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
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
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."
Monday, December 22, 2008
Christmas Greetings from Irene
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Firstly, to thank you all for your prayers and messages of support. These have encouraged, inspired and motivated us and we continue with our progress.
Two new missionaries joined the Community Health and Agriculture Development (CHAD) team and what a difference this is making. Jim Gulley is continuing to provide back up support. His expertise and wisdom are much appreciated.
Secondly, on a very personal note, reflecting that this time last year I went to Zambia to nurse my daughter-in-law Jessica. God blessed our time together but He took her home on December the 28th. My grandson, Mutumwa came back with me to Cambodia. At 4 years old, Mutumwa is my pride and joy, full of delightful mischief and has many words of wisdom for "Gogo". My son, Tichafara is currently visiting us and for me now the challenge would appear how best at my age to play mother to “my two boys.”
Rev Bonny
I have to share with you about Rev Bonny, a remarkable woman whose dream is to see Cambodia become a nation of Christians. Hired by the UNDP in1992, to do community development in Battambag Province villages, she came to understand that God had something even more important for her and resigned to go to bible school.
Rev Bonny was appointed a District Superintendent (MMC) in 2005 for Battambag and is teaming with us in CHAD to develop in her pastors a holistic ministry. She is intensifying efforts to help the sick –building relationships with service providers. What leverage this to the poor who need health care and it will help us to get more work accomplished!
New Director
Our new country director, Rev Dr. Romeo del Rosario (Romy) from the Philippines arrived in August – thanks to GBGM, New York. Romybrings a wealth of experience to the Methodist Mission in Cambodia. His humility, love for the common people and sense of humour are like shining beams of light. In him we have a role model and mentor.
Wells of Living WaterIt was providential that several opportunities for refreshment and renewal came to me in the later half of the year. Leadership Training at Haggai Institute, a missionary retreat in Kompong Som, the regional meeting for SE Asia and Pacific and the visits by Richard Bishop, Edith Gleaves and Jungrea and Rachel from GBGM, New York all helped to rekindle my spirit and renew commitment.
Time to talk Health CareKen Cruz, a missionary from the Philippines, has taken over responsibility for community development and Katherine Parker, a missionary from the US is now responsible for agric development and financial administration.
I am free, at long last, to concentrate on the health care ministry – the joy of my life!
It has been great having Medical Teams from sister churches within the region- Singapore, Malaysia and Korea who have pioneered the work since the inception here. It is also gratifying that USA based UMVIM teams have joined in the work. The teams are helping us both to expand our ministries and to manage the demand for care.
We are currently working in Battambang orienting pastors to Development Theology and holistic ministry. At the same time we are preparing for a seminar for Good Samaritans next January-to provide a Biblical foundation for their work. I am thankful for Karen, a sister in Christ coming as Individual Volunteer from Western Pennsylvania to assist in my work.
We continue working in Kandal where we have completed training pastors for advocacy in healthcare and just started training Good Samaritans (Health Volunteers). We are busy with field visits to prepare ground work for Medical Teams from Louisiana and Rocky Mountain who will visit early next year. The teams will treat the sick and share the Good News with village communities in Kompong Chhnang and Kratie Districts. We are also building links with health departments; training translators, prayer warriors and various other volunteers in the provinces and churches that will host the teams. Altogether, we hope to follow up all the hospital referrals after the teams’ visits and assist people to follow through with treatments – how daunting!
Indeed the harvest is bountiful. Pray that the Lord of the harvest sends more labourers. Pray also that I may have wisdom to fulfill my family and work responsibilities; and for understanding and courage to tackle life’s intricacies.
Wishing you health, peace and joy at Christmas and throughout the coming New Year!
In Christ,
Irene
Firstly, to thank you all for your prayers and messages of support. These have encouraged, inspired and motivated us and we continue with our progress.
Two new missionaries joined the Community Health and Agriculture Development (CHAD) team and what a difference this is making. Jim Gulley is continuing to provide back up support. His expertise and wisdom are much appreciated.
Secondly, on a very personal note, reflecting that this time last year I went to Zambia to nurse my daughter-in-law Jessica. God blessed our time together but He took her home on December the 28th. My grandson, Mutumwa came back with me to Cambodia. At 4 years old, Mutumwa is my pride and joy, full of delightful mischief and has many words of wisdom for "Gogo". My son, Tichafara is currently visiting us and for me now the challenge would appear how best at my age to play mother to “my two boys.”
