Stafford Elim Team

As we mentioned in last week’s blog entry we were on our way to the airport to meet the short term mission team from Stafford Elim.  Led by Katrina, the team all arrived safely, with no problems enroute and looked refreshed following their lengthy travel.  Ian and Katrina were last in Cambodia three years ago so will notice many changes and like any first time visitor the rest of the team were captivated by the traffic and the sights they took in on the way to their hotel.

After settling in to their accommodation and a bite of lunch, the team came to our house for a reunion with Sokim and Nita and for an introduction to Sarak and Sophea.  We discussed the itinerary for the next two weeks and chatted about Cambodian culture.

On Sunday morning Katrina introduced the team members to the church and we were blessed through the message Ian delivered to us.  Each Sunday we have been memorising a scripture verse and we have been encouraged by the response and number of people who are taking part.  We now have learnt four verses and next week there will be special prizes for those who can recite all of them.

Katrina introducing the team

Ian bringing the messsage

In the afternoon we took the team for a tuk tuk tour of the city pointing out places of interest and then they had a stroll along the riverside.  In all our time here I have never seen so much traffic or people at the riverside before and thought something must be happening but wasn’t aware of any specific festivals.  Turns out it was to celebrate International Yoga Day and a couple of hundred people in green t-shirts with their yoga mats were in front of the Royal Palace.

On Monday morning the team visited Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Field at Choeung Ek.  While it is not a pleasant activity we believe it is important for people to understand what the Cambodian people endured and how the psychological scars remain for survivors and their families.  It was harrowing for the team and we spent some time afterwards sharing about how they felt and praying for the Khmer people.  The team was then given an official tour of our centre and was introduced to all the staff; and the girls in Be Free.

The main project which the team raised funds for is related to our Happy Kids Club 2.  This is taking place at Sokhom’s family home in Kandal province and the team visited there for an overnight stay on Tuesday.  They enjoyed travelling there and especially going across the river on the ferry.  They worked along with the builders concreting in the floor area where the children will meet.  Sokhom and her Mum prepared delicious Khmer food for the team and one of the ladies have said the curry was the nicest meal she has tasted during her time here!  Sokhom’s Mum and a neighbor accommodated the team and we appreciate their hospitality and kindness.  When the work was completed the team visited the local primary school and met the principal.  He is so amazed and thankful that people have come to his community who want to help and make a difference; so much so that he has closed the school next Tuesday so all 320 children can attend Happy Kids Club!  After much discussion we know we can’t accommodate that number plus the village children at the home of Sokhom’s mum so we are planning to do two kids clubs.  In the morning we will hold the first Happy Kids Club in the community and after lunch the team will go to the school and we will do the same program but in a bigger scale.  We have recruited additional volunteers, Be Free is closing and we are all going with the team to help out.  We are all really excited about Happy Kids Club 2 and appreciate your prayers for safety as we travel and that both outreach events will run smoothly and everyone will have an amazing time.

Preparing the ground at HKC2

Meeting the children and principal of the school

The team has spent the last two days taking devotions in Be Free in the morning and then painting at the centre.  The church is looking clean and fresh and the two floors of the Early Learning Centre are also having a makeover.  We are really appreciative of all the hard work the team are doing, carrying out tasks that we aren’t able to get round to but desperately need done.  On Friday afternoon we held our staff church service in which Katrina shared an encouraging message and in the evening Brenda shared in our prayer meeting.  Brenda started by saying how she wanted to bring a message to encourage and bless everyone but on Sunday at church she was so encouraged and blessed during the time of praise and worship.  The team then spent time praying for those with specific needs; and then the Khmer gathered round the team praying for them.

Painting the church

Staff church

Channak grateful for a new sewing machine provided for by the team

Today the team will paint the remainder of the Early Learning Centre and the children and staff will return on Monday to nice, fresh rooms.  One of the team members has brought artwork which we will frame and hang on the walls to finish it off.

On behalf of everyone here we want to express our sincere thanks to anyone connected with the Stafford team enabling them to come to Cambodia.  Thank you for attending their fundraisers, giving resources which they brought with them and praying for them.  You may not be here in body but you are a part of the amazing work they are carrying out.  Next week we will ask the team if they want to share some of their thoughts on the blog from their time here in Cambodia.  This past week has gone in so quickly but they have accomplished so much and have worked so hard!  Keep them in your prayers, some of them have Cambodian tummy and we would value your prayers for health and strength for the remainder of their time here.

