Todays note is written by one more of our extraordinary leaders, Leakhena. She leads our homes in Cambodia. Enjoy! As always if led to please send a note that I will forward to her.
THE GRACE FOR ME
"I was thinking about where I should start counting my blessing in GIBTK. There has been for three years that I have been working here. I am so thankful for every moment that I am here. I could not count all my blessing for myself, family and the girls' life here. First, the time that I decided to come back and work in GIBTK. I know that I am going to face many challenges that pull my strength which is hidden inside. Through back in 2018,
I remembered that I have to face with the government work for the main two ministries and two departments. Many government's paper works that we have to compete it, I remembered that we face the finding from Tax department since we did not register and follow the procedure yet. Moreover, we have to continue the MOU at that time, too. I was so doubt when I went to Phnom Penh for continuing the MOU. I felt so disappointed for when there is no answering from them. I was so confused with the process of how they work since it was really my first experience for working with this kind of Job. Second, there are issue and problems at home that we have to solve it. We have to have the regulation, some agreement with parents, and some legal paper for the girls that we have to have in order to protect our girl who stays here.
Third, we have the just only one housemother who works with us. She is also new to our girls. Even I try to support her as much as I can, still it is not enough. Both of us are so objective with our work. It is not that easy to support them since I did not have much time for her. Moreover, some parents make a trouble for us. We have to handle it well. We tired our best to find a good solution for us. On the other hand, I have to handle my family's problems. Despite of these, everything fall into place and solved peacefully. That is such an amazing experiences when I looked back to those days.
There is a time that I want to give up for something else. I am shakes with my decision that, Is right for me that I am here? Then I turn myself to God and start asking a question. What do you really wants for me? What is your plan for me? Am I able to do all of these? My brain fill with a tricky thought that I could not do it, it is so hard. You are still young to this. This kind of work is not for me. My feeling is so overwhelming. My heart fills with tear and depress. There are also some other work places call me to work at their places. However, Because of God's grace I am able to bring his glory here. Every moment that I do not want to continue, I heard whispering voices that power me up. "EVERY PROBLEMS AND ISSUE IS A BLESSING." This is the sentence that God's reminded me about who He is in my life. It gives me a comfort for fighting my fear to see the beautiful ending that He has prepared for me. I did count it as a blessing and waiting for those moments. Moreover, I am so thankful for GIBTK team who always support me with every works here. They are so patient with me and give me a chance to learn and grow. Nonetheless, I had many people in government departments spared with my fresh new to this work. They taught me and guided me until we completed all of the documents.
Up to this day, Covid-19 pandemic happened in 2020. Everyone was so frustrated since we did not preparing for this new virus. We were locked down for 2020. We could not travel everywhere as we wish since the situation is up and down. We were not able to travel peacefully. It is also a challenge for us here in the home. It is so new to us when the government announces that our girls have to have online class and study at home. We have to rearrange the schedule for our girls for both Khmer and English school. There are some problems along the ways that we have to keep them with their class and make sure that they did not get distraction from social media. There are some tension happened along the way since we could not move anywhere. Anyways, by GBTK support, we still complete our year gratefully. One word that comes out to us for this year is "Intimacy Relationship". Look at the bright side; we were able to have an individual and personal time with each of our girls. The two housemothers are more subjective to the girls. They could understand about the girls better. It was so amazing time together at home. They are more obedient.
The most beautiful scenario is seeing them growing healthily with both physical and emotion. Future more, they are growing spiritually. Because of the love that we have for one another, It stir up everyone's capacity and potential. One word that is always sustaining my heart is "LOVE" I never felt that I am lack of love since I am here in GIBTK. Love moves and break through every obstacle that we have faced. Thank you so much.
With sincere Thanks
Leakhena
Robert Kalatschan?Giving It Back To Kids
www.gibtk.org
robert@gibtk.org
