#visitingjenni

I am entering my second last week of classes in Singapore.  Time is truly running out.  In fact, in precisely a month from today I will be boarding a plane for Canada.  It is hard to believe that I am arriving at this point already. 

The past two weeks have been busy in a very good sort of way.  A couple of weeks ago I hit a low.  It was a combination of a number of things which all built on a feelings of extreme loneliness.  Don't get me wrong, I have great people to hang out with but I was feeling the absense of deeper connections with people.  The connection that you have with people who know your life experiences, who know your background, who know so much of who you were, who you are and who you desire to be.  The connections that make it possible to go months even years without seeing someone and still pick up as though no time has past.  However, although it was a tough couple of weeks, I experienced the presence of God and found a renewed security in His promises that He is with me always.  Now, here I am, a few weeks later with my life being filled and running over with moments of connection with friends.

It began with my trip to Cambodia.  I was looking forward to this trip ever since I heard Jenni was going to be in Phnom Pehn while I was in Singapore.  I love the history of my friendship with this girl.  For most of my life she was just a girl who went to school with my younger sister.  In fact it's really only been the last year and a half or so that we've been hanging out so what are the odds that we'd both end up in Asia at the same time?  Crazy but such a gift from God.  Jenni is likely the person who best understands most aspects of my life right now as we are both wading through the life as students at Waterloo and now here we are living in Asia at the same time.  This made being able to meet up with her and experience her life in Phnom Pehn all the more rich.  

I flew into Phnom Pehn Friday morning and wandered around the city for a couple of hours and then met Jenni once she was finished with her language class.   We met up for lunch and massages and lots of catching up.

 The sidewalk display for the cafe which we had lunch at

 The National Museum

 

Reunited in Asia.  A little freaky with how matchy matchy we were and no we did not plan that.

Friday evening I was able to stay at the house of people Jenni knew.  There was access to their roof-top so I spent time up there reading, relaxing and gazing out over the cite of Phnom Pehn.

Jenni had taken time to come up with a schedule for my 48 hours in Phnom Pehn so we could make the most of our time together while also seeing as much of the city as possible.  For Saturday, she arranged for us to have a tuk tuk driver for the day so when she arrived to pick me up Saturday morning, we were ready to 'paint the town red'. 

 Our day started with a cup of delicious Iced Coffee.  The sign says it all.

 The best iced coffee in Phnom Pehn is hidden away in the dark, croweded Russian market.  It may seem a bit sketchy but for anyone who has traveled, you know that the best places are usually found in this type of location.

We stopped by the Genocide Museum.  The thing that hit me the most is the reality that these events are the recent history of Cambodia.  The current population is still dealing with the emotional and psychological effects of this horrifying period in their country.

However, as horrifying as the torture and massive amounts of killing that occured is, there is hope.  There is a new generation rising from the ashes and I enjoyed meeting the Cambodian youth Jenni works with: seeing them enjoy life, loving God and looking ahead to a more promising future

Other points of interest in our day included:

 Post Office in the French Quater

 Central Market:  Another piece of interesting architecture

 The Riverside

After shopping and being out in the hot sun a lot of the day, it was time for some ice cream down along the river.

 Relaxing and enjoying being chauffeured around the city

There was also a visit to the Royal Palace

 Jenni trying to figure out which building was which.

Saturday evening we spent time relaxing at my hotel

Sunday morning I was able to attend church with Jenni.  I love worshipping in a language I don't understand.  It is hard to explain but there is something about sitting in a service, not understanding a word and yet experiencing the spirit of unity as we worship together.  It also gives a glimpse of the beauty awaiting us when people from all tribes and nations will be gathered together, worshipping our Father.

It was a very short but refreshing week end.  I got to visit a new place while also experiencing a taste of Jenni's life in Asia.  Also, it was amazing to connect with a friend from home.