September 8, 1923
Dear Diary,
Are Luke and I dating? I'm sorry.. I mean, I'm in love with him, he told me on my birthday that he's in love with me...or was it just I love you as a friend thing? Well, he did try to kiss me, but.... Oh I don't know! Should I confront him? How?! And even if I do. What will be the basic point of it? I leave 3 days from now. UGH! This is a huge pain in the head! Oh diary.. I could still feel his warm hands on me.. His breath.. His smile... I could only imagine what it would have been like if we kissed that day..... Sighs.. This is agony! Yes! Pure agony!
I love you, Luke Evans. I really love you..
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Samantha Davies
December 12, 1931
Dear Diary,
Wow! I can't believe it's finally Christmas! Like I can't believe that my Southeast Asia tour is about to end.. It has been an amazing experience. I met new friends, even..... Fell in love with one of them. Yes, I can't believe that I am saying this, but I think that I have fallen in love with Sean. He picked me up and turned my world upside down. He became my rock and comforted me on my darkest days. With him, I am very grateful. The question that is now lingering in my mind right now is does he feel the same way?.....
Well, moving on, one more country and it's back to England! A little trivia on this country.. We were supposed to go here right after Singapore. But once again, God intervened with our plans and changed it! Ha! As always, maybe He has better things in mind. Maybe.. Just maybe.. He decided to save the best place for last.
Samantha
Dear Diary,
Wow! I can't believe it's finally Christmas! Like I can't believe that my Southeast Asia tour is about to end.. It has been an amazing experience. I met new friends, even..... Fell in love with one of them. Yes, I can't believe that I am saying this, but I think that I have fallen in love with Sean. He picked me up and turned my world upside down. He became my rock and comforted me on my darkest days. With him, I am very grateful. The question that is now lingering in my mind right now is does he feel the same way?.....
Well, moving on, one more country and it's back to England! A little trivia on this country.. We were supposed to go here right after Singapore. But once again, God intervened with our plans and changed it! Ha! As always, maybe He has better things in mind. Maybe.. Just maybe.. He decided to save the best place for last.
Samantha
Samantha Davies
November 22, 1931
What is a piano? A piano is an instrument that has a total of 88 black and white keys. It has strings that would produce the most beautiful sound each time you would press fingers in it. It can stand alone, for it was not created to make music with other instruments. It has the widest range of tones, it can have the most perfect melody, and it has been my best friend ever since I could remember.
We arrived in Cambodia today. A picture of God's very heart beating in it. We went up and met with a Missionary named Jed. He was amazing actually. He educated us about a certain kind of people group here called The Brao who lives in the northeast lands of Cambodia. I looked around and cried. I had no idea why, but I just cried.
I learned that for centuries now, these people have been entertaining an animistic belief. They live in fear of evil spirits. And what broke my heart the most is that these people lead sacrifices with the thought of satisfying the spirits in the forest, streams, rocks and fields.
Lord, right now I sit here in this small room with nothing but a piano in front of me, and I'm crying out to You. As I play, I am crying out to You to please just come down and touch this land. Pursue it like You have to pursued me. For the thought of these people doing sacrifices, not knowing that You have already sacrificed Your only son for them will forever haunt me. I don't know why I am coming out from an emotional time here, but there is just this kind of feeling that is building up inside of me, causing tears to freely flow through my eyes.
Lord, come down. Touch this land! Have Your hand over it! I want Your fire and love to cover this place that even when the greatest tragedy will strike, the people here will only seek You, no one but You.
Dear Cambodia,
My name is Samantha Davies, I was born in Paris France, fell in love at the age of 14, lost my mom at the age of 16, lost my fiancé at the age of 21, lost all kinds of hope in between all of that, but found the most amazing love after.
You know what, Cambodia? I have a strong feeling that one of these days, you will make the most amazing sound this world has ever heard. For God Himself will place His very fingers in you and will make wonderful music through you. You will be heard and you will touch nations just as God has touched you.
You are a very beautiful country. And an innocent man whole heartedly shed His blood for you.
