Dear Prayer Supporters,
Warm Christmas greetings from Cambodia. May you experience a true meaning of the Christmas season—The Emmanuel God.
The National Khmer Evangelical Church (KEC) are busy preparing Christmas events throughout the month of December. In order to get the best options for their favorite guest-speakers, some churches began planting this celebration and invited speakers as early as September. An Alliance church in Svey Sisophon already had their Christmas celebration on December 2! Christmas is one of the most anticipated events for the National believers. It is an opportunity to invite unchurch friends and relatives to join the festive celebrations. For church leaders, this is an opportunity for ministry outreach to those who have never heard of the Gospel before. Please remember to pray for the Cambodian churches throughout the country as they celebrate Christmas this year.
The Youth Camp…
Last month, we asked for your prayers for the National KEC youth camp. Here are some updates. On the appointed day, youth leaders brought in their youth groups to register by the vans or buses full of excited young people. Some had traveled almost 13 hours! Although 469 people had officially registered and paid for the camp registration fees, about 100 others had not registered but showed up here and there throughout the week. Of those who participated, at least 85% of them were first time campers! Some of the registered campers were as young as 8 years old. The theme, Rise Up and Walk, was intended to encourage the young people to break off hindrances or obstacles that were holding them back in life. One young lady, Kimbuy, testified about her struggles with poverty and growing up as an orphan. Despite many challenges that could have prevented her from pursuing her dreams, Kimbuy refused to allow circumstances dictate her future. To earn a small income during her high school years, Kimbuy woke up early every morning and bicycled around town selling hot freshly baked French breads. After high school, with the help of scholarships, she studies at a local university and earned a degree in finance. While she worked and studies—her daily pep talk to encourage herself to keep on trying is, “I can do all things through Christ who helps me."
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| Nearly 570 people participated in a youth camp |
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| Of the 570 participants, at least 85% of them were first time campers! |
Another young lady, Jenda, shared how she wanted to attend the camp since 2018 but didn’t have enough money. She stared saving for the next camp, but it was cancelled due to Covid. “I was heartbroken. Now, after four years of waiting, I am finally here!”
On the last evening, the students heard a message about hidden sins that can hold people back in life. They were encouraged to write down any sin that might preventing them from moving forward. At the end of the service, about 150 people came forward to drop off their notes into a bonfire and ask God to help them “rise up and walk” from their old way of life.
We were grateful to the many people who help prayed and donated funds so this camp could take place. Please pray that participants will continue moving forward into their God-given destinies.
11 Soccer Kids Got Baptized…
Shortly after the youth camp, the Firm Foundation Alliance church in Toul Prich village had a scheduled baptism on November 29. Originally, 16 soccer youth had been disciple, trained, and prepared for this special event. Everyone was excited. However, on the appointed day, only 11 youth showed up while the other five young people were forbidden by their not-yet believing parents from moving forward with their faith. They were sad, but we encouraged them to respect their parents and told them, “When things begin to cool down at home, we can plan another event in the future."
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| 11 Soccer kids got baptized |
Dates and Events needing your prayers…
- Dec. 9th, about 100 kids and their parents have been invited to join the youth Christmas celebration at the Anlong Veng Ministry Center. This will be the first Christmas celebration for many of them. Pray for receptive hearts, especially from the parents. The children, many of whom are the only believers in the family, have been working hard practicing their special songs and memorizing their lines for the play.
- Dec. 15-16: There will be the first Christmas celebration ever done in Korkspean village in Sarong. Since February 2023, in respond to the needs, we have been going to teach a discipleship class there on a weekly basis where about eight adults and a few teens showed up for class. About ten families of newly believers meet together every week for Sunday worships. This year, they are hosting their own Christmas celebration on Dec. 16, and a baptismal service will be followed after the Christmas celebration. Some of the church families from Anlong Veng planned to spend a night at this village on December 15 as we plan to show the Jesus film to the villagers then.
- Dec. 17 at 3 pm, a Christmas event will be celebrated at Trampang Krasang village. The leaders are expecting at least 150 people will participate.
- Other Christmas events that we will be joined and celebrating in the coming weeks: Three celebrations will be in Poipet for December 23, 24, and 25. The Toul Prich Firm Foundation Alliance Church will have their evening celebration on December 21; and the Srae Nouy will have their big celebration on the evening of Dec. 31 until New Year. This year, the Srae Nouy church will have a celebration and a church dedication for their brand new church building!
- Pray for receptive hearts from the audience and for good health and safe traveling for all.
- January 17-26, 2024: The Leadership Matters Course (LMC) will be held in Siem Reap Province in Cambodia. A number of the Alliance Workers will participate in the 10-day training program.
Please share with us what God is doing in your life. We would like to be a blessing to your through prayers. As always, because of your faithful prayers, your generous financial support toward the Great Commission Funds, and because of your persistent partnership in the growing Cambodian ministries, we are able to continue serving in Anlong Veng and throughout northern parts of Cambodia and beyond, sharing the message of Hope in Jesus Christ to hopeless and lost people in Cambodia. Thank you! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Blessings,
Soeuth & Syna
