Life's Still Go On

Greetings!

Even though there is no school, the days are still running. In fact, the month of May is almost over. I did not have school over a month! Time runs non-stop. However, it is good for a change. This summer my life is still running with a different suit.

Without school, I have myself occupied with some works. I work part time at Trinity, mostly for the conference that are going on there in the summer. And, what do I do? My profession is cleaning, vacuuming, and set up beds. Yes, it is a different life. At the same time, I also work on the farm of my guardians/family.

Within the month of May, I receive a few surprises. I remembered clearly how my guardians are so clever at keeping secrets from me. All day long before the surprise, I have worked quite hard on the yard and the surrounding of the house. I was told that there will be a board barbecue. I mowed the lawn. Pressure washed the fence. Everything looks neat and spectacular, but I did not know the real intention. That day when there should be the board barbecue, I was, then told that it is a party for me?!

Yes, everything was all for me. A surprise party for my acceptance into Nursing at Trinity. I found out less than an hour before the party! Ha ha...What a nice family I have. What really surprise me the most was how my family were so sneaky at keeping the secret, and told me otherwise. As a result, I did not know what to do for the party. I just "smile-and-wave". :)


A few weeks ago, there was a rodeo show in Langley, BC. The country fair show. It was spectacular to see the many events with games and prizes. At the fair, I got another surprise. I wish I have brought the camera with me. The cows and the horse. They are huge! Wow! I never see such big animals in my life. There were three huge milking cows, and a horse that is use for hard labor. I just cannot believe it. Well, now that I see there is such huge animals.

I shared with you already about my attempt to get a learner for my driving skill. And, here it is!
I hope I will not cause any worries :) since I received many comments from my family already, "Learner = L -> "Look out!". They like to tease me :)
However, one thing that I am doing quite well is controlling the mower and the tractor.

So far that is my journey. Life on the farm is very good. As always, there is also application I can learn from these various jobs. I already learn some skills concerning nursing, though it is a bit different. With raising sheep, there is always interesting facts about their breeding cycles, like bringing the lamps into the world. And with the two cows, they are growing bigger. They are quite scary, but it is avoidable.

That is pretty much with my May-Life. I am looking forward to the future and what will bring as I continue to experience my fabulous life in Canada.

Thank you all for your supports and prayers.
Many blessings and love from our gracious Lord Jesus Christ!

Sureyah

It's Done!

Greeting from Abbotsford, British Columbia!

It is not going to be any surprise about my recent glad news. I was accepted into the nursing program at Trinity as many of you have heard already, but for the sake of sharing and to trace God's lead I am glad to announce it once more. God is good!
(Let everybody says, "ALL THE TIME!")

The month of April was a month of preparation, or you can say a month of due papers and exams. During this time at Trinity, usually, students look stressful and trying to work hard on their papers. Some, even had to stay up late or did not sleep. It was a crazy month, but it is a good month, too. Why? As you know, it is the month when the full stretch come to a complete stop. It is the month of freedom when we finish school and done all the papers. What a great relieve! As a student that is what I feel right now. No more homework and papers for four months! And, it is the first time that I have four month vacation from school. Wow!

As the days of exam gone by more and more people leave the university. There were cars, vans, and even trucks to bring back what undergraduates brought. It was fun to watch, and it is going to be entertaining as they will bring those back when the new school year starts.

I am not any different. This week, on the 28th, I moved to my new home. It has been my home already, but it is going to be for the next four years. I am glad to choose this move. Yes, I am moving to live with the Regehr family, my family now. To anyone who like dorm life it is sad, but I think it is a good choice to stay some where more quiet when night sleep is important. I also admit that dorm life is really enjoyable as well.

For the summer, I will be working on the farm at the Regehr's and part time on campus whenever I am called. I am really looking forward to experience a farmer's life--the life away from books and papers and exams for awhile. However, I think I might be having a different exams: driving and gardening. I do not know how am I going to score, but I will find out.
This summer I plan to get my Learner here. I already have the book, both for the motorcycles and the cars. It is going to be interesting. I never have any driving book when I drive my motor back in Cambodia. I might want to say that I survived in Phnom Penh, Canada would be only a piece of cake. But, I do not think so. To me, here is more dangerous because everyone is precise at what they are doing while driving. I will see who I am made out of.

