donor is offering us $13,000 just in the nick of time for our building project, Place of Rescue 4 in the village of Toul Krang, a huge answer to prayer.   What touched me the most and brought tears to my eyes was the phrase, “ It’s just what they do.”

My deepest desire for the next decade with Rescue is to be constantly aware of the position where the Lord has placed me, hearing clearly from Him and fulfilling His desires.

AND ON TO PARIS – JUNE 9, 2013

What a surprise it was for the staff of Place of Rescue I in Bek Chan to hear the news.  Her Excellency Bun Rany, wife of Prime Minister Hun Sen was going to come visit in just one week!  With a flurry of excitement preparations were made both by Her Excellency’s people and by Place of Rescue personnel.

May 31,2013 the very special day arrived.  With some nervousness,  Sopheak, one of the orphan girls,  Sokhan Lao, the director of Place of Rescue and committee members Sokhan Men, Khim Kong, Sokthun Chhat and Marie Ens’ assistant Channak Mon welcomed her.

Her Excellency Bun Rany greeted two youngsters representing all the children at Place of Rescue.

She then proceeded to greet the house mothers and the Grannies.  What a special privilege and honour for our elderly Grannies to meet their Prime Minister’s wife! Her gentle manner with them was touching as she paused to chat with them individually.

Sokhan Lao welcomed Her Excellency Bun Rany and presented a brief history of Place of Rescue. 

Her Excellency Bun Rany then spoke to the gathering of children and adults expressing her delight in this place that she had not known existed.  Her Excellency  urged the children, AIDS patients and elderly women to have hope and to take advantage of what they were offered here.  She also spoke gracious words about Marie Ens who was in Canada at the time of this auspicious visit.

The children, usually so effervescent and active were awed by her presence and intimidated by the cameras.  

Gifts of money were given for all the staff and the children were given notebooks and bic pens.  All the grannies received fabric for skirts and gifts of money.

Everyone living at Place of Rescue was greatly privileged to receive the donations given in the name of the Cambodian Red Cross, of which Her Excellency Bun Nary is the president.  Besides the gifts of money for everyone, Rescue was presented with 2,000 kilos of rice, 50 cases of noodles, 2,000 tins of fish, 100 kilos of bean paste, 100 kilos of preserved radishes, 100 cases of soft drink, 100 cases of water, 10 cases of apples, 20 cases of grapes, 20 cases of tangerine oranges, 260 kilos of lychees,  590 notebooks, 295 bic pens, 27 lengths of skirt fabric.  The children were delighted with the gift of 10 scooters. In addition to all of this it was promised that Rescue would be given a monthly donation of 2,000 kilos of rice and $500.

Following the session in the meeting hall, her Excellency Bun Nary was escorted to the water pond.  This pond is the primary source of all the water used at Place of Rescue.  In the rainy season there is plenty for everyone but in the dry season it dwindles down to none.  Her Excellency took a special interest in this predicament and agreed to fund the enlargement and improvement of this pond so that in the future we will be assured of enough water for all our needs.  This is a huge project that would have cost us as much as $20,000.

A tour of the vegetable garden followed.  This large garden of organically grown vegetables, containing many varieties of green leafy vegetables, cucumbers, beans, eggplant and squash is tended by the AIDS patients who reside at Place of Rescue.  The produce is not sold but is rather used for the nutrition of the AIDS families and orphan families living here.

Baby House is a favourite spot for every visitor and these special guests were no exception.   These littlest members of Place of Rescue touched Her Excellency Bun Rany’s heart.  She asked questions about them and there was no doubt that she had a sense of compassion for them.  It was an honour for the faithful care-givers to have their loving attention to the babies recognized by her Excellency.   The baby care-givers were proud of their little charges and gratefully accepted the gifts given for each baby.

Pre-school was the next place visited and once again her Excellency Bun Rany’s heart was touched as she connected with these precious little ones who have come from sad and difficult back-grounds.  The photo taken that day will no doubt be a treasure both for her and for us.

In the library her Excellency Bun Nary saw where the children read books in English and Cambodian and where they learn computer.  The children were encouraged by her presence to work hard at this important skill.  No doubt they were proud to show her Excellency what they had learned .

A wonderful banquet had been prepared by our guests and her Excellency Bun Rany herself roamed  among the tables and served.  Her Excellency obviously delighted making this wonderful provision for everyone.   The children were delighted with the good food as were the Grannies who once again were the subject of special interest and honour.  One granny had come to our Granny House after she was lost in Phnom Penh.  When the video  of our important guest was later shown on Cambodian T.V., she was recognized and subsequently joyfully reunited with her family who had never ceased trying to locate her.

Of very special interest was Sarah, our little girl who was born handicapped.  Sarah is greatly loved both in Cambodia and in Canada.  Hopefully the day will soon come when she can join the family who desires to adopt her and to take her to live in Edmonton, Canada.   Her Excellency Bun Rany’s gestures of love won Sarah’s heart and she was willing to be hugged and fed.   The pictures of herself in the arms of the wife of the Cambodian Prime Minister will be a precious souvenir for her.

All too soon the visit was over and our respected guests left.  They left behind wonderful memories and much gratitude.

When her Excellency Bun Rany visited Place of Rescue, I was still on tour in Canada so I missed this wonderful occasion.   However Her Excellency graciously agreed to meet with me at her office instead.  This took place on June 25.

I was very excited and somewhat intimidated and unsure of myself but she put me completely at ease.  I was there to thank her for all the kindness she had shown to Place of Rescue and for all the gifts that she had given.   She, on the other hand, kept thanking me!   She expressed gratitude for the fact that I had been here so long, since 1961, and for what Rescue was doing presently for orphans, elderly widows, AID patients and handicapped children. 

Her Excellency spent about half an hour talking to me and Sokhan, Khim and Channak who were with me.

She knew many details of my biography and mentioned them to me, including that my husband had passed away and she asked me about that. 

She told me that my citizenship papers were ready.  Without her kindness in making this happen, I would not have received this honour.

I gave her Excellency a gift, a book of beautiful photographs of Canada. 

Then I asked her is she had grandchildren and she happily told me she had many.  To my question about whether they knew English she replied that they were all into learning English.  So I presented her with a copy of MY FOREVER HOME,  the story of  how Suzie, a Golden Retriever from Canada, and Ny, a little orphan girl from the street in Phnom Penh found each other at Place of Rescue.

I will always remember my visit with her Excellency Bun Rany and will treasure in my heart her kindness to me.

On June 26 I was invited to go to the office of Ith Sam Heng,  the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.  Sokhan Lao, the director of Rescue,  Khim Kong, a committee member and My assistant, Channak Morn went with me. 

It was surreal sitting there chatting with this important official.   His praises for what I had accomplished and for all that Rescue represents really belong to Jesus and to the Cambodians who so faithfully work at Place of Rescue.

It was a huge honour to have him present me with a beautifully framed copy of my citizenship document.

I was not prepared for the way receiving citizenship would make me feel.  I did not know how it would give me a greater sense of belonging here.  I did not realize it would make my heart say, “This is MY country!”

News and photos of the devastating flood in Alberta filled our facebook pages.  We saw how the placid rivers had become raging torrents.  We heard how roads had been washed away and how many people had been made homeless.  We saw images of the heart of Calgary inundated.

Calgary is the city where Place of Rescue has it’s headquarters.  This Foundation is the partner organization to Rescue in Canada.  Every month funds are sent for Rescue’s support.  This is the city where Blaine Sylvester, CEO of Place of Rescue Foundation lives.  Our kids call him “Pa”.  This is also the city near which Paul Brandt lives.  Our kids love Paul and his music a lot ever since he visited us in 2009.

