by Adam Jenkins, Individual Volunteer in Mission
During my stay in Cambodia working for the CHAD program of the Methodist Mission in Cambodia, I learned a great deal under the supervision of GBGM missionary Katherine Parker.
We went out to the field to monitor rice banks, cow and chicken raising, credit groups, and other development projects of this nature. Also, we did water-testing and leadership-building workshops with pastors and members of local church communities. These programs are designed to enable pastors and church members alike through the development of important critical thinking skills.
With the coming and going of the Pol Pot regime at the end of the 1970s, the educational system suffered a great blow, completely stripping Cambodia of its intellectual base. As a result, the social environment of Cambodia can be compared to that of the earlier years during which America was blossoming. While this means that poverty is rampant and creature comforts are sparse, it also means that there is great potential for growth.
While completing my internship, I had the opportunity to study the economy, as well as take in-depth looks into Hinduism and Buddhism. Stiff competition takes place in the markets, where price slashing is very common and bargaining for the lowest price is nothing out of the ordinary.
Hinduism is an old belief system, which still lingers in the predominantly Buddhist culture. These, as well as some folk religions, pervade the ethics in all aspects of life. The Buddhist teaching tells one to renounce material desires and focus on inner virtues, to be open and complacent to change for that is the way of life, and to treat all others as you yourself wish to be treated. The culture is rich and warm and anywhere I walked I rarely failed to catch a smile from the passers-by.
Folks back home were worried that I would be laden with the quality of living in a developing nation. While there were times when strain was definitely asserted, I told them, "Have no worries. I am learning so much here I don’t have time to concern myself with what I don’t have!" From here, I eagerly look foreword to returning home and completing my senior year at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. After this, I plan to attend Illiff seminary with thought s of environmental ethics in mind. Being in Cambodia has inspired me to continue my study into ecumenism, arguing for the consideration of concepts that I believe are widely taught, from Buddhism and Hinduism. I feel that the ancient wisdom of these traditions has been overlooked.
God’s Blessings,
Adam Jenkins
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Reflections on mission as transformation
by Ken CruzGBGM missionary from The Philippines serving with Community Health and Agricultural Development in Cambodia
As a missionary in a foreign land I always wonder how my life an ministry can communicate the gospel in such a way that people who live their lives in worlds far different from my own can understand and believe it. Bringing the message of the gospel that is appropriate to the local situation without losing its truth is perhaps the most challenging aspect of my work in community transformation.
As I continue to work with the CHAD program that aims to enhance local church empowerment through holistic ministry, I have increasingly noticed that effective communication of the gospel is a two-step process. Firstly, I must be aware of my own cultural context from which I understand and communicate the gospel. Secondly, I must gain an in-depth knowledge of the local culture specifically its underlying assumptions. This on-going learning process demands that a missionary, on outsider, and the local people, insiders, undergo a never-ending cycle of unlearning patterns of thinking that conform with the fallen systems of this world and learning a pattern of thinking that alligns with God's truth.
Only through this humbling process of unlearning and learning can a person truly understand how to communicate the gospel within the contexts of the local culture so that it is properly understood yet remains faithful to the truth as revealed in the Scripture. In my view, the primary task in mission is cultural transformation which means challenging people to forsake the mindsets that keep them in bondage and asking them to be renewed by a pattern of thinking that gives life and conform to the Kingdom of God.
This is why I believe that our work in church empowerment training for holistic ministry is transformative. Through this effort we encourage our local congregations to challenge their cultural assumptions while at the same helping them to see/appreciate the individual and collective resources they have around them. In this way, they can help their neighbors without relying too much on outside help.
Personal note from the field.
Grace & peace!
When our two sons (Kim & Kyle) left Cambodia to pursue university, we finally came face to face with what many have called the "empty nest" in their marriage life. But God is gracious in helping us cope with the changes so far. In face, this gives us time to reflect on how blessed we are to have been given the chance to be parents of our children. In the same way, this is also how we feel about our partnership. Always thankful and feeling blessed that you have given us the opportunity to journey with you in ushering the Kingdom of God amongst the people of Cambodia!
Shalome!
Your partners in Christ,
Ken, Jomil, Kim and Kyle Cruz
"You can count the number of seeds in a mango, but you can't count the number of mangoes in a seed" Kenyan Proverb
As a missionary in a foreign land I always wonder how my life an ministry can communicate the gospel in such a way that people who live their lives in worlds far different from my own can understand and believe it. Bringing the message of the gospel that is appropriate to the local situation without losing its truth is perhaps the most challenging aspect of my work in community transformation.
