Dear Friends and Family,
As Thanksgiving holiday (for Americans) is upon us, we’re
reminded again and again of how grateful we are to God for you! Throughout the past 12 years of ministries in
Poipet, we could not possibly endure it alone if not for your constant prayers
and support! You have been a well spring
of support to us in so many ways.
Stories below are a result from your on-going partnership through prayers
and financial support to the Great Commission Fund. We want to affirm that
through your partnership, God is doing some amazing things in the lives of
Khmer people…
Recently, at a regional quarterly youth rally, because of a distant
location and extra cost of traveling we did not expect many young people would
show up, but we were quite surprised to see more than 150 youth came! Because this event fell on the same time as
memorial week for the late Cambodian king, local authorities had banned all
loud music or any form of celebration!
So, to lead these many hyper active youth into a meaningful worship
required some creativity from the youth committees. Because we could not use a microphone and since
we did not have a whistle at the moment, one leader routinely banged two lids
of cooking pots in order to get the young people’s attention! With just a flute,
a hand drum, and an electric keyboard as musical instruments, the worship leaders
led the crowd to sing heartfelt songs of worship. Then to find ways that the
speaker (Soeuth) could effectively communicate his message to such a big noisy crowd
without the aid of a microphone was a bit of concern.
Again, with the help from some youth, the
leaders arranged plastic chairs into “U” shaped setting where the speaker was
able to see people’s faces at eye level.
Soeuth had prepared a message entitled “Be Thankful” and challenged the
groups that, “In so many ways, all of us have been selfishly taken God for
granted”. The message seemed to hit the
core of the hearts as many young people, without feeling any shame, were seen
crying and shedding tears of remorse as they reflected back to all the sinful
things they’d done, and the ungrateful attitudes they had toward God. Sensing that the Holy Spirit was moving, toward
the end of the message, Soeuth challenged the group to spend sometimes praying
to God. And they did. Some in quiet while some others in loud
audible prayers; many youth cried their hearts out to God, confessing their
sins, pleading for forgiveness, and asking God for a second chance. To wrap up the message, the youth were broken
into smaller groups.
Each group with an appointed
leader, and with less than 10- minute time frame, they were to come up with a
song or poem of “Thanksgiving”, they were to give reasons to support their
chosen poem or song, and that all members of each group would come up to sing
or recite their song/poem! Everyone was
up to the challenge. With these many
smaller groups and so little time to prepare, we’d thought for sure they would
end up repeating or choosing the same song.
Not one song was repeated! The
most beautiful part of all was the descriptions of reasons why each group left
led to choose their song or poem…
Coming to this rally, the youth knew that there would be a
green papaya- salad making contest. So,
each church group leader had brought needed ingredients and spices and supplies
ready for the making of papaya salad on the spot! With a one- hour given
period, each group quickly prepared their salad and presented their proud
products on a displayed table to be judged by designated key committee members.
The youth from Living Water Church came in fifth place… It was a very long exhausting day for all of
us. That particular day, we’d left
Poipet at 6 O’clock in the morning, and after dropping everyone off, we’d made
it safely home nearly 8 O’clock in the evening!
But as we’d looked back, at the end of the day, fully aware of what took
place among the young people, we’d realized then that it was worth it all!
Shortly after Soeuth’s message, I (Syna) was approached by
two sisters, “L” and “S”, who were in their early 20s, from a distant village
in Battambang Province. Still with
visible tear drops on their faces and heavy burden in their hearts, the sisters
asked if I would pray for them. Feeling
convicted by the message and in between sobs, the older sister “L” said, “Naak
krue (teacher), we’ve been playing with God for so long.
We used to be very
actively involved in church and youth ministries. But we got carried away with materials of
this world. Now, we want to be right
with God again. Won’t you pray for us as
we are looking to get back helping with youth ministry in our home church?” I’d spent sometimes in prayer with the
sisters… Little had I known that in just 10 days after this meeting, however,
we’d received very sad news from the
KEC leaders of the areas saying that the wooden house belonged to this family
had accidentally burned to the ground! Their
whole life savings and every valuable goods they’d ever owned were totally
destroyed in that fire! Praise God that no one was hurt! Words began to spread quickly among believers.
In response to the needs, this past
Sunday, every KEC church from across the country had taken a special collection
in order to help this family! Please
lift this family in your prayers. As the
result of the fire, some members of this family and some new believers from the
areas have many questions concerning this tragic incident, but only God alone
knows the reasons why…
We’ve been richly enjoyed visiting village churches,
teaching monthly classes in Spiritual Leadership (by Soeuth in the
morning), How to Preach (by Pastor Bo Samoeun from Svey-- afternoon),
and a Women Bible Study (by me-- morning).