So a small plan was hatched in the hearts and minds of Rescue’s management committee.  How about giving the staff, AIDS patients, orphans and grannies an opportunity to send a donation for flood relief to Paul Brandt’s Foundation BUILD IT FORWARD?  Personally I thought we might raise about $200.   The generosity and compassion of everyone at Place of Rescue surprised even me.  Within a day, staff whose monthly salary is just $130 were giving freely, some as much as $10 or $20.  Some of the children, for whom the greatest punishment is losing their allowance, were handing over $5 of the gift of $12.50 that her Excellency Bun Rany had gifted them with.  AIDS patients and grannies joyfully participated until we had $1,000 to contribute.  The staff, AIDS patients,  children and grannies assembled in our meeting hall and one of the children handed over the envelope containing their sacrificial gifts.

What an amazing week it had been. 

Monday, we decided to make a donation to flood relief in Alberta

Tuesday we met with Her Excellency Bun Rany

Wednesday we met with His Excellency It Sam Heng and I got my citizenship document

By Thursday interest in the orphanage donation was heating up.

Friday the story was on T.V. across Canada

Also, Friday we received a phone call saying the Canadian Ambassador was coming to visit.

By Saturday our hearts were overflowing with wonder and joy.

Saturday afternoon all the children assembled in the meeting hall wearing their best clothes. Adults and grannies joined them.  We were waiting for our important visitor, Ambassador Philip Calvert.   Ambassador Calvert had heard about the donation the children had sent for flood relief and incredibly he was coming to thank them!  

A short program had been prepared. 

All the children sang a song for him,  WALK IN THE LIGHT OF GOD,  10 little dancers performed for his pleasure.

 The young people sang a praise song in English, 10,000 REASONS.   Ambassador Calvert addressed the gathering expressing his thanks for what the orphanage had done in reaching out to flood victims.  He greatly surprised us by saying he had been in touch with the Mayor of Calgary and the Mayor had asked him to pass on his thanks as well.

Ny, the first orphan to live at Place of Rescue responded to the Ambassador’s kind words,“ Mr. Ambassador, I want to tell you about myself and everyone here.  Whenever we are going through a hard time or are short of money people always provide for us. They always help us without fail. So, when we heard the news about the flood in Canada, we all joined our hearts and had a thought to respond by helping them. So we gathered up a small donation from what we had to help them in return because we get a big donation every month. Like the Lord Jesus said, we should help each other when anyone is going through a hard time."

After the program Ambassador Calvert was shown around the grounds of Place of Rescue.  We have had numerous visitors but not often one as important as this.  It was a huge honour and pleasure to show him around.

We expressed two concerns to him.  One was the situation with our little Sarah whom we are so desirous of giving to a wonderful couple in Canada who already love her and consider her their own.  Our guest promised to see what he could do to facilitate this.  Another concern was that when we take our young dancers to Canada we might have hassles trying to get visas.  He also promised to help us with this issue.

In my wildest dreams I would never have imagined that the Canadian Ambassador would ask to come to visit us and might have some solutions for some big problems for us.

Oh, the wonder of it all.

On Sunday in church Pastor Jesse asked, “Who wants more of God in their lives?”  To this I could certainly say, “Yes!”   But when he asked, “Who wants more joy?”   I thought to myself, “I’m not sure I can stand anymore right now!”  

Like the Supermoon, the Lord’s blessing and favour has been shining on us.

Posted from the airport on the way home.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

HOPE the presentation by the dancers from Place of Rescue in Cambodia was tremendously successful.  What would we call “success”?

As we went from place to place we saw wonderful things. 

All of our children and chaperons had one eye-opening experience after another.   As the bus rolled along , they saw country side unlike anything they had ever imagined.  Big rolls of hay lying in fields ready to be taken home for cows winter feed was a new idea.  Animals, wild and tame were interesting to see.

On Oct. 2^nd the road led through freshly fallen snow, a far cry from what they might have imagined since they usually described this as  “ice falling down.” And then when we got to Banff they actually saw it fall.  What fun it was to have a snowball fight!

Big, well kept roads and cities and big malls with food courts where they could choose hamburgers and French fries or rice and oriental food topped off with DQ ice- cream were a delight.

Riding a horse, going for a mule cart ride, flying down waterslides and soaking in a hot tub have were so much fun. 

And then there was Calaway Park in Calgary and a gondola ride to the top of a mountain in Banff.

Hearts have been captured on both sides as kind, loving friends have taken the dancers home for the night.  The young people have been amazed at the beautiful big houses where they got to spend the night and at the interesting breakfasts they were served.  They have been surprised at the love they have been shown everywhere.

Sokhan and I are so happy to see that our kids are indeed as wonderful as we thought.  We have never spent so much time in close quarters with them before and are very pleased with the way they never complained and triedso hard to please.  They showed love to each other and helped each other and were always kind to each other.  Even our littlest ones, Pyum and Bunna, have been good and easy to care for.  On the bus everyone could be heard laughing boisterously or sleeping soundly and sometimes singing praises to Jesus.

The performances have been greatly enjoyed by everyone.   Always we sincerely told the kids, “Good job!”  The story that we have endeavored to tell came across clearly,  that is, the lovely little counrty of Cambodia was peaceful and serene until the horrors of the war, the Khmer Rouge and AIDS came crashing in. The heart and soul of Cambodia was trashed .  But now there is HOPE.   In particular, there is hope for our children because of Rescue After the performances the kids hung out in foyers at the back of the churches to meet and greet people.  They were  not shy even though their English is limited and everything is so new and different.  One evening they excitedly greeted Paul and Liz Brandt who came with Joe and Lily to watch the performance.  What a special treat that was!

After all the wonders of this trip, I asked two of the girls a couple of questions.  “What was the best thing you experienced?”  Chenda replied, “Meeting my sponsor.”  And then I asked,  “What was hard for you?” and Ny thought a bit and responded, “Nothing!”   How’s that for “success”?

My desire has been to show people who have been committed to helping us what has been accomplished because of them.  Even though we have sent letters and pictures and shown power point presentations and videos, we know there is nothing like actually looking into the eyes of the children and being able to hug them and feed them.  So for everyone who has come to the presentations, this spells success to me.

Of course another purpose has been to raise funds for the ongoing expenses of all  that we desire to continue to do.  We are so grateful to everyone who has donated or decided to sponsor.  The Lord will reward every act of generosity.  We also sold a lot of books and I know they will be an ongoing blessing.

Everywhere, hearts have been touched.  Everywhere the Lord Jesus has been praised and glorified.  This is the biggest and most important success.  It is because of Him that we have this huge privilege of making this trip.  The success belongs to Him.

THE LAST DANCE – We’re saving it for you JESUS

We have mixed emotions as tonight we have come to the final performance.   The HOPE Dancers are in Nanaimo at the Alliance church. 

The last few days have passed in a whirl.  Monday they were a bunch of excited kids as they thought of getting on the ferry to cross over to Vancouver Island.  One  of the young guys asked me if there would be anybody else besides us on the ferry.  They could not even imagine what it might be like to drive that big bus on the ferry along with hundreds of other cars.

They loved exploring the boat and going out on the deck.   The weather wasn’t perfect but they did not need sunshine to have fun.

On the way to Courtney the bus took us to marvel at the huge trees in the Cathedral forest.  Another brand new scene.

