new home

In July I was able to move into my new home in Battambang.  I hired a truck to carry all of my belongings from Phnom Penh to Battambang.  My friends who had sublet their home to me for the last 6 months also let me store my things until I had a new place.  The weekend before the move was a flurry of shopping as I needed everything....curtains, beds, stove, refrigerator, washing machine etc...  Here is a picture of the initial loading...we still had on more stop to add many more things!  The driver got it all on the truck and it all made it safe and sound to my new home! : )

After we sent the overloaded truck on its way my friend Louise and I made a few more stops and then hit the road.  The final stop was to pick up my little dog, Harley.  My friends BJ and Andrea had a sweet little shi tzu that needed a home.  So Harley joined us for my move up North!  Isn't she cute?!?

This is my little home. 

My new couch...it's kinda of chocolate brown and purple.

The dining room area leading to the kitchen

My bedroom

Kitchen...fridge and stove....hallway leads to a large room that has become storage

Huge ant cabinet to keep all my food safe from little critters

I also have a great guest room...not yet ready for pictures...so if you are in the area, you have a place to stay!!

My home has been a huge blessing.  It is a shared property with the landlady and several other buildings.  Currently there is a NGO in one building, the landlady and her family next door to me and another Khmer couple across the way.  The lot is big and gated and sharing with others makes it very safe for me.  There are 2 hotels within walking distance that I can go for a meal from time to time as well.

The home was not complete when I moved in, it was in the process of being renovated so I wasn't able to check everything out prior to the move.   So the waterfall feature in the bathroom should get fixed soon, and is only an issue when it rains. ; )  I am hopeful they will get it fixed, they have tried several times without success.

All in all it's a great little place...and if feels good to be settled!

 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  "Go therefore and make disciples of all  the nations, baptizing  them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:18-20

This last week at the Minefield Village we had a baptism service, the first of its kind in this little village.  We have been coming and sharing the gospel with these dear people for several years and this time we took the next step.  

Throughout the week we shared again the gospel message with the women and children.  So many were responding and really understanding who Jesus is and what He has done for us, that we were compelled to offer baptism.  As Sareth shared more deeply with the children and then the women it became evident that many had put their trust in Jesus and were ready to follow Him in baptism and make a public declaration of their faith!

I don't really have words to share what this was like.  After lunch we all walked the dirt road to the pond.  Many gathered while the children lined up to enter the water.  Two at a time the children waded in the murky water slipping and sliding.  Sareth spoke only in Khmer asking each child for their declaration of faith and trust in Jesus.  Their sweet little voices answering back their affirmation.  And then in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit they were baptized.  There was applause that I am sure was a small representation of the party going on in Heaven. 

The process was the same with the women.  One woman bringing her small son along with her into the water.  Two by two they came and affirmed their faith and trust in Jesus...and in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit they were baptized.

This is one of my favorite women.  She latched on to me my first time in the village.  Every time I come we  'connect' without words.  What a privilege to be a part of her baptism.

The women praying together after their baptism.  

The children praying, so many sweet little lives learning to trust and follow Jesus!

The whole group...almost...some are on the sides.  What a joyful event for all of us.  Amazing!

Now to fulfill the second part of Jesus command...teaching them to observe all that He has commanded.  Sareth will be doing follow up with these new followers of Christ, and I will be starting a Bible study with the women.  God is at work.  Please join me in prayer for the protection of these dear brothers and sisters in the Lord as they continue to step out in faith and trust.  The enemy will try and discourage them and harm them.  Please pray that their faith will be strengthened.  Please pray for Sareth and me as we open up the truths of Scripture, that the Lord will direct us as we prepare and teach.

I am overwhelmed as I think of what the Lord is doing.  He is drawing women and children unto himself...and I am amazed.  Words do fail me as I think of the work that the Lord Jesus is doing...and blessing me by allowing me to witness His work!

This is Bopha...my new ministry helper.  

We have been talking and praying about working together for a couple of months.  I met her through my tutor, another one of the Lord's provisions.  Here is a bit of the story....

After language learning on Phnom Penh the plan was for me to move to Sisaphon.  Around Christmas time this year I began to wonder and sense that the Lord might be having me move to another city, Battambang.  After some discussions with my boss Paul and Sareth and much prayer it was decided Battambang would be a better location for me to live.

I shared with my tutor, Ming Suein that I was going to be moving to Battambang and she started praying. ; ) Her daughter in law's sister is Bopha.  Ming knew that Bopha has been praying and hoping for an opportunity to move back to Battambang to live with her mother.  After 10 years of living away from her home, Bopha was convinced that she needed to come home, but she needed a job in Battambang.

Ming prayed for a couple of weeks before she mentioned what the Lord was putting together in her mind...and then she talked to the both of us.  Bopha needed a job in Battambang and I needed a ministry helper!   Thank you to those of you who prayed with me as I waited for the Lord's confirmation of this partnership.  I am looking forward to working with Bopha and learning from her as we minister to the military wives.

Bopha has been a believer for many years.  Her whole family came to Christ after one of her sisters learned about Jesus, and shared with the family.  Bopha is a single woman about my age and I think we have much in common.  Cambodians seem to hold their emotions close, but I think she is excited to work with me.  I do  know that she is glad to be part of teaching women about Jesus.  She has been leading a devotional time with the women at her current job.  I also know that I am blessed to have her working with me.  I need her to help me with many things...translating my teaching, continued language learning and cultural interpretation.  

I love how the Lord brought her to me...I hadn't begun to look for a ministry helper, just praying and Bopha was praying too.  Amazing!  We start ministry together July 2nd! : )

I woke up this morning a bit cranky.  Let me explain...


