by Katherine Parker
Last time I was home in California, one of our partner churches in Bakersfield gave me two suitcases of health kits prepared by the VBS kids to bring back to Cambodia. During a recent visit to Kompong Chhnang for a Medical Outreach Clinic I shared the kits to Rev. Ean Hun and his wife Pastor Sophean. They were very pleased to receive them in support of the prison outreach ministry of the church in Kompong Chhnang. They shared a few stories with me about the significance of this ministry.
The prison in Kompong Chhnang has 280 men in terrible conditions. Rev. Hun said that the men have to sleep in 2 hour shifts because there is a shortage of beds, there is a lack of food resulting in swollen bellies and a prevalence of itchy skin rashes due to a lack of soap and hygiene supplies. Rev. Hun has been visiting the prisoners, and when available, bringing food (basically only men who have relatives who visit have food to eat), soap and detergent for washing clothes. He has been leading a bible study and recently distributed 12 bibles to men who had been participating.
He was very pleased to have the health kits sent from Bakersfield, and shared them with the men with whom he is working. We talked a bit about his hope to be able to provide soap, detergent (for washing clothes) and liniment oil to all of the men at another point in the future. He also hopes to establish a library of Khmer language literature for the men to use during their 1 hour of release each day.
Recently, one of the prisoners Rev Hun has been working with was released. Rev. Hun has invited him to stay at the church and to lead a nearby church group without a pastor.
This is a wonderful partnership that has come out of your generosity. I am so pleased that we could support the outreach of the Cambodian Christians in this prison ministry in this way.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
A new rice field at Solong Kandal Church
by Katherine Parker
Last Sunday I joined worship at Solong Kandal Church, and then we continued with the Mobilizing the Church study. I brought a local translator, Nara, with me. He was a good group leader and we had a very dynamic workshop, but a bad translator since he kept forgetting to keep me in the loop. So, I just had to struggle along with my own understanding for most of the day (luckily I basically knew what we were doing). The congregation at this church is really warm and welcoming, and I always feel like a member of the family when I visit. Here is a quick update about the status of their project development.
Last time I visited Solong Kandal (church of Pastor Sophean) we talked about the past outreach activities of the church and a bit about their future plans. Currently, they worship in the house of one of the members. It is a very simple house, the type that is often translated to be a cottage (meaning it has walls made from woven palm leaves, rather than bamboo slats or wood, but it did have a mettle roof which is nicer than thatch, but not as nice and hotter than tile). They are currently looking for a donor(s) that will support them to build a brick church (about $30,000). One of the church members has agreed already to donate the land.
The church members are very active and have done a lot of work to raise funds themselves for various things and are engaged in a lot of visitation ministry (to the poor, alcoholics, etc.). This time, we were talking about "outsiders", and how we can be more welcoming to folks different from us. It really struck me about how marginalized Christians are in Cambodia when I asked about visiting people with AIDS. They said that there are folks with AIDS in their community and that, yes, they have gone to visit them. I asked if they experienced that people sometimes look down on people with AIDS. They answered yes, but also that sometimes the people with AIDS looked down on the Christians. Wow!
They have also been collecting rice through their Sunday offering and also a first-fruits offering (this village grows 2 crops of rice a year since they are close to the river and it is easy for irrigation). Recently they sold most of their rice and bought a small paddy field (50m^2) for $580 that will be used to grow rice to raise additional money for the church. They hope eventually to have about 5 hectors of land to use for supporting the church, but they are starting small according to their ability to buy rather than waiting without action until a donor materializes. CHAD has really been promoting the concept of "seed projects", and it is amazing to see a church that is really putting it into practice.
They are asking CHAD to partner with them to purchase some farm equipment (such as a hand tractor or threshing machine) that they can rent out, also as a small business venture to raise funds for the church. Since this is a much more costly investment that CHAD usually engages in (about $3000), we are moving very slowly and making sure that everything is in place first. We are continuing with group formation through Mobilizing the Church and developing a clear plan so that we do not create a situation of dependency. I have high hopes for success because the pastor is a former business woman and they keep clear records already.
Last Sunday I joined worship at Solong Kandal Church, and then we continued with the Mobilizing the Church study. I brought a local translator, Nara, with me. He was a good group leader and we had a very dynamic workshop, but a bad translator since he kept forgetting to keep me in the loop. So, I just had to struggle along with my own understanding for most of the day (luckily I basically knew what we were doing). The congregation at this church is really warm and welcoming, and I always feel like a member of the family when I visit. Here is a quick update about the status of their project development.
