Diary~♥

Cambodia missions (5 Sep - 8 Sep 2006) - Part 3

Sunday, September 10, 2006 |9:31 PM

Day 2:
This was the day that my faith was really tested. Besides my faith being tested, i was also physically challenged. Day 2 started off with us having to leave for the provinces by 6am. We had to wake up @ 5+ and hurriedly prepare ourselves. Breakfast was a rush with some of us just grabbing sandwiches. and gobbling it down our mouths.

We first headed to the rice mill to collect the rice for distribution. 200 sacks of rice each weighing about 30kg. While some of the guys were labouring, we went to walk around the rice mill and see how rice is process. well no wonder people say "don't ever see how food is prepared, else you won't dare eat it!" hahah i understand now. The weather conditions were harsh. Super hot. and most of us kept drinking water. i don't dare drink too much fearing that i will keep going to the W.C. While some of them were waiting, Qianfang proceeded with buying the mask for me..super welfare eh?? but too bad she only bought it for the girls in my sub team. the guys didn't have it..well sisters have special treatment..

next up was an hr drive to our next destination for lunch/breakfast..i don't know..whatever. while i was saying "grace"..Shawn commented:" whaaa@! how come you say grace for so long? afraid ah??" hahah i would have to say in terms of hygiene i was really afraid of going to the loo. the lunch was simple..was noodles with pork. while some had pork chop rice..

finally after another hr drive we arrived @ the Takeo Province for rice distribution. The scene touched me so much because the villagers were surrounding us and looked so desperate for the rice. From their eyes, it spelt hope. Then i asked around and realise that rice is their basic source of food.and 1 sack of rice can last them approx. a mth..(no wonder it's like gold bar) imagine for us, we ask for a bowl of rice and can't finish and just throw. How precious is it for those villagers. While the guys were helping with the distribution of rice, the girls were doing the balloons for the kids. As i look @ the innocence of the kids and how precious they treated the balloons, their eyes spelt innocence and hope. Hope for a better future..meanwhile some of the other sisters were distributing sweets to the kids as well. just a simple sweet and the gratefulness in them. the sincerity in them.

Wat Opot was next. It's actually a AIDS hospice. Saw some of the patients which needed love. That human touch..people who were willing to visit them..people who are willing to just see them. Then we saw some of the kids staying there. some who have AIDS while others don't have but are staying there as their parents have and passed away due to AIDS. The simplicity in the kids. All these made me think of the basics of life. While we in Singapore are chasing after material things. The people there are living with the basics in life. The necessity, the needs and not the wants. How blessed are we..

After the AIDS home, we stopped by a place. It's a boarding school set up by a korean missionary. The place taught English. As we chatted with the locals i felt the sincerity in them. no fakeness. no posers. The kind of hope that they want to have.. That kind of hope made me teared. It's the hope that only Jesus can fill. Next up was the "CHALLENGE" i got a sudden urge to head for the loo. haiz...as you all know the "xiao jie" me is kinda of particular about toilets. but then.no choice super high tide. headed for the loo.. toilet doors can't be shut properly, spider webs all over the the cubicle, floors are wet and no flushing. had to pour water plus the amonia smell. i overcame it!!! hee =) from the incident it made me understand myself a little better. I am actually not that "xiao jie" and i can overcome all these.

The final destination was the hospital visit. As we toured the hospital i was amazed @ their healthcare facilities. To put it simply, even a C class ward in SG would be any better. Singaporeans realise how blessed you all.. with such advanced medical treatment in SG. such first class healthcare facilities..

At the end of Day 2 activities to the province while on our long journey back while everyone was sleeping on the bus, i saw this brother who sacrificed his sleep and kept talking to the driver. I suppose its to keep the driver awake bah...what i saw from him was SACRIFICE. He gave up his rest. Perhaps that's what sacrifice means.. it must cost..be it financially or physically it costs. Thanks brother..

Finally i like to thank God for something so amazing. As some of you know whenever i travel long distance i would need the help of motion sickness pills. But this time round, with the rocky and uneven roads and the long journey and harsh weather conditions i don't need them and i didn't feel unwell. Praise God!!!