Life as a farmer is going to be awesome. I am going to be a shepherd. Shepherd of 10 sheep and two cows. I think this life is fun, and at the same time I am going to learn something important and new.

Today, as I write I just rearranged all my stuffs I brought from school. It looks good so far. I really like and enjoy having my own room. It is nice here. What a great blessing!

Well, I hope you all are doing well. Since this is a blogger, it is going to be mostly about my life.

Many blessings to you and thank you for your support.

In Christ,

Sureyah

The Days that Passed and the Days that Last

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

The Amazing Week of God's Grace

Greeting to all!

As the second semester moves forward I cannot wait to share with you all how gracious and amazing our God is! Before I start I would love to pray this prayer: Philippians 1:16-19

"I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for who believe, according to the working of his great power."

Having school is a great thing; however, at the same time it is hard and long hours. I think you might also remember how it felt like back in those days. I did not say, that I am complaining. School is, indeed great! However, having school alone is not enough. Through experience, it can be tiring sometimes. Within this past week my life on campus seemed to be on a see-saw. It tilted from one position to the other. What I am trying to say is that I missed home, my beloved Cambodia and all the friends. I mean, I do have friends here, yet sometimes I do feel alone. I guess, although there are friends around, my heart seemed to be out of place. I felt a deep missing. The missing that raised the question, "Why am I here?"

I thanked our Lord Jesus Christ, who I am so thankful that I brought Him along! In time of depress and in time of sorrow He can along with His Mercedez. Trinity is a great place. I am so thankful for this wonderful university. It seemed right and in perfect timing. On that day I went to the chapel. What a great time! Chapel is always a great time to relax and concentrate for my needed part: Spiritually. A time to grow and stay close to Christ. I remembered it clearly that God brought a confirmation and consolation to my heart. I know that I am here for a purpose, but just understanding by myself is not enough. I do not know how to express it. Yet, what I am trying to say is that God came to my rescue and give me strength in time such as that! A true serene peace.

At the university, this week is called the "Mission Week". What an incredible time! People from different mission organization came to campus telling the work they are doing around the world. It is such a great blessings to see how God works in different places of the world, and different hearts. In particular, there were stories that were shared telling about God's amazing work within lives that sometimes seem impossible for us to think.
Dr. Bruce Main, the speaker of chapel this week, is working in the UrbanPromise Ministries. Such incredible stories that he experienced inspire all who hear. Sometimes, I was filled with tears. One story was how a helpless boy living in the gang's world became a successful man as he finished his studies. A girl who never thought of finishing high school got her master degree. These children were hopeless but light was brought to them through people who dare to take the step that the world look at it as crazy. And that is what the UrbanPromise are doing. They are working with gangs and people with many problems. I really thank the Lord that I got to hear such incredible stories. The power of change. The power that I could not comprehend or imagine. Praise God for His love towards those lost people!

Tonight as I write Bruce Main came into my dorm to share more about God's work in his ministry. Why he does what he does! Such great inspiration! I am so glad to get to meet him. What is more joyful was that he asked me, "What do you see your life in the next 10 years?" I said that I want to go back to Cambodia and help the people there. I will either be working with some organization or if I am able to I can set up my own work/ministry. Thus than, he said after I finish my degree I can contact him because in his ministry there is a program that train people to set up their own NGO, and they raise support for the work that one plans to do! Wow!! What an awesome night/week! It was not accident. I am so excited, yet at the same time I should keep this vision, and walk step by step :) I am just so glad. Four or so more years! It seems long, but I will get there. It is my great pleasure to share with you all this. Please pray that God's will be done in my life.

The main homework/workload I have to do for this semester is mostly reading. Lots of reading, and they can become napping times. As I shared with you all, I am just taking the core requirements this semester and will head into nursing, hopefully.

About work on campus, they are scarce, so I do not have work to do yet. My guardians are trying to help me to get the off-campus work permit. However, I am definitely going to have summer job for sure. At the same time, my guardians will try to get driver license for me. Exciting, yet a bit scare (different driving system). I am going to be afraid of how to drive right.

Yes, thank you all for your precious time and supports through both financial and prayers. They are so important for my existent in this great university.

