At the outset of this week’s post we would like to express our sincere thanks for your prayers on behalf of all the staff and children in the Early Learning Centre following our recent fire. All the electrical repairs, renovations and repainting have been completed and the ELC is up and running as normal. Next week Nita’s office will be fully functioning again when the furniture and computer are replaced. We really appreciate everyone who responded to the Emergency Appeal, without your giving we would not have been able to re-open as quickly as we could, thank you so much!
As I began to write this post I received the following message, ‘Just wanted to send you a little note to encourage you. I look forward to your weekly blogs and love that they help keep us up to date with all that is happening in Cambodia, good and bad!’ Well I am happy to say that this week has consisted of more good moments than bad and we thank and praise God for this!
David met with Chamnap and Dana last Saturday morning and during the eldership meeting discussions were productive and an 18 week Sunday schedule was created with sermon topics, along with who would be preaching and leading the service. Church on Sunday morning was well attended and one of the Be Free trainees sang a solo for the first time whilst the tithes and offerings were received. After the service the youth fellowship ate lunch together before spending the afternoon at the water park where everyone had a ball splashing about and going down the slides.
One of the highlights of David’s week is the worship practice on Tuesday evenings. Eight new people have joined the worship group and a youth choir is also being developed that will take part in the Easter Sunday service next month. It is exciting to watch individuals blossoming in front of our eyes and using their God given gifts and abilities. Volunteers are also undergoing training to take Sunday school and we are grateful to Nita and Leakhena who are heading up this vital ministry for the children of the church.
School was back in session this week with Khmer lessons for us and English lessons for the staff in Be Free. The girls are split into two groups based on their ability and they are a delight to teach. At one point I did draft in Dany, our Khmer teacher, to explain vowels and consonants. There are many sounds in the Khmer alphabet which we struggle with and it is the same with English, vowel being a word that is hard for the Cambodians to pronounce!
This week I have received many emails from churches and individuals who are selling or have received Be Free crafts. I take great joy in reading all of the messages to the girls who are really encouraged and happy that people are supporting them and loving what they enjoy creating! From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for your love, prayers and support of the Be Free Training Program, you are making a difference to the lives of each of the girls.
David and the guys have been busy this week assisting the contractor who is preparing the ground at the rear of our building for a playground for the Early Learning Centre children and a moto park. We have enjoyed seeing the progress and yesterday a truck arrived with what seems to be a huge delivery of cement bags which will be made up and laid on Monday. We are thankful to the team from Guernsey which will come out in August who have taken on this project which will bring so much joy to the children and staff of the Early Learning Centre.
We do value your prayers for the staff and children to have good health as there has been a lot of sickness in the past week; also the temperature is so hot that our energy is being zapped. In closing we want to wish David’s brother Philip a very Happy Birthday for Sunday, it will be down to Alex, Christopher and Eve to spoil you as Kara will also need to be pampered with it being Mother’s Day. We also send big hugs to our wonderful Mums who are always in our thoughts and prayers but we will be especially thinking about you tomorrow. We love you, miss you and thank God for you! We know Mothering Sunday is not a joyous occasion for many people for a variety of reasons and it is our prayer that you will know God’s love, peace and strength every moment of the day.
Our latest news and prayer letter is available and if you are interested in receiving a copy drop us an email at: davyandesther@gmail.com and we will send it to you. Have a blessed week, love and prayers from all of us here at Elim Missions Cambodia!