Our good friends at Living Hope Fellowship made us feel so great by their warm welcome and delicious supper.  The performance that evening in a hall was again greatly enjoyed by all who watched.I loved meeting so many good friends who have loved and supported us and prayed for us for a long time.  They share in the joy of what the Lord Jesus has done at Place of Rescue.

We had a bright day today and there was time so everyone got to spend it at a park by the beach. 

Out came the game of boules, a standard favorite whenever they have a travel breakby some grass.  Even the big kids enjoyed the play ground.

Nanaimo Christian school welcomed us to connect with their kids.  I think our kids will treasure the memories of interacting with school kids from across the ocean in Canada.

As soon as we got to the Nanaimo Alliance church we brought in the big bags of candy we bought yesterday.  Everyone pitched in to fill 400 bags to give to the kids at Place of Rescue as soon as we get home to Cambodia.

And so we come soon to the last dance in Canada.  One more time to put on the make-up and the glitzy costumes.  One more time to praise the Lord together. In a few hours the girls will be performing THE LORD’S PRAYER as we wind up a most wonderful tour.  

APPLES AND ICE CREAM

As the bus continues to rumble along through the Rocky Mountains the HOPE dancers from Place of Rescue continue to delight in all they are seeing and all the fun  new experiences they are having. 

The view of the mountains was spectacular and the Lord blessed us with clear skies.   Someone asked for Paul Brandt’s CD JUST AS I AM to be played and we all enjoyed listening together.   We loved it that Paul and Liz Brandt, Joe and Lily were at the performance at Foothills Alliance in Calgary. 

We stopped at Roger’s Pass.  Once again cameras were clicking constantly as memories were preserved, waiting to be shared at home next week.

Not surprisingly a lot of the fun revolves around food.  It was great fun to stop at D Dutch Farm.  Those cows sure look different from the cows in Cambodia.  And all those flavors of ice cream!  Wow!  Everyone got to choose their favorite.  The fruit stand was a great new experience.  The kids had all seen apples and eaten them in Cambodia but never like this.   Big bags of Honey Krisps joined us on the bus and did they ever taste good! 

We appreciate so much the efforts of kind women in the churches who cook yummy rice suppers for us.  The kids would not think they had really eaten without  - not daily bread – daily rice.   At the food court in a mall in Kelowna a local woman became interested in this strange bunch and after hearing the story of HOPE dancers from Cambodia, she bought chocolate bars for them all.  It got quite hilarious as they chose who would get which one.

HOPE dancers have performed more than 40 times by now in long or short performances.  Still, in each place they put on a great show, smiling and doing their very best.  They have brought so much joy and blessing and knots of friendship have been tied tight.   The book table is usually a busy place as some of the eight books are taken home to be read.  There are two new titles this time around, MORE VIEWS FROM MY VERANDA and SAME SAME but DIFFERENT, a children’s book about a baby who has AIDS.   As we leave each church we form a prayer circle committing each other to the Lord.  HOPE dancers from Place of Rescue Orphanage will not be soon forgotten.

Back on the bus leaving Kelowna for Abbotsford we sing and sing.  We praise the Lord Jesus for His enormous love and remind ourselves that He answers prayer.  The bus quiets down then as they begin to watch a Narnia movie and many dose off to sleep until the next stop.  I look out the window and see the heavens declare the glory of God

TURNING 78

What a day!  I was honoured beyond measure and am so blessed to have received so much love.

Yesterday the HOPE dancers piled into the bus in Calgary for the trip to Banff.  We were going to go up in the gondola so I was praying for a clear day but the Lord had a better plan.  Our kids got to watch it snow! Because it never happens in Cambodia, there is no word for “snow” so they say  “ice falling down”.    They got to see that it is not like that at all.  It was surreal to watch them playing in the snow – sticking out tongues to catch the snow flakes and making snowballs to throw at each other and especially at Blaine.

It was great spending the day with my daughter Shelly Blaine, Adam and James, something that rarely happens.

That evening at the hotel we were able to have private use of the breakfast room.  Everyone enjoyed the fried chicken and chips but the real fun came afterwards.  I was amazed at the birthday celebration that was planned.  Shelly seta yummy carrot cake it front of me. The kids all enjoyed seeing me open Shelly’s gift and she got smiles and cheers not only from me but from all the dancers as well.  To my great surprise the dancers and chaperons had practiced special birthday songs.  It was overwhelming as they all gathered around me to sing and sing and smile and smile.  How can I express my gratitude for their great outpouring of love.  It is so amazing to me!

But that was not the end of it.  Channak came over and put his computer in front of me.  Can you believe that before we even left Cambodia he took the time and effort to make a birthday video to bring along?  I got to sit and watch as one house family after another sang and expressed their good wishes.  It was so over the top.  I have run out of superlatives to describe it all.

My birthday coincided with Thanksgiving Day.  Truly, I have so much to be thankful for. 

It is delightful to grow old with the children, grannies and AIDS patients and wonderful staff at Place of Rescue.   I anticipate many happy years ahead surrounded by their love and care.  I know that even if I grow very, very old (which is their prayer for me) Rescue will continue to flourish and grow because it is not built on me but on the solid Rock of Jesus Christ.  He has promised to never forsake us.  We know God loves His precious children at Place of Rescue far more than any of us can begin to imagine.  So, even though sometimes people ask me about the future of Rescue after I am no longer here on earth, we are untroubled and unafraid.  All our hope and trust is in the Lord and in His provision for us forever.  Rescue is not the great and wonderful, loved filled place because of me but because of Jesus.  He will never grow tired or old.  He will always supply all we need as we pray about leadership and resources. 

So as I go into my 78^th year I thank Him for His faithfulness and everlasting love.

WHY ME LORD?

This morning I climbed up into the bus and sat and cried a little while.  I am overwhelmed by the kindness we have received and think of the song that asks, “Why me Lord?  What have I ever done to deserve even one of the pleasures I’ve known?”

What a wonderful time we had in Camrose at Century Meadow’s Baptist Church!

From the moment we walked into the church and smelled the delicious aroma of Asian food cooking to the last moment when Janice got on the bus and prayed for us all, we were so blessed and enveloped in love.

Women from several different churches joined together to prepare the food.  I know the Lord loves that fellowship!   Smiling young people from the church came to welcome our kids.  They joined them in worship and then enjoyed supper seated at tables together with the dancers.   They did not know each other’s languages very well but they did have the language of love and smiles for each other.    The Cambodians appreciated that good food and rice.  “It has a Cambodian taste to it!”  someone commented.  Lemonade and ice-cream were greatly enjoyed too.

I was so surprised to see so many people fill the church.  After all, it was a week-night and everyone had lots of other things to do.  We were all so encouraged by their presence and then by their applause and kind words and by the offerings and their delight in the books they took home with them.

Moving to the gym for snacks after the performance there was time for everyone to meet the dancers and chaperons, to shake hands and give hugs and to smile some more at each other.

Happily satisfied kids were sent off then with the kindhearted people who were offering a bed and breakfast to a tired dancer.  I so enjoyed staying again with Janice and Jim Glasspell.  Janice is my late husband’s cousin.  It felt a bit like home as they showed me again to “my room”.  Their love is such a huge support for me personally.