In closing today we would like to officially congratulate our very first friend whom we met one week after arriving in Cambodia over four years ago.  Regular readers of our blog will have heard us mention our NZ friend Julie many times and we are so blessed and thankful to have her in our life.  This week Julie and Geoff got engaged and we are over the moon for the both of them. We are delighted to see a couple that without doubt God has brought together and we wish you every happiness and pray God’s richest blessings over you both in your future lives together as husband and wife!

The Happy Couple!

Back in the fold!

As you read today’s blog Esther and I will be at the airport picking up our latest short term missions team to visit Cambodia. The team is from Stafford Elim and is led by Pastors Ian and Katrina Dunphy, we have known and been connected to Stafford Elim long before our journey into missions happened. The reason for this is that we have had a long friendship with our former Pastor Bill Crawford and His lovely wife Maureen. Bill and Maureen moved to Stafford when they retired from Bangor; and Esther and I have regularly stayed with them in their house in Hixon. Please pray for the team as they come out that God will set their hearts on fire for missions, that they will give out every ounce of love they can through their actions as they serve alongside us. But also please keep praying for Pastor Bill that God will touch and heal him and that both Bill and Maureen will have a complete peace within this situation.

Over the past week we have seen a number of changes within Be Free, so far the program has been a complete success and we have heard great things about how our graduates are doing in their new jobs.  Sometimes things happen that we don’t see coming, but we understand that due to the nature of the program and the fact that these young ladies are severely traumatised; sometimes girls will leave the program. When we came back from the UK two girls decided they wanted to leave, we prayed about them and for them. We always said the door would remain open just like the father always watched for the younger son to return and praise God on Tuesday our prayers were answered. Both girls returned stating that they had realised that this is where they wanted and needed to be. It’s so much easier to help someone when they realise they need the help, we are so excited to see the Holy Spirit move in their lives!

Back in the fold

Recently we told you about getting our church registration and how so many doors would open up for us.  This week has been significant because we put a sign on our gate stating who we are, what we are and when we meet with an invite to all to attend. Many people have said to us already they didn’t know we were a church.  How could they, we couldn’t advertise but now we can and it is so exciting and will be interesting to see how many new people turn up over the next months!

We have a sign!

In closing today we want to send our heartfelt condolences to Davy and Karen Rogan at the loss of their mother this week. We ask you to join with us praying for their Father as he faces very hard days ahead, for Davy, Karen, Angela and the boys that God will give them a peace that passes all understanding. Davy and Angela are two of the strongest Christians we know, they live every day in complete trust, with faith in God’s provision and help for the journey they are on, and they always do it with a smile. A godly example to us all.

This incoming week our thoughts are also with our Dads as we will be especially thinking of them on Father’s Day and I want to wish our nephew Matthew a very Happy Birthday for tomorrow; and my mother in law June for Tuesday.  At times like this we miss being with our family but know you’re always in our thoughts and prayers.

Don’t face it alone

Our week started with a Sunday service in which Pastor Chamnap delivered a  powerful message that was spirit led and fully anointed.  We finished our series on the Armour of God and for the next few Sundays the theme is battles.  Chamnap was speaking on the passage found in Exodus 17 about the Amalekites being defeated.  Before he started his message or even told us what Bible reference he was using, Chamnap asked us all to put up our hands.  Straight up he kept telling us, if any of us lowered one or both arm he would say ‘keep it up’.  That was for only about five minutes and we struggled.  Then Chamnap read the passage with his message particularly focusing on these verses,

As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.   When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it.  Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset.  So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

Chamnap encouraged us that when we go through battles, don’t face it alone.  There are times when we need each other.  Jesus needs to be in the centre of it all for the battle belongs to the Lord, and He has given us each other to hold each other up.  Chamnap shared from his own experience last year of feeling so weary, he chatted to David and agreed to take a break from preaching, leading the service, elders meetings; a complete rest was required.  He is thankful David and Sarak were there to come along side and help him.  God has given us each other to encourage, support and lift one another up.

Simple exercise but will make the message stick with us

Following the message there was a time of ministry where individuals were prayed for, the sense of God’s presence was tangible and lives were touched.

