by Leng Thy, CHAD staff
Enjoying a healthy life, where family members live in harmony, parents enjoy bountiful harvest from their farms, children have three meals a day with nutritious food, and families willingly help their neighbors, is one of the things the CHAD program wishes to see in the villages where the Methodist churches are situated. Such an ideal picture of a healthy family can now be seen in the life of one of the members of the irrigation crop production group in a village called Phum Phnao in the Svay Rieng district.
In a wooden nice house with a clean, fairly large backyard, located approximately 500 meters behind the church, lives a four-member family: husband, wife and two children. The sizeable yard provides enough space for the family to grow fruit trees, cultivate a vegetable garden, manage fish in a pond, and raise its own animals (such as cows, pigs, ducks and chickens), thus enabling this industrious family to survive easily. It is no surprise that most of the people in their village recognize them as model farmers.
Mrs. Sam Ang, 51-years-old and the farm’s owner, reported that she and her 59-year-old husband, Mr. Em Sakhorn, have six children, of which four have already married. There are only two children remaining in her care. In retrospect, Sam Ang sadly recalls her family story. She said that before she came to know and believe in Christ she was so poor. She worked so hard that she had little time to be with her children, to give them proper care, except at nighttime when they were already asleep. During the daytime, Mrs. Sam Ang had to walk the whole day long selling noodles, in order to earn money to support her family. Since her children were very much part of running this small family business, it came to a point that all her children stopped going to school. She also tearfully told about living in a dilapidated house that was ready to collapse. She felt feel isolated and hopeless. Nobody in the village gave her any support or comforted her when she was in trouble with sickness or with no food to eat.
In 1998, she and all her family members accepted God, and since then their living conditions have improved gradually. She firmly and faithfully states that God supplies her everything she needs, like the ability to send her children to school and the resources to rebuild her house, which she accomplished in 2004. In church she has many beloved friends and is not lonely, as she was before. She was included in an irrigation crop production group, in which she was given the priority to receive the pump machine first. Having a pump machine provides her family an opportunity to cultivate a vegetable garden, from which she earns enough to support their daily needs. The garden also provides some extra resources to help her needy neighbors who come for help.
Full of compassion and kindness, she visits her neighbors and other sick people. She divides her life among her family, church, and work. She also finds time for self development, through attending training and workshops sponsored by NGOs or the government. Attending these trainings, she gaines experience that is helpful in making her farm very successful. Not wanting to keep the blessing just for themselves, Mrs. Sam Ang and her husband are eager in sharing their knowledge when meeting people at her church. She also said that because of God her life is really full of joy, since He takes care of her farm. That’s why it becomes so fruitful, enabling her family to have three meals a day, good clothes, and a nice house. She says, “I am now satisfied with everything God provides for my family; praise God for helping me.”
Monday, July 19, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
A farm-equipment sharing business in Solong Kandal
by Adam Jenkins, Individual Volunteer in Mission
A group in Solong Kandal wished to develop a small business plowing the fields utilizing a CHAD gift-loan to purchase a hand tractor. The hand tractor is easily hooked up to a plow or a cart for working the fields and transporting harvest or various other items. The first estimate of the cost of a machine and a cart was in the $2000 range, and the money they had collected as a group was roughly $245. Because CHAD only allows gift-loans of up to $1000, this meant that the group would need to find another way to obtain the remaining funds needed, such as to take another loan from a micro-finance institution or bank. Moreover, they didn't have a good understanding of whether their estimated income would be sufficient to pay off the machine.
Things were not looking good for this group. However, after hearing the initial proposal, we headed up to the church again for a second time in order to further examine the situation. We asked them questions pertaining to the structure of the business they intended to start. We told them that before making such investments it was important to study the environment in which the business would begin.
We also spoke of how competition affected pricing. I reminded the group of characteristics they could promote, such as quality of service, etc. This could give them advantages over the competition.
However, at the end of our long discussions, the numbers were still looking grim and there was much anxiety among the group members over the prospect of taking a loan from the bank, although the church owns a small rice paddy field that could be used as collateral. We told them that the CHAD program was adamant in keeping within its limits and in supporting groups to mobilize local resources for large projects like this one.
