The way the world should be.

That phrase is so simple yet no one would understand unless they have been to Fiji and seen the smiles and laughters of these Fijians. The way they live their life. I just spent my final interim week in Fiji living in Rukurukulevu villag, getting to know the villagers, the kids, and learning the culture and traditions of Fiji. It was more than I could ask for, the best interim to end on. It is saddening to think that I will not be going on any more interims for the rest of my life.

I learned a lot about the history of Fiji, how it all came about. Watched traditional dances, drank Kava- traditional drink, met new friends from our HKIS group and getting to know them. Every morning when I woke up, walked out of my room, I automatically felt a smile on my face while I greeted the villagers. The way they take care of each other, share and the sense of community blows my mind. Playing with the kids while not knowing who he or she belonged to. The way the relax and enjoy life, “Fiji time” is what they say.

Not only was it the most surreal and beautiful place on earth (along with El Nido), it was the friendliest place I’ve ever been, the friendliest people. Seeing the smiles on their faces and hearing their voices, even from miles away.  God has blessed Fiji from the beginning, and He is only working more and more in these villagers lives. I fall in love when I hear their passion for God, when I see their passion for God, even when they have fallen away the past so many years. The way one can come back to God and start a new life. God has given them such a simple life, a life where temptations are every where and Satan’s bait it unstoppable- and yet, their love and passion for God is endless.

Fiji is constantly on my mind, praying for the people, for those I know that are struggling with temptations. It’s the last thing on my mind before I sleep, and the first thing I think of when I wake up.  I am speechless when I think of you, when I think of the last week, when I think of the experience I’ve had. There are things that only I will ever know or experience. No matter how much I can try to explain it, only I will understand fully.

URO

I was just chatting with a friend tonight, telling him what I’ve been feeling lately, and something occurred to me. After coming back from El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. I have been in touch occasionally with the staff who work and lives there. Some of them aren’t doing very well, with personal as well as family problems. But because of the lack of signal at the resort and the lack of time that they have to go on the internet, there are very limited ways I could contact them or talk to them. I could only send them occasionally text messages, but it is not enough, especially when I enjoy talking face to face.

During this time, all I could do was Pray for them and let God do the work, let God heal them and speak to them. That is what God tries to tell us all the time, that we can’t do things alone no matter how much we try to be in control. In the end, we are stuck and there is nothing else we can do.

Lately, there’s a lot of trying to be patience, prayers and waiting for God to work in me, to work in others, to open doors and open hearts. It’s not an easy thing trying to be patience and letting God take over. But opportunity have raised that allows me to let my life be taken over, to trust in God in all things.

A few weeks ago, I asked God to restore my faith. To take me in again and, to change me and mold me. He has done not just that, but more and more. I see His ways of restoring my faith and it is amazing. It is surreal to see each step of His plan for me showing up unexpectedly. To experience His tests for me, test of faith, test of patience, all in such little time.

Patience, Trust and Faith in God will bring you places you have never imagined.

For those who know me well, or even just for those who might catch glimpse of this word press might know that Cambodia is very dear to my heart. I am not too sure how to explain why or what makes Cambodia such a great place in my heart, but to be able to spend time there and most importantly to be able to bring those I love there to show them why I love it is a blessing.

Tonight, God restored my faith, allowed me to be patient and calm, to talk calmly and therefore, opportunities were raised and hearts were opened (hopefully). I am very excited about this possibility, to have a chance to reach out and show them my love for Cambodia. I pray that God continues to open up their hearts, that He will show me His plan step by step and allow things to go smoothly. I pray that I will be able to focus on Him, with no temptations or distractions, to be devoted to Him, to live my life for Him and everything will come as God has planned.

I cannot explain my excitement, I can only sing, pray, and …

Praise God more and more every day.

I don’t know where to start. The title says everything I want to say right now. Sometimes we do things that blind us from the Truth, blind us from where we should be. Those close to me might have noticed, I have been different, I have been far away. And when I think of falling further and further, it is so painful. The pain shoots right to my heart. The pain reminds me of what’s important to me. When and where I am truly myself. Reminds me of how it feels to give everything to You, and leave not one thing behind.

I don’t, I haven’t and I will never deserve anything You provide. I don’t understand how I could ever forget the sacrifices You made for us, and yet I still do. The further we pull away, the harder it is to come back to You even though we know You are always there with open arms. We are born selfish people, we want to control our lives but when we do, things go wrong and we blame it on God. I have to leave my life to God and trust in Him, that is NOT an easy task.

El Nido was amazing once again. The beauty of it all, the creation of God. But if we take out all the beautiful scenery, beautiful mountains and ocean- we can Still see God’s beautiful creation everywhere, all around us. The people right next to us are the creations. Each with a different talent and a different personality. One week can change a lot of things.

I noticed many different areas in my life that needs alteration. I realized a direction and path, but at the same time, options and opportunities scramble around my head. Being able to talk and discuss is something We, as Christians, need to have. We need to be able to be open with each other, have accountability partners or group studies. No words will ever be able to describe the experience at El Nido.

Lord, I need help. Lord, I need help. Lord, I need help. Lord, I need help. I need you to bring me back, to teach me patience, show me and guide me, to focus my mind on You and nothing else. I pray for friends who are going through the same place. I pray that things will work out with God’s plan. Lord, I need help.

I Love You. Heal the pain in my heart.
Your grace leaves me in Awe and puts tears in my eyes.
Light the fire in my heart.

This week has been a long week, with Guys and Dolls and school at the same time. Finding out some bad news suddenly doesn’t make it all better either. In a taxi ride from the Aberdeen Marina club back to tai tam, a friendship began. I was just a young freshman hoping to adapt to Freshman year. Apparently, I was a chatterbox too 🙂

For the past four years, I have been able to walk into the office, drop by your room, sit and chat for ages or just give a simple hug. You have known me and watched me grown all these years. No one in the school probably knows me the past few years more than you do. You joke around with me, have serious talks, and taken care of me. Interim, Mission trip, CYC, Fish. I wont be able to name all the good times we’ve had.

Thank you for always taking care of me, giving me advice, sending me random messages, praying for me when things were difficult and many more. Even though I will not see around every day, I know we will meet up, bake some burnt cookies, have some congee, and just relax. It will be different and I will miss you.

I will be praying for you and your family. God will guide you in ways nobody will ever know. He is teaching all of us lessons and helping us grow in Him. Trust him and everything will fall into place.

Love, Jo