So far, there are three locations that we visited each month. Other KEC village churches from the same region
have heard about this and requested similar teachings to be done in their areas. But our schedule is already tight! Pray that other capable leaders would be
willing to step up and response to the needs… On the average, those who regularly
attended were 13-15 men and 15-18 women. After the morning classes were dismissed,
the entire group joined together for fellowship of a potluck meal. Everyone brought his or her own food and some
extra to share. Shortly after lunch, Pastor
Samoeun quickly regrouped the men so that his class could begin and end on
time. After cleaning all the dishes, some women from nearby areas began to
leave in order to care for their families, but some who came from distant
places chose to linger a bit longer, just for a chance to reconnect with one
another… Lately, the ladies have been
talking among themselves and requested that, “Since we are committed to take
this whole day off from other responsibilities, won’t you find other classes/
lessons to teach us as we wait for the men to finish?” Okay. So we’d added onto
our monthly classes the preventative basic health lessons including lessons
about nutrition, hygiene, and family planning, and among other interested health
topics as requested by the group. “But
we want to do something to help our family”, remarked one middle aged
lady. “We are mostly rice farmers, and
the crops have been poor this year”, added another lady. “I need to find ways
to help feed my family”, voiced a concerned young mother with four small kids…
After sometimes of thinking I’d asked, “Do you want to learn how to bake? You can make snacks for your kids, or you can
sell them to your neighbors and friends or to kids at local schools.” All was very interested. And so, we added another “class” to our
monthly meetings. Except for vanilla,
baking soda, and or yeast, most other cooking ingredients or supplies were
local bought. Using local products and local
resources including charcoal ovens, the village ladies now enjoyed making yummy
baked goods for their family as well as for selling, allowing them to earn
small incomes to help subsidize their family’s needs…
Last year when Soeuth and I visited Alliance
churches in States, I’d share this idea with some of the church ladies. Many of them were so excited and very supportive
of the idea that they went the extra miles just to collect light- weight spatulas,
whisks, and other cookies items. So much
was the supplies collected that upon our return trip, we came home with a duffel
bag full of them! Thank you dear Alliance
Women! Your prayers and support to the
cause help to make tremendous differences in the lives of your Khmer sisters in
Cambodia…
And lastly but not least, we continue to enjoy the rich time
of discussions and teaching in evening classes (Monday-Wednesday) at our house! Currently, the three nightly classes are: Making
Disciples (taught by Soeuth-- Monday), Paul’s Life and Letter,
(Syna--Tuesday), and Spiritual Leadership (Soeuth-- Wednesday). The greatest joy (or reward) gained from
these evening classes is when we get to hear powerful rich stories about how
God is at work in the lives each of the students. Since many of the students involved in
various localized ministry services, this is also a great opportunity for
fellowship among the leaders, a chance to gain and or offer support and
encouragement to one another. The class discussions were often very lively and
if not carefully monitored, it could go on all night!
The Poipet KEC Church’s Christmas activities are on schedule:
Ondong Thma Meas Church (12/12), Santepheap Church (12/19), and all other
smaller KEC village churches will join the Living Water Church on Dec. 25. Please PRAY for open hearts and for
opportunity to witness Christ’s love to our neighbors! Church families are
strongly encouraged to invited their unbelieving friends and relative to join
these festive services.
Once again, thank you for your continual prayers
and support. Please share with us what
God is doing in your life. And please
remember these dates in your prayers…
Nov. 8. The Poipet
KEC youth will have a sleep-over camp at Living Water Church. There will be worship service, a short (???)
devotion follow by games and bond fire and roasting sweet potatoes… We praise God for a good turnout for this
youth event. Last night, more than 80 youth came. During a bond fire service, a number of youth
volunteered to give personal testimonies, so did special songs and event
telling good clean jokes. This activity was so well received by the young
people that they had all requested it should be done more often.
Nov. 14. National
youth committees meeting in Phnom Penh (PHN), pray for directions and wisdom as
the committees will set goals for the coming year as well as will discuss about
when and where the next youth camp would be.
Nov.16-17, some International Workers will be traveling
across the country to attend the “Shame/ Honor” seminar in PHN. Pray for safety during road traveling.
Nov. 18-19, Next Field Leadership Team meeting in PHN, pray
for wisdom and guidance for our field leadership as they will discuss
strategies and goals for the coming year.
Nov. 21, is the next monthly Poipet men ministry meeting.
Nov. 28, all the KEC churches in Poipet will have joined
service to celebrate Thanksgiving holiday.
Nov. 23-29, we will go to Penang to visit Jonathan-- yeay!!!
Dec. 10, is the next regional youth rally and quizzing meet
taking place in Svey.
With a grateful heart,
Soeuth & Syna