As I continue to work with the CHAD program that aims to enhance local church empowerment through holistic ministry, I have increasingly noticed that effective communication of the gospel is a two-step process. Firstly, I must be aware of my own cultural context from which I understand and communicate the gospel. Secondly, I must gain an in-depth knowledge of the local culture specifically its underlying assumptions. This on-going learning process demands that a missionary, on outsider, and the local people, insiders, undergo a never-ending cycle of unlearning patterns of thinking that conform with the fallen systems of this world and learning a pattern of thinking that alligns with God's truth.
Only through this humbling process of unlearning and learning can a person truly understand how to communicate the gospel within the contexts of the local culture so that it is properly understood yet remains faithful to the truth as revealed in the Scripture. In my view, the primary task in mission is cultural transformation which means challenging people to forsake the mindsets that keep them in bondage and asking them to be renewed by a pattern of thinking that gives life and conform to the Kingdom of God.
This is why I believe that our work in church empowerment training for holistic ministry is transformative. Through this effort we encourage our local congregations to challenge their cultural assumptions while at the same helping them to see/appreciate the individual and collective resources they have around them. In this way, they can help their neighbors without relying too much on outside help.
"For as man thinketh in his heart, so is he" Proverbs 23:7
Personal note from the field.
Grace & peace!
When our two sons (Kim & Kyle) left Cambodia to pursue university, we finally came face to face with what many have called the "empty nest" in their marriage life. But God is gracious in helping us cope with the changes so far. In face, this gives us time to reflect on how blessed we are to have been given the chance to be parents of our children. In the same way, this is also how we feel about our partnership. Always thankful and feeling blessed that you have given us the opportunity to journey with you in ushering the Kingdom of God amongst the people of Cambodia!
Shalome!
Your partners in Christ,
Ken, Jomil, Kim and Kyle Cruz
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Daneth's Story and Testimony
Asian Rural Institute
Nishinasuno, Japan
Testimony
June 27, 2010
My name is Daneth Him . . . from Cambodia. . . . My mom is a businesswoman in a small grocery store and my father was a policemen. I have four sisters and two brothers. I work with the United Methodist Church in Cambodia as secretary to the Women's Desk.
I decided to believe in Christ in 2000, without asking permission from my parents. . . . They were really angry with me, but they did not say anything. I kept going to church . . .
Sometimes they didn't know what I was doing. . . . One day they heard. . . . They decided to call me in for a talk . . . They asked me what I am going to do for this Sunday and I told them that I will go to the church.
When they heard the word "church," they were angry. My mom said to me, "I will not allow you to go anymore and if you continue to go, you have to get out from this house. You will not be my child anymore."
I did not answer anything, because I did not know what to do.
My father said, "If you believe in Christ, then let your Christ give you food; you don't need to eat my food anymore."
I never became angry with them. . . . I continued to go to the church . . . hiding it from them. . . . I just told them I was going to my friend’s house.
One day I told them the truth, that I kept going to church. This time they did not become angry. I wondered why?
. . . I realized that my actions were showing . . . I was really working hard in my studies and housework. . . . I also helped my mom with her business.
I really wanted my family to believe in Christ. . . . I started to tell them about Christ. They did not say anything, just let me talk. . . . I kept sharing the Gospel. . . . I asked them, "Why don't you believe in Christ?"
They said that they felt embarrassment with relatives and neighbors. All the people in our village know my parents very well and 99.7% of them are Buddhist . . .
The children in our family kept growing bigger and bigger and nobody would help the family to earn money. . . . My parents were very worried. . . . Even I did not have a job . . .
One day, I went to the airport to pick up our Methodist team from the United States. . . . I met a missionary from Kenya, sent by the General Board of Global Ministries in New York.
I tried to speak English with her, but my English was very poor. She asked me, "Did you study? What subject did you study? Do you have a job?" . . . She asked, "Do you want to work in the United Methodist Church?"
My answer was, "Yes!"
. . . At first . . . was a volunteer job, but I received the cost of transportation.
I asked my parents, "Please be patient. . . . I will find money to help our family."