Last time I visited Solong Kandal (church of Pastor Sophean) we talked about the past outreach activities of the church and a bit about their future plans. Currently, they worship in the house of one of the members. It is a very simple house, the type that is often translated to be a cottage (meaning it has walls made from woven palm leaves, rather than bamboo slats or wood, but it did have a mettle roof which is nicer than thatch, but not as nice and hotter than tile). They are currently looking for a donor(s) that will support them to build a brick church (about $30,000). One of the church members has agreed already to donate the land.
The church members are very active and have done a lot of work to raise funds themselves for various things and are engaged in a lot of visitation ministry (to the poor, alcoholics, etc.). This time, we were talking about "outsiders", and how we can be more welcoming to folks different from us. It really struck me about how marginalized Christians are in Cambodia when I asked about visiting people with AIDS. They said that there are folks with AIDS in their community and that, yes, they have gone to visit them. I asked if they experienced that people sometimes look down on people with AIDS. They answered yes, but also that sometimes the people with AIDS looked down on the Christians. Wow!
They have also been collecting rice through their Sunday offering and also a first-fruits offering (this village grows 2 crops of rice a year since they are close to the river and it is easy for irrigation). Recently they sold most of their rice and bought a small paddy field (50m^2) for $580 that will be used to grow rice to raise additional money for the church. They hope eventually to have about 5 hectors of land to use for supporting the church, but they are starting small according to their ability to buy rather than waiting without action until a donor materializes. CHAD has really been promoting the concept of "seed projects", and it is amazing to see a church that is really putting it into practice.
They are asking CHAD to partner with them to purchase some farm equipment (such as a hand tractor or threshing machine) that they can rent out, also as a small business venture to raise funds for the church. Since this is a much more costly investment that CHAD usually engages in (about $3000), we are moving very slowly and making sure that everything is in place first. We are continuing with group formation through Mobilizing the Church and developing a clear plan so that we do not create a situation of dependency. I have high hopes for success because the pastor is a former business woman and they keep clear records already.
A savings & credit group
On Saturday I visited the church of Lun Sokom, here is a quick update about the project at this church.
About a year ago they started a saving group in the church. The 20 members of the group (both Christians and non), each save 1000 reil ($.25) every month. They have also been giving out small loans of about $15-$25 to the members (repayable in 3 months). Three members took loans last year in order to buy feed to start raising chickens. They pay 3% interest. According to an earlier plan, they would start the savings group and after they demonstrated it's success, then CHAD would come in to provide additional capital (around $500), which would allow the group to give larger loans out to the members. I went to evaluate their progress and also to introduce the curriculum "Mobilizing the Church", which is a bible study designed to facilitate group formation.
The group has been functioning successfully so far. However, before we contribute to the capitol, they need to have the group by-laws in writing, so that there is a clear understanding about what will happen when folks enter or leave the group, etc. We also want to formalize their record keeping. Finally, the group suggested that they open an account with Acelde Bank since they will now have a larger sum of money that needs to be handeled. Step by step we can see progress.
About a year ago they started a saving group in the church. The 20 members of the group (both Christians and non), each save 1000 reil ($.25) every month. They have also been giving out small loans of about $15-$25 to the members (repayable in 3 months). Three members took loans last year in order to buy feed to start raising chickens. They pay 3% interest. According to an earlier plan, they would start the savings group and after they demonstrated it's success, then CHAD would come in to provide additional capital (around $500), which would allow the group to give larger loans out to the members. I went to evaluate their progress and also to introduce the curriculum "Mobilizing the Church", which is a bible study designed to facilitate group formation.
The group has been functioning successfully so far. However, before we contribute to the capitol, they need to have the group by-laws in writing, so that there is a clear understanding about what will happen when folks enter or leave the group, etc. We also want to formalize their record keeping. Finally, the group suggested that they open an account with Acelde Bank since they will now have a larger sum of money that needs to be handeled. Step by step we can see progress.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Reflections on my journey as a GBGM Missionary
by Ken Cruz
A year ago, as I was traveling from Cambodia to New York to attend my missionary orientation and training at Stony Point, I contemplated upon some of the ways in which I expected this training to impact my life and ministry. I joined GBGM not as your typical fresh-out-of-college rookie or a budding missionary eager to build a career in missions. I was already someone who has been in the mission field for a considerable time. Hence, I was not expecting to learn much, intending only to fulfill the formalities required to become a fully-commissioned GBGM missionary.
However, this all changed during the training itself, where I was confronted with some of the most provocative revelations about mission, which I have ever encountered. Most vividly etched in my memory was my encounter with the idea of “mutuality” in mission. This concept about missions seeks to encourage an approach of interdependence and covenantal relationships. Dr. Jacob Dharmaraj and his wife Glory capture this image in their words when they say that:
As a missionary from a Third World country I am honored to work with my brothers and sisters in the West and in Cambodia as we bring God’s transforming love to the people of Cambodia. By the grace of God, our partnerships with the ministry to the poor has enabled us to touch lives, heal the sick, feed the hungry and provide hope in many communities in Cambodia where the Methodist congregations are present.
