Final Pictures

These pictures are only a fraction of the nearly 400 pictures and videos I took while in Cambodia. I hope to share many more with you in person some day.

More Pictures

Pictures

Here are a few pictures I would like to share from this amazing experience. Thank you for all your prayer and support! Enjoy

Life Goes On

Today is Monday. Since my last post, I have had the chance to participate in an important part of Khmer culture: the wedding party. Sotia, a student at the church, had been asking me to see his house and school of the past few days. Last Saturday night it worked out for me to go with him. After seeing his rent house, we drove to the small school where he taught. It is the rainy season in Cambodia so I was not surprised when a heavy shower began around five in the afternoon. This kept many of Sotia's students from attending but I was still able to teach English to about seven who showed up. On the way back home we stopped by a wedding party for one of Sotia's friends. It was extravagant to say the least, especially in comparison to the poor area it was hosted. The part was characterized by a live band, many tables, and generous amounts of food and alcohol. When it comes to drinking, Khmer don't seem to limit themselves. In the end I enjoyed seeing the event and taking pictures but am still disappointed in the wasteful attitude displayed by many Khmer in this cultural event. It is kind of just an attempt at a status symbol. I don't presume to know Khmer culture and don't wish to be overly critical but both Bill and Chheng have said similar things. Groups of poorly dressed children were along the outskirts of the party, waiting to pick up and sell empty cans dropped by guests. It was all a strange sight. The next morning I went to church and taught the young adult Sunday school class. Mr. Hale had offered for me to teach last week but I was unprepared and told him I would think about next week. I am thankful that I received the opportunity! I was very nervous but the Lord sustained me. For anyone interested, I continued the study in Mark, teaching on Mark 11:1-14. This morning I went out with the students again and shared the Gospel. A seven year old boy lived at the last house we visited. He was paralyzed from the waist down and was also mentally disabled. He let me hold his hand and give him random toys to play with...it was easily one of the highlights of my trip. The family of this boy is interested in going to church but does not have a way to get there. However, the plan is for them to get a ride in the church van next Sunday! Well, I need to head back to the Nuon's house now. They have been very hospitable and are currently getting me used to some true Khmer food. Yesterday, I introduced their eleven year old granddaughter, Kayleen, to the wonderful game of Uno. We have been in a continual Uno battle ever since then :)

John 15:5
"I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me- and I in him- bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing."

Sre Treng

I am happy to say that Lord blessed us with a safe trip to the church at Sre Treng today. The consistent downpour of rain today made the roads less than ideal but nevertheless we were able to make it there and back here by six, only forcing us to miss one English class. So, how should I describe Sre Treng? Well, first you should know that Sre Treng is very poor. In comparison to Phnom Penh, Prek Ambel is rural. However, Sre Treng is the truly rural region of Cambodia, making Prek Ambel look like the suburb it basically is. The landscape is marked by vast rice fields, towering coconut trees, and even some mountains. It was an enjoyable drive and after arriving I was greeted by the pastor and other church members. They were very friendly and prepared a Khmer style meal for us, consisting primarily of rice. After the meal I went into the church building itself with about ten Cambodians around my same age. One girl spoke English very well and I talked with her and the others for a couple hours. During this time, they also brought me a guitar to play. Somebody had given the church the guitar but after asking I found out that nobody knew how to play. They told me a few Christian songs in English they knew and I was able to play and sing along with them... it was one of those moments in life that you just can't forget. Anyways, before finishing I want to give a quick recap of the past few days. Bill and Daniel, a Cambodian student here, have been working diligently each morning to translate the 1689 London Baptist Confession into Khmer. This is difficult work but they each know both languages well so they make a great team. This occurs in the mornings, but I personally have still been going out with the other students to share the Gospel. I was had the chance to ride along with Socia, a student who's relationship with the Lord I greatly admire. I am not able to get into many details but my purpose on the outings has changed a little and become more centered around the kids which follow me around the area. Also, before ending this post, I want to share some good news. The road along which the students have been preaching for the past few months is a fairly long way from the church. Many along this road, including a lady with a disabled leg, have a desire to go to church but either can't or are not willing to make the trip. The church has known and been praying about the situation. Yesterday, Pastor Chheng found a well priced van and bought it for the purpose of transporting these people to church. This is something to be truly thankful for. I apologize if I left out some details in this post but hopefully this gives you an outline regarding what is going on in Cambodia. Tomorrow I move over to Pastor Chheng's house where I plan to spend the remainder of my time here in Cambodia.

