The Blessing of Silence

There has been a longer than usual gap in time since my last entry on this blog. I could name the convenient excuse that I have been busy, but it would not be the true reason for my lapse in writing. The real reason is that I just have not had anything that I could think of to share on this blog for a while. Then, this morning I read something very thought-provoking from Oswald Chambers about the blessing of silence, “has God trusted you with a silence – a silence big with meaning? God’s silences are His answers…His silence is the sign that He is bringing you into a marvelous understanding of Himself…God has trusted you in the most intimate way possible, with an absolute silence, not of despair, but of pleasure, because He saw that you could stand a bigger revelation…As long as you have the idea that God will bless you in answer to prayer, He will do it, but He will never give you the grace of silence.” Then Mr. Chambers concludes with this observation: when we have the perfect confidence that God hears our prayers His silence is the proof that He does. This made me think about so many things. I wonder if I have limited the grace that I could receive from God because I asked God for something too small that I wanted - rather than simply seeking Him and His will. How many times (often) have I been discontent with silence in answer to my prayers rather than accepting God's silence and trusting God's silence as His sweet confirmation of receiving my prayers?

This week, as a reward that I gave myself for finally cleaning up my house, I built my bike that had been shipped to Cambodia in parts. To say that it stands out in Phnom Penh is an understatement. It is so unique in Phnom Penh that people stare at it like it was a space ship. Part of the culture here is to always ask “moi man?” how much does it cost. There has not been a single person I have spoken to who has not asked that question within the first 10 seconds. So, although I do love to ride my bike I admit that I feel a little awkward and uncomfortable with it in Cambodia. Well, today I went for a long ride and right in the center of town (at Wat Phnom) I could see what looked like a large, odd looking cat, getting ready to cross the street in front of me and so I slowed down and was totally shocked and delighted to see that it was not a cat, but a monkey! It scampered across the street in front of me and as I looked over to the other side of the street I saw it join another monkey and the two of them climbed up a 15-20 foot wall and disappeared on the other side. That was so cool! It was kind of a difficult ride because of the typical Phnom Penh driving habits plus add in that drivers here don’t know about bikes like this and so they just turn right in front thinking that this bike will be much slower than it is.

This is still the rainy season in Cambodia and yesterday I went to a business meeting by moto. I live in Tuol Kork and two days since the last major rain, on one of the main streets in Tuol Kork, there was still substantial flooding (see picture below). So, here I am on a moto in a dress shirt and slacks with my feet up in the air to try to stay dry, but cars and other motos would pass me and splash water up onto me. This was half sad, half hilarious - and 100% wet. But what is not funny at all is the impact that these rains have in the Provinces of Cambodia. I have met a very smart young Cambodian man named Kada. He is the Assistant Manager at the restaurant next door to where I live. Kada’s English is very strong and he reads a lot and watches CNN and BBC. Kada told me today that the flooding this year is extraordinarily devastating. So far this season 120 people have drowned in the Cambodian flooding (in the Provinces). Many of these deaths are children. In addition, families are unable to get clean water or food. Livestock also drowns and because the water rises often times into the homes (even those built on stilts) snakes and other dangerous animals are entering into areas where families sleep and eat. Kada gave a shout out to the Red Cross for all they have done to help these families. Since arriving to Cambodia just over two months ago I have not left Phnom Penh, but I have heard from many friends who have told me about the bad flooding they have experienced in the Provinces when they have gone to visit family during the holidays and/or their inability to visit at all because of the flooding.