Adventures with Brenda

Slowly starting to post again...

2009-10-19T22:44:00.000-07:00

So my friend Shoz mentioned that I should start blogging again...and also start winning stuff from just posting...stuff! So here's a first go at it...

Adventures in Asia

2008-08-19T08:38:00.000-07:00

So it's been awhile since I've posted anything here – hopefully you've been keeping up with the Cambodia Mission 2008 blog! I've kept up my journal fairly well since the beginning of the month so this entry will be bits and pieces from it...

When the team left (on August 2^nd) I was able to spend some time with a great new friend, Cathy. She's a close friend of some of my teammates so we grieved together the departure of our friends. I moved my stuff to Kim's house (she's a missionary from Rexdale that is working with Vietnamese people in Cambodia) and settled in. That same day I was also able to have dinner with friends from Toronto who were visiting from China. God's great in knowing what we want and need – He provided the right people at the right time to help in this transition...

Sunday, August 3^rd was my first day more on my own - a bit daunting for sure! In my journal I wrote: "I was a bit scared leaving the house alone today - Huot (the tuk-tuk driver) couldn't find the house. I felt like a turtle sticking its head out of its shell then retreating again.” Kim's house has a solid metal gate and I would peek through a small opening to see if the tuk-tuk had arrived. My plan was to go to church in the morning and catch up on email in the afternoon. I learned about flexibility that day since Huot was late and I missed the morning church service. The change in plans allowed me to get a massage and a nice lunch before heading to a service in the afternoon – not a bad day!

From August 5^th to 8^th I spent time with my friend Michelle (from Ottawa who I met through adventure racing) traveling by boat (a 5-hour tour) and exploring the area of Siem Reap. It's a wonderful area with ancient ruins – a photographer's paradise! I worked a bit on my photography skills and enjoyed seeing the interesting history of this part of the world. There were many children around the touristy areas trying to sell us t-shirts, pants, bracelets, toys...the list goes on! They sure have mastered the art of...I'm not sure what to call it! They are very friendly when they first approach you and pout really well if you don't buy anything from them. Michelle and I both came away with stuff...I guess we're just a couple of nice, generous tourists...or suckers! It was nice to be away from the city (Phnom Penh) for awhile...there was definitely less noise, garbage and dust in this smaller city. We also found a nice place for foot massages and went everyday...it only cost $6 for an hour!

On Aug 8^th I headed back to Phnom Penh with Linda, a new friend visiting from Toronto. We were both staying back at Kim's place and shortly after we arrived, we were teaching English! Kim opens her home to some students who need help catching up – a great experience for sure. I was with a couple students who needed help with pronunciation. It made me think a bit more of how I speak knowing that they would be speaking the way I speak. We spent the evening watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics – all 4 hours! Well, we napped a bit.

For the next few days I was able to spend time with Kim and experience a bit or her ministry. We attended two Vietnamese church services on the Sunday and saw a few of the areas where New Hope schools are located. It was interesting to run into girls who spoke English quite well. I later learned that parents will often send their girls to study English in order to help in their work in the sex industry. So sad to see where the lives of many of these girls are headed. From Monday to Wednesday, we were in Sihanoukville with five youth groups from Vietnamese churches in Phnom Penh. It was nice to just be there and not have to do any of the planning for the event! (Side note for RAC youth: Imagine this...traveling on a bus for 4 hours to go to the beach and settling in huts by the water. Your budget for meals is $1 and you will be sleeping in reclining chairs. There are no showers – just big vats of water and scoops to bathe with. Oh yeah, the bathrooms? They're of the squatty variety. Evenings were spent listening to messages translated from English to Vietnamese, worshiping, dancing and playing games. Breakfast is noodles cooked on small gas stoves and everyone helps with the cleaning, etc. It was great!) While in Sihanoukville I was able to experience something I didn't think I'd find in Cambodia...threading!

