“Can we meet a day early for Bible study? I have to attend a relative’s funeral on Wednesday.” “Sure, Granny!” This was the third time I was meeting with this elderly Cambodian woman to study the Bible. (Read about the first two days in Part 1 and Part 2.) Soon […]
Pressing Onward in the Race as a Single Woman
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the […]
I Want to Escape the Cycle of Reincarnation: Truth Dawning P.2
“I believe,” the woman insisted. “I truly believe. But I also still light incense and want to participate in [Buddhist ceremonies and rituals]. Can I still do these things?” “Granny,” I said, using a relational term of respect, “for we who follow Jesus, we cannot participate in any other worship. […]
So Jesus is Greater than the Buddha: Truth Dawning P.1
“This is the Holy Bible of Jesus,” I said, picking it up. “Have you seen or heard of this book before?” The elderly woman across from me squinted. “No,” she said. “Never.” I had the opportunity to open up the Bible and teach an elderly Cambodian woman about Jesus. She […]
The Miracle: God Answers
When was a time that God answered your prayer in an immediate, almost shocking way? I was recently reminded of this event in my own life: When I was in college, I had a green mechanical pencil of a particular brand that can (perhaps) only be found in a certain […]
Teacher, Do You Believe in Ghosts?
I once read a comment that said, “Southeast Asia is haunted.” Cambodia definitely is. People are deeply animist, worshipping spirits of all kinds and seeking to commune with the dead. People see ghosts, interpret dreams, and go to fortune tellers. The language has vocabulary words for categories of spirits that […]
Devil Prowling
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the […]
I Am SAM And This Is Why
It’s strange. Everyone else seems to be full of words to say about him, but I can’t describe him or his life. I can’t sum it up, and I can’t try. I can only write about me, the me that touched him every now and then. I am his first […]
My Grievance Against God: Snakes
One summer day, many years ago, my family and I set out on a little piece of the Appalachian Trail in Tennessee. A few minutes later, my three-year-old sister screamed. I looked down. “Rattlesnake!” It had bitten her. There is a good story here, what with the rattlesnake’s subsequent demise, […]
Eager Eyes Tugging at My Heart
I move carefully down the stairs, trying to put my feet where the metal frame offers the most support under each cracked, tin-covered step. The three classrooms above are empty now. The recess bell has rung, and all the students at the little English school above the church are out […]