The reality that we only have one week left of ministry and life in Siem Reap is hard to grasp. This is a place where our hearts have melded with so many people, our boys call home, and where Jonathan is turning Cambodian! Som, the owner of our guest house, laughingly said that Jon just needs only one year here and he would pass for a local because his pronunciation is amazingly good!
Yesterday we visited PCL's ministry to the floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake -- the largest lake in Southeast Asia. Here are the notes from the journal I was writing while on the boat:
"How can my Western mind comprehend the Tonle Sap Lake? Children jumping from boat to boat and hanging precariously off the sides. Some of them are no more than seven years old and they are navigating the vast, brown waters on their own. The community is separated by water, but bound by lifestyle. There is no place for the children to run and play. But in the middle of this is a beacon of light, a large white and blue boat -- mammoth in its size and construction compared to the thatched shacks floating nearby."
Pulling up to the PCL ministry boat took my breath away! Here, in the middle of the lake, was a beautiful boat used as a meeting place for the community. They have school and church there.
There is so much more we want to do in Cambodia -- so much to do in any part of the world! I pray everyday that my heart would be open to whatever God asks us to do and that we'd just do it!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Practicing what we're preaching
Here's a write up I did for our team's weekly update:
Wow! What a week of powerful prayer time! It all began on Sunday when Jonathan gave a message at PCL about spiritual warfare. We were just about to break into small groups to chat about the topic when Ezra, one of the leaders, said he wants us to go and pray for a woman in the village who has locked herself in her bathroom. A bunch of the kids went with our team to the woman's house. We all prayed for her, and the time ended with everyone, including the woman, singing praises to God.
Sophy and his family was also in need of some spiritual cleansing. There was an evil spirit in his home that was disturbing him and his wife. The team was able to pray, and through the Holy Spirit, was led to have several objects removed from the home. However, the evil spirit remained there the following night, so the team prayed as Sophy commanded it to leave again.
We launched two new ministry opportunities at Sophy's and PCL this week. We are offering a buffet of classes for the children including worship, Bible study, computer classes and hula lessons. It was a wonderful treat when the guitar class joined the hula class and praised God with "Shout to the Lord" through music and dance.
The team said goodbye to Sokrey, one of the staff at our guesthouse. We marked the end of her time here with a farewell party that included delicious ice cream cakes, playing Mexican Train dominoes (which we re-named Cambodian Train) and a fun time of dancing under the stars.
The village and prison ministries also continued this week. Everyone is grateful for the deepening relationships that we are making in those two areas.
It's hard to believe that we have passed the halfway mark! We are all feeling more at home here, accepting the dust, road conditions, etc. to be a "normal" way of life now. For the first time since arriving here, the majority of the team is healthy! Praise God!
Wow! What a week of powerful prayer time! It all began on Sunday when Jonathan gave a message at PCL about spiritual warfare. We were just about to break into small groups to chat about the topic when Ezra, one of the leaders, said he wants us to go and pray for a woman in the village who has locked herself in her bathroom. A bunch of the kids went with our team to the woman's house. We all prayed for her, and the time ended with everyone, including the woman, singing praises to God.
Sophy and his family was also in need of some spiritual cleansing. There was an evil spirit in his home that was disturbing him and his wife. The team was able to pray, and through the Holy Spirit, was led to have several objects removed from the home. However, the evil spirit remained there the following night, so the team prayed as Sophy commanded it to leave again.
We launched two new ministry opportunities at Sophy's and PCL this week. We are offering a buffet of classes for the children including worship, Bible study, computer classes and hula lessons. It was a wonderful treat when the guitar class joined the hula class and praised God with "Shout to the Lord" through music and dance.
The team said goodbye to Sokrey, one of the staff at our guesthouse. We marked the end of her time here with a farewell party that included delicious ice cream cakes, playing Mexican Train dominoes (which we re-named Cambodian Train) and a fun time of dancing under the stars.
The village and prison ministries also continued this week. Everyone is grateful for the deepening relationships that we are making in those two areas.
It's hard to believe that we have passed the halfway mark! We are all feeling more at home here, accepting the dust, road conditions, etc. to be a "normal" way of life now. For the first time since arriving here, the majority of the team is healthy! Praise God!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Week 3 in review
The sun is shining, tuk tuks are humming, it's a good time to be in Siem Reap!
The week began with a shopping spree as we prepared for a photo project for the village. We bought toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, combs, and laundry soap for the families. Each student in the class also got a school uniform: a white shirt and blue shorts or skirt. Joanne and Renee did an amazing job purchasing, organizing the supplies and sizing all the children!