Later, the group called us back for another meeting, in which they shared with us some great news. They had reduced the start-up cost by nearly $500 by finding a shop with the best price and by themselves rebuilding a buffalo cart to be used by the new machine, rather than buying one. All that was required was $1765, $245 of which they had already collected. Moreover, they were going to borrow the remanding $520 from relatives, which they could pay back without interest. This was great news, because if they found their business in a rough patch, the bank could have potentially seized the church's small paddy field that they purchased last year with the harvest offering.
One great thing about paying off the CHAD gift-loan was that it would go into a savings pool to be returned to the group to start another development project. The group members were eager to take advantage of this aspect of the program and proceed with other projects, such as raising chickens.
After approval by the Social Concerns Committee of the Methodist Mission in Cambodia, their money was secured. Next would come the work of hammering out the by-laws. We wanted the group to be clear about the use of the money and also to develop a sense of unity, trust, and companionship as they took on a project providing a valuable service to the community.
May God allow it, I hope to one day return and see that the members of Salong Kendal have earned great success and are continuing on to further and extraordinary things.
Adam Jenkins
CHAD intern
A group in Solong Kandal wished to develop a small business plowing the fields utilizing a CHAD gift-loan to purchase a hand tractor. The hand tractor is easily hooked up to a plow or a cart for working the fields and transporting harvest or various other items. The first estimate of the cost of a machine and a cart was in the $2000 range, and the money they had collected as a group was roughly $245. Because CHAD only allows gift-loans of up to $1000, this meant that the group would need to find another way to obtain the remaining funds needed, such as to take another loan from a micro-finance institution or bank. Moreover, they didn't have a good understanding of whether their estimated income would be sufficient to pay off the machine.
Things were not looking good for this group. However, after hearing the initial proposal, we headed up to the church again for a second time in order to further examine the situation. We asked them questions pertaining to the structure of the business they intended to start. We told them that before making such investments it was important to study the environment in which the business would begin.
- This included the number of machines in the local area that also plowed fields for a fee.
- What prices were those machines charging?
- How much land did the group members themselves have that needed to be plowed?
- How many times a year did plowing occur? (Two times in this area, it turned out, because they farm near the river during the dry season.)
- How much land belonging to others would likely use the service of the group's new hand tractor?
- What other kinds of income-generating activities could they do with the hand tractor?
We also spoke of how competition affected pricing. I reminded the group of characteristics they could promote, such as quality of service, etc. This could give them advantages over the competition.
However, at the end of our long discussions, the numbers were still looking grim and there was much anxiety among the group members over the prospect of taking a loan from the bank, although the church owns a small rice paddy field that could be used as collateral. We told them that the CHAD program was adamant in keeping within its limits and in supporting groups to mobilize local resources for large projects like this one.
Later, the group called us back for another meeting, in which they shared with us some great news. They had reduced the start-up cost by nearly $500 by finding a shop with the best price and by themselves rebuilding a buffalo cart to be used by the new machine, rather than buying one. All that was required was $1765, $245 of which they had already collected. Moreover, they were going to borrow the remanding $520 from relatives, which they could pay back without interest. This was great news, because if they found their business in a rough patch, the bank could have potentially seized the church's small paddy field that they purchased last year with the harvest offering.
One great thing about paying off the CHAD gift-loan was that it would go into a savings pool to be returned to the group to start another development project. The group members were eager to take advantage of this aspect of the program and proceed with other projects, such as raising chickens.
After approval by the Social Concerns Committee of the Methodist Mission in Cambodia, their money was secured. Next would come the work of hammering out the by-laws. We wanted the group to be clear about the use of the money and also to develop a sense of unity, trust, and companionship as they took on a project providing a valuable service to the community.
May God allow it, I hope to one day return and see that the members of Salong Kendal have earned great success and are continuing on to further and extraordinary things.
Adam Jenkins
CHAD intern
Reflections from summer intern Adam Jenkins
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
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
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
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