Over the last three years the Koh Kong has visited a village about 20 km from the city where we all live. We have visited this area also during our Khmer prayer summits every Feb. and this past year we handed out the My Country My Faith videos. In early November we visited and prayed for this village again during the  AWAKENING prayer summit. During this last visit we met a lady (Tia) who told us she has watched the video several times and really likes what she has heard. We asked her if she or others would be interested in learning more about Christianity and she quickly responded that she does and felt that others may want to know more also.

Today, we went to see her again and follow-up on our conversation, checking to see if she was still interested. To our delight, she is still desiring to study the Bible with us. After talking with her about the best time, we have settled on Wednesday afternoon for the first session. She is going to invite others to join the study in the next few days. We will talk to her again next Tuesday to see how many are interested but we reminded her that even if she was the only one, we still wanted to teach her. Please pray along with us about this new opportunity, that God would draw those people who are interested and that the enemy would not use his tactics to discourage people or Tai from joining the study.

We have wanted to design discussion questions to use with the video we made last year for some time now but have been unable to think about it due to other things. This new opportunity has brought that need to the forefront and we will be working on those this week. The idea is to show pieces of the video, then pause it to ask question and allow them to interact with the content. We feel this is a good approach which will help us to assess the interest of those there and will give them a clear cultural presentation of the gospel. It is also a great introduction to the Chronological bible study method we will use.

Join us in praying for Tia and the T village.

J & the K K team

On September 2, 1996, D. and I arrived in Cambodia with daughters J. and S. in tow. Cambodia was different in many ways than today, and yet similar in many ways as well. I would like to reflect on some of these differences and similarities, and also offer responses for us.
As a capital city, Phnom Penh was much sleepier in 1996. At that time, the population was about a million people, cyclos were a common form of transportation, and there were at most only a few functioning stoplights. At the same time, Phnom Penh was not quiet. Due to the more unstable security situation, D. and I heard machine-gun fire nearly weekly (fortunately J. be-lieved us when we told her it was just fire crackers she was hearing). In addition, the Khmer Rouge was still alive and well in certain areas of the country. This, com-bined with the security situation, led to the practice of traveling upcountry by convoy instead of alone, with frequent police checkpoints seen along the way.
In 1996, the Cambodian Church was much smaller. At the time, the book “Operation World” noted that Bible-believing Christians comprised only 0.1% of the entire population. Presently many say that 2% or more of Cambodians are Bible-believing Christians. The num-ber of congregations is in excess of 3,000. We should rejoice in what God has done.
There are other differences today as well. Currently there are many more cross-cultural workers in Cambodia than before. In addition, the security situation is much more stable. Nowadays it is hard to imagine not being able to freely drive anywhere in the country (as long as your vehicle can get through). In reality, the infrastructure has seen vast
improvements in the past fifteen years. I remember our first survey trip to Koh Kong in the year 2000 with Jeff, Joel, Phat, and others. At that time we took a boat along the coast from Sre Ambel to the town of Koh Kong because there was no passable road through the interior, period. Fortunately, a good road is now available, even with bridges in place. As the Khmer say, wow.
The past years have seen an increase in wealth in Cambodia, including changes in living among many poor as well. Even though this is the case, there is obviously still much to do. On a different note, there does seem to be more of a sense of hope in people’s hearts. Before, the future often looked bleak and un-changed; now the future looks brighter in the hearts of many Cambodians. This change is likely a result of many things, including increased economic growth, better education, and exposure to the Lord of the Universe. This gives us reason to be thankful.
As a capital city, Phnom Penh now has a population of at least two million people. In 1996, the tallest build-ing in the country was the Intercontinental Hotel. The schools of Northbridge, Log-os, and Hope were not yet established. And World Team had only one family onsite. Much has obviously changed in recent years.
At the same time, there are many similarities today as well. These similarities go deeper than the surface changes of such things as paved roads and cell phones. As an example, we know that Cambodia is now in the midst of celebrat-ing Pchum Ben. The deep worldview values which motivate people to be in-volved in this celebration are still lodged in the hearts of most Cambodians. Cultur-al values are not easily changed, even in
light of the gospel. I would suggest that most of the cultural values which existed fifteen years ago are still strong today. This should not surprise us, as these values and traditions have been taught for hundreds of years. And on another level, the heart of man has been the same since the fall of Om Adam. The deep spiritual need of Cambodians is one thing which continues to this day.

Vat’s family live somewhere below “dirt poor” and above “destitute.”  They are apart of the Cambodian working class.  His take home is somewhere between $400-$500 USD annually.  Their rented house, a one bed and one bath, has a leaky sheet metal roof. Tidal sea water floods the spaces underneath their floor every day.

The Cambodian Government required all electricians to take a written exam to maintain a license.  As Vat went to take the exam, the moderators let it be know that in order to pass the test, the examinees were required to pay a “fee.”  The monetary fee, which was not normally required, and was completely unexpected, was now absolutely necessary to pass the exam.  If Vat didn’t pay the extra fee, then he would fail the exam regardless of his score.

Corruption is common in Cambodia.  Vat grew up with this reality.  But now he was a believer and he saw bribery as wrong and not worthy of a follower of Jesus.  Vat refused to pay the “fee”.  And he failed the exam.

Consequently, Vat struggled to get work as an electrician.  His meager income came to an abrupt halt.

Soon after, his daughter contracted shingles which was manifested in a painful rash on one leg.  He was worried for her as she was hurting and schooling was difficult.

A mutual friend came to me an told me of the events that transpired with Vat, and I went to check on him.  I gently asked Vat how things were going for him, and he admitted his situation had become difficult.

I felt bad for him.  I brought money to help him and I offered it.

He refused it, saying, “This is my opportunity to see God work in my life.”  He told me sensed God was already at work.  He perceived God moving and directing in circumstances to bring the aid he needed and he refused my money.

Hope is hard to find in Cambodia.  The margin between eating and starving, life and death, is close together there.  Vat was face to face with more than personal financial tragedy.  His families basic needs were on the verge of not being met.  He had no nest egg, no safety net.  Yet he firmly stood, believing God had his back.

God did bring the work Vat needed.  Vat assessed the situation correctly, and God built his faith.  God showed himself as Vat’s savior and met his need.  God rescued him, healed his daughter, and rewarded him with joy.

I look back on this situation and ask myself, “could I do that?  Would I choose to walk in faith like Vat?”  If I was faced with hard circumstances, would I (the missionary) have faith to see the opportunity and not despair? Would I be tempted to take the easy money and loose the chance of seeing God at work in my life?

God wants to be our rescuer, our only deliverer.  And it this process of trouble and rescue, our faith is built, our trust in Him grows, and we get something money can never buy.  Joy.  I am now impressed.