GRIFFITH GLEANINGS DECEMBER 2017

What was your year like in 2018? It is hard to imagine a year for us with more changes. This time a year ago we were still Australian residents and saying goodbyes to friends and family. We had visited Siem Reap and knew we had ahead of us learning Khmer language and culture, but did we really appreciate the extent of change ahead of us? In many ways this year has been like starting life all over again. We have relocated to a very different climate and culture and been learning to speak a different language, but possibly the biggest changes have been on a deeper personal level. Leaving behind careers and relationships where we were skilled and functioning as experts and advisers to others has been a profound change. Previously we were able to function using our own wits, strength and capacity. We may have found the balance of work, study and relationships challenging a year ago, but we were still very able. We have found being less ‘able’ or possibly ‘disabled’ is a big part of starting a new life cross-culturally. On one level this has been an empowering experience, but not with our own power. We have often felt like young dependent children again; things like negotiating a lease agreement on a house we were mostly dependent on others. Being a child isn’t a negative thing. Children see things like trust, life’s priorities, relationships and time management differently. As we have read some bible stories recently we have been struck by how often the people who were used most powerfully saw themselves as lacking power and confidence. At this point we are encouraged that in history often those who had a humble perspective and sought God’s help and the help of others were used powerfully where they had been placed. As we grow in confidence in this new life in Cambodia we pray that we will keep some of the positive aspects of this disabled perspective that will limit what we seek to do in our own strength.
Further on the theme of being disabled, both Rob and Deb this week were involved in a multiple bicycle accident during a fund raising event for the local Children’s Hospital. Deb needed some stitches which were administered at the site then follow up medical care in Phnom Penh the next day. We’re both a bit sore, stiff and bruised but our love for bicycling is not lost.
In 2018 we are anticipating a growing team, with one of our team members returning and another five families preparing to join us. With the in country Cambodia’s team and our language Nurturers this month we looked forward to the future and symbolically prepared some ‘accommodation’ for the new team members arrival using some of the Lego that one family had sent over. We also expressed our gratitude to all those who have nurtured and helped us through our first year in Cambodia.

Although Christmas is not celebrated in this culture, we will be taking leave and making ways to celebrate it with our family when they visit this month. May you know the wholeness and well being of God’s presence in and shining through you as you gather with family and those important to you this Christmas. Take time to reflect, celebrate, breathe, love and heal.