Less is More!

Yes I am in a one room unit that opens to a verandah greeted by vibrant pink bougainvilleas on the fence. The hotter the weather, the stronger the pink. As this room faces the west, mornings are cool, colourful and bright. I wake at 4 or 5 am. This is 5 or 6 am back home.

I have a clothes rack with adequate hangers, a table, chair, bed and mosquito netting. As it is a corner room, windows on adjacent walls give good cross currents. The power to the ceiling fan and light shuts off at 12 noon to 2pm and 12 midnight to 4 am daily. This is to reduce power consumption as the generator powers the entire women's centre and orphanage. There is the DC powered fan that was loaned to me. This wonder kicks in when the generator shuts down. And there is more.

Well water is pumped and stored and flows freely for showers and laundry. I have a bathroom cum toilet unit that I have the key to in the detached shower building. I enjoy up to 4 showers a day at its hottest and have no lack of hydration as rainwater is harvested and filtered for consumption. Water bottle is filled with ready cold water from the fridge. Wireless connection is slow in the day but fine at night. Phone reception is perfect in certain spots of the complex. Plenty of cats and no rats sighted so far. I sleep at 11 latest and wake without the alarm - and no struggle! I have the center manager's company for breakfast in her quarters and lunch and dinner with her and the orphanage manager daily.

I started "work" in the afternoon after landing at about 7.40am in Phnom Penh. As the routine is fine tuned, I train from 8.30 am to 8pm, with 2 hour lunch and 2 hour dinner breaks. The girls are motivated. They understand the purpose of Project 5 & 2 and are eager to be part of it.

So I see them daily, have 3 square meals, no TV, no snacks, and found myself having more. I could focus on them, their needs and pull out suitable "food" for the day and hour. I am all here - no fuss about what to eat, what to drink, where to have supper, what sale offers to take up, who's coming to visit or whatever. I had time to think, to read. And I was glad I brought "The Race" by Dr Robert Solomon.

As I gobble up the chapters, I was thrilled I was simplifying again. Every chapter spoke and what resonated most was Live simply - Travel light. I am on track and on the right journey.

The girls have a mattress and their bags in a dorm for15. I have a room for one. It is plenty.

I have more of me to be and give when I have less encumbrances. Less is more!

Let go

I was totally enjoying friends and family when they share my home. Even though it meant a lot of effort hosting, I always felt it was worthwhile extending myself this way.

Home is my responsibility. I kept it well and find it my sanctuary. I love coming home. After hearing myself say that a few times I realised I was growing roots. I am kind of missing the point.

One of my favourite Negro spiritual is "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through ... my treasures are layed up, somewhere beyond the blue ..."

Quite quickly I decided this place has served its purpose and my hosting season is over. I suppose when it is not my gifting, it takes a lot of effort. It is always on my mind and I am constantly making decisions concerning this responsibility. It has become a weight.

So with a new opportunity to be stationed out of country I bite the bullet and move on. I only need a room and a 2 bedroom unit brings with it the responsibilty of more to upkeep and responding to others' need of shelter.

The privilege of being single is the freedom to respond to relocation. There is no care of husband or children and in my case no longer the need to care for aged parents. Not having to tend the house to ready it for unexpected needs is a great encumberence removed.

And so I go - full and free to love my Beloved - my Treasure! He has no place to rest His head but has provided a room for me. And more than that, He loved me and loves me still and has committed Himself to me. He is my home!