Rev Bonny
I have to share with you about Rev Bonny, a remarkable woman whose dream is to see Cambodia become a nation of Christians. Hired by the UNDP in1992, to do community development in Battambag Province villages, she came to understand that God had something even more important for her and resigned to go to bible school.
Rev Bonny was appointed a District Superintendent (MMC) in 2005 for Battambag and is teaming with us in CHAD to develop in her pastors a holistic ministry. She is intensifying efforts to help the sick –building relationships with service providers. What leverage this to the poor who need health care and it will help us to get more work accomplished!
New Director
Our new country director, Rev Dr. Romeo del Rosario (Romy) from the Philippines arrived in August – thanks to GBGM, New York. Romybrings a wealth of experience to the Methodist Mission in Cambodia. His humility, love for the common people and sense of humour are like shining beams of light. In him we have a role model and mentor.
Wells of Living WaterIt was providential that several opportunities for refreshment and renewal came to me in the later half of the year. Leadership Training at Haggai Institute, a missionary retreat in Kompong Som, the regional meeting for SE Asia and Pacific and the visits by Richard Bishop, Edith Gleaves and Jungrea and Rachel from GBGM, New York all helped to rekindle my spirit and renew commitment.
Time to talk Health CareKen Cruz, a missionary from the Philippines, has taken over responsibility for community development and Katherine Parker, a missionary from the US is now responsible for agric development and financial administration.
I am free, at long last, to concentrate on the health care ministry – the joy of my life!
It has been great having Medical Teams from sister churches within the region- Singapore, Malaysia and Korea who have pioneered the work since the inception here. It is also gratifying that USA based UMVIM teams have joined in the work. The teams are helping us both to expand our ministries and to manage the demand for care.
We are currently working in Battambang orienting pastors to Development Theology and holistic ministry. At the same time we are preparing for a seminar for Good Samaritans next January-to provide a Biblical foundation for their work. I am thankful for Karen, a sister in Christ coming as Individual Volunteer from Western Pennsylvania to assist in my work.
We continue working in Kandal where we have completed training pastors for advocacy in healthcare and just started training Good Samaritans (Health Volunteers). We are busy with field visits to prepare ground work for Medical Teams from Louisiana and Rocky Mountain who will visit early next year. The teams will treat the sick and share the Good News with village communities in Kompong Chhnang and Kratie Districts. We are also building links with health departments; training translators, prayer warriors and various other volunteers in the provinces and churches that will host the teams. Altogether, we hope to follow up all the hospital referrals after the teams’ visits and assist people to follow through with treatments – how daunting!
Indeed the harvest is bountiful. Pray that the Lord of the harvest sends more labourers. Pray also that I may have wisdom to fulfill my family and work responsibilities; and for understanding and courage to tackle life’s intricacies.
Wishing you health, peace and joy at Christmas and throughout the coming New Year!
In Christ,
Irene
Monday, October 20, 2008
A story of healing
by Katherine Parker and Irene Mparutsa
Pastor Kieu Sophal came by our office this morning to help with lesson planning for our health volunteer training workshop that starts tomorrow. I was just sitting at my computer as she told this story, so I am quickly typing it up to share with you.
A woman in Sophal’s district had been battered by her husband and received a back injury that caused her to be in bed unable to walk for about three weeks. Sophal, a new pastor since July, heard about this woman from one of her church members. But Sophal told us that she was worried and hesitant to visit the women: “I don’t have money, what could I offer to this woman.” Sophal doesn’t have a moto (motorcycle/scooter), but the church member took her to see the woman using her own moto.
Sophal told the battered woman, “I don’t have money to offer you, but I have God, and I would like to pray with you.” She came with three other church members and they all prayed for the women. The members reported a sense of the presence of God in that place. “Everyone in the room could sense the awesomeness of God in their hands and throughout their whole bodies.” The battered woman was very encouraged. The church member continues to visit with her and reported that within a week she was able to walk again. Everyone felt that the prayer meeting was a turning point in her recovery.
