Hello!

This update is long overdue, but it will also be a pretty short one, so bear with me.

Last week, Tuesday to be precise, I was at work when I got word of a fire that broke out less than a mile north of our ministry “headquarters” in Svay Pak.

Without going into too much detail, a domestic dispute caused the fire, which ended up destroying 11 homes, affecting 13 families. Several of the people who lost everything are AIM employees. Rumor has it that when the firefighters arrived, they wouldn’t put out the fire until someone paid a bribe. While this isn’t confirmed, I believe that it is most likely true. Things have been weighing heavily in my heart ever since. Particularly in regards to caring for the poor.

Who is there to protect the poor? Even those who are put in place as public servants (police, firefighters) can’t be trusted. Of course, it goes far deeper than that, and isn’t so simple. Either way, my head has been spinning.

Among the people who lost everything is a newlywed couple, Borey and Monea. One day I went to go look at the damage and ran into Borey who looked at me with confident eyes and an enthusiastic smile. Without any fear, doubt, or anger in his eyes he praised God that no one died, and said with belief that he knew something good was going to come out of this. Yes, he lost everything, but knew this wasn’t the end.

Another friend of mine, Siny, was feeling the weight of what was lost. While her home was not damaged, the homes of her siblings, parents, and grandparents were destroyed. Life savings were lost, their dog, chickens, family heirlooms. Siny, like Borey wasn’t shaken. She did however, understand the weight of needing to step in for her family and help rebuild.

It was really cool to see the Church in Svay Pak spring into action, not missing a step, and rallying together to help provide for these 13 families. A true representation of the Church.

The following day, I was scrolling through the news and read about what was going on in Charleston. Senseless violence. Overt racism. People who are very dear to me, living in Charleston, were trying to come to terms with what had happened. How can you come to terms with something like that?

Stories of forgiveness for Dylann, by family members of the deceased, began making headlines. Stories of hope, unity. What was meant for separation, hate, and destruction, had turned into something unifying, loving, and grace-filled.

Two tragedies this week. Two completely avoidable tragedies. While both are devastating, I am not trying to compare the two (can you really compare that?), I am just trying to wrap my own mind around both of these events, and the different types of injustice that are weaved in both. It could take a while.

The day I found out about the fire, I found comfort in Psalm 46.

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when the morning dawns.
Nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
“Be still and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

The name of the church in Charleston is Emanuel, which means ‘God with us.’

I will be going to America next month for a few weeks as a break. The timing probably couldn’t be better. This year, unlike last year, I will be primarily staying in California. If you want to come visit the San Francisco area, please let me know! You will have a free place to stay, and my mom will probably bake a lot of desserts. 🙂

I have also started writing in my blog again, if you are interested in reading any of those thoughts. You will probably find something new up very, very soon. 🙂 Link is at the bottom.

If you are able and feel led to help the people in Svay Pak rebuild their homes, the best way to do that is through the AIM website, which you can access here.

Thank you for your prayers, and your generous support of me. Thank you for reading the words on this page with understanding, even when I am not expressing everything quite the way I mean. I feel very blessed knowing that there is an army out there who cares not only for me, but for the injustices that are happening all over the world. It can get overwhelming, can’t it?

I guess if I know nothing else right now, I know that God is with us all, in everything.

Love you all, and sorry for such a sad update. I’m sure a happy one will be coming soon!

-j