The electricity has been going off sometime in the wee hours of the morning for several days.  We are in hot season just before the rainy season starts full force, and the days and nights are... hot.  I get all excited about taking my nightly shower and heading to bed, where 2 fans keep me cool all night long.  (sometimes it's the air conditioner...but usually the fans)  Well when the electricity goes off, those hours of blissful sleep are sadly interrupted...and I wake up cranky!


This morning had a special 'crankiness' to it.  I longed for my hot pot to be working so that I could have my caffeinated tea and I refused to dig into my stash of diet coke. (because I have given diet coke up, except for emergency situations like migraines...and celebratory situations, like vacations...good study session etc...)  My gratification was delayed more than an hour.


Finally I sat down with my tea and breakfast with a sigh already feeling much better because I was back in front of my fan. : )  Wouldn't you know the Lord had me read Hebrews 11and 12 today.  I was brought to my knees with my lack of faith and gratitude.  In comparison to what the saints of old endured I have suffered nothing.


Moses left the comforts of Egypt
Sarah waited and waited for Your promise
Noah acted on Your words alone


My mind began to wander...


I imagine Abraham and Isaac had hardship as they traipsed up the mountainside but that paled in comparison to the turmoil in Abraham's heart.  Not only was he going to lose his son, but by his own hand.


Forty years in the desert!  No destination just wandering at the will of these pillars of cloud and fire.  They had to begin to wonder, what was the point?  How do you plan for your future?  What do you talk about with your neighbors day in and day out?  Why not try worshiping an idol?


I have suffered nothing in comparison, especially a little heat and lack of sleep.  My crankiness did not grow into a full fledged rebellion there wasn't any anger in my heart, I was just cranky.  But my crankiness really can be part of a downward spiral that leads to a 'golden calf' of my own.


The Lord doesn't want that for me.  He has created my faith and He is nurturing my faith so that it will grow stronger and purer.  So instead of allowing my crankiness to continue, He graciously pointed me back to Him.  My heart overflows with thankfulness!

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run  with endurance  the race that is set before us,  fixing  our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and  lose heart.  Hebrews 12:1-3

I wonder if the electricity will go off tomorrow morning?  What makes you cranky and headed downward?  Here's a reminder for you and me...

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will go strangely dim, it the light of His glory and grace!

Michael W Smith worship...Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Party in the Minefield (March 2012)

Through a Christmas Partnership with Cadence International and Lightbridge International...~50 families received animals.  A local organization provided training on how to care for the animals and purchased the animals and I got to show up for the party (i.e. gifting ceremony).   Each family got either 10 ducks or chickens and one family a cow.   Life change one family at a time. : )

Gratitude

This year I am celebrating Easter in Cambodia.  


Throughout the year when  big a celebration is coming I try and take some time to reflect and look for something new,  a deeper understanding, or a more personal application... something.  I don't want the life, death and resurrection of Jesus to go unnoticed in my heart or my life.


This year I have been doing some specific Scriptural readings for Lent.  Since I don't come from a liturgical background, this is not part of my normal Easter celebration and I have really enjoyed it.  I have tiptoed through both the Old and New Testaments.  The amazing reminder of how awful sin really is and our dire need for a Savior has jumped from the pages of Scripture.


The chasm between a sinner and a holy God is huge and no amount of human effort breaches that.  


In the Philippines there is an extreme tradition for Easter. This year one man will once again hang on a cross.  There is no intent to kill this man, but for him to willingly walk in the steps of Jesus and somehow grow closer to Him.  (I am not exactly sure all the reasons, but this has been going on for as long as I can remember.)


The other extreme are those in the world who choose to ignore Jesus and His work on the cross, and His power over death as seen in His resurrection.  


So often when I speak the name of Jesus here in Cambodia, I get a blank stare or some confusion about what I have said.   The awareness of Jesus let alone His power over sin and death is non-existent to many.  This is the greater tragedy.


In my own life it is easy to take for granted all that Jesus is and has done.  Thankfully, I have never not known about Jesus.  My life has been surrounded by His truth and love, and I am forever grateful, but some days I take Him for granted.


Recently I was able to be part of a celebration.  We were able to gift about 50 families in our Minefield ministry site with some animals. (chickens, ducks and one family received a cow : )  Many people gave so that these families could be blessed, and I was blessed to be present for the ceremony.


All the families were thankful, but one woman stood out to me.  Her thankfulness flowed out of her in ways she couldn't contain.  I have no idea of her circumstances, but it seemed as if 10 ducks were going to change her life.    


Her posture of thankfulness is one I want to emulate in response to Jesus.  I don't want to take Him for granted, and I want to remember that He has not only changed my life but He has given me new life in Him!


I am looking forward to the rest of the story of this dear woman.  I desperately want her to know Jesus and  have her life not only changed for today and tomorrow but for eternity!

Boldness

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.  Acts 4:29 & 30

Right after Peter and John were questioned and challenged by the Sanhedrin, this is what they prayed.  They didn't ask for protection or peace but boldness to proclaim the Word of God.   Everything they said and did was being watched, they were a threat and their lives were in danger.  But...they prayed for Boldness.


The power of Jesus was working through them, amazing things were happening, and thousands were believing in Jesus.  The Holy Spirit gave them all boldness not only Peter and John but all the believers of this first century church.  They continued to  proclaimed the risen Lord!


I am praying for boldness too!  I am reluctant to pray this way, it is easier and safer to only pray for protection and peace.  I still pray for those as well, but I have added boldness to my prayers.  I pray that the Lord will make me a bold witness for Jesus here in Cambodia.  That He will stretch out His hand and heal...and that many will come to faith in Him because He brought me to Cambodia.  


For your Glory Lord may many women learn of you and come to follow You...all because You chose to send me to Cambodia...You chose to fill me with Yourself...and You chose to give me boldness!