I am truly grateful to be your hands and feet in God’s vineyard!
A year ago, as I was traveling from Cambodia to New York to attend my missionary orientation and training at Stony Point, I contemplated upon some of the ways in which I expected this training to impact my life and ministry. I joined GBGM not as your typical fresh-out-of-college rookie or a budding missionary eager to build a career in missions. I was already someone who has been in the mission field for a considerable time. Hence, I was not expecting to learn much, intending only to fulfill the formalities required to become a fully-commissioned GBGM missionary.
However, this all changed during the training itself, where I was confronted with some of the most provocative revelations about mission, which I have ever encountered. Most vividly etched in my memory was my encounter with the idea of “mutuality” in mission. This concept about missions seeks to encourage an approach of interdependence and covenantal relationships. Dr. Jacob Dharmaraj and his wife Glory capture this image in their words when they say that:
“Christian mission is a back-and-forth movement, between senders and receivers, older churches and younger ones, missionaries and believers, listeners and speakers. Mission is a dynamic interchange between giving and receiving, serving and being served, us and them.”
As a missionary from a Third World country I am honored to work with my brothers and sisters in the West and in Cambodia as we bring God’s transforming love to the people of Cambodia. By the grace of God, our partnerships with the ministry to the poor has enabled us to touch lives, heal the sick, feed the hungry and provide hope in many communities in Cambodia where the Methodist congregations are present.
I am truly grateful to be your hands and feet in God’s vineyard!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Ken's reflection on the inauguration of the 44th president of the USA
Just like Obama, God promises hope. And that is what everyone is waiting for, hope. Even though they announced the time of the inauguration would be noon, the people came early and were waiting urgently. People were willing to sacrifice; they were coming from miles and miles.
If we only had that urgency of waiting for the 2nd coming of Christ, this world would be a different place.
I just hope I can wake up each morning with that anticipation; I will be running and running.
-- Ken
If we only had that urgency of waiting for the 2nd coming of Christ, this world would be a different place.
I just hope I can wake up each morning with that anticipation; I will be running and running.
-- Ken
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A new school
Sam Oeurn, assistant pastor from Spien Church, stopped by our office today to share about his new business. He has just purchased a school he named LTS (Language and Technology School). He wanted to know if we would come and participate in the ceremony to welcome students for the new semester.
It was a novel request for me, but as Oeurn shared more about his vision for his church and for Cambodia it became clear. Oeurn's dream is three fold: 1) that folks will have the knowledge for a better life, 2) that folks will have the resources to accomplish their dreams, and 3) that the church will have good leadership.
It is big investment for Oeurn, a young man in his 30s, to buy and run this 10-teacher school with 250 students. (There have been 50 new students in the last month since he took over operations!) I know that he prayed a lot before taking this step. But I understand that his vision is big and that he doesn't see this as running just another school in Cambodia. He sees it as a way that he is living out his faith. We are all involved in building a better world (in religious terms: The Kingdom of God), and Oeurn sees his part in this as providing education for kids in his community.
I think it is exciting to see a young Cambodian take his faith seriously and listen to how it influences major life choices. And I applaud him for being able to articulate how this step is helping him to live an authentic life true to his vision and calling.
It was a novel request for me, but as Oeurn shared more about his vision for his church and for Cambodia it became clear. Oeurn's dream is three fold: 1) that folks will have the knowledge for a better life, 2) that folks will have the resources to accomplish their dreams, and 3) that the church will have good leadership.
It is big investment for Oeurn, a young man in his 30s, to buy and run this 10-teacher school with 250 students. (There have been 50 new students in the last month since he took over operations!) I know that he prayed a lot before taking this step. But I understand that his vision is big and that he doesn't see this as running just another school in Cambodia. He sees it as a way that he is living out his faith. We are all involved in building a better world (in religious terms: The Kingdom of God), and Oeurn sees his part in this as providing education for kids in his community.
I think it is exciting to see a young Cambodian take his faith seriously and listen to how it influences major life choices. And I applaud him for being able to articulate how this step is helping him to live an authentic life true to his vision and calling.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Service
Ken and Thy visited a church in Kompong Chhnang yesterday to disburse funds for a rice bank. The son of the pastor prepared the lunch meal for them. It was a wonderful and humbling experience for all. When Katherine and Thy visited last month, he was so sad and didn't engage, so it was exciting this visit to see him animated. The son is living with AIDS and lost his wife to the disease last year. Ken said, "It is very humbling; those who are supposed to be served are serving."
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