Samantha Davies (Flash Back)
September 6, 1923
Dear Diary,
I remember the day I stopped believing in God. It was the same day I found that my mom had cancer. It shook my world. I cried out but it was like no one was listening. I shouted for help but no one came to my rescue. That was when I doubted that a God even existed, and even if He did, He was the worst God that I could ever imagine. I felt like He destroyed me, my family, that He didn't care! He knew how much my mom mean the world to me, and for Him to slowly take her away right before my very eyes? Now that's just plain cruel! I was so mad at Him! So frustrated! I thought that He doesn't love me! That He doesn't care about me! I mean He never gave me something to hold on to!--I was wrong. Because......He gave me Luke, the one who held me together when no one else did. Luke opened my eyes, changed my way of thinking and made me realize how much God is madly in love with me. Before Luke, before everything, I was this lost little girl who was at the very edge of committing suicide, but then God heard the silent cries of my heart. God never stopped pursuing me, why did I even think that He did? His hands were always there to catch me! His hands were always there to pull me back in. I knew that someone died two thousand years ago. Yeah sure. They say that all the time in church. But it was yesterday when I learned that that someone died so that I may live.
My mom was buried last September 4, just two days ago. We had a ceremony before it, and my father asked Luke to sing... And it was the best decision my father had ever made. I don't know why, but that song captured me. Like something or someone was just knocking at the very door of my hardened heart, waiting for me to answer it. And for the first time in a very long time, I felt this kind of peace. And overwhelming peace and a wide understanding, a feeling of not wanting anything but a man named Jesus. His love, wow. You can never comprehend it. There is no greater love than His'. For because of that kind of love, this lost girl was finally found.
Dear Diary,
I remember the day I stopped believing in God. It was the same day I found that my mom had cancer. It shook my world. I cried out but it was like no one was listening. I shouted for help but no one came to my rescue. That was when I doubted that a God even existed, and even if He did, He was the worst God that I could ever imagine. I felt like He destroyed me, my family, that He didn't care! He knew how much my mom mean the world to me, and for Him to slowly take her away right before my very eyes? Now that's just plain cruel! I was so mad at Him! So frustrated! I thought that He doesn't love me! That He doesn't care about me! I mean He never gave me something to hold on to!--I was wrong. Because......He gave me Luke, the one who held me together when no one else did. Luke opened my eyes, changed my way of thinking and made me realize how much God is madly in love with me. Before Luke, before everything, I was this lost little girl who was at the very edge of committing suicide, but then God heard the silent cries of my heart. God never stopped pursuing me, why did I even think that He did? His hands were always there to catch me! His hands were always there to pull me back in. I knew that someone died two thousand years ago. Yeah sure. They say that all the time in church. But it was yesterday when I learned that that someone died so that I may live.
My mom was buried last September 4, just two days ago. We had a ceremony before it, and my father asked Luke to sing... And it was the best decision my father had ever made. I don't know why, but that song captured me. Like something or someone was just knocking at the very door of my hardened heart, waiting for me to answer it. And for the first time in a very long time, I felt this kind of peace. And overwhelming peace and a wide understanding, a feeling of not wanting anything but a man named Jesus. His love, wow. You can never comprehend it. There is no greater love than His'. For because of that kind of love, this lost girl was finally found.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Samantha Davies (Flash Back)
August 29, 1923
My dearest diary...
Oh where do I start? I.. I really don't know how to begin this fragile story. I sit here all alone in my room, trying to get myself to breathe in a normal way, but it seems like every single air that passes through my lungs would hurt. I can't take this anymore, and to think that it has only been a day.
Now as you know, I turned 16 yesterday. Sweet 16, a day that was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life.... but...I guess it turned out to be the day that destroyed me forever. Looking back, I really had no idea whether I should smile or just cry.. For to be very honest, I also had one of the best moments of my life yesterday, yet sadly, it was overpowered by such a huge tragedy.
It all started at around 3 in the afternoon, I was getting all dressed up for my party while Luke patiently waits for me outside. Now.. Trust me diary, it was not that easy to get into that dress. Number one, I literally had to stop myself from breathing for them to squeeze my whole body in. Number two, the smell of strong perfume choked me, and please don't get me started on the make up they so tend to put on me. I was in so much pain, but I guess I should just 'suck it in' as one of the ladies pointed out. She was pulling and braiding my hair so hard that I teared up the whole time. Oh diary, if you could just imagine the agony that I had to go through, now I know why other spell beauty as P-A-I-N. Sighs..