John 17:3
"Now this is eternal life- that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent."

Chum Rip Sua (Hello)

Well today is thursday. I had originally planned to write a longer post explaining all that has been going on in the past few days but the power was out last night. The power is actually much more stable than when the Hales first arrived in Cambodia but still far from reliable. Also, in a few minutes I am leaving on a 3 hour drive to Sre Treng to visit the church there. Lord willing the power will be on and I can write more when I return to Prek Ambel tonight.

My First Few Days

Today is Sunday. The activities so far have included attending church, playing volleyball, and killing a giant gecko living in the Hale's house (I have video documentation:) The church service, which began at 7:30, looked similar to that of FBC Parker in regards to its structure. We began with announcements and singing. Next I went to an hour of Sunday school led by Mr. Hale, and then a main worship service in which Pastor Chheng preached. I would like to add that Mr. Hale sat beside me in the back and translated the sermon into English, a difficult task and one for which I am very thankful. I found it beautiful to hear the various hymns I am used to singing in English sung in Khmer as well. Before Sunday school, Pastor Chheng really put me on the spot and asked me to stand in front of the nearly one hundred church members and tell a little about myself. Pastor Chheng is incredibly grateful for and overly kind to anyone who comes to visit the church. In the young adult Sunday school class, Mr. Hale continued a discussion in Mark and began the class with Mark 10:32. In this verse we looked at the reactions of those who followed Jesus to Jerusalem and the reason for this reaction. In the main service, Pastor Chheng preached on God's promises to His people. He used Scripture from Job 5, Psalm 91:3, Psalm 116:8, Isaiah 46:4, and 1 Corinthians 10:13. In my last post I mentioned sharing the Gospel in the morning and also teaching an English class. Since then I have had the opportunity to do both. Every weekday morning we meet with about 10 other church members and drive mopeds to houses just 15 minutes away. The areas are very poor to say the least. I am unable to upload pictures at this point I certainly plan to upon my return home. For the English classes I teach about 30 students, using a common beginner English book. The classes last for an hour. The first time I taught I was incredibly nervous but after seeing the Cambodians eagerness to learn I have become more relaxed. The classes are free to anyone off the street and a good way to let people know about the Church of Mercy. Not to mention the Cambodians get to hear English from native English speakers, something they do not receive in the state schools. Yesterday morning, rather than visiting homes with the direct purpose of sharing the Gospel, we visited homes of some church members and others who had shown interest in attending. Since many in Cambodia have never even heard the Gospel before, they have many basic questions about the Bible. For example, we visited one man who had very recently received the Gospel and attended church. One of his questions for us had to do with the genealogy of Jesus in the first chapter of Matthew. It is culturally common for Cambodians to worship their ancestors so this Cambodians man wanted to know if Jesus' ancestors were other gods. This man may seem like a funny question but the Gospel was so new to him that it was a legitimate question that needed to be quickly addressed. I thank God for the Hales, Nuons, and Cambodian Christians who, by His grace, have dedicated their lives to showing these people the truths of God's Word. Well I think I have said more than an adequate amount for one blog post. We are about to eat before long. I am actually enjoying the food here, although I think the Hale's occasionally Westernize the meals. Thank you for all your prayer and support, I am unworthy of both.

John 6:28-29
"So then they said to him, 'What must we do to accomplish the deeds God requires?' Jesus replied, 'This is the deed God requires- to believe in the one whom he sent."