Cambodian Speeding Ticket

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Got my first “ticket” today for driving my motorcycle the wrong way on a oneway street. To my defense this practice is more than common. In fact its necessary many times. It was near lunch time and the police were hungry so they hide behind a tree and wait for unsuspecting motorist and then step out three abreast and flag you over. I was too slow to avoid the sting thus had to cough up one dollar for each of the three police to atone for my ways. Then as I started back the way I had come (going the correct direction) they told me to continue on the wrong way since that’s the way I needed to go anyway. I thought maybe there are more police just down the street but it was safe travels all the way home.

New Levels bring New Devils

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Screen Shot 2013-02-01 at 12.07.02 PMBittersweet

I just returned from 10 days in Cambodia and felt it difficult to answer people’s question:  “How was your trip?”  I would have to answer “fantastic and terrifying”.  Seth Trimmer preached a message today that brought this paradox into focus for me.

Some background:

It’s been 15 years since we returned from living in Cambodia.  This was the first trip back since then and I was lining up housing, transportation and reconnecting with friends from our last stint in Cambodia.   It was a huge culture shock when I returned this trip.  It was as if I was in a thick  fog, unable to focus or see the vision that has been developing over the years.  I was returning to focus in on this vision and prepare for our move in April.   A terrifying wave of depression  and confusion came over me when I arrived.  What had I done?  Did I miss God on this one?  I felt that I had made a tremendous mistake to return to Cambodia to live.  We’ve sold our dream farm and all our possessions in anticipation of our move so there is no returning now.

Take Away from Seth’s message:

Let me set up the story in the book of Mark.  The Disciples had been following Jesus and successfully casting out demons, feeding thousands, and healing the sick with Jesus.  They had been cruising, so to speak.  At the same time Jesus was upping the ante:  Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said,

“Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?” Mk 8:34-37.

Further along the story a man out of the crowd answered Jesus,

“Teacher, I brought my mute son, made speechless by a demon, to you. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and goes stiff as a board. I told your disciples, hoping they could deliver him, but they couldn’t.”  Mk 9:17-18

The man then asked if Jesus could heal his son and Jesus said,

“If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers.  Anything can happen.”  No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, “Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!” Mk 9:23-24.

I realized today that when I returned to Cambodia I was cruising like the disciples before this encounter.  Just as the disciples, you can’t walk out the next journey on the strength you previously had.  Quoting Seth Trimmer, “With new levels there are new devils”.  Jackie and I are moving to a new level and I failed to see this and was blindsided when I got off the plane in Phnom Penh two weeks ago.

I now see  that I was greeted at the Phnom Penh airport with doubt and unbelief.  Not being prepared, it caught me off guard for a few days.  Thankfully I can now say as the man in Mark said, “I believe. Help me with my doubts Jesus”.  Jackie and I are looking forward to the new journey we are embarking on.  We can’t do this without the Grace of God and the support of friends and family that has been abundant.

We depart permanently in April and we have much to do before our departure.

The Move, It begins

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I’m not a blogger. That’s why this post is a little late. I typed this during our move out of our house several months ago. Here’s a little insight into the move of our lives.

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Sunset from the farm

The move…

August 17th, 2012

What have we done? We have been working frantically to clear out our dream home. We’re not moving in the typical sense. Were moving and will end up with two suitcases of belongings to take with us. Its hard to find enough people to give everything too. Goodwill has made quite the haul in the last couple weeks. It’s really the end of an era with us. I am reassured that we are making the right decision when I see the new family that we’re handing the baton off to with our small farm. They are now the third owners in over a hundred years. More boys to explore, build, learn and create memories. It’s priceless and confirms that it’s time to move on. Our boys did explore, build, learn and create many memories but they have too moved on and it helps with this transition knowing that we are passing on the blessing to another Godly family that will bless many with the blessing now given them at 33703 Ireland ln. It was bittersweet today as I walked through the orchard, picked raspberries and the sweetest tomatoes ever and looked at the new generation that will experience such blessings in the years to come. It was truly the best handoff I could have ever asked for. Truly nothing but the hand of God orchestrating this.

So, how Did This Happen?

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Departing Cambodia in 1997

So, how did this happen?  Moving to Cambodia at our age?  We admit – the decision seems a bit crazy, but, on the other hand, perfectly reasonable.  In the next couple of entries, I’ll try to tell the story of how we got here.

I would say it began in 1997 when we arrived back from Cambodia the first time.  After being in the US for 6 months we began to plan on how we could go back.  We saw the opportunity to take over a fledgling business (one customer and a truck) and we believed God could use that business as it grew and prospered to support us when we returned – we just knew God could do that in 2-3 years.  After all, we wanted to do good things – He’s just got to bless that, right.  Fast forward 14 years and we are finally realizing that dream.  Why did it take so long?  Don’t know for sure, but I think a lot of it has to do with God caring more for us as his children than as “tools” he can use on the earth.  I also think our view of time is very different from his.  I once heard a preacher quote Longfellow,

“The mills of God grind slowly but they grind exceedingly fine.”

That line has stayed with me and reminded me that God is not one to be hurried in his purposes or interactions with us.

Hoping you’ll enjoy the journey with us.  Check in in a few days for the next installment.

My Parents are Leaving, A Son’s Thoughts

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One of the most common questions that I have been asked lately is “how are you doing with this?” (my parents leaving for Cambodia). It’s not obnoxious, so if you have asked me, please don’t feel bad–but I thought that since lots of people have been asking I’d just put together a blog entry about it.

Answer: (sort of) I couldn’t be more proud of my parents, but if I’m honest, I’m a little terrified. I know that there is nothing to be worried about, though. I wrote about some of the peace I have with their journey here: “All I Can Do Is Pray“. The peace that I have is not the only thing that I feel, though. I feel like I will be losing two of the most influential people in my life. The people whom I have relied on since the day that I was born (in fact, add 9 months to that). They are the people who I know will support me (maybe not what I do, but me). They know me better than anyone else, and the thought of them not even being a phone call away causes me more aingst than I know is healthy. That is what terrifies me. I won’t have them close to me to ask questions, and be able to come over on a moments notice to make some adjustments to my toilet to better optimize the flush (thanks for that this morning Dad).

They will be so very missed, and until they walk through security at the airport to leave, I will not be able to fully answer the question of how I am doing. Until now, I’m doing really well with it. I’m more proud of my parents than words can express and I can’t wait to see the lives they are going to change. There is so much peace that comes from that.

 

Greetings from a Closer Land

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Myself in Cambodia years-and-years ago

It started as an idea. Now, the time of my parents departure to another land is growing ever closer. This is the blog where you can catch up with their latest adventures and on the lives of the people that are supporting them. You’ll be seeing posts from me (their youngest son), from others involved in their amazing journey, and of course you’ll be seeing posts from my parents.

You can find out more information about my parents incredible journey on their main site, and don’t forget to keep checking here for more updates, stories, and ways to stay involved. My parents have had so much support already, and I can’t wait to see how they are going to be continually blessed by their journey.

To my parents! My your journey always draw you closer to those you love.