lørdag 31. januar 2015

How many degrees?

Can you see the temperature here today? -9 degrees centigrade. In 48 hours I will be in Cambodia and it will be about 40 degrees warmer than Ørsdalen today! I have finished packing, it seems strange to pack shorts and tops, suncream and mosquito spray, mosquito net and sandals. My head knows that in just a couple of days I will be in the warmth (and humidity) of Cambodia but some how I am struggling with digesting this idea! It does not help that it has been a gorgeous, if cold day here in Ørsdalen with sun and snow.

I have just had a look at the weather forecast for Phnom Penh next week. They are forecasting +33 - +34 degrees and sunny. The down side is that it will also be 82% humidity. The first night there will be air conditioning but after that... who knows, that remains to be seen! I think I will need to invest in some high factor sunscreen too.

For anyone reading this in warm climates, here is a snow picture from this afternoon. For anyone reading it the north, well, look what you missed.

torsdag 29. januar 2015

History Makers

One of the projects Normisjon runs in Cambodia is the History Makers Project. The aim is to give students from the countryside who are coming to take a further education course in the capitol Phnom Penh, a safe place to live. There are two student hostels, one for boys and one for girls. Each one has about twenty places.  The fourty students are cared for by a house mother, Lysom (playing the guitar) and a house father, Situon (below) and their two small boys.

 These pictures were taken on my trip almost Three years ago. Many of the students I got to know on that trip have now finished their studies and moved on although I hope to meet some from last time.

One of the activities these students have started is to bring kindness to the very poor people who live in the slum area of the city. This slum is built on a disused rubbish tip and in the rainy season the rubbish just floats about the make-shift homes. The students have had a number of actions in the slum bringing a bit of humanity, love and kindness to the families who live there.

One of the parents I have contact with through one of our church groups has donated LOADS of clothing for boys and girls aged 0-3 years. I will be taking it with me, after all, I don't really need to take much for just me. The students will then be able to give it to the families in the slum area as a very small act of kindness in what can otherwise be a harsh existence. Picture below.


Most people have not said no to Jesus, they just don't know what he's like. Our small acts of loving kindness in the everyday matters reflect just a little bit of his love and grace. One person cannot change the world but together we can!

onsdag 28. januar 2015

Here we go again!

I sit here and wonder how to start off. It has been more than 2 years since I wrote anything on here. There are all sorts of witty ways of beginning again but none of them "feel" right. Oh well, here we go!

I am off to Cambodia again in 5 days. No I haven't known about it for very long, but never mind that. I am off to teach the Agenda 1 concept which we use here in Norway for Christians wanting to lead lives focussed on Jesus. It focusses on living missional lives and growing in our discipleship.

I am travelling all that way alone. Steve Bruns and I will be teaching but Steve's flight lands about 12 hours after mine.

There are lots of things I am looking forward to on the trip. I am looking forward to teaching in English, the warmth - perhaps not the humidity though but most of all I am looking forward to seeing the people I met last time and the friends I made there. It is strange but I find it is the people I miss most, whether it is back in the UK or in Romsdal where we lived for ten years when the children were small or the people I have met while travelling.

As I was praying and thinking this morning I read the story of Jesus' baptism. Before Jesus has done anything he hears the voice of his Father affirming him and saying "This is my Son whom I love." It struck me that this happened before Jesus has done anything. I then wondered how good I am at resting in the fact that I too am loved for who I am before I have done anything. This is my daughter, adopted in my family, whom I love. I know the theory, most Christians do, but do I live like I believe it? Maybe, sometimes... 

The status so far regarding the trip is: vaccinations - done, medical case in event of illness - done, tell people who need to know - done, flights and bookings - done, visa applied for and received back. I guess there is only the packing left to do. I have begun to gather together a heap of things on the dining room table so I am at least started with that.More about the packing tomorrow.