When no one is listening, could it be that God is always, always listening?
Some time ago I remember wondering how lovely it would be to visit Europe one day with Cliff. Amidst the work we were doing among the poor in Africa, I brushed the thought aside as a self-centered one. It was a fleeting thought, one which never materialized into prayer.
A year later back in Singapore, I worked intensively for 10 months on a research policy paper looking into healthcare needs of vulnerable migrant workers. My professor told me, “It’s challenging to present sensitive topics like this internationally. And it’s a European conference focused on European issues, so objectively your chances are very slim.” Nonetheless, we gave it a shot. Neither of us expected it to be selected, much less for me to be fully sponsored by the Ministry to present my work at an international healthcare conference in… of all places, beautiful, breathtaking Norway.
A love gift given to us a year ago which had been strictly stipulated for “vacation only” covered Cliff’s travel cost. When we discovered, to our dismay, how expensive Norway was, we were randomly given four free hotel stays worldwide, to cover nearly all of the remaining days, at rates higher than we could ever afford ourselves.
It is at times like this I tear, thinking of the goodness of our Heavenly Father, who does not merely choose to answer what we ask for, but He fills, gives and pours out even when we hold back. Overwhelmed with gratitude, I can only thank Him- not merely for His mind-blowing gifts which are unexpected and undeserved, but His astounding Creation of unending mountains, glaciers and waterfalls spilling out at every turn, and His unchanging character of a Father who loves to love lavishly.
Thank you, Cliff, for being the world’s best travel planner and companion. You pulled off this EPIC do-it-yourself 1000km road trip with such ease and charisma I feel like I fell in love with you all over again.
Thank you for living life with me.
The famous fjords of Norway, with natural waterfalls plunging like pearls from every slope
Beautiful ice-capped mountains and glaciers not at a tourist site, but just by the roadside.
We simply had to get out of the car to capture the picture perfect postcard moment!
The view from a place we stayed at overnight
These unexpected sights in summer loomed at us as our train slid past
On the day we were supposed to take a ferry to cross a famous fjord, it started to rain.
I was so disappointed and prayed that God would simply hold the rain for just an hour for us to enjoy the views.
Amazingly, the drizzle halted for about an hour before the rain pelted down again into an unforgiving storm.
But the stormy weather and gusty winds made for unbelievably formidable sights, with a flock of seagulls chasing us.
Can God really not exist?
So amazing! God is awesome!! ??