We gathered together back at the church in the morning and received a big surprise.  Containers and bags lined one wall of the dining room.  Someone had donated two containers crammed with brand new sports clothes in perfect sizes.  We burst into a song of praise and then everyone got to choose something to wear.  What fun they had!  I am so moved at the Lord’s tenderness for our kids.  We have a rule on this trip that nobody can profit personally so nobody can receive a gift.  But here were clothes for everyone with plenty left to share back at the orphanage when they get home.   It was such a beautiful creative way for the Lord to deal with our kids’ disappointment over the “no gifts” rule.    Beside the containers of clothes were three big bags of gorgeous dolls of every description.  All the little darlings were dressed up with cute clothes and wrapped snuggly in blankets sewn or crocheted by loving hands.  May God bless and reward the friends responsible for bringing so much joy to our kids by the clothes and dolls. 

Our littlest dancer, Pyum, would have loved to claim a doll to take on the bus with her.  Instead we promised her that for Christmas we would be sure she got the dolly she could hug now.

This Gramma has a thing for dolls…. Christmas just isn’t Christmas for me if I don’t get to give a little girl a doll.  So what can say when I get to give dolls to hundreds of little girls?   Over and over I am blown away by the sense that my Lord Jesus is smiling and saying, “I thought you would like that!”  

We are all so unworthy of the Lord’s loving kindness and care.  We have nothing to offer Him but our gratitude and love.   We give Him that with all our hearts.

THE BLESSINGS KEEP ON COMING!

We all had a wonderful time at Nakamun Camp.  It was a good break from a very full schedule.  Beautiful surroundings, great food, comfortable beds, super friendly people – what more can you wish for?  I slept for 11 hours!!

The kids slept well too.  Actually they slept on the bus all the way here from Edmonton.  Do you suppose that had anything to do with the fun they had at the water park at West Edmonton Mall?  It was such a special time for them and we are grateful to Jeff Wilson for providing it.

Our time in Stony Plain was made particularly good because a group from this church were just at Place of Rescue in Cambodia holding an English Camp in July.  The reunions were precious as Canadians and Cambodian kids hugged each other.  Little Pyum was clutching the hand of a big guy, smiling broadly and saying, “Gramma I am going to sleep at teacher’s house!”   We were treated to a delicious Cambodian curry supper made by aexpert cook from the congregation.  Once again the dancers loved performing to an appreciative audience.  Our kids had another brand new experience that afternoon.  They got to ride on a wagon pulled by mules.  They have never even seen a mule.  

I love placing myself at the book table and really enjoy the comments.  One lady told me she was sending a copy of the book SAME SAME but DIFFERENT to a friend in England who will read it to school kids there.   Who knows where that will go?

As we left Nakamun Camp it was a lot of fun for everyone to see their breath.  It is getting colder and snow is predicted.  What an experience THAT will be!!

NOT TOO BUSY!

It couldn’t be busier and it couldn’t be more fun.

After a good evening in Estevan HOPE dancers piled into the bus and headed for Regina.    We got to Living Hope Alliance in Regina and felt like school kids enjoying our bag lunches kindly provided by billets in Estevan. 

After lunch there was just enough time to get ready for the next   performance.  A slightly abbreviated performance was enjoyed by the audience of mostly seniors.  Snacks were gobbled up and then everyone was on the bus again.   Another kind and generous offer – the kids had a blast at Dino jumping on trampolines and sliding down slides.  It was another little kid experience that our big kids never had a chance to enjoy before and enjoy it they did!  It probably did not last long enough but we had another appointment to keep.

My grand-daughterAllesha works at East Side Marios and her boss had offered to host all of us to a delicious Italian meal – yet another kind and generous offer.  The kids enjoyed the yummy bread, salad and spaghetti.  This gramma reveled in a chance to sit and gaze at her beautiful granddaughter and have a chance to chat for just a bit.

The evening performance was wonderful as usual but for me it was most extra special because my family was there.  Rod and Cindy, Allesha, Andrew, Riley and Miranda sat in the front row.  They were such a huge encouragement to me.  They surprised me afterwards with an early birthday gift extolling my wonderful life and a “ginormous” fancy card.  What fun!!

All too soon we were back on the bus for the trip to Briercrest Bible College.  The kids were so cranked up they sang raucously nearly all the way there.  Maybe we all were beyond tired as we arrived at the motel where we had a good and peaceful sleep.

Free “all you can eat” breakfasts are still a novelty and the HOPE dancers took advantage of all the tasty choices offered.   Our tour coincided with the Missions Conference at Briercrest so I had the privilege of speaking at a seminar and again loved sharing the story of Rescue to an interested group of people. 

I had never seen that amazing auditorium and was hugely impressed.  If I was impressed that our dancers had a chance to preform in such an beautiful facility, before about 800 people, how do you think they must have felt?  It was an unforgettable  high light of the trip.  If felt so proud and pleased to show them off!   They were about to dance to these words, “I might be scared, but whatever this life brings, knowing that You will always be there, I can take on anything “.  Two of them proved those words as they shared their testimonies and again I was impressed that they could stand before such a crowd and speak with confidence, even though they were scared.  The standing ovation that followed their performance must have sent their spirits soaring.  Jesus was truly exalted!

It was 11:15 and I was in the mood to leave the meeting but couldn’t because I was sitting right up front.  Oh what I would have missed had I left!  The presentation by Mike Hack had me alternately laughing and crying.  I was greatly inspired and so glad to have the privilege of being there.

After lunch and many good conversations we were back on the bus heading for Saskatoon.  It wasn’t many minutes before everyone was sacked out and right now as we are entering Saskatoon they are still soundly sleeping.  We’ll get to Westgate Alliance church just in time to follow our regular routine - set up the props, have a little time of worship, eat supper, put on make-up and glitzy costumes and then perform again.  In our last blog Channak mentioned that he is never bored with it.  Neither am I.  Each place is new and exciting and filled with so much potential.

Tonight some of our kids will meet their sponsors and that is a huge treat.

We are so grateful that the favour our God is resting on us each perfect, cloudless day as we travel and have fun experiences and each wonderful, friendly evening as we perform.  How can we thank Him enough for this experience in Canada?

I was extremely excited when I heard that we were coming to Canada as the dance group to present HOPE to many different churches in Canada about Place of Rescue through the Dance Tour. We were spending a lot of time to get everything ready for the dance tour. I personally am so thankful to God for the wisdom that He has given me and to everyone else to get everything done before we came to Canada. I believe that it was Him who has given us strength to make everything possible before we came because everything just came together in order and we were wondering how did that happen? We did not even realize how everything was fitting so well together for the whole program. Praise the Lord for that.

Then it is time for us to leave for Canada. We were thinking that a lot of things are going to be different from Cambodia when we get to Canada. We were a little bit tired after experiencing the long flights for our first time but we were having so much fun and taking a lot pictures as well.

So here we are in Canada now. We found out that it is kind of cool for us but it was not too bad as we were prepared as we had some jackets with us. It was such a great experience for us to see another side of the world that the Lord has made. We were having so much fun together everywhere we went, for example, the park, waterfall, the zoo and many other places. Talking about the zoo it reminds me about the Blessing that God had given to us as the Dance Tour. Everywhere we go people always welcome us and they have blessed us so much. Some places they would not charge anything for the 21 of us! They just let us use it for free as they knew that we are the Dance Tour from the orphanage in Cambodia. Isn’t that great? Many places that we have been too they always give us things for free or charge us less than normal. It reminds me about the time that I went   with Mr. Blaine Sylvester and on the way we had to stop to get some chicken drumsticks for lunch on the bus and Mr. Blaine was asking them to add 21 more drinks beside the chicken drumsticks. He was asking how much it cost for those drinks. The owner said it cost 1.90 cents each but we will give free of charge to you as we know that you guys are coming as the Dance Tour from the orphanage in Cambodia. I was kind of wondering how did he know that? Then he told us that his daughter was playing volleyball with us after the performance at her school. So that proved to me that his daughter really enjoyed the performance that we had performed at her school and she must have called her daddy straight away after we left so that is how he knew.

