Transitions

Last month I shared about the ‘good' things that have happened recently to other people around me.  However, there are a lot of transitions that can bring turbulence.  Recently, I attended a seminar on transitions in the life cycle with a cross cultural context.  It helps me to be alert to what is going on during the process of transition.  Only by undergoing the transition of ‘moving' do I see how frail is my strength.

The place to ‘work'

Owing to the fact that the owner of the building where our office has been located wants to raise the rent, we decided to move the office in late May to our Phnom Penh Thmei land,  using the 1^st floor of the multi-purpose building.  On one hand, we can save on rental expenses and use those funds for ministry. On the other hand, our office also serves as the temporary school project office, especially while the school is still under construction.   Nevertheless, this involves moving to a new district which is about 50 minutes drive from our old office.  Our staff also needs to adjust to the change in traveling distance (some live closer to the new location, but some will have to travel even farther).  As for me, I have a little bit of worry because you all know that I have NO SENSE of direction.  In addition, there are no street lights in the evening, which makes it harder for me to find the RIGHT way.

The place to ‘stay'

Thank the Lord that I did not need to find an apartment in a hurry when I returned to Cambodia because a missionary couple went back to Hong Kong for home assignment for 4 months.  I was able to stay there, and it was near to my existing office.  However, I could not work and ‘live' properly because all my stuff is in the store room at our land.  I missed my microwave, toaster, big wok, etc., and, of course, my printer which helps a lot in work, printing documents for reference and the like.  Praise the Lord that I finally found a new apartment which is in the same district as my new office.  Moreover, the principal of our school project will stay with me until his family comes sometime after a year.  It is really a ‘big' transition for me to have a housemate too.

The place to ‘play'

There is a health club where I used to swim during my lunch break almost every day.  In addition, I sometimes played badminton with some friends in the same area.  However, I may not be able to do it after moving, because it is very far from the new apartment.  I searched for a new club in the district but the membership fee is very expensive.   I am still thinking about whether I should change my exercise mode or find other alternatives to maintain my favorite activities. 

Transitions bring about dis-tress (negative) and eu-stress (positive).  It is the ending of the former situation (some losses) but also the beginning of a new horizon (brand new environment).  May God grant me the patience to transition by His grace.

Prayer points

1. Thank the Lord that He prepared a new apartment for me; pray for the moving to the apartment and of the mission office to the Phnom Penh Thmei district
2. Continue to pray for my sister who is undergoing cancer treatment; may God grant her hope and courage to face this trial
3. Pray for the principal of our school project, Stanley, who will come on May 24, and for the challenges of the school project
4. Pray for the strength to participate in many different meetings, like development projects, dorm ministries, mission team and university graduates' prayer meeting, etc.
5. Pray for the Parent's Day for the dorm students on June 18, that we can reach out to their parents

The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.

Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment fools.

Proverbs 16:21-22  

Davis Lam

Cambodia Mail Address: P.O Box 602, Phnom Penh, Cambodia