Settled Into My New Home

In the immediate future I may not be blogging very often as I have just moved into my new home and until I obtain my shipment from the States (which includes my router) or purchase and install a new router I will not have internet service from home. So, I am writing this installment from a coffee shop located just a 1/2 block from where I am living. One of the things that I love about the coffee shops in Europe and Asia is that they serve "biscuits" (cookies) with coffee and in Asia many shops will also serve delicious tea. I recently had a massage and before the massage this place serves tea, gives you a cool, water-soaked and scented towel to wipe your hands and face with, and also scrubs and washes your feet. After the massage you get more tea and three small bananas. Anyway, this is a diversion from saying that there is also Wi-Fi at this coffee shop. One of the things that I love about where I have moved to is that there are a lot of nice coffee shops and stores very close. I am really looking forward to doing some exploring. I found a wonderful grocery store very close by and stocked up on groceries and even found kitchenware and bedding (I needed sheets and a pillow). I managed to get quite a lot of things into my backpack and the pillow and clothes hangers into the basket of my bike, but I still had a laundry hamper and groceries to carry and so I strapped that onto the rack on the back of my bike. This would look very strange in the States, but here I just blended right in with everybody else who overloads their bikes and motos. Except that my backpack was so full that it pushed the hamper off the back of my bike and so I had to pick up my groceries from the street and hand carry the hamper in one hand - riding the bike with just one hand. Again, not an unusual site here in Cambodia.

Latte, biscuits and tea at Kuse Bon Cafe

It is rainy season in Cambodia and last night there was quite a downpour with lightening and thunder. This morning, just as I arrived at the coffee shop, the rain returned and so I am now "trapped" in the coffee shop.  But just as I have written this it seems like the rain has stopped! And now (all within the span of two sips of coffee) the sun has come out. Tasks for today: pick-up my Visa extension and Cambodian Driver's License; file insurance claim for lost shipment from the United States; buy a fan (it is hot here!); explore the neighborhood. Tomorrow - buy a moto and open Cambodian bank account. On Friday, I have been invited to attend the CD recording that Neth will be doing. Then on Saturday I plan to take a long prayer walk - inspired by the post-crucifixion account of the disciples walk to Emmaus. I do not know all the details and full reason(s) why God has called me to Cambodia, but I do know that I must be seeking His will, praising Him and giving Him glory. This walk will be a time dedicated to reflect on His glory, to give thanks for His presence in my life, and to seek His direction. I want to do this before making any commitments here - such as to a job.