How is life now, for Carol, Eunice and Myra who left their homes in the Philippines almost a year ago, to embark on life amongst the urban poor in Phnom Penh, Cambodia? Join us for a conversation with the team, to hear about recent events and their reflections on their first year in Cambodia. They are also preparing to move to a new neighborhood, and to host their first interns in April, so plenty is happening.
Zoom In
We’ll meet on Zoom, on Thursday 23rd March, 12 noon Cambodia time.
Click here to check that time in your time-zone.
Email Mark at events[at]servantsasia.org by 22nd March, and he will send you the link to join the meeting.
Catch Up
This was the first Christmas and New Year in Cambodia for the team. These special days are celebrated with great enthusiasm and tradition in the Philippines, but are just normal days for work, school and everyday life in Cambodia.
This Christmas Celebration here is way different from what I grew up with. In the Philippines, Christmas is one of the most awaited holidays of most Filipinos especially the children and the children at heart. From the beginning of September to Second week of January, you will see the decorations and be able to feel the season of Christmas. The morning of Christmas is the day of eating and giving gifts.
But here in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Christmas is like an ordinary day, there are no Christmas decorations and no Christmas songs that would uplift the mood. In our community the children will still go to school, so there’s no Christmas vacation. Everyone is still busy doing their things, like going to work and school. So ordinary that if you do not look at the Calendar you will not know that December 25 is a special day.
I experienced God during Christmas in silence and simplicity, how? Well, the night before Christmas Carol, Eunice and I went to an International Church here. The choir sings like an angel calming me and giving me an assurance that God is here with me. The different types of voices from children to adults, the girls and boys, the woman and man hug me with their warm voices.
This Christmas I didn’t think of what to cook and what gift I should give to everyone who is dear to me. Instead after church we went to a Coffee Shop to eat and chat. The simplicity of the night where I didn’t spend much money and time to rush to the market, makes me more present in the celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ.
reflection from Myra
Join us to hear more reflections on life in Cambodia, and hopes and plans for the coming months.
Zoom Out
Let’s also pause to see this team, and the beginnings of their work in Phnom Penh, as a small piece in the coming of God’s Kingdom – on earth as in heaven. God is weaving history towards the fullest final coming of justice and peace, reconciliation and redemption. How are our own life stories each part of this larger story? Is God drawing you towards the poor in Asia, perhaps even towards joining this little team in Cambodia?
Come along not only to listen to three Filippinas in Cambodia, but to listen to God’s call on your life.
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