Place of Rescue

In January 2011 we walked around the property we had just purchased in Pailin for Place of Rescue III.  Our hearts were soaring as we rejoiced in what the Lord had done for us, giving us such a beautiful place.  We dreamed of building 10 houses where 100 orphan children would find a loving home within the coming months.

This year has been a time of ups and downs as we sought to make that dream come true.  As the months went by, it saddened us to know that there were more than 30 children who were ready to come just as soon as the houses were finished and the house mothers ready to care for them.  It seemed to take far too long.   After a few months, when the houses were finished and furnished we still had no staff.   Then we discovered why God was not supplying this need.  There was serious sin in the actions of the leadership up there.  So we dismissed everyone and started afresh.

Finally in November God answered our prayers and we received applications from a wonderful Christian couple and a single woman.  They came to Place of Rescue I for a month of training. 

On January 5^th  I drove onto Place of Rescue III property in Pailin with Sokhan, Sakon and Khim and these new staff members.  There is no way to describe what it felt like during the rest of this very special day.  

As we arrived we saw that two families of children had already come and were waiting for us.  At long last they were home!   We welcomed them with smiles and were happy to receive smiles back. 

I looked deep into the eyes of the grandfather who was trusting us with his 3 grand-daughters.  His eyes filled up as I thanked him for his trust and promised we would do our very best to take good care of them and to see to it that they had a good future.

We checked our records and saw we had 22 girls and 11 boys.  We could open 3 houses.  But we had staff for only two.  Imagine our delight and amazement when Sakhan received a phone call while we were there on that property.  A woman was calling to say she wanted to be a house mother.  In her fourties she is just the right age.   She has been a Christian for ten years so is mature in her faith.  Exactly what we needed and she came just in the nick of time.  Such a wonderful confirmation that the Lord was in charge.   Before we made this trip I had asked Him to give us assurance.  (I added the word PLEASE)  By evening she was there, ready to begin to “mother” her group of children.

I was reminded of kids arriving at summer camp as these youngsters scrambled to get their mats and blankets in place and fooled around getting to know each other.  

The house Mom sat down with them and gave them their first loving instructions and then taught them a couple of songs which they thoroughly enjoyed.  She sang one song to them and asked them if they wanted to learn it.  I loved it that one of the girls actually jumped up and down with excitement affirming that YES she wanted to.   They are beginning to soak up the love of Jesus and it was so wonderful to watch.

“Mak”  (Mom) cooked a huge pot of rice and the mats were spread on the floor and all gathered around to enjoy a favourite meal, rice with dried fish and watermelon.  We also brought fruit, knowing it was a rare treat and would make the adjustment even happier.

  “Pa” urged everyone to close their eyes and our dream had come true!   Orphan children in Pailin were sitting in a house at Place of Rescue III thanking the Lord Jesus for the food He had provided for them.  Surely He was sharing our joy!

So quickly it is over, this wonderful dream trip.  LET MY LIGHT SHINE arrived home safely on Nov. 1.  Two of the girls had to go the same day to House of New Dreams in Phnom Penh because they are in grade 12 and needed to get to school the next day.  So our celebration meeting took place the evening of Nov. 1

We have so much to celebrate. 

Through all those many kilometers of travel by plane and van and car the Lord protected us.  There were no unpleasant instances at all. 

Throughout the whole time in Canada, in spite of jet-lag, motion sickness and unusual food, the girls were cheerful and up to anything.  One evening, Sopheak, feeling really weak and sick because she had so much trouble with motion sickness, prayed as she danced because she was about to fall over.  She says she felt the Lord’s hand on her back supporting her as she danced I EXALT THE LORD.

The girls and their chaperons, Sokhan and Sakhan, had the privilege of meeting many wonderful Canadian people and of staying in some of their lovely homes.  Their kindness and hospitality was very touching.  The large beautiful homes with spare rooms because children had moved out blew them away.  “Only the two of you live here?  Who helps you to clean the house?”  someone asked. What mattered was not the size of their houses but the size of their hearts and that too was huge.   Being in such homes was a totally new experience for our girls.  You can hardly imagine how different it was for them.  Yet they took it all in stride and had a good time.

