What Happened?

Hello Blog World!

Just over nine years ago, I published my first blogpost. I started my blog when I moved to Cambodia and it was a great way to process and share some highlights of my life there. Then sometime in 2019, I got hit with sickness, dizziness, and anxiety. For some reason, trying to write a blog in that time proved to be too much. As the years passed, I mostly forgot about it. However, all this time there was this nagging feeling that I had left it hanging in an incomplete state. I can't handle incomplete projects. I still know multiple books I started reading, but didn't finish for various reasons. It bugs me. Anyway, back to my post, I feel like I need to at least write one more to close that chapter properly. Or if I enjoy it too much, I'll keep posting. 

To continue where I left off in my last post...

As I began dealing with the aforementioned symptoms, I resigned from being on staff at Iris Cambodia. It had been such a rich and meaningful experience to serve with them in the community. I still remember so many of the kiddos and wonder how they're doing and pray for them. I continued to volunteer as I was able, along with trying to figure out what was happening with my health. Found out years later that it was BPPV. It is very easily treatable with a few simple head maneuvers, which I now do myself regularly. So thankful to God that I'm not consistently dizzy and tipsy. 

In March of 2019, I was driving home on my moto from a day of ministry. I was lost in thought about random things, then clear as day, I felt God speak to my heart. We needed to get to Canada for Colin to become a Canadian citizen because of something that was gonna happen in the future (Covid?), so that we'd both be from the same country.

I shared it with Colin and we both agreed that he would need to hear from God as well. This would be a big change in our lives and the direction it was headed. We had previously discussed the possibility of moving to Canada in the future. It had never been something I really wanted. I loved our lives and adventures abroad. Moving to Canada felt like settling down and that was something I had avoided all my life. It felt boring. When we were dating, Colin said something about being ready to settle down. I just about broke it off with him in that moment, but decided to ask him what exactly he meant by it. He said he was ready to be married and have kids. He didn't necessarily mean he wanted to buy a house, start a farm, put our roots down, etc. I'm glad I asked the follow up question and stayed with him. Lol. 

Fast forward to Dec 28, 2019:

We were in Canada for Christmas. Three days before heading back to Cambodia, we were sitting in the annex of our friends' house, having tea and snacks with them. We both enjoyed it and felt rejuvenated. As soon as we got in the car to leave, Colin said he felt God had spoken to him about moving to Canada and that this specific annex would be our home for a while. And Colin didn't stop talking about it. By the time we got to Cambodia, we were pretty sure we'd be back in Canada soon. 

We prayed about it and spoke to our mentors. We believed it was God's direction for us. We booked flights for March and kept a countdown on our fridge. Then COVID...along with the rest of the world, we weren't sure what was gonna happen. After further direction from God and mentors, we changed our flight dates. Instead of having 37 days to pack up, say our good byes, and close down our lives in Cambodia, suddenly, we only had 7. It was crazy and intense, but we did it. God did so many amazing things in that time to make it possible. To name a few:

1. To change the dates for our economy flights, it would've cost us $3000/person. To upgrade to premium economy for the same dates, cost $700 for both of us. After a crazy week of packing up our lives, we settled into our spacious airplane seats, were greeted with cool towels, and were served our meal with an actual table cloth and china dishes. 
2. It took approximately three hours from when we posted our car online till the cash was in Colin's  hand. We got enough money for it to buy a nicer one here.
3. Everything sold really fast and basically just walked out of our apartment.
4. Before we left, Colin told me he really wanted to get a TV when we got to Canada, but wasn't sure it was a wise use of money. He won a perfect-size TV at a work function...in Cambodia. Perfect gift. Wrong country. I think God has a sense of humour. Colin sold the TV to his boss and used the money to buy one here. It all worked out and felt like such a sweet gift from God. 
5. During our trip over, Colin kept being warned that he may not be able to enter Canada. We pressed on. He got through Canadian customs quicker than his Canadian wife. If we had kept our original flight dates, he would've been refused entry.
6. As Covid continued to shut down the world, we were "stuck" in a house with none other than the amazing Dwight and Lorna, who had generously agreed to let us rent their annex. I cannot think of a better arrangement for reentry and transition. They were always encouraging and blessing us (and still are).
7. God answered our prayers and we became pregnant within our first month here.