I wish I could convey to you the sense of gratitude and awe that Sophal brings when she tells this story.
Irene gives thanks to God for Sophal’s testimony… not only for the healing that took place but also for the attitude of the pastor. Many of the pastors in Cambodia feel discouraged because they feel like they don’t have money to offer to people. But Irene likes to remind me (and them) that Jesus sent us out to do ministry without taking anything with us… the people will take care of us or not… but we need to trust that God will be sufficient and provide what we need for the situation… we need to act first and trust that we will be able to find the resources we need for the situation, but if we just sit at home then there will be no way for God to act through us.
It reminds me of the song we used to sing at VBS: Silver and Gold have I none, but such as I have I give thee. Let’s start by giving people what we have. We have the love of God in Jesus Christ.
Irene says, “many times I don’t have money to help poor sick people, I can only give advice and prayer… but I just take the person to the hospital and sometimes we can find a doctor who can help us or another way becomes clear.” We can’t be paralyzed by our fears of what we don’t have. God asks us to just do what we can with what we have and the rest will come.
The song Silver and Gold (as I remember it)
Pastor Kieu Sophal came by our office this morning to help with lesson planning for our health volunteer training workshop that starts tomorrow. I was just sitting at my computer as she told this story, so I am quickly typing it up to share with you.
A woman in Sophal’s district had been battered by her husband and received a back injury that caused her to be in bed unable to walk for about three weeks. Sophal, a new pastor since July, heard about this woman from one of her church members. But Sophal told us that she was worried and hesitant to visit the women: “I don’t have money, what could I offer to this woman.” Sophal doesn’t have a moto (motorcycle/scooter), but the church member took her to see the woman using her own moto.
Sophal told the battered woman, “I don’t have money to offer you, but I have God, and I would like to pray with you.” She came with three other church members and they all prayed for the women. The members reported a sense of the presence of God in that place. “Everyone in the room could sense the awesomeness of God in their hands and throughout their whole bodies.” The battered woman was very encouraged. The church member continues to visit with her and reported that within a week she was able to walk again. Everyone felt that the prayer meeting was a turning point in her recovery.
I wish I could convey to you the sense of gratitude and awe that Sophal brings when she tells this story.
Irene gives thanks to God for Sophal’s testimony… not only for the healing that took place but also for the attitude of the pastor. Many of the pastors in Cambodia feel discouraged because they feel like they don’t have money to offer to people. But Irene likes to remind me (and them) that Jesus sent us out to do ministry without taking anything with us… the people will take care of us or not… but we need to trust that God will be sufficient and provide what we need for the situation… we need to act first and trust that we will be able to find the resources we need for the situation, but if we just sit at home then there will be no way for God to act through us.
It reminds me of the song we used to sing at VBS: Silver and Gold have I none, but such as I have I give thee. Let’s start by giving people what we have. We have the love of God in Jesus Christ.
Irene says, “many times I don’t have money to help poor sick people, I can only give advice and prayer… but I just take the person to the hospital and sometimes we can find a doctor who can help us or another way becomes clear.” We can’t be paralyzed by our fears of what we don’t have. God asks us to just do what we can with what we have and the rest will come.
The song Silver and Gold (as I remember it)
Peter and John went to pray, they met a poor man on the way. He asked for alms, and held out his palms and this is what Peter did say: Silver and Gold have I none, but such as I have I give thee, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk. He went walking and leaping and praising God, walking and leaping and praising God. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Story of O Kroch Church
by Leng Thy
O Kroch Methodist Church in Sala Visay Commune, Prasat Ballaink District, Kompong Thom Province is about 30 km from the town on the bumpy road to Preah Vihear. The church was established during 1996, with about 12 people, through the evangelism of a staff of World Vision, an international Christian organization that has been working in this area doing community development projects. Under the leadership of a local pastor called Kun Koun, in 2001, the church affiliated with Methodist Mission in Cambodia (MMC).
With the aim of responding to the physical needs of poor local congregations, the church partnered with CHAD program of MMC in 2005 to start a cow raising project by providing support in terms of finance and technical know-how on how to form groups, implement projects, and monitor activities. So far the results have been good, evidenced by the cooperation and willingness of members in working together. The group has started with 12 people and so far is making outstanding progress. The number of cows for instance has increased from 3 at the beginning to 9 at the moment with 3 new calves ready to be passed on to new recipients.