Often Cambodians were in the audience.  I know they will have felt affirmed and proud to see Canadians applaud their traditional Cambodian dances with so much enthusiasm.  It was wonderful for our girls to meet them and be loved by them.

On a perfect clear day LET MY LIGHT SHINE had the great joy of visiting Banff.  Up there in the snowy mountains was about as different from Cambodia as it gets.  The gondola ride, the snow in their hands and in their mouths, the gorgeous high mountains, the swim in the hot springs pool and the sight of mountain goats, squirrel,  deer and an elk with the most massive rack imaginable will remain in their hearts and minds forever.

The highlight of the tour was the performance at Rockpointe Church in Calgary.  Many people put in many hours of work to make this event a huge success.  As usual the girls were touching and beautiful as they danced their first numbers.  Then came the dance I DO, the song written by Paul Brandt.  What a surprise awaited them as they stepped on to the stage.  There sat Paul himself with his guitar, ready to sing for them as they danced.   Neither the girls not the audience knew he would be there and it was such a delight to share their joy.  When they finished the dance they sped across the stage to greet and hug their friend.  A Cambodian marketplace was set up with souvenirs and useful items from Cambodia.  Vigorous bargaining took place here after the performance.  A live auction of a set of dishes with matching tablecloth and the offer of a Cambodian meal served on the plates at a later date was won by someone who had to hand over $8,000 for it.   Then someone else said they would pay the same amount for another set deliverable in January.  Two passes to the upcoming Paul Brandt show in Calgary along with back-stage passes was another huge attraction as was a Cambodian cooking class.

The next day Jeffrey Wilson, the friend of Rescue who took all our kids to the beach this summer took the girls to the beach again.  This time it was the “beach” at West Edmonton Mall.  This was a special unforgettable treat like they had never experienced before. 

Sunday was a whirlwind as they performed for the last time at St. Albert Alliance church - one more time to shine for Jesus.  Kind friends served lunch and everyone piled into the van for the trip back to Calgary.  All the way to Edmonton and on the way back they listened to Paul Brandt’s latest CD, GIVE IT AWAY, over and over and over again.  Then there was just time for last minute shopping, last minute packing, last minute good-byes dampened with tears.  The sparklers Shelly handed everyone as the van was about to leave helped cheer us up only a little.

The girls miss Blaine, the Daddy they never had.  He was awesome with them, serving them so well and putting up with their constant teasing.  They love him so much.

“Hello” is always better than “Good-bye” and all of us were so happy to get back home to a huge joyous “HELLO!!” from everyone at Place of Rescue.  As evening fell the sweetest sound on earth filled the air, the sound of hundreds of children praising Jesus. Sweetness filled the mouths of the kids too as the dancers handed out the treats they had brought for them, bags of Canadian candy. 

Now all that remains are the memories and lessons learned ... and thousands of great pictures.  These precious things will stay with us forever.

LET MY LIGHT SHINE is having an awesome time!

Yesterday they performed in the fifth location so we are more than half way through this memorable tour. 

The girls and their chaperons, Sokhan and Sakhon will never forget all the experiences they have enjoyed.  They will remember the fun time visiting Stanley Park, especially the aquarium the shows there.  They will recall with deep satisfaction that everywhere we go they have been warmly received in the big beautiful homes of friends and long time relationships have surely been forged.   Memories of picking apples and roses and meeting the brother of Mak Yeay’s dog Toby will always bring back a smile. 

The taste of the hamburgers they sampled in several places will not be forgotten.  The verdict was that they were good but they longed for rice and Cambodian soup.   Sunday a friend brought those longed for foods to church and that was big treat.  The sight of fall scenery with gold and crimson trees was a beautiful memory to store away and to talk about at home.  When they are asked about their impressions they mention the vastness and “bigness” of things and the cold.  Warm coats and gloves and toques help but they can’t dance wearing those clothes.