Seeing the dances that the children from Place of Rescue were performing from place to place, I should have felt bored to see those dances again and again. But I always enjoyed seeing those dances everywhere that we have been too. I know I have seen them practice many times before they came to Canada and I also see them dance almost every day while we are here in Canada but I am still excited to see every single dance that they perform and it is always new and fun for me to see it too.  The smiles that they have every place that we have been too and it seems like they never get tired at all. Seeing a lot of people clapping and cheering for them during the performance and after the performance even makes me smile more and more. The children sharing their personal biography to the church have done such a good job. Many people at church were touched. Some people were crying after they hear those stories. I was crying a few times too even though I know their entire stories and I have heard it many times while I am here with them but they still make me cry through their stories. God has such a great plan for them. Their lives have been restored and now they are having so much joy.

While we are here, we always have our favorite things to do to relax as sometimes we are kind of tired after the performance. The girls always enjoy there time using Facebook for posting photos or comments to connect with their friends and everyone does too. The boys have a lot fun too.  We  always enjoy playing boules the Cambodian way as normally we played two and two and who ever lost the game will do 10 push-up or even more.

So please continue to pray for us as we are continues to go to many different places to present Place of Rescue Dance Tour of HOPE.

Many Blessings, Channak Morn

TWO CUTIES

Blaine calls them Cutie 1 and Cutie 2, these littlest dancers on tour with the presentation of HOPE.   Their real names are Pyum and Bunna and they are 7 and 8 years old

Wherever we go our two littlest dancers are a special treat for whoever gets to watch them perform.  They are just too cute as they dress up in their beautiful gold coloured costumes and dance a praise dance I EXHALT YOU in honour of the Lord Jesus. 

They have performed in schools and churches to the delight of all who watched them.  Meeting kids their own age in a class room at Heritage Christian Academy was a great idea,, especially because it was Samuel Seehawer’s  class and taught by Noreen Unger, whom Marie knew when she was 2 yrs old.

Bunna’s bright, mischievous smile had the young Filipina girls in stiches as he kept flashing that smile at them sitting there in the front row at Living Hope Alliance church in Winnipeg.Pyum is more serious as she carefully and gracefully works her way perfectly through all the dance moves right up to the sweet  bowat the conclusion.

There is no shyness as they make their way to the back of each auditorium to be greeted and hugged by the people whose hearts they have captured.

Pyum and Bunna have discovered there are rooms in churches where there are lots of toys.  They are delighted to play with things they never got to see, let along play with when they were toddlers.

These little cuties have never had this much fun in their short lives.  For kids who rarely get to eat ice cream it has got to be a dream come true to enjoy all the ice cream you can eat.  At Buttefield Acres in Calgary they saw many kinds of Canadian farm animals and Pyum even got to milk a goat!  They have never even seen a big horse but the other day these brave little kids got to ride one in Winkler.   Visiting the zoo in Winnipeg they saw animals they did not know existed.  They do know about tigers but up close with only a window between them and this beautiful animal must have been an unforgettable experience.  In Russell they saw a field full of snow geese and in Pinawa deer were roaming in the town and sleeping in the grass by the church.

Living in the country at Place of Rescue they have rarely even seen a hotel but in Portage la Prairie they got to stay in one, swim in the pool, zoom  down the waterslides and eat pizza for supper.

They have enjoyed all kinds of yummy and interesting food, including  Mennonite farmer sausage, KFC chicken and McDonald’s burgers.  Best of all Bunna loved potato chips and filled his paper plate up twice at a roadside picnic.  French fries dipped in ketchup are a big treat too.  All the delicious fruit, especially grapes are amazing.   They think that sour crabapples picked from a tree in a church parking lot taste great dipped in salt.

They have been so good, sleeping in different beds every night or on the bus.  Trakuan, Marie’s personal helper in Cambodia, is their surrogate Mom and keeps them feeling secure.  Even when car sickness made him lose his breakfast, Bunna was up there dancing and smiling afterwards.  These kids are troupers!

Everywhere they go they are smiled at and catered to.  No wonder they love being here in Canada.

Both Pyum and Bunna are orphans, precious treasures rescued for the Lord Jesus and growing up to love and honour Him with all their hearts.

As we left Medicine Hat, everyone settled down for a nap.  Tummies were full of the yummy food Blaine had picked up for us and hearts were filled with the loving care we had received.   God bless Medicine Hat!

Next stop – Trailview Alliance Church in Swift Current.

From the moment we arrived we were wrapped in the warm welcome from Pastor Michael.  What a blessing he was to us!  He had obviously passed on his loving enthusiasm to his congregation.   From the moment we arrived we also smelled the delicious aroma of a special supper being prepared for us in the church kitchen.  The Cambodians were amazed at this gesture of love and welcome.

The dancers quickly checked out the size of the platform and determined it was big enough.  They didn’t even have to practice.  The service was to start at 6:30 and they needed an hour and a half to put on make-up and get into their costumes.  They hurried to get dressed up in their costumes before supper.   Some friends from the church joined them as they lined up to fill plates with the delicious meal that had been prepared.   Cake and ice cream topped off the rice and chicken and vegetables.  Young Bunna was delighted with his good fortune, all you can eat ice-cream!  What a huge treat for a little boy!  

Spare moments here and everywhere are spent checking facebook and sharing the experiences.

Six thirty was soon upon us and the performance began.  Sitting in my favourite spot front and centre watching the children give a wonderful performance, my heart was again touched.  I so love the chance to show everyone what amazing children we have brought from Place of Rescue.  They represent the orphanage and the Lord Jesus very well indeed.

Long time bonds of friendship were firmly tied after the performance as we retired to the foyer to meet and greet many friends.  Although the dancers know only a little English, still they smiled and tried to understand and answer questions and loved having their pictuers taken.  We were happy to see lots of books taken for a donation. And we were so grateful for the generous donations.  Caring friends signed up to sponsor children from Place of  Rescue.

The bonds were further tightened as the dancers and chaperons were handed off to friends from the church and taken home to spend the night.  Their faces expressed their joy and gratitude in spite of feeling the need to jog in the church to warm up.  Bodies may have felt the cold but hearts were warm and feeling greatly loved and cared for.  My own heart was full of gratitude and the desire that the Lord will greatly reward Pastor Michael and his congregation for their welcome and partnershiop.

The first week has passed with much joy and blessing.   And with a few unhappy events as well.

Sokhan Lao, director of Rescue, received news from Cambodia that her brother in law’s house burned down and he was seriously injured in the fire.  He is in a hospital in Viet Nam with life- threatening injuries.

It was a lot of fun for the kids to drive the go-carts in Medicine Hat but one young girl SreyLek did not make the turn and her go-cart careened out of control and went flying under the chain link fence.  It was a shock for everyone but fortunately her injuries were not serious.  She has some bruises on her face though and that’s got be hard for this young dancer.  She has been amazing, not complaining or crying but just taking it in stride and saying, “Mun eye teh.”   (It’s nothing)!

Some of the dancers have had stomach upsets as they adjust to new food and to lack of rest due to jet-lag.  Still they dance and smile.