And after a few screws here and there, Fiona, the lady in charge, finally shouted "All done" Oh, what a huge relief. It was actually the most amazing thing I've ever heard in my entire life.
Okay, Sam. This is it. I remember saying to myself. Let's see what you look like. I took a deep breath and let out a couple more. I then slowly turned to look at the mirror.... My whole world paused after that.
"You look beautiful, madam" Fiona told me
"Yes, you do. Yes, mam.Yes!" They all agreed
"Thank you" I smiled.
"Mam, Mr. Evans is waiting for you outside." A girl mentioned.
"Thank you for telling me."
I got up to my feet and slowly opened my door that is leading to the pavement, and there beneath the sunset, stood the love of my life, Lukas. He looked at me with those magnificent green eyes and got me more nervous than I was before. I smiled at him, Well, this is me.. I said in my head. I started to smile awkwardly while Luke just stared. I'm telling you, diary. Those stares, the ones that he gave me today, they will haunt me for the rest of my life, haunt me in a good way though..
Anyway, he then began to approached me, he got so close that he was able to put his cold fingers on my face. My heart started to beat faster, chills began to go up and down my spine. Luke, was standing just a small inch away from me, and what's worse is that I think I could read everything that was going on his mind--oh how I hope that he didn't feel the same way.
"You look beautiful, Samantha.." He softly whispered.
I started to slowly release a season of deep breaths. He got his right hand and I looked at it as he tucked my hair to the back of my her ear, I gazed at his eyes and saw a whole different man. He never had that look before and that feeling made me more nervous. I was shaking, I think we both were. He held my hand, and started to rub his thumb through it. I whispered a short prayer in my head after that, for I had a good idea of what was going to happen next. I glanced at his face in awe, because I was still a little bit confused about it. What's happening? Why is he doing this? Why is he making my heart jump off my chest? Why is he making me want to smile? Wait.. Does this mean that..
Oh, diary! If you could only imagine how scared I was. Luke leaned his face closer to mine, giving me more agony as I wait for him to make his next move! After that, he then gently placed his hand on my neck...... And I knew from then on that what I hoped and dreamed for years ago is actually about to come true. My heart grew faster, I still can't believe that that was happening. He loves me! Wait, does he really? I remember stealing one more glance from his eyes before closing mine. Here it comes, I could almost feel his warm lips that was about to reach mine, until...
"Samantha.."
Whoooosh! Wow. Luke and I both looked down and took a huge gulp.
"Samantha.."
It was my beloved nurse, Heidi, I chuckled a little bit and looked at her
"Yes, Heidi?" I smiled, Heidi stood outside my door as if a certain kind of feeling was holding her back
"Heidi, what's wrong?" I asked her again
I was very clueless that moment. I didn't know what was going on. Heidi then walked in and held me tight. Something's wrong, I immediately felt
"It's your mom.."
"My mom? Why? What about her?"
I turned pale after that. You know what happened, my mom has been feeling feverish and sick for a few months now.. She has been having chills, night sweats and other flu-like symptoms that I can't really explain. She would feel weak all the time, her weight loss has been so dramatic and would often cry due to her head aches. Then my dad got a doctor to check her up, and from what I heard the doctor said that my mom's bone marrow was completely damaged due to the immature white blood cells that results in a lack of blood platelets, that is why sometimes my mom gets easily bruised, and would bleed excessively, we later learned that what my mom had was cancer..... I mean, her temperature went up so high last night that I began to have second thoughts if we should continue my party. Tears flooded my eyes as Heidi told us how my mom passed out on the garden floor. Oh how I wanted to hug Heids so bad. I froze for a brief moment until Sean held my hand.
"Samantha?" He called my name
"Yes..." I faced him
"Let's go?"