May you continue to pray for my nursing application and for my well doing in my studies. May the Lord shines His light upon me. May what I have learned with His revelation sink deep within my heart.

Blessings,

Sureyah

The Journey to the Winter Wonderland!

Greeting to all!

It is so exciting to experience new activities and sceneries. Such a great blessing during this Christmas break! It is good to relax after a first ever semester.

Happy New Year!!
May the blessing from our Lord above be with you. This is the new year. The time of newness. May He fills you with peace, love, and strength.

It seems so long of a break, but I am so glad that I had one. Usually, I have only two weeks break, now it's three weeks. I think this is one best part about college. In a way, it is a really good thing because students can rest their minds and enjoy a bit. It is so refreshing after the break. Quite abnormal, I felt restless and wanted to go back to school. I guess, I had enough relaxation.

During this Christmas break, there were so many great things that happened and I am glad to be a part of.

My first Christmas in Canada was not bad at all. Usually, during Christmas time I have something to expect, but this time I have none. I was holding back and just trying to go with the flow. However, at the same time, I thank the Lord that He gave me such a great family. Before we went to Calgary, Alberta (further north of Canada), there came some relatives who spent Christmas with us. We played games and enjoyed each other company. One of the game is called, "pit", if you are a Mennonite you should know. On the Christmas morning after the reading of Christ's birth, we opened up gifts. We opened one by one and trying to guess what we got. It's quite fun because I had to wait instead of just right away open up all the gifts. Patience. Since this was my first Christmas, my family had me hunted for one of my gifts. And there I found a guitar! I really thanked my host family and the Lord that I got this as a gift. Such delight! However, there were something else that stroke me. Since I like hot stuff, I got a pack of "chilli" bottles. So good!

On our journey go Calgary, we were on the planes. Calgary during nighttime was spectacular. "Welcome to Winter Wonderland!" was my first impression. Beautiful. Snow-cold, frigid, and lifeless-but at the same time what was made by our Maker is fantastic. So beautiful, even though it's just white.

On the second day, while I was there. We went tobogganing. My first time ever to sled. It was so much fun. Then, face-washed! I wished to have that in Cambodia, but not in Canada. Brrr!

Then we also went to the mountains. It is so wonderful to see such great and high mountains. They were rocky mountains filled with snow, some of them still contained the rugged shapes. There were some wild animals we saw along the road. The pines and evergreen trees beside the road are like those in Narnia movie. Spectacular! Then, to the frozen lake we went. I walked on the frozen lake! Sometime I thought what if it cracks. Oh ooh! But, it was alright. Something even more important to see was the displays at the bear country. I was much advise about bears. Now that I was in the Bear Country what should I do? Fortunately, there wasn't any bear. Hibernating :) I got a small booklet that tells about bear. "Never ever run from a bear!" it said. But, Mr Hein-Logos Principal- told me that there are some I need to run from. Maybe those are bears from Kelowna =D


We also went to see the Calgary tower (190.81 m). It is another place to see the world of Calgary. So beautiful. There was also a section in the tower where it was built with glass. You can see through the bottom. Pretty scary if you try. But, it's 100% safe.

The family gathering was unique. I was reminded about Khmer New Year! Christmas is much like Khmer New Year! It is a time for reunion and celebration with the loved ones. Turkey dinner was a delight! And wine, different ones like Koniach, I tried. They warms you up. But strong. Arrr! I'm glad I took some, but no more.

Canada is indeed a cold country, but with so many warm-hearted people. My host family's reunion brought good memories I have had back home. I was most welcomed here. God is so good and gracious. It is so good to be a part of a family, and not just a stranger. It is good to have a family, no matter where we are. Also, because of such great hospitality, I gained 10 lbs. this break!

I had such a great break and enjoy Canada so much (indoor :). Now, I am ready to go to partake once again the journey of academic life. It was so refreshing! That's why college is good.

Thank you all for following up my story, supporting, and as well having me in your prayers. I ask that our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ bless you all richly in this new year. May the steps you take be filled with confidence and strength. May his love and peace dwells with you no matter what circumstances are on the way. Amen!