We cover these incidents with prayer and praise and everyone continues to rejoice in all the good things that have been happening every day.  It was a pleasure and privilege to attend the morning worship service in Medicine Hat.   The Cambodian group, wearing their black T-shirts with the Rescue logo, sat together in a front section.  The high light for me was singing HERE I AM TO WORSHIP because it is a song the kids sing in Cambodian at Place of Rescue.   Watching them join whole heartedly into worship with the Canadians was a very special moment.   Our two little ones again wowed everyone with their cuteness as they performed their praise dance and hearts were touched by the testimony of Visal,   What can I say about him?  He loves Jesus and he is clever and has a great personality.  His life has so much potential.   Always it is special to watch all our kids interact with people at the end of the service.

The bus trip to Swift Current brought a chance to sack out for a while.  But before everyone settled down new scenes brought some excited chatter - a loooong freight train like they have never seen before and a huge herd of cows and a couple of white tailed deer. 

New and fun sights abound but sleep overtook us all and soon we arrived at the Alliance church in Swift Current.

What a great time we had in Swift Current!  Watch for a blog about that tomorrow.

The past 5 days have passed by in a flash. 

When the dancers and their chaperons got on the plane in Phnom Penh, it hardly seemed possible that we were really on our way to Canada.  Since that moment the new and wonderful experiences have never stopped

The plane trip itself was an unbelievable privilege for these kids who have come from poverty and endured many difficult  experiences.  They all recognize the grace of God in giving them HOPE  to overcome their past and head for a wonderful future.

A few years ago they never would have guessed that a trip to Canada would be in their future but now, here they are.

The first performance of HOPE was in Millarville on Wednesday evening.  It was a wonderful success.  After so many hours of preparation and practice, we were still nervous but there was no reason for that.  Their performance was truly moving and greatly enjoyed by both children and adults.   A special performance for a special group of people followed on Thursday in Calgary.  Again the dancers did a wonderful job.

I am delighted by the attitude of all of them.  With very few exceptions they are up for anything and are having a wonderful time.  Jet-lag has them grabbing moments (or hours!) of sleep anytime during the day on the bus or all sacked out on the Sylvester living room floor.

Blaine has been great at planning outdoor activities each day and the Lord has been great at giving us good weather to enjoy them.   A picnic in Bowness Park with time to  play games or walk around and enjoy the fall beauty happened the first day. 

Stopping off at Elbow Falls on the way to Millerville was a high light for that day.  Again a picnic lunch was enjoyed.  Young Bunna loved all you can eat potatoe chips and everyone is loving the Canadian fruit.   Their was much laughter and even more picture taking as we hiked up to see the falls.  What a treat for everyone!

Yesterday the fun trip was to Butterfield Acres.  Even the older teens and chaperons saw animals they had never seen before and enjoyed every minute of the time there, as did this Gramma!   They even got to milk a goat! 

It is a bit of a challenge to give this group food they will love.  KFC hit the spot before the evening performance.  Someone said, “Oh they have KFC in Canada too.” 

Everywhere we go, people are curious about this vibrant group of Cambodian young people.  If we get into a conversation and explain who they are and why they are here, the response is always very positive.  Everyone seems to want to share our joy and hope.

In January 2011 we walked around the property we had just purchased in Pailin for Place of Rescue III.  Our hearts were soaring as we rejoiced in what the Lord had done for us, giving us such a beautiful place.  We dreamed of building 10 houses where 100 orphan children would find a loving home within the coming months.

This year has been a time of ups and downs as we sought to make that dream come true.  As the months went by, it saddened us to know that there were more than 30 children who were ready to come just as soon as the houses were finished and the house mothers ready to care for them.  It seemed to take far too long.   After a few months, when the houses were finished and furnished we still had no staff.   Then we discovered why God was not supplying this need.  There was serious sin in the actions of the leadership up there.  So we dismissed everyone and started afresh.

Finally in November God answered our prayers and we received applications from a wonderful Christian couple and a single woman.  They came to Place of Rescue I for a month of training. 

On January 5^th  I drove onto Place of Rescue III property in Pailin with Sokhan, Sakon and Khim and these new staff members.  There is no way to describe what it felt like during the rest of this very special day.  

As we arrived we saw that two families of children had already come and were waiting for us.  At long last they were home!   We welcomed them with smiles and were happy to receive smiles back. 

I looked deep into the eyes of the grandfather who was trusting us with his 3 grand-daughters.  His eyes filled up as I thanked him for his trust and promised we would do our very best to take good care of them and to see to it that they had a good future.

We checked our records and saw we had 22 girls and 11 boys.  We could open 3 houses.  But we had staff for only two.  Imagine our delight and amazement when Sakhan received a phone call while we were there on that property.  A woman was calling to say she wanted to be a house mother.  In her fourties she is just the right age.   She has been a Christian for ten years so is mature in her faith.  Exactly what we needed and she came just in the nick of time.  Such a wonderful confirmation that the Lord was in charge.   Before we made this trip I had asked Him to give us assurance.  (I added the word PLEASE)  By evening she was there, ready to begin to “mother” her group of children.

I was reminded of kids arriving at summer camp as these youngsters scrambled to get their mats and blankets in place and fooled around getting to know each other.  

The house Mom sat down with them and gave them their first loving instructions and then taught them a couple of songs which they thoroughly enjoyed.  She sang one song to them and asked them if they wanted to learn it.  I loved it that one of the girls actually jumped up and down with excitement affirming that YES she wanted to.   They are beginning to soak up the love of Jesus and it was so wonderful to watch.

“Mak”  (Mom) cooked a huge pot of rice and the mats were spread on the floor and all gathered around to enjoy a favourite meal, rice with dried fish and watermelon.  We also brought fruit, knowing it was a rare treat and would make the adjustment even happier.

  “Pa” urged everyone to close their eyes and our dream had come true!   Orphan children in Pailin were sitting in a house at Place of Rescue III thanking the Lord Jesus for the food He had provided for them.  Surely He was sharing our joy!

So quickly it is over, this wonderful dream trip.  LET MY LIGHT SHINE arrived home safely on Nov. 1.  Two of the girls had to go the same day to House of New Dreams in Phnom Penh because they are in grade 12 and needed to get to school the next day.  So our celebration meeting took place the evening of Nov. 1

We have so much to celebrate. 

Through all those many kilometers of travel by plane and van and car the Lord protected us.  There were no unpleasant instances at all. 

Throughout the whole time in Canada, in spite of jet-lag, motion sickness and unusual food, the girls were cheerful and up to anything.  One evening, Sopheak, feeling really weak and sick because she had so much trouble with motion sickness, prayed as she danced because she was about to fall over.  She says she felt the Lord’s hand on her back supporting her as she danced I EXALT THE LORD.

The girls and their chaperons, Sokhan and Sakhan, had the privilege of meeting many wonderful Canadian people and of staying in some of their lovely homes.  Their kindness and hospitality was very touching.  The large beautiful homes with spare rooms because children had moved out blew them away.  “Only the two of you live here?  Who helps you to clean the house?”  someone asked. What mattered was not the size of their houses but the size of their hearts and that too was huge.   Being in such homes was a totally new experience for our girls.  You can hardly imagine how different it was for them.  Yet they took it all in stride and had a good time.

Often Cambodians were in the audience.  I know they will have felt affirmed and proud to see Canadians applaud their traditional Cambodian dances with so much enthusiasm.  It was wonderful for our girls to meet them and be loved by them.