The last week has been quieter for me – I did a bit more touring of the city (saw the Royal Palace), helped with English studies again, had my hair done ($3 for a wash, hot oil treatment and straightening!), spent time in a wonderful cafe, shopped a bit and caught up with a new friend I met while we were in Kep. It's been neat meeting new people from around the world – some from as close as Saskatchewan (!) and others from Australia. I've met up a couple times with one woman in particular. Her name is Joycee and she's been a missionary for many years. She served with her husband in Indonesia and since he died a few years ago, she's been in China, Thailand and now Cambodia! A great new friend I will definitely keep in touch with.

Last Sunday I was able to go to church at Rahab's House, the place where we helped with the VBS. What an experience! It was great to see the kids again – and to see Yosef and Ratanak (our friends from AIM for Asia) leading in the services. I also went to a service at another church where 13 people prayed to become Christians. Exciting to see God at work...

I'm hoping to post more in the next couple weeks with more photos, reflections and adventures! I'll be getting on a bus this Sunday for an 11-hour ride from Phnom Penh to Bangkok before flying to Chiang Mai on Monday to see my family. I will also be spending some time in Malaysia before I fly back to Canada (Edmonton) on September 10^th.

I've still got a lot of processing and thinking to do about this trip and my future. Please pray that I'll be still enough to hear what God is saying to me and that I will not worry about my future as I know He is in control...

So what are some of the fun things I've experienced along the way? Riding a moto is definitely at the top of the list!

Note: I was planning on adding more photos to this post but it takes forever to upload...I'll post more as I can...

Cambodia Mission 2008 Blog

2008-07-15T04:04:00.000-07:00

I won't be posting here as much as I will be posting on our team blog...so check it out: www.cambodiamission2008.blogspot.com.

Phnom Penh

2008-07-13T03:37:00.001-07:00

After a wonderful send-off at Pearson Airport (thanks to all who were there), we made it to Phnom Penh fairly easily. There was no lost luggage and one of my teammates was even bumped up into business class for the long flight from Toronto to Hong Kong!

We arrived around noon and headed to our hotel to settle in and nap a bit before heading down to the waterfront for a bite to eat and to purchase some bottled water. We're back at the hotel now and I think I'm the only one still awake - gotta love jet lag! I think it's time to sleep.........zzzzzzzzzzz.........

6 more sleeps!

2008-07-04T21:10:00.000-07:00

It's so hard to believe we'll be flying away in only 6 more sleeps!

I've still got a lot of packing to do - and a few more good-byes...

Check out the Cambodia Mission 2008 link to see more about our upcoming trip...

Oh yeah, the farewell party at RAC was great - here's a memory I won't soon forget!

Transitions Begin!

2008-05-28T15:21:00.000-07:00

This weekend I'm packing up and moving out of my home of the last 6 years. So far it hasn't been too emotional - that'll probably change when I hand over the keys to the new tenant. I'm so glad my friend Nancy is moving in! The place (and the friends I've told Nancy go with the place) will serve her well...

I now have 33 days left until my last day of work at RAC and 43 days until our team leaves for Cambodia. I am so thankful that my Father will be with me as this adventure continues!

During the last month I have been following the blog of a group from Vancouver who were in Cambodia to help with the renovations of Rahab House. This place is going to be our base as we join a team of Cambodians in a VBS outreach. Check it out to get a feel for the place. Pray as we head into an area where evil resides...

Even So

2008-04-28T07:38:00.000-07:00

A.B. Simpson - founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance wrote many great hymns - the music just wasn't great! I was introduced to this song (with a new tune) last week and it brought me to tears...fitting for this time in my life - the tears and the words...

Even So

There's a sweet and sacred prayer
On the Bible's final page,
Breathed by John on Patmos' Isle,
Left to us from age to age.
Echo of the Master's voice:
"Lo I come, I quickly come."
And the Bride repeats the cry:
"Even so, Lord Jesus, come."

"Even so." We seldom dream
What these mighty words imply.
How they tell of lives conformed
To a Hope, so great, so high!
Tell of hearts transformed and free,
Ready at His call to go.
All our life one living page;
"Come, Lord Jesus, even so."

