Greeting to all!
One month ago I have written one of my most excited moment while staying in Trinity. But, today I began to think, "Wow! It's been a month already that I haven't post anything yet." So now I do.
February like any other days were considered the school hours. Not school alone happened during this cold/sunny-with-spring-feeling month. If you stay in touch with sport and all, you might recall the Winter Olympic. It was hosted right here in Vancouver. Lots of people. Every where people talked about the Olympic. Somehow, it is a bit abnormal for me since I have never cheer for any sport team. However, it was a great season. Within the last week of February, school was off for a week. It was called the "reading break". Yes, contrary to that, it was the week of reading(s).
During that week I came to my guardian's home. An amazing event happened. My guardians are raising two cows and two sheep. Both of the sheep were pregnant. On Wednesday night, one of the sheep, named Ivy, gave birth to two lambs! It was such a great sight to see. Lives came out from another life. It is so incredible. Another sheep is expecting to have lambs soon as well.
More about life on campus:
Like any other days, they are quite the same: Schooling. Yet, as the days passed, I began to learn something new every day, the good and the bad. Trinity is a Christian institution, and there are so many gifted people living and studying in this great University. However, as I began to live and observe more and more, my faith was challenged.
This semester I have an IDIS-Class (a class learning about Christian Worldview). In this class, the students are taught about Christian's perspective and how one should see the world. I was, all along have that way of thinking in mind because it was laid out plainly through the Word of God: the Bible. It surprises me to see that many students grumbled about that class. Seeing this, my faith began to stumble a bit. The reason was why do we educate and come to university? For a good life or something else? Is coming to university to just live a life to the full or live life because of God's call? Sometimes being surrounded by different culture and different atmosphere does create how one thinks and shaping that person. Each day I consider over and over about all these. I do not know, but it seems that Consumerism does have a great impact on many lives.
What challenges my faith was to see how some people interpret faith or live their lives. Living here is definitely among Christians with various interpretations. Back home in Cambodia, I lived among Buddhists and Muslims. The way they live tells about what they believe. Somehow I began to think, what if I only live because the Word taught me to live, without God being in the picture? What if there is no any supernatural force (God) behind any of these? Is that mean I live because I was taught in certain way? Is there reason at all to living?
I was challenged by these questions the past two months. I still sometimes in doubt about my faith. It has never happened to me quite seriously before. I wonder whether that was from what I have learned and experienced here. Is that what Knowledge do to a person?
I continue to pray and ask God to show me what He wants to teach me through all these. Though I was doubting, I am convinced that there is a God who is right beside me holding my hands and walk before me. If there is no God, there would be no meaningful days anymore. Life would mean nothing.
Anyway, it was what I have in mind recently. School is busy as usually. I am trying to get up and do all the work that is required: reading, oh yes readings, midterm, essays, and all.
A few days ago I was privileged to go a prayer meeting set up by Mr Henry and Mrs Quirings, who are by now leading a mission team to Cambodia.
I am glad that I could go and will definitely continue to pray for their well being in my country.
Thank you so much for all your prayers. I have submitted my nursing application already and I am waiting to hear the result in late April or early May.
At this point, please pray for my relationship with the Lord because it is so easy not to have connection with Him. I need Him more than ever. Secondly, please pray that I will continue to persevere and work my hardest for school and being a true Christian living among Christians.
May our gracious Lord bless you all richly.
With peace and love,
Sureyah