Please pray for my coming semester, so that it will progress affectively, and that whatever I do will be a great example and good encouragement to those around me. Most of all, pray that I know how to balance well with my life. Please also continue to pray for my nursing application that it will go smoothly because I am quite impatience to partake the service for my Lord back in Cambodia. Thank you all very much.

Blessings,

Sureyah

The Final of my first Semester!

Greetings to all!

I hope you were able to receive my last post like two months or so ago. Thanks to Mr Weiss, I am now able to get a good blog where I can really work with it.

May our gracious Lord's abundant blessings fall upon you all.

This is it! My first semester was over. Lots to learn, many things to catch up, new experiences, and quite a challenge. The result, I survived--Survived in the cold land and was able to make quite a few friends. I felt like my first mission was accomplished. My first semester results from all the courses were not so well, but I somehow felt good, because none of them fail. However, I am willing to work harder and do better the coming semester. And I will need your prayer for that.

As I have mentioned quite often, University was a great time of learning for me. I learned and is still learning to make decisions. Coming from where I used to be, I did not have to decide by myself so much. I was taken care of. I did not have to worry, now I have a hard time deciding. It seems like there are so many roads I can take. So much freedom I now received, sometimes I do not know what to do with it. Where I came from I did not have to choose what I like. I just take what I had and given. Right now, even buying a sandwich there also choices. "What do you want?" have often given me a hard time. "I don't know." Because I don't really care. I have no preferences. I take whatever that is on my plate. Since I faced so many "challenges" like these, I am, now really learning to choose. This was my first times that I will no longer follow. I am now in my own boat, directing my own life, well with the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, it is just overwhelming to know that I am now a free man, well in a way because I have always been a free man. I feel like it, and it's not so good of a feeling. But, I guess I have to learn these.

Many of you might know that I am living in a dorm on campus. It was, somehow a great experience and at the same time kind of let down moments. I just recently discovered that my dorm is known as the slow students dorm. We arrived late. There were many things that were going in this dorm. My room is by the lounge--the gathering place. Often, my friends were watching TV. Some night they went crazy. Loud noises. As a Cambodian, I am not used to this. Is this something I should learn from? Maybe not. Sometimes, I felt like I am working hard but did not reach the same amount of grade that my friends in this dorm were receiving. I would have to say that they like to procrastinate quite much. At times, I felt pressured. However, I thank the Holy Spirit who has always been my faithful companion. He helps me to go through such things. It was annoying sometimes to feel and be different. I don't want to feel different, but I guess God called me to be different.
At the same time, I also learned to love the Library. It is such a great place to study and concentrate; however, it is also a good place to have a nap or sleep :)


During these past months, I also learned to adapt to the cold weather. In fact, this is my first time ever to experience the snow! Well, maybe Abbotsford's weather is not too bad for Cambodians. I wear sweater and normal clothes like anybody on campus, so I feel one in the crowd.

I guess you all have heard about my host-family (the Regehr family) here in Canada. It is another great blessing that the Lord and you all have given to me. I grow in great attachment with them. They make me feel so much welcome and with warm love that it is so hard for me to call them names. Also, since I'm a Cambodian, it is not polite to call older people names. Because of this respect and love, I decided to call both of them, Mom and Dad. Once again, I am just so happy to experience the Love of God. He knew exactly what I needed. Through this family, I experienced the love that I lacked while I grew up. From my past story as you might know, I lacked that love and comfort. Praise God for such a great Father He is! He knew each one of us very well. Blessings to you all :)
From left to right: Tim Regehr, Michele, Sara, Greg, and me :)

As for now, I am on a break. It will be my first time ever to experience my first Christmas in Canada, with Christmas trees and the common tradition of the Santa Claus. I will also miss the family back home who will be doing nativity as usual, and being a part in a large family celebration on Christmas Eve.

About my future plan, I am heading into Nursing Program. Thus, during this break I am trying to put together application for it. I will need your favor, may you pray that it will go well and be this be the way He wanted to lead me into.

Thank you all for following on my story and as well as supporting me so that I got the experience that I had and will going to get still.

Many blessings and I ask that our gracious Lord Jesus and His Holy Spirit reveals you all new things in this special time of the season and on the coming days. May your days be full of enrichment.

Merry Christmas!

In Him,

Sureyah