"Yeah.." I nodded
Fear started to fill me, drops of tears dropped through my eyes. This cannot be happening! I continue to say to myself, my mind was so focused on reaching my mom on time that I completely forgot that Luke was right beside me.
When we got to the clinic, the very first thing that I saw was my mom's smile. It gave me so much peace. She was really trying to be strong for all of us,
"What's wrong, Samee?" My mom looked at me as I stood there without saying a word, it was like turning red seemed to be my only option.
"Little Samantha, I love you."
And....... That was when I started burst out in tears, I hurriedly took my shoes off and laid next to my mom. I continued to cry while I hugged her for dear life.
"There, there, Samantha, stop crying. Mommy's here" She hugged me back. You have no idea how terrified I was! I felt like a little girl lost in huge place that is filled with darkness. I remember asking myself a million whys! I remember crying! I remember crying..... I didn't want to loose my mom! No! Anything but her! How could such a beautiful, promising day be ruined by a terrifying tragedy?!
"Let's not continue the party anymore, please! I just want to be with her" I screamed at my father
"No, no dear.. Please don't." My mother said..
"But mom.."
"No buts, Samantha. Be strong, okay? Be strong... For be?"
I looked into her eyes and there was not a single trace of fear in it. How could she be so bold while I lay there like a fragile stick? I looked at my dad and saw tears streaming down his face. I have never seen him cry like that before,
"Mom, please.. I don't care about the party. I just want to hug you and hold you.. And be with you!"
"Samantha.."
"I don't want to loose you, mom!"
"Loose me? Why? Where am I going? My dear Samantha, I'm not going anywhere."
But I'm sure that we both knew that she might.....never mind. As I held on my mom for dear life, she began to sing to me. She sung to me, and threw all my worries away. She sung me a lullaby.. My very last lullaby.. I closed my eyes and did my best to remember the words.
Little girl, my sweet little girl
With a smile that happens to shine
Dry your eyes, please dry your eyes
I promise that everything will be fine
There there, now come and rest your head
My little girl, my little girl, my lovely baby princess
Oh, Diary, I can't breathe, trying to recall everything just hurts me to the core.. Like a double edged sword that continues to pierce my open wound. The pain is killing me.
"Sir, the guess have all arrived. Should I tell them to leave?" Dart, a gate keeper said out loud as he patiently waits by the door. My dad looked at me and through his eyes, asked me what my decision was. My mom held my hand and her glance answered it for me.
"Tell them that I will be out in a while" I wiped my tears and hugged my mom more.
"That's my girl," I remember her deeply telling me.
"I love you, mom.. Please be here when I come back."
"I love you, my little Samantha."
And just like that, our hands fled from each other. I looked back at her and cried because I had this strong feeling, this horrible strong feeling that my mom, the one who gave me life, the one have made me strong through all these years, my hero, might not be there anymore when I get back...
I... I can't take this anymore, diary. I'm sorry. I have to go....
My dearest diary...
Oh where do I start? I.. I really don't know how to begin this fragile story. I sit here all alone in my room, trying to get myself to breathe in a normal way, but it seems like every single air that passes through my lungs would hurt. I can't take this anymore, and to think that it has only been a day.
Now as you know, I turned 16 yesterday. Sweet 16, a day that was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life.... but...I guess it turned out to be the day that destroyed me forever. Looking back, I really had no idea whether I should smile or just cry.. For to be very honest, I also had one of the best moments of my life yesterday, yet sadly, it was overpowered by such a huge tragedy.
It all started at around 3 in the afternoon, I was getting all dressed up for my party while Luke patiently waits for me outside. Now.. Trust me diary, it was not that easy to get into that dress. Number one, I literally had to stop myself from breathing for them to squeeze my whole body in. Number two, the smell of strong perfume choked me, and please don't get me started on the make up they so tend to put on me. I was in so much pain, but I guess I should just 'suck it in' as one of the ladies pointed out. She was pulling and braiding my hair so hard that I teared up the whole time. Oh diary, if you could just imagine the agony that I had to go through, now I know why other spell beauty as P-A-I-N. Sighs..
And after a few screws here and there, Fiona, the lady in charge, finally shouted "All done" Oh, what a huge relief. It was actually the most amazing thing I've ever heard in my entire life.