When our van pulled up on picture day it was so beautiful to see all the children wearing their new clothes and the mothers of the village in new outfits. Each child received an 8x10 family and class photo. We anticipate that these pictures will be a special gift for them because they don't have any photos of themselves.
The team also spent some time at Sophy's ministry. Some members helped with the English Corner while others went on home visitations.
Jeff created his own ministry by biking about 30 minutes to Angkor Wat and shared about Jesus to some security guards. He then took Jimmy and Jonathan along on another expedition where they connected with the same people. This opened up a possible ministry opportunity to the village where one of the guards live.
Next week marks the beginning of the half-way mark of our time in Siem Reap. So much to do, so little time!
The week began with a shopping spree as we prepared for a photo project for the village. We bought toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, combs, and laundry soap for the families. Each student in the class also got a school uniform: a white shirt and blue shorts or skirt. Joanne and Renee did an amazing job purchasing, organizing the supplies and sizing all the children!
When our van pulled up on picture day it was so beautiful to see all the children wearing their new clothes and the mothers of the village in new outfits. Each child received an 8x10 family and class photo. We anticipate that these pictures will be a special gift for them because they don't have any photos of themselves.
The team also spent some time at Sophy's ministry. Some members helped with the English Corner while others went on home visitations.
Jeff created his own ministry by biking about 30 minutes to Angkor Wat and shared about Jesus to some security guards. He then took Jimmy and Jonathan along on another expedition where they connected with the same people. This opened up a possible ministry opportunity to the village where one of the guards live.
Next week marks the beginning of the half-way mark of our time in Siem Reap. So much to do, so little time!
Week 2 in review
Siem Reap Week 2 On Monday we said goodbye to Darrel and Jan as they traveled to meet with the team at Kampong Thom. Then, we went for a prayer walk around the city, focusing our efforts on a Buddhist temple and the nearby river.
Sickness continues to plague us as we march into the second week of our outreach. It is dizzying just trying to keep up on who is sick and who is well! We would appreciate continued prayer in this area.
Several of the team ventured into the back of the open market next door and the reports were grim. Slabs of meat and piles of poultry are exposed to the heat, flies and questionable handling practices. Could this be the source of our stomach ailments?
During the Sunday night ministry time with PCL, Michelle helped the youth recognize the gifts and talents that God has given to them.
The village ministry had a mixture of moments this week. On Tuesday, we combined the women’s and children’s classes together and made salvation bead necklaces. This was in response to watching the Jesus film the week before. On Wednesday, both classes seemed very chaotic and unproductive. Emmanuel was sick on Thursday, so it was a day off. On Friday, things went well and we were able to make meaningful connections with the people we are serving.
At the prison ministry, Jonathan and Renee gave two powerful and personal messages. The team had an opportunity to pray with several of the men. We want more chances to do this every week.
We also visited Pastor Sophy’s ministry to hear his testimony and more about his school. Several of us spent the afternoon with the ESL students helping them with pronunciation, vocabulary and conversation.
At the same time, Jeff and Renee took all the children to an indoor play area and let them run, jump and throw balls for a couple of hours. Our children have really missed the freedom and open space like they had in Kona.
As we close out the week, we are amazed to see how God can use us when we are obedient to Him. We are still praying to see miracles for the people of Siem Reap!
Sickness continues to plague us as we march into the second week of our outreach. It is dizzying just trying to keep up on who is sick and who is well! We would appreciate continued prayer in this area.
Several of the team ventured into the back of the open market next door and the reports were grim. Slabs of meat and piles of poultry are exposed to the heat, flies and questionable handling practices. Could this be the source of our stomach ailments?
During the Sunday night ministry time with PCL, Michelle helped the youth recognize the gifts and talents that God has given to them.
The village ministry had a mixture of moments this week. On Tuesday, we combined the women’s and children’s classes together and made salvation bead necklaces. This was in response to watching the Jesus film the week before. On Wednesday, both classes seemed very chaotic and unproductive. Emmanuel was sick on Thursday, so it was a day off. On Friday, things went well and we were able to make meaningful connections with the people we are serving.
At the prison ministry, Jonathan and Renee gave two powerful and personal messages. The team had an opportunity to pray with several of the men. We want more chances to do this every week.
We also visited Pastor Sophy’s ministry to hear his testimony and more about his school. Several of us spent the afternoon with the ESL students helping them with pronunciation, vocabulary and conversation.
