Easter...something of most importance!

So it’s now the time leading up to Easter, this is the time where Christians are called to remember the death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and what all of that means for our lives. Doing this is something that Paul in 1 Corinthians calls “most important”. Considering 75% of Christian teaching in the New Testament comes from Paul you would think we might pay a bit of attention to him. Yet it has come to my attention that, even for me personally, I spend more time waiting for Christmas and all that comes with that season. I find this funny because as I’ve been recently looking more into the cross, death and resurrection I’ve found out that many times in the bible we’re asked to remember Christ’s death until the day he returns however not once in the bible are we asked to remember the birth of Jesus! Crazy right!

I’m not going to give you a big theology lesson on the cross and explain why it had to be that way and what it does mean to you. However if you’re interested I strongly recommend that you go to http://www.thevillagechurch.net/resources/sermons/#series-sort_the-cross and listen to Matt Chandlers series on the cross it made me view the topic in a very new and real way and made me see for the first time what Paul was talking about and it really is most important.

All I am going to say on this topic is that for a long long time I thought it was what I did that made God love me and secured my salvation and relationship with him. I ended up getting so frustrated with myself because I couldn't seem to live up to this “Christian life” that I was meant to have. I’ve been starting to realise over this past year that I don’t have to do, how can I when it’s already done! As Jesus himself said, “It is finished!” So I can be truly happy, free and joyful in the fact that my justification before God does not come from my own doing. Not in saying the right thing, doing the right thing, not in going to church, not in not swearing and not getting drunk but because of CHRIST! It is grace that sets us free and grace alone. It is a gift that is no-where near deserved but given out of the purest form of love from the author of love himself. As Matt Chandler says “It is the resurrection of Christ that justifies!” All the wrath that was meant for us was taken out on him; it’s all gone! Now all he sees when he looks at us is blameless, guilt free sons and daughters and there is nothing that can separate us from his love. (Read more about this in Romans 8! I have completely fallen in love with this chapter of the bible.) The best thing is we didn't do anything, so all the glory goes to God as it should be!

I could go on as there is sooooo much more amazing stuff that I have learned about this topic but I think even that alone is enough to make it worthy of our attention, especially at this time of year, and for it to be not just remembered but celebrated!

So, this year maybe spend time with family and friends, eat chocolate (I know I will be) but most of all do something to remember and celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. Maybes read about it in a bible or listen to the sermons I suggested or even watch the Passion of the Christ whatever you do don’t let this time pass by like any other. We are called to remember it and it is what is most important.

Happy Easter everyone!
Helen xoxo

Can you believe its been two months?!

What is actually going on?! Time is going so quickly! I've been living in Cambodia for 2 whole months now, it still sounds very crazy to me that I'm even here at all!

Firstly I just want to say a massssssive thank you to everyone that supported me in prayer and financially I never would have made it this far without any of you! I've seen so many things in 2 months. My mind has been broadened in terms of culture and life style and also realised how very English I am (don't know whether this is good or bad thing).
Even though in the western world I may be classed as being "working class" we really are very rich in many ways, now even just having a fridge, cold water and an actual bed are what I now call luxuries! So as you can see a lot has changed.

I've met some amazing people and love the girls I live with and the girls at morning star very much. Teaching with Beracah boys and girls (students aged 17+) is honestly so much fun! We've just been teaching them an English worship song called You are holy (Prince of Peace). I love singing and getting the chance to do it with them and seeing how much they open up and enjoy it is amazing. Singing, dance and art are definitely the keys of opening up this country and really being able to get to know the people. As I love two out of those three things, I'm starting to why God called me to work in this country...not forgetting the other obvious reason that one of their favourite things to do is eat...all the time just like me. However their use of chilli is far too excessive, but after two months they're used to my English ways and it’s just become something of a big joke with everyone in the house.

All of us girls celebrating Nara's last night in the
Beracah house! 

Me and Aurore with the Beracah boys and World Horizons Cambodia AND the
American teams!

We had a massive break through a few weeks ago with Aurora finally being able to access her money and important uni emails being sent to me all on the same day! God is good!

Also we have been joined in Phnom Penh by the American team connected with World Horizons. It’s been such a blessing and great fun being able to spend time with them and getting to know them for the short time they were here. We spent a lot of time eating...not all of the food was what you’d normally have on a day to day basis this includes trying cricket, fertilized duck egg, frog, and spider...yes I actually managed to eat a full spider, and if you don’t believe me there are various photos and videos to mark the trip.  They were all a lot better than I had imagined in my head. However, apart the cricket which me and Aurore love strangely enough, I doubt I’ll be having any of them on regular basis! Oh and also I did eat the head of some sort of small bird for $10 from Kris Keating (Field Leader for World Horizons USA) ...still not at all sure it was worth the money. It was vile. Never again.

Phnom Penh Riverside specialty - cricket, spider, cockroach,
frog and many more

Me holding a spider I was meant to eat.
My face says it all.

But moving on from all the strange foods we ate, they also brought Christmas to Phnom Penh and presented us all with gifts! I was so so so so happy to have a jar of Nutella and Mike and Ikes among other sweets AND my very own World Horizons t-shirt. Thank you so much American team! You’ve blessed us so much by making the effort to come all the way here.

Me absolutely buzzing cause I have Mike and Ikes and Nutella!
Thank you American team!

A few weeks ago I got the chance to go to one of the boys from Beracah's home in the country with some of the other boys and girls from Beracah. It was so nice to get to see a different side of Cambodia that wasn't the city and to see where the people that now feel like family to me grew up. It was such a good day to spend with friends and in true Khmer style the family provided more than enough food to last us all for the week!

Friends have a good afternoon in the corn fields.
(Not exactly an every day occurrence in England) 

Local children helping to cook corn
in the corn field.

Gonna miss being able to drink coconut milk
all the time so much!

I'm looking forward to what will happen in the next few weeks and what new opportunities are going to present themselves as I'm sure many will. As I'm becoming aware time here seems to go very very quickly so please pray that I take up any opportunity that comes my way! Also pray that I with keep on reading the bible and trusting God when things here get hard. As you have read above trusting in Him really does make a difference, this is something I'm learning so much more about but it’s very hard so pray for perseverance! Finally next month we will be going to Thailand for a 2 week break, please pray that we're safe on our journey and all practical things such as getting to hotels, travel and heath. 

Thank you again so much for all the support from family, friends and everyone in Middlesbrough Community Church.

Hope everyone is well!
Helen xoxo

Do not worry about anything ; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6)