Okay, Sam. This is it. I remember saying to myself. Let's see what you look like. I took a deep breath and let out a couple more. I then slowly turned to look at the mirror.... My whole world paused after that.
"You look beautiful, madam" Fiona told me
"Yes, you do. Yes, mam.Yes!" They all agreed
"Thank you" I smiled.
"Mam, Mr. Evans is waiting for you outside." A girl mentioned.
"Thank you for telling me."
I got up to my feet and slowly opened my door that is leading to the pavement, and there beneath the sunset, stood the love of my life, Lukas. He looked at me with those magnificent green eyes and got me more nervous than I was before. I smiled at him, Well, this is me.. I said in my head. I started to smile awkwardly while Luke just stared. I'm telling you, diary. Those stares, the ones that he gave me today, they will haunt me for the rest of my life, haunt me in a good way though..
Anyway, he then began to approached me, he got so close that he was able to put his cold fingers on my face. My heart started to beat faster, chills began to go up and down my spine. Luke, was standing just a small inch away from me, and what's worse is that I think I could read everything that was going on his mind--oh how I hope that he didn't feel the same way.
"You look beautiful, Samantha.." He softly whispered.
I started to slowly release a season of deep breaths. He got his right hand and I looked at it as he tucked my hair to the back of my her ear, I gazed at his eyes and saw a whole different man. He never had that look before and that feeling made me more nervous. I was shaking, I think we both were. He held my hand, and started to rub his thumb through it. I whispered a short prayer in my head after that, for I had a good idea of what was going to happen next. I glanced at his face in awe, because I was still a little bit confused about it. What's happening? Why is he doing this? Why is he making my heart jump off my chest? Why is he making me want to smile? Wait.. Does this mean that..
Oh, diary! If you could only imagine how scared I was. Luke leaned his face closer to mine, giving me more agony as I wait for him to make his next move! After that, he then gently placed his hand on my neck...... And I knew from then on that what I hoped and dreamed for years ago is actually about to come true. My heart grew faster, I still can't believe that that was happening. He loves me! Wait, does he really? I remember stealing one more glance from his eyes before closing mine. Here it comes, I could almost feel his warm lips that was about to reach mine, until...
"Samantha.."
Whoooosh! Wow. Luke and I both looked down and took a huge gulp.
"Samantha.."
It was my beloved nurse, Heidi, I chuckled a little bit and looked at her
"Yes, Heidi?" I smiled, Heidi stood outside my door as if a certain kind of feeling was holding her back
"Heidi, what's wrong?" I asked her again
I was very clueless that moment. I didn't know what was going on. Heidi then walked in and held me tight. Something's wrong, I immediately felt
"It's your mom.."
"My mom? Why? What about her?"
I turned pale after that. You know what happened, my mom has been feeling feverish and sick for a few months now.. She has been having chills, night sweats and other flu-like symptoms that I can't really explain. She would feel weak all the time, her weight loss has been so dramatic and would often cry due to her head aches. Then my dad got a doctor to check her up, and from what I heard the doctor said that my mom's bone marrow was completely damaged due to the immature white blood cells that results in a lack of blood platelets, that is why sometimes my mom gets easily bruised, and would bleed excessively, we later learned that what my mom had was cancer..... I mean, her temperature went up so high last night that I began to have second thoughts if we should continue my party. Tears flooded my eyes as Heidi told us how my mom passed out on the garden floor. Oh how I wanted to hug Heids so bad. I froze for a brief moment until Sean held my hand.
"Samantha?" He called my name
"Yes..." I faced him
"Let's go?"
"Yeah.." I nodded
Fear started to fill me, drops of tears dropped through my eyes. This cannot be happening! I continue to say to myself, my mind was so focused on reaching my mom on time that I completely forgot that Luke was right beside me.
When we got to the clinic, the very first thing that I saw was my mom's smile. It gave me so much peace. She was really trying to be strong for all of us,
"What's wrong, Samee?" My mom looked at me as I stood there without saying a word, it was like turning red seemed to be my only option.
"Little Samantha, I love you."