In 2005, my dream came true. I was able to receive some allowance from the United Methodist Church. . . . I could support my family in a small way. I felt very happy. Outside of this work, I found a part time job on Saturday and Sunday. I worked as a translator and sometimes . . . marketing . . . I was able to send my younger sisters and brothers to study English and computers. My parents were very happy . . . Because of God's grace, I have been able to support my family; even though I am not with them. I work in Phnom Penh and they are in the countryside.
. . . My father borrowed money from the bank to take care of his illness. . . . We sold our land . . . Unfortunately, my father died after I started at the Asian Rural Institute in Japan on April 14, 2010.
Even though this problem happened in our family, I feel okay now, because my father decided to believe in Christ in December 2009 before he died. I was so happy, for he is living with our Lord Jesus Christ now.
Please continue to pray for our family, because most of them do not believe in Christ yet, and one of my brothers always brings problems to our house. Please also pray for my mother’s feelings. . . . She married when she was 22-years-old. She is now 63. It is a big loss for her.
May God bless you all.
Thank you so much for your time.
Prepared by Daneth Him
2010 Participant at Asian Rural Institute
Nishinasuno, Japan
Testimony
June 27, 2010
My name is Daneth Him . . . from Cambodia. . . . My mom is a businesswoman in a small grocery store and my father was a policemen. I have four sisters and two brothers. I work with the United Methodist Church in Cambodia as secretary to the Women's Desk.
I decided to believe in Christ in 2000, without asking permission from my parents. . . . They were really angry with me, but they did not say anything. I kept going to church . . .
Sometimes they didn't know what I was doing. . . . One day they heard. . . . They decided to call me in for a talk . . . They asked me what I am going to do for this Sunday and I told them that I will go to the church.
When they heard the word "church," they were angry. My mom said to me, "I will not allow you to go anymore and if you continue to go, you have to get out from this house. You will not be my child anymore."
I did not answer anything, because I did not know what to do.
My father said, "If you believe in Christ, then let your Christ give you food; you don't need to eat my food anymore."
I never became angry with them. . . . I continued to go to the church . . . hiding it from them. . . . I just told them I was going to my friend’s house.
One day I told them the truth, that I kept going to church. This time they did not become angry. I wondered why?
. . . I realized that my actions were showing . . . I was really working hard in my studies and housework. . . . I also helped my mom with her business.
I really wanted my family to believe in Christ. . . . I started to tell them about Christ. They did not say anything, just let me talk. . . . I kept sharing the Gospel. . . . I asked them, "Why don't you believe in Christ?"
They said that they felt embarrassment with relatives and neighbors. All the people in our village know my parents very well and 99.7% of them are Buddhist . . .
The children in our family kept growing bigger and bigger and nobody would help the family to earn money. . . . My parents were very worried. . . . Even I did not have a job . . .
One day, I went to the airport to pick up our Methodist team from the United States. . . . I met a missionary from Kenya, sent by the General Board of Global Ministries in New York.
I tried to speak English with her, but my English was very poor. She asked me, "Did you study? What subject did you study? Do you have a job?" . . . She asked, "Do you want to work in the United Methodist Church?"
My answer was, "Yes!"
. . . At first . . . was a volunteer job, but I received the cost of transportation.
I asked my parents, "Please be patient. . . . I will find money to help our family."
In 2005, my dream came true. I was able to receive some allowance from the United Methodist Church. . . . I could support my family in a small way. I felt very happy. Outside of this work, I found a part time job on Saturday and Sunday. I worked as a translator and sometimes . . . marketing . . . I was able to send my younger sisters and brothers to study English and computers. My parents were very happy . . . Because of God's grace, I have been able to support my family; even though I am not with them. I work in Phnom Penh and they are in the countryside.
. . . My father borrowed money from the bank to take care of his illness. . . . We sold our land . . . Unfortunately, my father died after I started at the Asian Rural Institute in Japan on April 14, 2010.
Even though this problem happened in our family, I feel okay now, because my father decided to believe in Christ in December 2009 before he died. I was so happy, for he is living with our Lord Jesus Christ now.
Please continue to pray for our family, because most of them do not believe in Christ yet, and one of my brothers always brings problems to our house. Please also pray for my mother’s feelings. . . . She married when she was 22-years-old. She is now 63. It is a big loss for her.
May God bless you all.
Thank you so much for your time.
Prepared by Daneth Him
2010 Participant at Asian Rural Institute
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Daneth's first week at the Asian Rural Institute, Japan
by Ms. Him Daneth
Daneth, part of the GBGM staff in Cambodia, is attending a nine-month training program at the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) in Japan. Here are some reflections from her first week at the program.