We bought a car. Colin applied for his PR as the first step toward becoming Canadian. He started working for our church. We had a baby. I had surgery. We bought a house. Colin became the ministry director at Youth for Christ. We're raising an energetic and smart little guy. Ian has almost finished Kindergarten. I work as a sub-EA at his school. Our favorite family activities are camping and e-biking. I think it's safe to say, we have settled down. I still don't love the idea, but I trust that even if we're settled, God can still speak to us, teach us, love us, and move us, according to his will.

To end this post, here's a final picture from this past week that feels like a perfect wrap up. Colin is now an official Canadian citizen! God is faithful and kind. 

Thank you for being in our lives!

-Brenda Chen

Jesus Loves Me

Good morning from Cambodia!

"Jesus loves me." To be able to speak these words and fully believe them, changes the way you view life and circumstances. A few weeks ago, after kids club, several kids stayed in the room for a few extra minutes. They were doing their own things. Reading books and chatting quietly. My ears perked up when I heard these words, in their local language, "Jesus loves me". One of the little girls, spoke them almost under her breath and to no one in particular. We tell them this truth over and over and have them repeat it often. But what a powerful statement for her to speak over her life. In the midst of her less than ideal life, with mom working, leaving her to fare for herself for the day, she knows that Jesus loves her! 

That's been my prayer over the community. That they would know, deep in their hearts, that Jesus loves them. As I walked through the street to our room in the community, my heart cried out for everyone to know that Jesus values them. He created them and paid the cost for them know love forever and ever! 

Making superheroes!

The kids are so proud of them. We attached pictures of each child's face. Multiple times I saw them flexing their muscles in front of their superhero. It made them feel strong!

Once a month, we have education week. It is just to help support what they learn at school, Khmer alphabet and math. This is the alphabet chart they made during craft time.

We've also done a few basic English classes. Here they learned the English words for different colours. They're loading the train cars with the correct colour stickers. Since we had two trains, it promptly became a competition between boys and girls to see who would be quicker :) 

Learning English body parts with 'Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes'.

One of our team members compiled all the art pieces for each child into separate books. I was surprised how proud the kids were of their work. They usually don't want to bring their pieces home, but they loved the compilations. I guess there was something about seeing it all together and how well they had done.

Playtime!

Heading home after kids club, loaded with fresh fruit. Don't tell the others, but the last ones sometimes go home with more snacks ;)

International Women's Day! This is one of the amazing women on our team! Here she's walking through the community with the rest of the team, celebrating the women by giving them roses. Their responses were remarkable! 

Canada

We got to go to Canada for a number of weeks to rest, rejuvenate, and connect with family and friends. It was such a blessing!

When I got there in March, it was still COLD! Still we bundled up and went on a walk on country roads. 

I miss them so much when I'm away!

Farming with my nephew!

Farming with my husband :)
Colin is so great at trading in life in the city for life on the farm for a couple of weeks because he knows how much it means to me!

Reading to the little ones

Hanging out with this young lady is always a treat! Skyenne, you bless and inspire me with your contagious joy and love!

Catching up with friends was very encouraging! I love hearing what God is doing in each of your lives! 

Family Weekend

April 20th and 21st we had family time. We celebrated two birthdays, everyone together again, and our 20th anniversary of moving to Canada.

These two beauties share a birthday!

Flying kites

Everyone grows up so fast! Hard to believe that I have a 12-year-old niece!

We reenacted a few photos. This one was taken on our move to Canada in 1999. 

20 years later!

Our family in 2008

Sitting on the same rocks in 2019. 

God is faithful! I couldn't wish for a more amazing family! Love and miss each one!

On our way back! Suitcases loaded with chocolate chips, coffee crisps, La Cocina chips, canned peaches, and canned beef. Hearts rested and full of joy and anticipation.

 Thank you everyone for a lovely time and for pouring into our lives again! We couldn't do what we do in Cambodia without all our amazing friends and family!

We've been back in Cambodia for a little over a month now.

Just over a week ago, we witnessed these two commit their lives to each other! It was beautiful and meaningful! I'm glad we were able to be back in time for the wedding.