And....... That was when I started burst out in tears, I hurriedly took my shoes off and laid next to my mom. I continued to cry while I hugged her for dear life.
"There, there, Samantha, stop crying. Mommy's here" She hugged me back. You have no idea how terrified I was! I felt like a little girl lost in huge place that is filled with darkness. I remember asking myself a million whys! I remember crying! I remember crying..... I didn't want to loose my mom! No! Anything but her! How could such a beautiful, promising day be ruined by a terrifying tragedy?!
"Let's not continue the party anymore, please! I just want to be with her" I screamed at my father
"No, no dear.. Please don't." My mother said..
"But mom.."
"No buts, Samantha. Be strong, okay? Be strong... For be?"
I looked into her eyes and there was not a single trace of fear in it. How could she be so bold while I lay there like a fragile stick? I looked at my dad and saw tears streaming down his face. I have never seen him cry like that before,
"Mom, please.. I don't care about the party. I just want to hug you and hold you.. And be with you!"
"Samantha.."
"I don't want to loose you, mom!"
"Loose me? Why? Where am I going? My dear Samantha, I'm not going anywhere."
But I'm sure that we both knew that she might.....never mind. As I held on my mom for dear life, she began to sing to me. She sung to me, and threw all my worries away. She sung me a lullaby.. My very last lullaby.. I closed my eyes and did my best to remember the words.
Little girl, my sweet little girl
With a smile that happens to shine
Dry your eyes, please dry your eyes
I promise that everything will be fine
There there, now come and rest your head
My little girl, my little girl, my lovely baby princess
Oh, Diary, I can't breathe, trying to recall everything just hurts me to the core.. Like a double edged sword that continues to pierce my open wound. The pain is killing me.
"Sir, the guess have all arrived. Should I tell them to leave?" Dart, a gate keeper said out loud as he patiently waits by the door. My dad looked at me and through his eyes, asked me what my decision was. My mom held my hand and her glance answered it for me.
"Tell them that I will be out in a while" I wiped my tears and hugged my mom more.
"That's my girl," I remember her deeply telling me.
"I love you, mom.. Please be here when I come back."
"I love you, my little Samantha."
And just like that, our hands fled from each other. I looked back at her and cried because I had this strong feeling, this horrible strong feeling that my mom, the one who gave me life, the one have made me strong through all these years, my hero, might not be there anymore when I get back...
I... I can't take this anymore, diary. I'm sorry. I have to go....
Monday, March 7, 2011
Samantha Davies (Flash Back)
August 28, 1923
Dear Diary!
Today is my 16th birthday! Can you believe it?! I turn 16 today! Father had a party all set up for me and I just can't wait for everything to unfold today!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Samantha Davies
August 28, 1931
Dear Diary,
I can't believe I turned 24 today.. It's an amazing feeling, but then again, this day of the month still haunts me to my deepest core. I try my best not to cry or even thing about it, but... It's just hard.
...
...
Hmm! Well, let's start to shift the mood, shall we? I can't go on and be depressed forever! It's an all smiles day, because do you know that not only do I turn 24 today, but I also got the wildest chance to arrive in Vietnam this morning! Vietnam! Wow. I can't believe that I have made it this far. It's really mind blowing!
So upon arriving to this gorgeous country, we were greeted by a beautiful girl named Divine. It's amazing how her name match everything that she is. Divine is a filipina who decided to give her life up and do missions here. Now, that's truly divine! We spent hours talking about how magnificent Vietnam is, their foods, their cultures, their history, and the kinds of people that are in it. Phutai was the one who really caught my attention, do you know that it simply means 'Tai people'? (Oh Thailand, you are in my heart!) and from what I learned, the Phutai are distributed between Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. In Laos (the place where we just were), are heavily concentrated in the bottom half of Khammouan Province while the others spill southward into Savannakhet, Saravan and Champasak provinces, as a small Diaspora Phutai communities are found in Oudomxai and Luang Prabang in the north.