On a perfect clear day LET MY LIGHT SHINE had the great joy of visiting Banff.  Up there in the snowy mountains was about as different from Cambodia as it gets.  The gondola ride, the snow in their hands and in their mouths, the gorgeous high mountains, the swim in the hot springs pool and the sight of mountain goats, squirrel,  deer and an elk with the most massive rack imaginable will remain in their hearts and minds forever.

The highlight of the tour was the performance at Rockpointe Church in Calgary.  Many people put in many hours of work to make this event a huge success.  As usual the girls were touching and beautiful as they danced their first numbers.  Then came the dance I DO, the song written by Paul Brandt.  What a surprise awaited them as they stepped on to the stage.  There sat Paul himself with his guitar, ready to sing for them as they danced.   Neither the girls not the audience knew he would be there and it was such a delight to share their joy.  When they finished the dance they sped across the stage to greet and hug their friend.  A Cambodian marketplace was set up with souvenirs and useful items from Cambodia.  Vigorous bargaining took place here after the performance.  A live auction of a set of dishes with matching tablecloth and the offer of a Cambodian meal served on the plates at a later date was won by someone who had to hand over $8,000 for it.   Then someone else said they would pay the same amount for another set deliverable in January.  Two passes to the upcoming Paul Brandt show in Calgary along with back-stage passes was another huge attraction as was a Cambodian cooking class.

The next day Jeffrey Wilson, the friend of Rescue who took all our kids to the beach this summer took the girls to the beach again.  This time it was the “beach” at West Edmonton Mall.  This was a special unforgettable treat like they had never experienced before. 

Sunday was a whirlwind as they performed for the last time at St. Albert Alliance church - one more time to shine for Jesus.  Kind friends served lunch and everyone piled into the van for the trip back to Calgary.  All the way to Edmonton and on the way back they listened to Paul Brandt’s latest CD, GIVE IT AWAY, over and over and over again.  Then there was just time for last minute shopping, last minute packing, last minute good-byes dampened with tears.  The sparklers Shelly handed everyone as the van was about to leave helped cheer us up only a little.

The girls miss Blaine, the Daddy they never had.  He was awesome with them, serving them so well and putting up with their constant teasing.  They love him so much.

“Hello” is always better than “Good-bye” and all of us were so happy to get back home to a huge joyous “HELLO!!” from everyone at Place of Rescue.  As evening fell the sweetest sound on earth filled the air, the sound of hundreds of children praising Jesus. Sweetness filled the mouths of the kids too as the dancers handed out the treats they had brought for them, bags of Canadian candy. 

Now all that remains are the memories and lessons learned ... and thousands of great pictures.  These precious things will stay with us forever.

LET MY LIGHT SHINE is having an awesome time!

Yesterday they performed in the fifth location so we are more than half way through this memorable tour. 

The girls and their chaperons, Sokhan and Sakhon will never forget all the experiences they have enjoyed.  They will remember the fun time visiting Stanley Park, especially the aquarium the shows there.  They will recall with deep satisfaction that everywhere we go they have been warmly received in the big beautiful homes of friends and long time relationships have surely been forged.   Memories of picking apples and roses and meeting the brother of Mak Yeay’s dog Toby will always bring back a smile. 

The taste of the hamburgers they sampled in several places will not be forgotten.  The verdict was that they were good but they longed for rice and Cambodian soup.   Sunday a friend brought those longed for foods to church and that was big treat.  The sight of fall scenery with gold and crimson trees was a beautiful memory to store away and to talk about at home.  When they are asked about their impressions they mention the vastness and “bigness” of things and the cold.  Warm coats and gloves and toques help but they can’t dance wearing those clothes.

Their beautiful glitzy dance outfits make them look like the princesses they really are. The Sokhans and I sit in the front row at each performance and watch them with so much pride and joy.  The message that is coming across is this:  These girls are rescued and they are a wonderful example of what the Lord Jesus is doing at Place of Rescue.  They perform with poise and confidence and joy.

That their dances are well done is not as big a surprise to me as what I see after the show is over.  You would never know that these delightful young women spent the first years of their lives in extremely disadvantaged situations.  They walk out to the foyers of the churches at the end of the performances with heads held high and smiles on their faces.  You might expect them to huddle in a corner with each other, hesitant to meet so many people who speak a language they know only a little.  But on the contrary they are poised and graceful, friendly and outgoing.  They greet adults and kids alike and hold babies with great pleasure. They smile and smile and smile as they are asked to pose for countless pictures.  The book MY FOREVER HOME  is the story of Ny who is one of the dancers.   She happily autographs her book.  Sopheap’s testimony is in the book MY STORY and she also autographs her page and offers with it, a big smile.   They are winning everybody’s heart and bringing honour to Jesus.  I know that is their desire.

Monday morning we will fly out to Saskatoon and will be at Westgate Alliance Church at 7:00 P.M.  Tuesday they will be in Brandon MB.  Then we will be back in Calgary  at Rockpoint church and finish up on Sunday at St. Albert Alliance at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. 

None of us will ever forget this dream come true.

LOOK OUT CANADA!  HERE WE COME!

The day finally came.  After months of intense preparations and practicing the Place of Rescue dance troupe LET MY LIGHT SHINE and their chaperons Sokhan and Sakhon  piled into the bus with about 50 members of their youth group, their house Moms and siblings and we headed for the Phnom Penh airport.  We left with lots of time to spare because I knew what they all would want to do at the airport – take loads and loads of pictures.

Check in brought us a little surprise.  Because they had Cambodian passports the girls and their chaperons got a refund on their tickets instead of having to pay airport tax.  So they had a total of $49 to spend.  At a snack place after checking in they spied the ice cream and that is what they wanted.  The first of many treats yet to come.

I am sure their hearts were fluttering as the plane took off for Taipei.  I noticed one of the girls with her eyes closed and knew she was probably praying. 

The 7 hour layover in Taipei gave them lots of time to see things they had never seen before.  More photo ops.  There were so many smiles and giggles.    Eating noodle soup with such a funny big spoon cracked them up.

It was about midnight when we boarded the plane for the flight to Vancouver.  I am delighted at the way the girls are handling all the new experiences.  They watch and experiment and learn. 

I am so proud of them - of what they have become.  They are poised and confident, loving the Lord and ready for anything.

We met Blaine, Kristie and Mike and Chris (who came to help with English camp last year) with great joy.  The girls and their chaperons were shivering but Blaine had brought warm coats for everyone.  Seeing their breath was a new experience for sure. 

A stop off at McDonalds for hamburgers and French fries was a must before we all went to the Super 8 hotel for the night, the girls all sharing one big room and the chaperons and me in another.   Jet lag didn’t permit me to sleep much but that’s O.K. we don’t have a lot to do today. 

Today we plan to have lunch with my sister in law and brother in law Sophie and Jerry Sommerfeld and then supper with Dean and Lesley Weiss.  That will be fun!  It’s supposed to be sunny this afternoon so the girls and the chaperons will get their first idea of how beautiful B.C. is as we drive from Abbotsford to Chilliwack.

We are rejoicing in God’s great goodness to make this trip possible and anticipating much blessing.  I’ll keep you posted.

There really are not words to describe it but I will try to tell you how it felt to turn 77 at Place of Rescue. 

Friday I invited Lisa to come for supper with me and our nurse Anne and our English language teachers Breanna, Erin and Nicola.  I didn’t know Lisa would bring a gorgeous cake and it would turn into a birthday celebration.  Wonderful!  My Cambodian helper hugged me with tears and said in English, “ I LOVE you Gramma!”  The teachers had to go teach after supper but Lisa, Anne and I had a precious time of prayer together.