Life is back to 'normal'. At least as normal as life gets. Work, ministry, friends, marriage, etc. There are new adventures and challenges every day. I will hang on to the truth that 'Jesus loves me'. 

 Love you all!

-Brenda Chen

Christmas Abroad

Happy New Year’s Everyone!! 2019!!

In all my travels, I somehow managed to spend Christmas with my family every year. This year I wasn't with them. For those of you who know me, know that Christmas to me isn’t about presents or food. I know ultimately it’s about Jesus, but a close second is my family. I love spending time with my family. There’s a break from the busyness of farm life. School’s out for a few weeks. Gardening and canning is out of season. It’s cold and snowy outside. Warm and cozy inside. What’s not to love about Christmas with family in Canada?! I still think it’s ideal, but this year I wasn’t there.

For the last few months, Colin and I discussed whether I would go home for Christmas. But I didn’t want to leave him for so long. I remember last winter too well, when we were apart for 106 days. I knew it wouldn’t be as long as that, but it kind of needs to be at least a month, for it to be worth the flight over. We both knew it wouldn’t be financially wise to both go over and Colin wouldn’t be able to leave his job for that length of time anyway. We decided to miss Christmas with my family this time. It wasn’t easy and I’m looking forward to spending next Christmas with them, Lord willing. But we just made a few changes to the usual Christmas traditions and I was ok.

Something God taught me was that there is a difference between celebrating the birth of Jesus and Christmas traditions. I decided to focus on Jesus rather than what I was missing out on. Mary and Joseph didn’t spend ‘Christmas’ at home either. I could celebrate Jesus just as well in a warm country, away from my family, as in Canada with them. At first, I felt guilty for not wanting to attend events that tried to recreate Christmas in the West, with the music, trees, lights, and food. But all that did was remind me of home, which then got me close to turning on the waterworks. So we did all kinds of other fun things that I’ve never done for Christmas before. I wasn’t denying Christmas, just shifting my focus. It’s been interesting. Here’s a few photos of our Christmas in Cambodia. And I actually wouldn’t mind if some of those turned into Christmas traditions for the Chen family 😊

A few weeks before Christmas, we went to the beach for a few days, for a retreat with Colin's staff.

Railway Community Christmas Party! Games, drama, sharing the Gospel, praying, gifts, and food. It was lots of fun!

Christmas Eve Dinner #1. We had a lovely buffet dinner with our dear Mama Ruth. Can't believe we didn't get a picture with her. Guess we were enjoying it too much to think of taking a photos.

  

After dinner, we went to Ruth's house and she showered us with cute gifts. One of them was these snow-covered trees. My little winter forest in Phnom Penh.

 
Christmas Eve Dinner #2. I'm grateful for all our friends here.


Christmas morning - Fast food breakfast


And then watched Mary Poppins Returns


Spent some time walking the mall after.


Came home and cooked dinner to share with our new friends.
They just moved to Cambodia a few weeks ago and were also missing celebrating Christmas with family. Showed them around the city after dinner. God is true to His word and provides family when we say 'Yes' to Him. It was a fun evening!

 
Online Christmas celebration with my family. I thought it might be hard seeing them, and not being there. It wasn't that bad and it help me feel so beautifully loved and included. I'm glad we did it and for how well the internet cooperated. 


As you can tell, internet wasn't quite perfect, but it's already so much better than snail mail.

Between Christmas and New Years I cleaned and organized. 

It's such a good feeling to once again know whats in our house and where it s.

I also made tamales. Colin approved of the the taste, so I'll call it a success :) 

Helped my friends run some errands one morning. Still get a little nervous driving a car in this city, but can't turn down the adventure of doing it.

Got to hang out with this princess while my friends did their shopping.

New Years Eve with our friends. So much food! Thank you Liza once again! 

Also, it's been one year since this beautiful, romantic night! A lot has happened since then and it hasn't all been easy, but I'd say 'yes' again in a heartbeat. I love this man with all my heart!

As much as I would've loved to be with my family for this season, it's been beautiful and meaningful in it's own way. I'm glad we said 'yes' to Jesus and to Cambodia. Full of love, adventure, and faith!