Their beautiful glitzy dance outfits make them look like the princesses they really are. The Sokhans and I sit in the front row at each performance and watch them with so much pride and joy.  The message that is coming across is this:  These girls are rescued and they are a wonderful example of what the Lord Jesus is doing at Place of Rescue.  They perform with poise and confidence and joy.

That their dances are well done is not as big a surprise to me as what I see after the show is over.  You would never know that these delightful young women spent the first years of their lives in extremely disadvantaged situations.  They walk out to the foyers of the churches at the end of the performances with heads held high and smiles on their faces.  You might expect them to huddle in a corner with each other, hesitant to meet so many people who speak a language they know only a little.  But on the contrary they are poised and graceful, friendly and outgoing.  They greet adults and kids alike and hold babies with great pleasure. They smile and smile and smile as they are asked to pose for countless pictures.  The book MY FOREVER HOME  is the story of Ny who is one of the dancers.   She happily autographs her book.  Sopheap’s testimony is in the book MY STORY and she also autographs her page and offers with it, a big smile.   They are winning everybody’s heart and bringing honour to Jesus.  I know that is their desire.

Monday morning we will fly out to Saskatoon and will be at Westgate Alliance Church at 7:00 P.M.  Tuesday they will be in Brandon MB.  Then we will be back in Calgary  at Rockpoint church and finish up on Sunday at St. Albert Alliance at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. 

None of us will ever forget this dream come true.

LOOK OUT CANADA!  HERE WE COME!

The day finally came.  After months of intense preparations and practicing the Place of Rescue dance troupe LET MY LIGHT SHINE and their chaperons Sokhan and Sakhon  piled into the bus with about 50 members of their youth group, their house Moms and siblings and we headed for the Phnom Penh airport.  We left with lots of time to spare because I knew what they all would want to do at the airport – take loads and loads of pictures.

Check in brought us a little surprise.  Because they had Cambodian passports the girls and their chaperons got a refund on their tickets instead of having to pay airport tax.  So they had a total of $49 to spend.  At a snack place after checking in they spied the ice cream and that is what they wanted.  The first of many treats yet to come.

I am sure their hearts were fluttering as the plane took off for Taipei.  I noticed one of the girls with her eyes closed and knew she was probably praying. 

The 7 hour layover in Taipei gave them lots of time to see things they had never seen before.  More photo ops.  There were so many smiles and giggles.    Eating noodle soup with such a funny big spoon cracked them up.

It was about midnight when we boarded the plane for the flight to Vancouver.  I am delighted at the way the girls are handling all the new experiences.  They watch and experiment and learn. 

I am so proud of them - of what they have become.  They are poised and confident, loving the Lord and ready for anything.

We met Blaine, Kristie and Mike and Chris (who came to help with English camp last year) with great joy.  The girls and their chaperons were shivering but Blaine had brought warm coats for everyone.  Seeing their breath was a new experience for sure. 

A stop off at McDonalds for hamburgers and French fries was a must before we all went to the Super 8 hotel for the night, the girls all sharing one big room and the chaperons and me in another.   Jet lag didn’t permit me to sleep much but that’s O.K. we don’t have a lot to do today. 

Today we plan to have lunch with my sister in law and brother in law Sophie and Jerry Sommerfeld and then supper with Dean and Lesley Weiss.  That will be fun!  It’s supposed to be sunny this afternoon so the girls and the chaperons will get their first idea of how beautiful B.C. is as we drive from Abbotsford to Chilliwack.

We are rejoicing in God’s great goodness to make this trip possible and anticipating much blessing.  I’ll keep you posted.

There really are not words to describe it but I will try to tell you how it felt to turn 77 at Place of Rescue. 