Pastor Kun Koun says that the experience he gained from the cow raising group provides a wider perspective on how to effectively reach out to community people. He said that the faithfulness, encouragement, submission, and support amongst members contributes to accountability and stewardship, resulting in a strong and healthy group. This healthy group environment has attracted new members from the neighborhood. The new members have helped the group to resolve the problem of passing-on the gift by exchanging the male calves for female. The Pastor also mentioned that in the village there are two cow raising groups; one was organized within the church congregation by CHAD program and another one by World Vision for poor people within the community. Amazingly according to him, while both cow raising groups started almost at the same time, the number of cows within the CHAD-church initiated group have multiplied more (3 to 9) than the number of cows (10 to 15) in the group established by World Vision. This significant difference in the outcomes has led villagers to question why the church cow raising project has produced more cows than the community cow raising project. The pastor, who is also the village leader acknowledged that group’s attitude and performance help not only to meet his congregation needs but also give him ways in which he can reach out to more people to understand about God and believe Him.
For example, Mrs. Sok Em, a group member who was not believer when she joined the church cow raising group became a very active member of the church through the day-to-day interaction of working together with Christians in the group. During household visits and group meetings conducted every three months, she encourages other members to take care of their cows and to be good stewards. Another example is Mrs. Peuo Earn who is also a village development committee (VDC) member of their village. She always shares with people during village meetings how church members care and support one another to create a united community. Likewise, the pastor firmly says that in reaching out to the community the acts of mercy carried out by church and group members has shown God’s love and have been more effective than evangelizing. This is proven by the increase in the number of church members from 35 to 42 people last year.
O Kroch Methodist Church in Sala Visay Commune, Prasat Ballaink District, Kompong Thom Province is about 30 km from the town on the bumpy road to Preah Vihear. The church was established during 1996, with about 12 people, through the evangelism of a staff of World Vision, an international Christian organization that has been working in this area doing community development projects. Under the leadership of a local pastor called Kun Koun, in 2001, the church affiliated with Methodist Mission in Cambodia (MMC).
With the aim of responding to the physical needs of poor local congregations, the church partnered with CHAD program of MMC in 2005 to start a cow raising project by providing support in terms of finance and technical know-how on how to form groups, implement projects, and monitor activities. So far the results have been good, evidenced by the cooperation and willingness of members in working together. The group has started with 12 people and so far is making outstanding progress. The number of cows for instance has increased from 3 at the beginning to 9 at the moment with 3 new calves ready to be passed on to new recipients.
Pastor Kun Koun says that the experience he gained from the cow raising group provides a wider perspective on how to effectively reach out to community people. He said that the faithfulness, encouragement, submission, and support amongst members contributes to accountability and stewardship, resulting in a strong and healthy group. This healthy group environment has attracted new members from the neighborhood. The new members have helped the group to resolve the problem of passing-on the gift by exchanging the male calves for female. The Pastor also mentioned that in the village there are two cow raising groups; one was organized within the church congregation by CHAD program and another one by World Vision for poor people within the community. Amazingly according to him, while both cow raising groups started almost at the same time, the number of cows within the CHAD-church initiated group have multiplied more (3 to 9) than the number of cows (10 to 15) in the group established by World Vision. This significant difference in the outcomes has led villagers to question why the church cow raising project has produced more cows than the community cow raising project. The pastor, who is also the village leader acknowledged that group’s attitude and performance help not only to meet his congregation needs but also give him ways in which he can reach out to more people to understand about God and believe Him.
For example, Mrs. Sok Em, a group member who was not believer when she joined the church cow raising group became a very active member of the church through the day-to-day interaction of working together with Christians in the group. During household visits and group meetings conducted every three months, she encourages other members to take care of their cows and to be good stewards. Another example is Mrs. Peuo Earn who is also a village development committee (VDC) member of their village. She always shares with people during village meetings how church members care and support one another to create a united community. Likewise, the pastor firmly says that in reaching out to the community the acts of mercy carried out by church and group members has shown God’s love and have been more effective than evangelizing. This is proven by the increase in the number of church members from 35 to 42 people last year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)