Next morning the teachers came to my house and prepared a delicious breakfast of crepes with many kinds of fillings.  Their love to me is such a huge gift and blessed me so much.

Then in walked the dogs with pink face paint on their coats sporting the number 77.

I spent a much needed restful day often looking at incoming facebook messages, about 150 wishes came from all over the world.  Wow!

During the day I was on the phone with Sokhan several times as she told me where my best gift was now.  Yes, the best gift is a family of children coming from a village some distance away.  A pastor had contacted us to tell us of another man who had murdered his wife leaving children who certainly need the kind of loving care Place of Rescue can give.  When I heard they were arriving on Saturday I thanked Jesus for this awesome birthday present from Him.

As darkness was falling Sokhan and Sakhon came to get me.  Coming down the stairs I saw the first surprise.  A long row of kids holding big fancy sign boards with the letters H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y.  As I came down they broke into song “Happy Birthday to you”   Then they led the way to the meeting hall where everyone was assembled with huge smiles and eyes so full of love. 

Every event at Place of Rescue begins with a time of praise.  How I love to hear the children sing praises to Jesus! 

The girls who will leave for tour in just a week presented a special performance of the Blessing Dance.  How lovely they are!  Many shouts of “Happy Birthday Gramma” and many special songs and dances followed interspersed with words of greeting from staff and kids. 

The English teachers had taught their student a song in English.  Nicola handed me the words as they got up to sing and I was in tears before they even started singing.

            Because of You/My Happy Ending

            I will not live the same life that I once did,

            Will not let myself live in so much misery.

I will not feel sad again, I’ve come so far.

I’ve learned the hard way that Jesus is my Shining Star.

Because of You, I never stray too far from the sidewalk.

Because of You, I get to play on the safe side so I don’t get hurt.

Because of You, I’ve come to learn to trust not only You but everyone at Rescue.

Because of You, I’m not afraid.

           I lost my way but it didn’t take long before I found the truth.

I do not cry because I know You’re always by my side.

I never fake a smile, at all, any day of my life

When I know that You’re the One who made it.

Because of You, I never stray too far from the sidewalk.

Because of You, I get to play on the safe side so I don’t get hurt.

Because of You, I’ve come to learn to trust not only You but everyone at Rescue.

Because of You, I’m not afraid.

Oh -oh oh-ho, thank you for our happy ending.

Oh-oh, oh-oh thank you for our happy ending.

Let’s think this over;   It’s not in my head.

It is something You did;  It was something You said.

You didn’t leave me struggling in a city so dead,

Held up so high on such a breakable thread.

You are all the things I didn’t know

But now, here, I can see.

You are everything, everything that I want.

We were meant to be, supposed to be and now You’ve saved me.

All of the memories so close to me just fade away.

All this time You weren’t pretending.

Thank you for my happy ending.

Oh-oh, oh-oh, thank You for my happy ending

Oh-oh oh-oh, thank You for my happy ending.

A big high-light was the dance HOPE, danced to one of our favourite Paul Brandt songs.  (See a video of this performance with this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWjFUY1DShQ)

Our kids are such “hams”   They love to plan and perform skits so of course this had to be part of the program.   The performers talked about what they could give Makyeay (Gramma) for a gift.  Flowers and some other suggestions came into the conversation.  Then they asked one of the guy actors,  “What does Gramma love?”  and he gestured at all the kids sitting around watching. “This is what she loves!”   Cute!!

Their gift of a beautiful birthday cake was brought in then accompanied by more (and more and more!!) singing of Happy Birthday in both English and Cambodian.  It was really so over the top!

Never one to miss an opportunity, pastor briefly and gently reminded the kids that they know what Gramma likes: smiles and love and doing what is right… so, he reminded them, do it!

My assistant, Channak, prepared an amazing album with individual greetings from Place of Rescue staff and even from my daughter Shelly interspersed with photographs.  Such a labour of love and a great keep-sake.

After gifts and many, many hugs and picture taking, especially taking pics of them hugging Makyeay,  we came to the happy ending.  I walked home on air.  The young people begged to stay and dance for a while and this special birthday request was granted.

For a long time I have wished I could write a song of praise and gratitude to Jesus.  This couplet was in my heart the next morning as I reflected on this wonderful occasion.

“Who am I that GOD should care to make me happy?

Who am I that He should fill my life with so much love?”

It is called House of New Dreams, this beautiful dorm we had built in Phnom Penh where our High School graduates can live while going to university or getting some technical training.

From the beginning we have had huge dreams for all the children the Lord sends to Place of Rescue.  We believe He has chosen them and has wonderful plans for their lives.  We believe they will grow up to be a benefit to the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of God.

We see the dreams beginning to come true.  One by one our children are finishing high school and going on to university. 

We are so proud of Sok Hang and Reaksmey Eik Chan who graduated this year and have great plans for their futures.  Reaksmey will begin studies at International University this week starting an eight year commitment to study to become a pediatrician.  Sok Hang will study English with a goal to be a translator.

As each receives that coveted document declaring they have passed this milestone it is cause of great rejoicing and celebration.  Friday evening everyone at Place of Rescue I gathered in No Wall Hall for an truly wonderful time of celebration.  Our children certainly know how to “make His praise glorious” !  (Ps. 66:1)  I could listen to them forever and love the way my heart soars as I realize that my own dreams are coming true as I have helped to facilitate hundreds of children praising the Lord Jesus with all their might.  No matter where their paths lead them in the future they will never be able to forget how blessed they were as they praised Jesus when they were kids at Place of Rescue.  May they be making life-long habits knowing how their praises will bring them victory.

Our Pastor Sokthun always seems to have exactly the right words and once again he was so appropriate in his choice of Scripture to encourage the grads and all the children as he spoke of the King who gave talents to his servants to invest wisely for Him.  He told Reaksmey and Sok that what they were investing was their time and effort to study and not get entangled with romantic attachments. 

Reaksmey was very happy to receive her gift of a laptop computer to help her in her studies.  It was fun to watch Sok open his gift which had been put in a huge box which led to ever smaller boxes until the iPhone was finally revealed.

Other gifts were presented with loving words of congratulations and love and praise.  Most touching was the words and hugs from their former housemothers.  They will be the Forever Moms for these young people no matter where they go.  Sok and Reaksmey know this will always be Home.

Our young people love to plan and perform skits.  The skit they had prepared for this occasion was both funny and profound.   Two groups of students were portrayed, one group who industriously studied and the other who just laughed and goofed off.  Scene 2 – of course the first group passed and got their certificate and the second failed.  Scene 3 – The successful kids are dressed up and one of them is showing off his new necktie.  Then the second group comes on dressed in labourer’s clothes and kramas.  The necktie guy orders them to start hauling bricks to build his house for him.  

As evening came, the chairs were stacked and mats spread out.  Everyone sat down in their home groups and a delicious meal was enjoyed by all.  The English teachers, recently arrived from Canada got a good introductions to delicious curry and rice noodles.

With so much praise and joy in everyone’s heart the best expression was dance.  This surely was the ultimate grad dance as babies, two year olds, little kids, young people, house Moms, staff and the graduates participated together dancing to Christian songs and music.  For this Gramma’s legs, participating in the dancing could not last long but sitting and watching the fun with a little kid on my lap and others massaging my shoulders and arms or just smiling at me was truly awesome. 

I run out of words to describe how much we thank and praise the Father of our children for all He is doing for them.  He is the Dream Giver and He can do “abundantly above all we ask or imagine.”