Friday I invited Lisa to come for supper with me and our nurse Anne and our English language teachers Breanna, Erin and Nicola.  I didn’t know Lisa would bring a gorgeous cake and it would turn into a birthday celebration.  Wonderful!  My Cambodian helper hugged me with tears and said in English, “ I LOVE you Gramma!”  The teachers had to go teach after supper but Lisa, Anne and I had a precious time of prayer together.

Next morning the teachers came to my house and prepared a delicious breakfast of crepes with many kinds of fillings.  Their love to me is such a huge gift and blessed me so much.

Then in walked the dogs with pink face paint on their coats sporting the number 77.

I spent a much needed restful day often looking at incoming facebook messages, about 150 wishes came from all over the world.  Wow!

During the day I was on the phone with Sokhan several times as she told me where my best gift was now.  Yes, the best gift is a family of children coming from a village some distance away.  A pastor had contacted us to tell us of another man who had murdered his wife leaving children who certainly need the kind of loving care Place of Rescue can give.  When I heard they were arriving on Saturday I thanked Jesus for this awesome birthday present from Him.

As darkness was falling Sokhan and Sakhon came to get me.  Coming down the stairs I saw the first surprise.  A long row of kids holding big fancy sign boards with the letters H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y.  As I came down they broke into song “Happy Birthday to you”   Then they led the way to the meeting hall where everyone was assembled with huge smiles and eyes so full of love. 

Every event at Place of Rescue begins with a time of praise.  How I love to hear the children sing praises to Jesus! 

The girls who will leave for tour in just a week presented a special performance of the Blessing Dance.  How lovely they are!  Many shouts of “Happy Birthday Gramma” and many special songs and dances followed interspersed with words of greeting from staff and kids. 

The English teachers had taught their student a song in English.  Nicola handed me the words as they got up to sing and I was in tears before they even started singing.

            Because of You/My Happy Ending

            I will not live the same life that I once did,

            Will not let myself live in so much misery.

I will not feel sad again, I’ve come so far.

I’ve learned the hard way that Jesus is my Shining Star.

Because of You, I never stray too far from the sidewalk.

Because of You, I get to play on the safe side so I don’t get hurt.

Because of You, I’ve come to learn to trust not only You but everyone at Rescue.

Because of You, I’m not afraid.

           I lost my way but it didn’t take long before I found the truth.

I do not cry because I know You’re always by my side.

I never fake a smile, at all, any day of my life

When I know that You’re the One who made it.

Because of You, I never stray too far from the sidewalk.

Because of You, I get to play on the safe side so I don’t get hurt.

Because of You, I’ve come to learn to trust not only You but everyone at Rescue.

Because of You, I’m not afraid.

Oh -oh oh-ho, thank you for our happy ending.

Oh-oh, oh-oh thank you for our happy ending.

Let’s think this over;   It’s not in my head.

It is something You did;  It was something You said.

You didn’t leave me struggling in a city so dead,

Held up so high on such a breakable thread.

You are all the things I didn’t know

But now, here, I can see.

You are everything, everything that I want.

We were meant to be, supposed to be and now You’ve saved me.

All of the memories so close to me just fade away.

All this time You weren’t pretending.

Thank you for my happy ending.

Oh-oh, oh-oh, thank You for my happy ending

Oh-oh oh-oh, thank You for my happy ending.

A big high-light was the dance HOPE, danced to one of our favourite Paul Brandt songs.  (See a video of this performance with this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWjFUY1DShQ)

Our kids are such “hams”   They love to plan and perform skits so of course this had to be part of the program.   The performers talked about what they could give Makyeay (Gramma) for a gift.  Flowers and some other suggestions came into the conversation.  Then they asked one of the guy actors,  “What does Gramma love?”  and he gestured at all the kids sitting around watching. “This is what she loves!”   Cute!!

Their gift of a beautiful birthday cake was brought in then accompanied by more (and more and more!!) singing of Happy Birthday in both English and Cambodian.  It was really so over the top!