At the same time, Jeff and Renee took all the children to an indoor play area and let them run, jump and throw balls for a couple of hours. Our children have really missed the freedom and open space like they had in Kona.
As we close out the week, we are amazed to see how God can use us when we are obedient to Him. We are still praying to see miracles for the people of Siem Reap!
Week 1 in review
Week 1 Dec. 26, 2011 - Jan. 1, 2011
After about a week of separation, the two parts of our ministry team reunited in Siem Reap. We are staying at the Green Park Village Guest House, which is next door to the local market and on the outskirts of the main tourist section.
Half of the team was immediately dispatched to a youth group at an orphanage, where they sang songs, gave a teaching and played games.
On Monday we visited a “slum” neighborhood that we are calling “The Village.” It is made up of wooden huts along a dirt path with 80 men, women and children living there. Our contact, Emmanuel, has been teaching the children English and about God for the past several months.
Emmanuel wanted us to expand the ministry to include the parents, teaching them the value of educating their children for a better future. The team’s approach with the parents was that we wanted to get to know them and to share a little bit of ourselves and our relationship with Jesus with them.
On Friday, we showed the villagers the Jesus movie and four women, one man and several children received Jesus into their lives!
Another ministry that Emmanuel is part of is an outreach to a prison drug rehab program. Every Thursday and Friday we will be visiting the 20+ inmates and sharing the love of Christ through music, food, testimonies, English teaching and games.
A fringe ministry we have also adopted is reaching out to the workers at our guest house. One of the amenities they provide is free transportation around the city. Since we’re only on the field about an hour at a time, the drivers have been staying with us at the locations and sitting in on our ministry time.
The son of the owner of the guest house, whose name is Som, has been interpreting for us at The Village. As he hears the word of God spoken we are praying for his transformation! Mom, another worker, takes us to the prison and joins in as we sing Making Melodies in my Heart.
Our hearts are opening to the people of Siem Reap, we are growing closer together as a team and we are seeing God’s Spirit move in this city. As always, we are praying for more!
After about a week of separation, the two parts of our ministry team reunited in Siem Reap. We are staying at the Green Park Village Guest House, which is next door to the local market and on the outskirts of the main tourist section.
Half of the team was immediately dispatched to a youth group at an orphanage, where they sang songs, gave a teaching and played games.
On Monday we visited a “slum” neighborhood that we are calling “The Village.” It is made up of wooden huts along a dirt path with 80 men, women and children living there. Our contact, Emmanuel, has been teaching the children English and about God for the past several months.
Emmanuel wanted us to expand the ministry to include the parents, teaching them the value of educating their children for a better future. The team’s approach with the parents was that we wanted to get to know them and to share a little bit of ourselves and our relationship with Jesus with them.
On Friday, we showed the villagers the Jesus movie and four women, one man and several children received Jesus into their lives!
Another ministry that Emmanuel is part of is an outreach to a prison drug rehab program. Every Thursday and Friday we will be visiting the 20+ inmates and sharing the love of Christ through music, food, testimonies, English teaching and games.
A fringe ministry we have also adopted is reaching out to the workers at our guest house. One of the amenities they provide is free transportation around the city. Since we’re only on the field about an hour at a time, the drivers have been staying with us at the locations and sitting in on our ministry time.
The son of the owner of the guest house, whose name is Som, has been interpreting for us at The Village. As he hears the word of God spoken we are praying for his transformation! Mom, another worker, takes us to the prison and joins in as we sing Making Melodies in my Heart.
Our hearts are opening to the people of Siem Reap, we are growing closer together as a team and we are seeing God’s Spirit move in this city. As always, we are praying for more!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Taking the show on the road
While Micah was practicing his high flying circus act on New Year's Day, he missed the mark and went head first into the corner of the bed. Hours later with stitches in his head he was back to normal bouncing around.
Today I'm pondering how to include the children more during this outreach. We need your prayers on this. We need to get creative, because sometimes they become more of a hinderance than a help.
The one boy who seems to have found his ministry is Levi. Our team member, Jeff, who has a gift of evangelism, has been taking Levi with him as he shares about Jesus to the Cambodian people. What a beautiful legacy Jeff is giving to Levi!
Today I'm pondering how to include the children more during this outreach. We need your prayers on this. We need to get creative, because sometimes they become more of a hinderance than a help.
The one boy who seems to have found his ministry is Levi. Our team member, Jeff, who has a gift of evangelism, has been taking Levi with him as he shares about Jesus to the Cambodian people. What a beautiful legacy Jeff is giving to Levi!
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