I would like to share what was happening, my feeling, and many activities…
Tomoko said that there are 17 countries for the 2010 participants. There are 16 male and 14 female.
The first session was an introduction about the Crop and vegetable session. It was talking about our farming situation back home. What we used to do and why we need to plant the vegetable and rice? Most of the participants answered, “Because we need to eat.” The end of the introduction was talking about the connection between every thing living on earth. Every thing on earth is connected; we have to know how they are connected. Good Sun asked, “What is the human need?” The participants answered that food and water sustain our life. “How can we have the food?” They said that we buy our plant and raise it. “How can we plant and raise the animal?” For example, the cow needs what? The cow needs the grass. “The grass needs what?” The grass needs the water. The human eats the cow and drinks the water, the cow needs the grass and the grass needs water and sun.
Tomoko san is the Associate Director. She is in ARI 15 years already. She shared about the Biography of ARI. The founder is Dr. Takami. Foundation and Spirit of ARI is very important for us to understand and helps you understand why you need to come here. She shared the key word of living in ARI. We share every thing with each other so that we may live together, it is the ARI motto. We also need to live and connect with nature.
Daneth, part of the GBGM staff in Cambodia, is attending a nine-month training program at the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) in Japan. Here are some reflections from her first week at the program.
I would like to share what was happening, my feeling, and many activities…
Tomoko said that there are 17 countries for the 2010 participants. There are 16 male and 14 female.
The first session was an introduction about the Crop and vegetable session. It was talking about our farming situation back home. What we used to do and why we need to plant the vegetable and rice? Most of the participants answered, “Because we need to eat.” The end of the introduction was talking about the connection between every thing living on earth. Every thing on earth is connected; we have to know how they are connected. Good Sun asked, “What is the human need?” The participants answered that food and water sustain our life. “How can we have the food?” They said that we buy our plant and raise it. “How can we plant and raise the animal?” For example, the cow needs what? The cow needs the grass. “The grass needs what?” The grass needs the water. The human eats the cow and drinks the water, the cow needs the grass and the grass needs water and sun.
Tomoko san is the Associate Director. She is in ARI 15 years already. She shared about the Biography of ARI. The founder is Dr. Takami. Foundation and Spirit of ARI is very important for us to understand and helps you understand why you need to come here. She shared the key word of living in ARI. We share every thing with each other so that we may live together, it is the ARI motto. We also need to live and connect with nature.
Food Life Work
The facilitator of the crop and vegetable told us that before we plant potatoes, we have to know where they come from. The potatoes come from South Africa. Teacher explains about how to cut potatoes. “Do we need to cut potato in two pieces or many pieces?” It is according to the eye of the potato. “Why we need to do like that?” because the potato can grow more and more.Community Life Policy
There are 3 main points: 1. Standard, 2. Guideline, and 3. Rule. It is talking about our living in ARI as the community. We come from different backgrounds so we need to understand one another. It is what we need to learn. How can we build the new community living if we do not understand each other? This community will be broken. We need to learn from one another as a person, work together, sleep together, eat together, and play together in order that we learn to help each other.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Hallelujah Moment from Cambodia "Answered Prayer"
Thank you to GBGM staff in New York for producing this wonderful Hallelujah Moment about the story of the girl with a heart condition in Kampong Chhnang. You can download the brochure or read the whole story from last August.
Every few months when I get to meet the girl, my heart sings praise at her improving condition. Her color and strength are improved and she is regularly participating with the congregation.
I am headed up to worship with the congregation again this Sunday. We are planning to do a hygiene outreach to kids in a neighboring village. We've been collecting supplies, such as nail clippers*, towels and lice shampoo that have donated by a variety of churches from the USA and Korea. The church members plan to teach hand-washing and treat kids who have head-lice. I'm going along to help test the water.
Please continue praying for Cambodia, the need is great, but so is the passion for Christ and the power of the small miracles happening all around us.
*when we took the health kits sent by Wesley UMC, Bakersfield to the prison ministry, we had to remove all of the nail clippers, so they are going to use now in this outreach.
Every few months when I get to meet the girl, my heart sings praise at her improving condition. Her color and strength are improved and she is regularly participating with the congregation.
I am headed up to worship with the congregation again this Sunday. We are planning to do a hygiene outreach to kids in a neighboring village. We've been collecting supplies, such as nail clippers*, towels and lice shampoo that have donated by a variety of churches from the USA and Korea. The church members plan to teach hand-washing and treat kids who have head-lice. I'm going along to help test the water.
