clip clop

"clip clop, clip clop went small donkey's feet, as he slowly climbed the last hill...." this book brings memories from childhood, some of you will know these words, even which picture is on that page and what story it is. Mark read the story to 4 year old Amelie the other night and she oohed and awed just like we used to as kids. she wasn't thinking of poor tired Mary and the poor donkey, no she was thinking of the beautiful story, the beautiful pictures and the beautiful baby Jesus to be born.


Amelie lives several hours north of me where her dad works with ADRA here in Cambodia and comes to visit often but not often enough... she loves to mother all babies like this baby squirrel who was orphaned. she told me on the phone today that she wants another baby monkey for her pet mother monkey who just lost a baby.


Amelie also loves to mother her baby sister Jarrah who is the middle baby in the picture. no, these are not quintuplets! Jarrah is one of five baby girls in our very small English speaking church group who are all keeping their mothers very tired right now...

but Amelie is not here this week and so i have been thinking about being tired. fortunately this week is Khmer New Year - the week here when the whole country closes down. the ADRA office has been closed and i have been catching up on rest and sleep.


as well as good rest, this week has given Mark and i time to work on reports to donors and concept papers and proposals for other donors and potential donors. we have raised the question several times these weeks as opportunities open and close, what does God want ADRA Cambodia to do, go this way with this donor or that way with that donor or straight ahead or stop with neither donor? special seasons of prayer are held and all prayers are appreciated. what should ADRA be planting in proposals for a fruitful harvest?


although i often wish that i knew the answers and that we didn't have to write proposals that weren't funded, i remember that as small donkey walked clip clop down that last hill to Bethlehem with tired Mary riding on his back, they met inn keepers who said "no room" and they must have been discouraged. but God had planned this all along and spending the night in a humble stable was part of His plan.


maybe these proposals will funded, maybe they won't be. my part is to faithfully pray to be in the center of His plan and do my best trusting His leading...