The Phutai language is part of the Southwestern Tai branch. It is closest to Tai Kao and Tai Dam and unlike most Tai-speaking groups, who have converted to Buddhism, the Phutai remain animists, with little Buddhist influence. Do you know that they worship 25 different spirits?! Wow! I saw Dive, (as she wants us to call her) shed a tear when she was talking about it. I can tell that this kind of activities broke her heart! She said that every year during the third lunar month, the Phutai gather for the Pi Tian or the 'Spirit of Heaven' festival to relax and unwind by riding horses, elephants, and shooting arrows. According to her, the main point of this festival is a ritual when the whole community gathers and offers sacrifices and prayers to the spirit they believe resides in paradise above. And after waiting for some time, the Phutai believe that there is a moment when the spirit will actually come down from heaven and the normally-reserved Phutai dance and jump for joy, and often miracles such as healing takes place.
Diary, I smiled when dear Dive was telling me this story, because despite their remarkable ceremony, I leaned that there are few Phutai who have already accepted Jesus Christ, who is the Holy Spirit who gives lasting joy. I am so glad that we have people like Divine! Someone who would risk her life just to bring souls to God.
I thank God for people like Dive, she gave up everything just to prove how much she wants these people to be saved! And I salute her for that. She is one of a kind... Truly Divine!
Dear Diary,
I can't believe I turned 24 today.. It's an amazing feeling, but then again, this day of the month still haunts me to my deepest core. I try my best not to cry or even thing about it, but... It's just hard.
...
...
Hmm! Well, let's start to shift the mood, shall we? I can't go on and be depressed forever! It's an all smiles day, because do you know that not only do I turn 24 today, but I also got the wildest chance to arrive in Vietnam this morning! Vietnam! Wow. I can't believe that I have made it this far. It's really mind blowing!
So upon arriving to this gorgeous country, we were greeted by a beautiful girl named Divine. It's amazing how her name match everything that she is. Divine is a filipina who decided to give her life up and do missions here. Now, that's truly divine! We spent hours talking about how magnificent Vietnam is, their foods, their cultures, their history, and the kinds of people that are in it. Phutai was the one who really caught my attention, do you know that it simply means 'Tai people'? (Oh Thailand, you are in my heart!) and from what I learned, the Phutai are distributed between Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. In Laos (the place where we just were), are heavily concentrated in the bottom half of Khammouan Province while the others spill southward into Savannakhet, Saravan and Champasak provinces, as a small Diaspora Phutai communities are found in Oudomxai and Luang Prabang in the north.
The Phutai language is part of the Southwestern Tai branch. It is closest to Tai Kao and Tai Dam and unlike most Tai-speaking groups, who have converted to Buddhism, the Phutai remain animists, with little Buddhist influence. Do you know that they worship 25 different spirits?! Wow! I saw Dive, (as she wants us to call her) shed a tear when she was talking about it. I can tell that this kind of activities broke her heart! She said that every year during the third lunar month, the Phutai gather for the Pi Tian or the 'Spirit of Heaven' festival to relax and unwind by riding horses, elephants, and shooting arrows. According to her, the main point of this festival is a ritual when the whole community gathers and offers sacrifices and prayers to the spirit they believe resides in paradise above. And after waiting for some time, the Phutai believe that there is a moment when the spirit will actually come down from heaven and the normally-reserved Phutai dance and jump for joy, and often miracles such as healing takes place.
Diary, I smiled when dear Dive was telling me this story, because despite their remarkable ceremony, I leaned that there are few Phutai who have already accepted Jesus Christ, who is the Holy Spirit who gives lasting joy. I am so glad that we have people like Divine! Someone who would risk her life just to bring souls to God.
I thank God for people like Dive, she gave up everything just to prove how much she wants these people to be saved! And I salute her for that. She is one of a kind... Truly Divine!
Now here's a story, my diary.
Once upon a time, a young blissful girl went to Vietnam and she ended up winning the whole nation for Jesus Christ! (This is based on Dive's life, the one which I so boldly boast about.)
Vietnam has been a great present! My heart jumps for joy about it. I can't wait to spend 3 more days in it.
To my beloved mom, words can't express how much I desire to put my arms around you. I miss you.
To my beloved mom, words can't express how much I desire to put my arms around you. I miss you.
With love, Samantha.
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