This week David, Chamnap, Dren, Joseph and Rith visited Sokhom’s village to view the renovations that are being carried out before Happy Kids Club 2 can be launched.  They were delighted with the progress the builder has made and Sokhom’s Mum gave a tour of the new kitchen and bathroom and is overjoyed with the improvements to her home.  In less than two weeks the team from Stafford will have an overnight stay in the village where they will be laying the concrete and also have opportunity to meet the community and invite the children to a party the following week to officially commence Happy Kids Club 2.  We appreciate the three host families who are opening up their homes to accommodate the team and especially thankful to Sokhom’s family for allowing us to use their home each week.  Please pray for this community that their hearts will be open to receive the good news that Sokhom and Rith will share with them.

Area for HKC 2

Sokhom’s Mum happy with progress

Wall to keep area from flooding

New bathroom

Believe it or not in the Be Free craft room production for Christmas is well under way.  I know a lot of you don’t like the ‘C’ word to be used until December but the girls want to be prepared with a good supply of stock and not be ‘snowed under’ or fail to fulfill orders.  If you would be interested in placing an order whether for your church, organisation, workplace, friends or family; please send me an email at: befreecambodia@gmail.com and I will send you an order form.  The girls are really enjoying making this year’s Christmas decorations and we know you will love them!

Christmas decorations

Christmas cards

This week our newsletter and a newsletter for Be Free have been created, if you are interested in receiving a copy and would like added to our mailing list simply send us an email: davyandesther@gmail.com

In closing we want to wish our niece Eve and my brother Dave a very Happy Birthday for this week; we will be thinking of you both and send all our love your way!

Have a blessed weekend everyone x

Birthdays, Farewells and more Cake

I would like to start this blog post by saying a massive thank you to everyone who sent birthday wishes to me this week. I turned 45 on Tuesday and as usual Esther and all our wonderful staff spoilt me rotten. There was a number of other birthdays over the last week with 5 of our staff celebrating so a big happy birthday to Srey Mao, Srey Mom, Channak, Sunny and Sophea. So as you may guess lots of cake was eaten!

This week’s birthday girls

How did they know it was my birthday?

Last Sunday was a sad day for us because as a church we said farewell to 2 special friends and members of our church community. Mark and Naomi McKnight have been beautiful people since the moment we met them, both completely represent Jesus in an amazing way. They ooze love, kindness and humility; nothing is too much for them and we are going to miss them. Mark has been a part of the Pastoral team since Christmas and has been such a blessing to us and the church as he brought God’s word; and Naomi was part of our Sunday School team.  Sadly Naomi was unwell on Sunday and unable to make it to church so Mark shared about their time in Cambodia and accepted our love, best wishes and prayers on behalf of both of them.

Farewell Mark and Naomi

The family connection is much bigger than this, I’m sure many of you will remember from our blogs a couple who helped a great deal in the early days. Their names are Barry and Rowena McKnight and they had served as missionaries in Thailand for 35 years before coming to Phnom Penh. While here they helped us develop the church and we are seeing the fruit of their labour now. After they left I hurt my back which required me to get physiotherapy; my physio turned out to be married to Mark, Barry and Rowena’s son. Mark and Naomi started to come to church and the rest is history. Sadly for us their journey in Cambodia has come to an end for the meantime but please pray for them as they settle back into the UK. We as a church pray God’s favour in their lives for their hearts desires and that one day they will return to minister to their Cambodian brothers and sisters!

I want to encourage you all as individuals and as churches to get behind Elim missions Be Church campaign during the month of June. All donations will go to planting churches throughout the world. Last week Esther wrote about us gaining our registration which now allows us to plant churches in Cambodia. Within the next year our plan is to plant a church in Sarak’s village as soon as possible, then another in Sunny’s village in November and in Sokhom’s village maybe around March 2016. To say we are excited is an understatement; nothing makes us happier than teaching about Jesus to those who have never heard before. But we are only one mission field, we know of many more within Elim that are going to plant churches in this next year, and you can be a big part of that.  We know that not everyone can go BUT you can give.  We need your help, in the month of June we urge you as an individual and as a church to invest into the vision of Elim International missions of planting 12 churches in 12 different countries. By giving your money and time to pray we can see God glorified as people who at the minute have never heard about Jesus turn to him in total submission. Let’s join together and BE what God has always wanted, let’s BE CHURCH. For more information and to make a donation visit the Elim International Missions website at www.elimmissions.co.uk