Leaving someplace you have grown to love is always hard. I used to kid about how crazy I must be to take on a job that includes a third of the world’s landmass and half of its population. But, in truth that is not the hard part. The hardest things is going to new countries and falling in love with the people and only being able to stay a short time. My kids used to be “worried” every time I would travel wondering if we would then be moving there. I have always had a bit of thevagabond in me and maybe that’s why mission work suits me.
Anyway, here we are again, having spent the last month in Cambodia and finding our hearts drawn closer to the people we teach and the people we work with. Dennis and Sharon Welsh, Rich and Ronda Dolan, and especially this trip Julie Broyles. And even that doesn’t mention the Khymer workers in the church here in Phnom Penh. These are all people worthy of your prayer and support. The work they do is producing long-lasting effects for the kingdom of God.
Let me just note a few of the things I believe have been accomplished on this trip:
1. I taught at Cambodian Bible Institute each day and taught 21 students Old Testament History 2. We covered the time of Joshua through the end of the O.T. Yesterday was the final exam and they did wonderfully. I am proud of their progress and surprised at the English skills that many have even though the class was translated into Khymer. We had one graduate while here and there will be many others in October of this year.
2. Shirley taught seven students at the BEST Center each day. She has a unique way of opening Bible study to those who came for English. Many of her students will go on to in-depth Bible studies with the young Khymer ministers of the church here. (Try and Veasna).
3. We made a trip to Vietnam to survey the work there for how we can help train the church in more depth in their study of God’s word. They are hungry like I hardly ever get to see. It’s another of those place (but, really the people) that I have fallen in love with. Minh Van Ho leads a great group of about 30 Christians. His son, Na Cha, is studying in our school in Singapore and in another year will be returning to help his father. He will have great training and be able to supplement their studies. Right now we are trying to work on ways that some can go from here in Cambodia and start the process.
4. I met with two young Khymer preachers Channy and Sokun. Channy is already a graduate of the school and Sokun will finish in October. They are both from villages in the northern area near Battenbang. Battenbang is the second largest city in Cambodia with nearly 300,000 people and no church. They are both interested in going there as a team to begin the work and help in their villages as well. Sokun (my top student this year) comes from a denominational background and the group (including his family) are just waiting for his return to teach them more completely. It will be a great opportunity at a strong beginning. Each will have skills to help with a vocational but support so that they can really give their attention to church planting and growing would be wonderful. I am committing myself to helping that new work begin next year.
We again thank all of you who have prayed and helped us to be here. The longsuffering of the Ham Lane church in Lodi is especially appreciated. To our friends at Peach Tree Lane we also say a great thank you. We will be home this weekend with stories to tell.
