Sok Sopbai! This summer, Rocio, Alain, Jonathan, and I went on a mission trip to Cambodia for three weeks. For Rocio and I, this was our second mission trip to Cambodia. We taught English the first week, and through teaching, we had opportunities to evangelize to the students.
I was troubled when I returned from Cambodia. I realized that I have been too comfortable as a Christian in the states. In America, it is easy for us to be Sunday Christians. One of my mentalities as I went on this mission trip was to encourage the local Christians to persevere and not give up on the hope we have in Christ, but in reality, I have learned so much more from them. I saw and learned the true meaning behind following Christ and taking up the cross daily. I saw and learned what it means to yearn after God’s words and pray passionately. I asked myself, am I satisfied with my current spiritual walk or am I thirsting to grow more?
I would like to share a few emails from my students. I have been challenged so much by their great faith.
Email by sister Moch (21 years old):
My parents and my sister and my brothers are unbelievers. I believed Jesus
alone. It was very hard for me at that time when I was coming to the church. I
am persecuted by my father a lot. He did not allow me to go to the church.
Everytime when I went to the church and I got back, I always fought by him.
But now Praise the Lord, everything is ok with me. I can serve God and I can go somewhere to share the gospel. Wow! My favorite verse is also Jeremiah 29:11. I like it, because this verse always encourages me. So our lives are God's plan. For today, tomorrow and the future. I am so sorry that I did not write to you back soon. Because I was so busy. I got ready to prepare the lesson that I have to teach for KEE's [Kid’s EE] clinic. Please pray for us?
Email by brother Akphirin (25 years old):
Akphirin’s background- He has been living with his aunt since he had been kicked out of the house when he became a Christian. This did not stop his desire from attending Bible College. However, he does not have enough money. Akphirin has worked as a guard and is now teaching two foreigners Khmer to earn money.
I have something to tell you, my pastor he wants to send me to help other church
as a pastor. I do not know I can do or not, but I trust the LORD, He will help me to do it. Now I am praying and asking Him to use me if He wills. Please pray for me. I want to serve him very much. However I need more bible study to have enough ability to serve Him. I will study more about God at the same time.
One week later-
I am sorry, I am late to response you. Because, I am busy to prepare the Word of
God to preach in other church on Sunday every week. It is first time for me to
make sermon on Sunday. So I must take long time to do it. Now, they invited me
to preach in their church every Sunday. I holp He will be glorified in me. Please pray for me. God bless you and be with you.
Email by sister Hein (23 years old):
Hein’s background- Hein’s father was one of Pol Pot’s body guards during the Khmer Rouge period. He had beaten and abused Hein’s mother for six years because of her faith in Christ. After ten years, he became a Christian and is now serving as a pastor of four churches.
My mother told me about Jesuse, when i was child. I became a believer Jesuse
when i was 4 years old, my father not Christian, He angory when we are went to
church, I and my mother and sisters brothers pray for he 10 years ago, ofter 10
he is a Christian.
Do you still remember Kent Copeland and his family in Poipet? Last year, we helped set up the CTC operation room. There is a government hospital next to the CTC. Whenever the government hospital doctors cannot save their patients, they send the dying patients over to Kent. If the patients die at the CTC, the government doctors put the blame on Kent and his medical team. Although they have been through difficult times to open the operation room, the CTC medical team still undergoes immense pressure and are sometimes threatened to be thrown into jail.
The Cambodia team would like to say thank you for your prayers and support. Our goal, and I believe it is the China and Mexicali teams’ goals as well, is to bring the full image of our mission trip back to the church family. We hope that our church family can feel what we felt, see what we saw, and learn what we are learning. The four of us invite all of you to understand and be involved with God’s ministry together. Although we have returned from Cambodia, our mission is not over yet. We are still responsible to share with our church family and to keep praying for our brothers and sisters overseas.
Lastly, the Cambodia team is looking forward to sharing with each fellowship. We promise to deliver an exciting and captivating sharing! If you are interested in having us share, please check the schedule below and contact either Rocio or I to set up a date. Hope to see YOU there! Thank you!
Growing together,
Emily
(We still update our team blog! http://sgvac-cambodia-stm-07.blogspot.com/index.html )
Sept. 2, Sun:
Combined Service at CABC from 12-1 P.M.
Sept. 7, Fri:
Career InC. (English) at Seminary building at 730 P.M.
Sept. 14, Fri:
Joshua (Chinese college) at 845 P.M. at Seminary building
Sept. 22, Sat:
Mustard Seed (English college) at 7 P.M. at SGVAC
Sept. 28, Fri:
Agape (English Jr. High) & Matthew (English High School) at SGVAC (two sharings in one night)
Oct. 5, Fri:
Zion Fellowship (Chinese married couples) at SGVAC
Oct. 6, Sat:
Ladies Event (English) at SGVAC from 1130-3 P.M.
Manna Fellowship w/ translation (Chinese adults) at SGVAC 4-515 P.M.
Oct. ?, Fri:
Canaan Fellowship (Chinese young career adults) TBD
Fellowships still pending:
Caleb (Chinese retired)
Hosanna (English married couples)
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