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Musings from the World of Jewel Scarves for Cambodia Journals for the Journey

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Two More Reasons WHY

Contemplating and meditating on these two verses today:

"If you want to think one year ahead, plant rice.
If you want to think 10 years ahead, plant trees. 
But if you want to think 100 years ahead, give education to people."
[Ancient Chinese Proverb]

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"
[Romans 10:14 NIV]


Love love love,
Jewel

Friday, August 12, 2011

Scripture is Alive & Active

As I was reading Psalms this morning, this reference reminded me of a very special moment that I spent with Him - Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, Creator of Me - on top of a mountain in Siem Reap, Cambodia two years ago.  I am thankful for that moment - a moment I hope that I never forget - and I am thankful that God's Word is truly alive and active TODAY.



Eternally Grateful,
and in Love,
Jewel

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

We have been waiting for this day

I am almost without words; without words, but not without emotion.

JOY. Anticipation. Excitement. LOVE. Fear. Submission. Anticipation. Fear. Anticipation. Fear. Anticipation.


So much emotion.


Any idea what this is?

It's one small section of the visa interview schedule at the US Embassy in Phnom Penh.  The 7:00:00 hour on September 20th, 2011 is an hour of much JOY. Anticipation. Excitement. LOVE. Fear. Submission. Anticipation. Fear. Anticipation. Fear. Anticipation. ETC.

On September 20th at 7am (that's September 19th at 7pm, for all you Indiana and EST people,) my fiancé, Romdenh Chamnol (aka Titus) will stand before an authority at the US Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and be interviewed in regards to gaining legal status to enter the United States and marry the love of his life.

Who would DARE say no to that, right??

Trusting in His promises:


Love love love, Jewel

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

August 2011: An Update on What God is Doing Here and There

Friends, Family, and Supporters,

Greetings from a freshly-rained-upon Central Indiana. Praise the Lord for rain!! This past week I attended the Indiana North District of the Wesleyan Church’s Family Camp for at least my 15th summer-in-a-row. “What did you do at Family Camp?” I settled down two- and three-year-olds
in the nursery during the evenings, made special memories with friends around a campfire until
midnight, worshipped the Lord under a tent in the morning, heard the Word preached by powerful evangelists, helped organize a carnival, and joined 300+ others for meals in the dinning hall. Oh, and I dressed like Batman and rode a tandem bicycle with Superwoman in the children’s bike parade! At Family Camp, I have been reminded of all the ways that God has been faithful since this week last year. God has been overwhelmingly good to me in NUMEROUS ways. In the past few weeks my twin sister and best friend (Jessie) has moved to New York for grad school, Grandmom has been so sick and hospitalized since late June, and my fiancĂ© remains 10,000+ miles away… but God has been faithfully present and real to me, especially during my loneliest times.

In July, Titus hosted a short-term missions team from a Wesleyan church in Rochester, New York. He translated for them, traveled with them, and assisted them in their ministry in various
churches, villages, and at an orphanage. He also enjoyed spending time with old friends, and meeting new friends. Thank you to Phalkun and Janell and their team for their willingness to deliver some packages to Cambodia for me, and for their willingness to shop for Cambodian attire for our ring bearer and flower girls. ☺ Their kindness has been a blessing to me! Last week, Titus had a medical exam at an international clinic to meet the visa requirements before his interview. He received the results from the exam yesterday and we are praising the Lord that Titus is healthy, strong, and able to travel. Please join us in praising the Lord for a good health report. There are three remaining documents needing to be processed by the Commune Chief, and we are presently waiting [and checking the website every hour] on the embassy to post Titus’ interview date and time online. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE join us in praying that he will be given an early date!

Despite not knowing when Titus will be granted his visa, I have p.r.o.g.r.e.s.s.e.d in planning our wedding, confident that God will bring him here soon enough. It has been very stressful, but I have enjoyed preparing for our special day because – while we have been separated by MANY miles for MANY days – the wedding brings the promise that we will spend the rest of our days together, as husband and wife, as partners in the ministry He has called us to. Throughout this time of waiting and preparation for Titus’ MUCH-ANTICIPATED arrival, I have been reminded of the privilege and mandate to prepare myself to be the Bride of Christ. In the New Testament, Christ, the Bridegroom, has sacrificially and lovingly chosen the Church - those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their personal savior and have received eternal life - to be His bride (Eph 5:25-27). Just as there was a betrothal period in biblical times during which the bride and groom were separated, so is the Bride of Christ separate from her Bridegroom during the Church Age. Her responsibility during the betrothal period is to be faithful to Him (2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:24). At the Second Coming of Christ, the Church will be united with the Bridegroom, the official "wedding ceremony" will take place and, with it, the eternal union of Christ and His bride will be actualized (Rev 19:7-9; 21:1-2). Oh how I greatly anticipate BOTH of my weddings!

Again, until our YWAM application is complete, processed, and approved, giving to our future ministry is limited to personal donations at this time. If interested, there is a PayPal giving button on this blog. If your church or any church you know would be interested in allowing us to come and share, please share their contact information with us. As always, thank you. Thank you for reading, for supporting, for praying, for loving, and for giving. The knowledge that you are simply behind us gives me confidence to pursue God’s will and the visions that He has given us.
Praying and Believing, 
Jewel (and Romdenh Chamnol)