Dear Friends and Family,
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6
As you are preparing to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, may you experience the true meaning for this holiday season.
Churches all over Cambodia (and around the world) are busy preparing for Christmas celebrations. Church members are encouraged to invited their non-church family members to participate in these festive events. This year is the first big-group Christmas celebration since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic began. Therefore, everyone is very excited and looking forward to join any celebration. Many things had happened since our last update. Here are just a few events…
Kong’s Memorial Service
Nov. 19: Pastor Dy led a small group (about 30 people) of believers to gather as a memorial service at the tombstone of the late Mr. Kong, who went to be with Jesus on April 5. To honor the occasion, the groups sang a few of Kong’s most favorite Khmer traditional hymnal songs. Even though it was a hot day, the only shade was from a single neem tree, but everyone seemed to enjoy singing and sharing stories of their late friend. At a proper time, people took turns to express their love and gratitude to the memories of the late Mr. Kong for introducing Jesus to them. While the service was going on, Kong’s oldest son and some men were busy mixing cement and gravels in and attempt to mount up a memorial marble plaque onto the tombstone. Many were grateful to God for an opportunity to know Mr. Kong…
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| Soeuth preached at Mr. Kong's memorial service |
KEC Men Conference
Nov. 24: The KEC held a national men conference at Phnom Penh where about 120 people from around the country participated. This event took place right in the middle of a very busy harvesting season, where every helping hand was needed in the fields to gather and collect crops. As a result, not many men were able to participate. All the messages and workshops for the conference were based on Matthew 24:14.
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come”
Although it was a national men conference, there were about 30 plus ladies were among the attendees. In between the services, there was a rich time for personal testimonies, prayer requests, and a time for confession. Many men raised their hands to recommit their lives and ministries to God.
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| 120 people participated in KEC men conference |
Regional Church Committees (RCC)’s Visit
On Nov. 30- Dec. 1, we had the honor of hosting 7 members of the northwest regional church committee members (with their families, a total of 16 people total) who came to visit church ministries in the Anlong Veng region. During a warm fellowship and worship time, Rev. Nhea Pherum, a district superintendent for the northwest region, gave an encouraging message based on the book of Judges chapter 6 and challenged the believers to remain faithful in their service to God no matter what lowly backgrounds they came from saying, "If we are just willingly surrender our lives into His plan, God can use any one for his kingdom purpose." After the message, there were opportunities for church members to share their personal testimonies on how each of them came to faith in Jesus. Immediately after the service, members from the Toul Prich Firm Foundation Alliance church surprised the visitors with their famous Khmer traditional dish of green curry and rice noodle!
Regional Annual Women's Christmas Celebration
Dec. 3: The northwest regional KEC women also held their annual Christmas celebration at Svey where 300 plus ladies joyful participated! 26 ladies from the Anlong Veng and from Srae Nouy were also part of this big group. Some ladies put on their beautiful Khmer traditional outfits for this special occasion. There were two keynote speakers for the event: one gave a Christmas sermon message and while another gave a health lesson/message. Because of the pandemic, the last big group women gathering was since December 2018! When an opportunity to meet finally arrived, the ladies made every effort to join. The total attended was an overwhelming surprised to the committees who had planned, expected, and prepared meal for only about 150. Fortunately, the location was not too far from a local wet market where the cooks were able to buy already prepared meals for the extra attendees. Over all, everyone was not too much concerned for the lack of food, they were just enjoying the conference and one another’s company. During a time set aside for special songs, each group sang their hearts out in songs of praises, worship, and dancing to the one true God and King Jesus. The word AMAZING was the common expression from every lip of those who participated in this Christmas celebration…
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| 300 plus ladies attended a regional women Christmas celebration |
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| Syna taught a health lesson at the women conference |
1. After facing many “red tapes” in an attempt to find well building companies, we found one and hired their services on December 4. However, just two days before the workers arrived, one of the key leaders had an accident and needed to be hospitalized immediately. This leader was to be present at the work site to monitor the well building process. We found a replacement, but then we faced another bigger problem. The workers had worked diligently for 5 days in a row drilling the well. Even after they had reached 106 meters deeps underground, they still had not reached the clean water level. At this writing, the workers removed pipes from one location and tried again at another location. So far, at this second attempt, they already passed the 70 meters depth, but still have not reach the water level. Please join us to pray for a miracle. The people in Andong Chan Village are desperately crying for clean drinking water. This is the fourth times we had tried building a deep well for this village! After Andong Chan, the same well workers will try to build a deep well at Srae Nouy. Please pray for a successful attempt.
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| A fourth attempt to build a deep well at Andong Chan village |
2. Since the school-aged children are on a long 3-week break, we worked together to plan fun activities or fellowship events for them. December 5 was one of such events when we took 15 youth from Anlong Veng areas for a field trip to visit the ancient Angkor Wat temples. All but two of these youth had never visited this place of wonder before. Needless to say that everyone had a fantastic time. Although many of the school-aged kids have not professed faith in the Lord Jesus yet, they willingly come every day to the church property to hang out and to learn in various classes that our teammates offer. Even their parents (who are not yet believers) have also entrusted their kids into our care. While these children are with us, every conversation, every game, every song, every dance or fun activity, and every lesson plan-- these are all careful designed, developed, planned, and geared toward Bible based messages. The seeds of truth have been deeply planted in their hearts. Pray that the God of the harvest would allow these seeds to growth in His perfect timing.
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| 86 children and 16 parents showed up an a recently Christmas event! |
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| Visiting Angkor Wat with Anlong Veng kids |
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| Preparing for the 100th anniversary celebration... |
Jesus Christ is the reason for the season,
Soeuth & Syna Lao
