Being Generous

I have named this title after some consideration. Being generous can be hard for a lot of us. We have so much in the western world and a lot of the time we crave for more and more and more. Being generous with our time,money and resources can be difficult but I know I could and I am sure you also can be more generous.

Time is precious and it is hard to be generous with it. We are constantly doing something and finding 'time' to do things can be hard. We work 5 days a week, spend the weekend catching up on sleep, doing chores, taking the kids to places we don't have the time to go the extra mile. I know there are times when I wish I could use my time wisely so I could help and serve people better.

Being generous with our money is also a struggle considering we live in such a rich country and being bombarded with plenty of things.



I will write more soon

Precious memories..........photos

I have named this blog mainly after reading a comment posted on facebook which mentioned how TCK’s ( Third Culture Kids ) seem to have a fascination with photos…..and I would have to agree with that. Being a TCK, I have a lot of photos in my room mainly from my childhood in Indonesia , my time at boarding school in Malaysia, and in recently years, photos taken when I now live, Australia. Also, along with images taken on holidays in Australia and other places around the world, I am able to treasure these precious photos.
Photos will never be able to be replaced and photos I have taken bring back pleasant memories. This one photo which I have enlarged in a frame stands out as I walk into my room. It was taken in July 2006 ( see photo ) when my family and I went back to Indonesia to say goodbye and pack up lots of our items. I remember exactly where it was taken and I still remember that day very well. We went into a poor neighbourhood where we had known some of the local kids and their mothers. When they saw us they were ecstatic and overjoyed to see us. The photo was taken with my brother and some of the kids who lived there. It is a memory that won’t be forgotten in a very long time
Everytime I see this photo, I feel blessed that I was able to experience that occasion with joy. I am also very thankful to my parents for the opportunity to live overseas as this is where most of the photos I have, really capture my experiences and something I will always cherish.

Burma & China

As we turn on the news on TV, listen to the radio and read the newspapers, there is 2 countries in Asia that we read about; Burma and China.Both countries have experienced total devastation as a result of cyclones and earthquakes. It is hard to not feel sorry for the pain people are experiencing in this country. Why do they need to suffer and why does God allow it?

As it is a question i have been thinking of many times over the years, i thought i would write a blog on it. We live in a world where humans have rebeled against God and as a result creation is groaning ( see begginning chapters of Genesis ). The human heart is the problem;Sin is a problem not just in my life, but in all of us. But what about Christians, why do they need to suffer to? We shouldn't expect to be exempt as we too live in a fallen world like non Christians.



Sometimes God uses disasters like Cyclone Nagas and the powerful earthquake to show people his power and that they need to turn to God with repentence. Wouldn't it be great if through pain and suffering that we all experience, that people who are walking in darkness, would see the light and turn back to God.

Sorry this is a short post, i might right more on this topic at a later date.

Letter from Bangladesh

Recently I received a letter from my sponsor child, Lalita, in Bangladesh. It was such a joy as I began opening the letter as it was the first letter I have received from her. Lalita is 10¾ years old, her birthday is in July ( like yours truly ) and loves playing jump rope. In her letter she mentioned her favourite food, her family and her dreams for the future- to be a teacher one day. As a result of being sponsored, she goes to school,is given enough food, has regular health check ups, and most importantly, she learns about who Jesus is through the program she attends in her village.

Most houses where she lives are made from mud walls,dirt floors and thatch roofs. 1/2 of her community is unemployed. So as you see, things do look bleak for her and the community she lives in, but with sponsoring her, she has something to look forward to, hope. She now has hope for a better future. Even though it may hard to comprehend everything that goes on where she lives, I am glad I can make a small difference in her life.

Photos taken in Vietnam

Here are some pics from Vietnam where I spent most of my time while I was overseas. The photos have been taken at an orphanage, a deaf school, a tempel and at the Cu Chi Tunnels. There is also a pic of me ready to get on a motorbike.

Cambodia Photos

Here are some photos taken while i was in Cambodia. 2 of the photos were taken at the killing fields just outside of the capital, Phnom Penh. There is one photo taken from a tuk tuk ( like a trishaw ) and the other photo is of one of my friends whom I hadn't seen in 10 years

I'm finally home

I am back in Sydney now and it has been great seeing my family again especially my brother as he has just celebrated his 16th Birthday. It feels a little strange being back in Australia as my time away was so valuable and worthwhile and I didn't want to leave.On the 8/1/2 hour plane trip back to Australia I was able to think about all the good things that happened while I was away, and also a number of things which I need to pray about.

Below are some points as a result of visiting Vietnam and Cambodia.


Thank and Praise the Father for:

• Keeping me safe and well for most of my trip.




• Being a blessing to others during my time volunteering.




• The opportunity to talk about our Heavenly Father to Mr S, a taxi driver and another volunteer..




• The Aussies I met and the encouragement they were to me.
  

Ask the Father for:

• The many people I had contact with (locals, kids at orphanages etc) who are still living in darkness; that they will repent of their sins.




• The many cross cultural workers and other locals wanting to reach out; that they will be bold and courageous, even if they are persecuted for their faith.




• More workers to want to go out into the harvest, to leave their comfort zones and reach the unreached of Asia.. Pray that they can use their skills and profession to teach others especially in areas of teaching and medical care which is much needed.

Trip to Cambodia and Vietnam- Part 2

I have been in Vietnam for a few days now and God has been so good to me. The population of Saigon is 5 times the population of Phnom Penh so the traffic is a lot more crazier!! The weather in Vietnam is very similar to Cambodia, hot and sticky for most of the day, but a lot better than the cold weather in Australia ! The other day it rained for an hour or so and my friends and I were soaked as we raced back to our guesthouse. The joy of running in the rain!

It has been an intersting few days here in Saigon. Apart from riding on a motorbike, i have been helping out along with other people at a number of organisations. Lots of the orphanages here are rather large with many street kids. It is so good that someone is willing to help these disadvantaged kids, otherwise they will be begging on the streets and not earning much money at all. We enjoyed taking some of the kids to a rollarskating rink as they had so much fun; it was clear from their smiles. ( The kids were heaps better than me on rollarskates, I hadn't rollarskated in 10 years!! )

There have been some challenges along the way, mainly with communication. I am not talking about communicating in English or Vietnamese, but it was hard connecting at times with the deaf school we visited. They taught us some sign language ( I have forgotten most of it now though-what a pity! ) and communicating back to them was difficult although it was a good experience for me to come and see them.

There has been time on the weekends to explore this exciting city of Saigon. On Saturday i went and visited the Cu Chi Tunnels which is 1/1/2 hours out of Saigon. This is where some of the fighting in the Vietnam War took place. The tunnels underground were so small; I couldn't imagine having to live down there while there was fighting above the ground. Our tour guide was actually shot during the Vietnam War and his story was a chilling reminder of the dangers of war and how it can be a matter of life and death. God has been good to us; we live in a free country.

I would write more, but the internet is very slow here and I must go!