Experiencing short term mission

Even though I am not in Cambodia at the moment, I can feel the intensity of what it is like to be on a short term mission there.

I shared in her pain as she informs me of the side effects of taking malaria tablets. I can feel the atmosphere as she described her helplessness in helping the children on the streest. I can feel her discomfort as she describes the skin allergy she has after visiting and hugging children with HIV.

It is having such an effect on me that I wake up in the middle of night wanting to pray for her.

May the gospel of our Lord be brought to those in Cambodia and beyond! Hope she returns safe and sound.

Nose bleed

Why does my nose bleed all of a sudden during a private conversation over dinner with an attractive female counterpart at a cafe? The whole scene was so theatrical. My other friend went to the toilet and I was having a nice private conversation with the girl. I didn't know her that well but we were talking about places to visit in Europe and it was a very enjoyable conversation. I started to blow my nose, but it started to bleed. I asked her for tissues but before she could reach down into her bag, blood just poured out. All the people in the cafe were taking notice of me. The waitress even came to me with extra napkins. I had to leave the girl sitting there by herself and went to the bathroom to fix my nose.

This is like a scene out of the movie. My friend then joked with me afterwards about the fact that my nose was bleeding because of my one on one time with the pretty girl.

Contradiction in people

A person can be so contradictory. On one level she can be caring and kind and is a good friend to talk to when I'm in need. On the other hand she can be mean with the things she says about me, often in a joking way, without realising the hurt she is causing me with the things she says. And when I retaliate, she would get upset and hurt by my retaliation. If a person is your friend, you would respect that person, not make fun or put down that person.

And why doesn't she tell me certain things when they concern me deeply but tells me these stuff way after the event? If it is the other way round, she would have been upset if I had not told her.

Maybe that is why I will never consider her as more than a friend. Never. Never ever.

Haberfield - the new Leichard

Haberfield is shaping up to the new Leichard of Sydney. The main street reminds me of a more toned down version of a cross between Lygon Street in Melbourne and Acland Street in St Kilda.

We went to an Italian restaurant for lunch, and the food was surprising good. We could have sat there all afternoon as it was a very comfortable and relaxing place. The coffee afterwards at an old styled Italian cafe was really well made, with the smell of the coffee bean aromas filling the whole cafe.

There is also a handmade chocolate shop nearby and next time I will definitely get some chocolates.

Give Haberfield a try!!

Christmas Party

After working for a few years, I have been to a number of different Christmas parties. Working in a large organisation often means that when attending these parties, I hang around and converse with the people in my group that I know.

This year it is a bit different. Not many of the people from my group went to the Christmas party (due to various commitments). At first I hanged around with them, but eventually I drifted off and started hanging around other people. It is interesting how different a person can be in a social context. I have worked with other people from other groups, and when I talk to them socially, they come across as a totally different person. They can be alot more interesting. Some of the conversations I had were thoughtful and meaningful. At least I know that alot of us think alike about our careers and futures in the firm, not just me.

What made this year's party interesting was the existence of a few gaming tables. We were all issued with $10,000 fake chips, and I played Black Jack and Texas Holdem Poker. I was pretty even with Black Jack. But I lost everything in Texas Holdem Poker. I was patient and waited for a good hand, and when I had a triple, I went "all in". Another player followed. After the river card was revealed, the other player won, as he managed to score a flush. In another game, using the chips of a colleague, I also had a triple, and went all in, but to my dismay, I lost to a player who had a straight. Such bad luck. The chances of a triple losing in the game is so low. Oh well... at least its not for real.

As usual, it was hard to catch a cab home after. Thank you to the friend who picked me up from the train station! =)

Praise Him

To be able to praise Him, and worship Him is our privilege and honour.

To be able to lead others to experience the power of the Spirit and be thankful for what God has done for us over the past year is worth every minute of planning and rehearsal.

May we continue to serve God in love and humility as we continue to strive to glorify His name.

"Revive us O Lord", so we can be "Lost in [the] Wonder" of your love.