Please continue praying for Cambodia, the need is great, but so is the passion for Christ and the power of the small miracles happening all around us.
*when we took the health kits sent by Wesley UMC, Bakersfield to the prison ministry, we had to remove all of the nail clippers, so they are going to use now in this outreach.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Practicing economic justice in Cambodia
While studying theology of development with pastors in Kampong Speu, we discussed some ways they are or could practice just economic relationships. Weddings are a major event in Cambodia. While wealthy people usually can come out ahead because the cash gifts are more than the expenses, this is not true for poor families who usually loose money putting on a wedding. Rev. Sopeng suggests that an act of economic justice is to make sure that we give an equal gift when we go to the wedding of a poor family as a rich family. This idea is counter to common practice in Cambodia, but which demonstrates this value.
Friday, April 30, 2010
From a California UMVIM visitor to the Methodist Mission in Cambodia
by Laddie Perez-Galang, Volunteer in Mission
I felt like I had been sent back in time, growing up 35-40 years ago in the Philippines ~ my innocence, my exploring, my finding and defining who I am.
Who is God? I cannot ever remember being asked that question or me asking that question. I am one of the fortunate ones, because I grew up and was nurtured in a community of faith. I would not know how it is like or how it feels to not know God. That is what I saw and experienced in Cambodia — the first generation who are just now hearing and learning about God. I saw in their eyes, in their body language, in their smiles, I heard in their voices ~ that there is God and they want to thank and praise Him! Wow! They are hungry, they are about to explode, and they are in ecstasy.
At the airport in Siem Reap, returning to Phnom Penh, I was wearing my UMC T-shirt with the UMC logo. One of the security guards said to me, “Christian in Cambodia, Praise God, and good luck!” He seemed so very happy and proud to see a Christian.
I was able to attend a worship service on my last day in Phnom Penh. It was in Khmer, but they translated some of it in English. The highlight of the service for me was the closing. After four choirs in a row—praise team, children, youth, chancel choir — we all gathered in a circle. What I was able to grasp was that there were three prayers for the church, the country, and the world. I had my eyes closed ~ then the pastor yelled something, then everyone yelled the same words and started talking out loud ~ I thought they were saying the Lord’s Prayer, so I started to say the Lord’s Prayer. I thought, that’s a long Lord’s Prayer, because I must have said it four to five times before they stopped. That experience reminded me of the Pentecost ~ everyone was talking in tongues! I asked afterwards what they were saying. My companion told me that the Pastor yelled “Praise God, Praise God” and everyone yelled the same thing after him. Then they all said the three prayers for the church, the country, and the world, then their own individual prayers.
I felt like I had been sent back in time, growing up 35-40 years ago in the Philippines ~ my innocence, my exploring, my finding and defining who I am.
Who is God? I cannot ever remember being asked that question or me asking that question. I am one of the fortunate ones, because I grew up and was nurtured in a community of faith. I would not know how it is like or how it feels to not know God. That is what I saw and experienced in Cambodia — the first generation who are just now hearing and learning about God. I saw in their eyes, in their body language, in their smiles, I heard in their voices ~ that there is God and they want to thank and praise Him! Wow! They are hungry, they are about to explode, and they are in ecstasy.
At the airport in Siem Reap, returning to Phnom Penh, I was wearing my UMC T-shirt with the UMC logo. One of the security guards said to me, “Christian in Cambodia, Praise God, and good luck!” He seemed so very happy and proud to see a Christian.
I was able to attend a worship service on my last day in Phnom Penh. It was in Khmer, but they translated some of it in English. The highlight of the service for me was the closing. After four choirs in a row—praise team, children, youth, chancel choir — we all gathered in a circle. What I was able to grasp was that there were three prayers for the church, the country, and the world. I had my eyes closed ~ then the pastor yelled something, then everyone yelled the same words and started talking out loud ~ I thought they were saying the Lord’s Prayer, so I started to say the Lord’s Prayer. I thought, that’s a long Lord’s Prayer, because I must have said it four to five times before they stopped. That experience reminded me of the Pentecost ~ everyone was talking in tongues! I asked afterwards what they were saying. My companion told me that the Pastor yelled “Praise God, Praise God” and everyone yelled the same thing after him. Then they all said the three prayers for the church, the country, and the world, then their own individual prayers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)