"Even so," O blessed Hope!
Lift our souls to things on high.
Let our hearts be centered there.
Hold our treasures in the sky.
Let us walk as strangers here,
And inscribe on all below:
"None of earth we call our own;
Christ is coming, even so."

Let us live our blessed Hope,
And affirm our Advent prayer.
Let us watch, and work, and live,
For His coming to prepare.
Let us send the gospel forth,
Till the world His name shall know,
And the Bride complete shall cry:
"Come, Lord Jesus, even so!"

Arr. © 1998 Eldon McBride. All rights reserved.

Time for change...

2008-04-15T19:45:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I shared the following with my church family at Rexdale Alliance Church. I know it’s going to be tough to leave my current ministry here, but I am excited about what lies ahead…

Helen Keller once said, “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” This has been true in my life, especially during these last five years of youth ministry here at Rexdale Alliance Church. However all good things come to an end and I will be finishing my ministry here at the end of June to begin the next part of God’s adventure for my life.

In July, I will be heading to Cambodia with a wonderful team of 6 women, some of which are from Rexdale. We will be helping with a Vacation Bible School and visiting and refreshing workers there. In August I will spend time with two sisters and their families in Asia before returning to Canada, where I will settle in Edmonton with family until I am ready to serve overseas long-term. I will be living with my parents, spending time with my dad who is struggling with cancer and I will also be working in order to bring stability to my finances. I believe this time is God ordained and that He will provide what is needed during my time there. I also feel this time will allow me to reconnect with friends, specifically a family who are home from serving in Asia. I don't know how long this time in Edmonton will be as I am starting the application process to serve long-term with the Christian & Missionary Alliance internationally. I have grown up in Alliance churches across Canada and my family has served God in over a dozen countries, primarily short-term. I am excited to continue serving in this extend family business of ministry.

My time here at Rexdale has made a huge impact in my life. I have developed wonderful friendships and have established roots; something which is hard for an adventurer to do. My relationship with God has been spurred on by wonderful teaching and opportunities to use the gifts God has given me. In the past couple years my love for young children has grown as I have watched and learned as they discover the world around them. This church has also increased my awareness of God’s work around the world and this has helped me process my experiences differently.

This was evident last October as my sister Becky and I traveled to Asia where our other two sisters and their families are learning and serving in different capacities. While we were there, God started to change my view on the calling He has for my life and during this time a love for Asia welled up in my heart. This was a change that I was not expecting and I didn’t know how to process it. When I returned home from this trip, I knew there was work to be done in my life before I could respond to this call and I learned how to trust God in the feeling of confusion about my future. He started to work in ways I did not expect: I felt a release from a self-imposed responsibility as the oldest child in my family to stay in Canada while my sisters scattered around the world; a prayer of release was prayed for me at the Ignite prayer conference and a prayer warrior in this church was led by God to ask to get together with me on a weekly basis. I am also currently enrolled in the Perspectives course – a 15-week study on the World Christian Movement which has increased my knowledge and desire as I follow God’s leading to Asia.

As I have been processing this change, I heard two very meaningful messages. Our district superintendent John Healey was here for missions conference and spoke directly into an area of doubt in my life. He shared the analogy of an aircraft carrier, explaining its task in flinging out fighter jets on their missions and assisting them when they land again. I am hoping you will fling me out and catch me when I come back. As one of my next steps, I have started a conversation with the Missions Leadership Team here at Rexdale in order to stay connected with you, my Rexdale family.

Pastor Sunder’s recent message on singleness increased my determination to make the most of the time God has given me, single at this point in my life, to make an impact for Him. I was also reminded through this message about the many spiritual children I have: those currently involved in Roots and JAM, those who have graduated, the wonderful young women who I led in a small group for 3 years and the many younger ones here who know me as ‘Auntie B’.

Please pray for me as God launches me on this new mission in life. As much as I love adventure and am looking forward to serving overseas, I know it is going to be hard to physically leave my family here at the church come June. I thank God for allowing me to serve you here and I know He has used this time to prepare me for what lies ahead. Here I go…following His path unfolding before me…