Email on 23 December 2002

Beloved brothers and sisters,

Hello! These two plus months have given me a clear realization that living in a new environment, and working with people I do not know well and am not used to working with, naturally needs an expenditure of not a little energy because there are too many little areas of lifestyle that require adjusting. For example, the hot weather (it is impossible to
avoid sweating while eating!), home security (the ground level has a total of 5 doors and gates front and back, and a while back some chairs and a motorcycle were stolen from here), scope of movement and the level of convenience in transportation (motodops are the only public transportation, but not being familiar with the roads and not understanding the Khmer language makes going out difficult), building relationships with neighbors, keeping up regular care and personal self improvement, leisure hobbies, etc. Then there is also the need to buy and cook food, wash clothes and clean the house (there is a bigger price to pay for living in a big place!) Of course, you can't leave out learning a completely new language (it was not easy, but I just finished the first course!) Adjusting to all the above things is not simple, added to which there is often a lot of stress in regard to my own expectations when things aren't very definite. Getting tired easily is the usual state of affairs.

My life is not in the hands of the motodop driver!

Each time I go to the University of Phnom Penh for language classes, I have to walk about 20 minutes each way. There are no sidewalks along this stretch of road, so I have to walk on the edge of the road. The motorcycles (in Cambodia, no license is needed to ride a motorcycle, and most of the vehicles on the streets are motorcycles) will suddenly come
up and brush by me in passing. This seems unusual, but it isn't. Twice I have seen the aftermath of accidents. I think that getting down the road without an accident is already God's grace! Having the same attitude when riding a motodop helps me relax a little. Our heavenly Father reminds me that my life is not in the hands of the motodop driver! Still, when the motodop driver weaves his motorcycle between cars with no regard for safety, I really do need to wipe off the sweat, and all I can do is pray for all I'm worth!

A gap

One Sunday I had the opportunity to visit some homes in the vicinity. Only then did I pay attention that where I live is right between the rich and the poor. This place is near the railroad tracks, and there are big stacks of wooden shacks built alongside the tracks. When
visiting, you have to climb up steep ladders to get into the house doors. It is not easy to climb up and in. In the three homes where I visited, there were two with no parents in the home. In one, there is a preteen girl whose parents are separated. She already dropped out of school a year ago. In the other, they are even younger. The parents have stayed in the countryside while their several children are being cared for by what their grandmother can do by herself. If you think about it, you will know that their lives are not easy.

Before I went out for visitation, a girl had said to me that her house was very small, just like a poor man's hut. In theory I could imagine it, and I know that the situation in Hong Kong was about the same at one time. Still, after I had visited them and then returned to the big house where I am now living, it was hard to accept in my heart! In
comparison, my living environment is so spacious and comfortable, with no lack of electricity or water. Although I am not wealthy, neither am I anxious about food or clothing. Am I not more privileged than they are that I have all of this! Now I see even more clearly that all I have received is by grace. How can I live out Jesus Christ among this group? How can I give out what I have to others? Or, how can I assist
those in need? On the field this is a big question.

Christmas is here. Let me consider how the Christ came down to be born in a manger in this poor and humble place. Today, although I have left my safe and comfortable home country, in light of the Lord's example, I am truly ashamed. How to live among poverty stricken people is a highly difficult topic!

Thanksgiving

• The church's (Kwai Chung FMC) brothers and sisters are keeping in regular contact with my family.
• I have received support and encouragement from quite a few people.
• I am physically healthy and have been kept safe when getting around.

Prayer requests

• Ask the Lord to lead me through all my experiences, to let me
  understand His will.
• On the 29th of this month (Sunday), the Phnom Penh church has a
  Christmas celebration and I will share my testimony.
• Next month, the 6th through the 10th, I and my fellow missionaries
  will go to Thailand together to take part in a missionary retreat. I
  hope to get something new out of it.

Thank you for reading through this letter and for participating in
whatever way. In our prayers, let us discover even more of God's
heart! 

Wishing you a blessed Christmas!

Miu Ling
Phnom Penh, Cambodia