Never one to miss an opportunity, pastor briefly and gently reminded the kids that they know what Gramma likes: smiles and love and doing what is right… so, he reminded them, do it!

My assistant, Channak, prepared an amazing album with individual greetings from Place of Rescue staff and even from my daughter Shelly interspersed with photographs.  Such a labour of love and a great keep-sake.

After gifts and many, many hugs and picture taking, especially taking pics of them hugging Makyeay,  we came to the happy ending.  I walked home on air.  The young people begged to stay and dance for a while and this special birthday request was granted.

For a long time I have wished I could write a song of praise and gratitude to Jesus.  This couplet was in my heart the next morning as I reflected on this wonderful occasion.

“Who am I that GOD should care to make me happy?

Who am I that He should fill my life with so much love?”

It is called House of New Dreams, this beautiful dorm we had built in Phnom Penh where our High School graduates can live while going to university or getting some technical training.

From the beginning we have had huge dreams for all the children the Lord sends to Place of Rescue.  We believe He has chosen them and has wonderful plans for their lives.  We believe they will grow up to be a benefit to the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of God.

We see the dreams beginning to come true.  One by one our children are finishing high school and going on to university. 

We are so proud of Sok Hang and Reaksmey Eik Chan who graduated this year and have great plans for their futures.  Reaksmey will begin studies at International University this week starting an eight year commitment to study to become a pediatrician.  Sok Hang will study English with a goal to be a translator.

As each receives that coveted document declaring they have passed this milestone it is cause of great rejoicing and celebration.  Friday evening everyone at Place of Rescue I gathered in No Wall Hall for an truly wonderful time of celebration.  Our children certainly know how to “make His praise glorious” !  (Ps. 66:1)  I could listen to them forever and love the way my heart soars as I realize that my own dreams are coming true as I have helped to facilitate hundreds of children praising the Lord Jesus with all their might.  No matter where their paths lead them in the future they will never be able to forget how blessed they were as they praised Jesus when they were kids at Place of Rescue.  May they be making life-long habits knowing how their praises will bring them victory.

Our Pastor Sokthun always seems to have exactly the right words and once again he was so appropriate in his choice of Scripture to encourage the grads and all the children as he spoke of the King who gave talents to his servants to invest wisely for Him.  He told Reaksmey and Sok that what they were investing was their time and effort to study and not get entangled with romantic attachments. 

Reaksmey was very happy to receive her gift of a laptop computer to help her in her studies.  It was fun to watch Sok open his gift which had been put in a huge box which led to ever smaller boxes until the iPhone was finally revealed.

Other gifts were presented with loving words of congratulations and love and praise.  Most touching was the words and hugs from their former housemothers.  They will be the Forever Moms for these young people no matter where they go.  Sok and Reaksmey know this will always be Home.

Our young people love to plan and perform skits.  The skit they had prepared for this occasion was both funny and profound.   Two groups of students were portrayed, one group who industriously studied and the other who just laughed and goofed off.  Scene 2 – of course the first group passed and got their certificate and the second failed.  Scene 3 – The successful kids are dressed up and one of them is showing off his new necktie.  Then the second group comes on dressed in labourer’s clothes and kramas.  The necktie guy orders them to start hauling bricks to build his house for him.  

As evening came, the chairs were stacked and mats spread out.  Everyone sat down in their home groups and a delicious meal was enjoyed by all.  The English teachers, recently arrived from Canada got a good introductions to delicious curry and rice noodles.

With so much praise and joy in everyone’s heart the best expression was dance.  This surely was the ultimate grad dance as babies, two year olds, little kids, young people, house Moms, staff and the graduates participated together dancing to Christian songs and music.  For this Gramma’s legs, participating in the dancing could not last long but sitting and watching the fun with a little kid on my lap and others massaging my shoulders and arms or just smiling at me was truly awesome. 

I run out of words to describe how much we thank and praise the Father of our children for all He is doing for them.  He is the Dream Giver and He can do “abundantly above all we ask or imagine.”