Today I am writing from the Vietnam airport as we make our way from Cambodia to Australia. The close of this month of ministry brought with it the completion of our mural project, a fantastic party, and many teary-eyed good byes on the day of our departure. But instead of going into those details I want to take a second to tell you more about our contact, pastor Virack…a small town pastor with Kingdom sized dreams and plans to change the world he’s living in.
The center we spent the month teaching English in was opened just two months ago by Virack and his family. He used to live in Pnom Penh and work in marketing making good money, but God had different plans. Since opening the tiny village center, attendance has grown to nearly 80 students, including a few orphans. Virack charges the students who can afford to pay just $1 per month, which is 1/3 to 1/4 the cost of attending the surrounding schools in the village. It’s difficult to keep teachers on staff with such low income, but he and his family pray and continue seeking the vision God has placed in his heart. One weekend we drove an hour with pastor Virack to visit the next village he has begun to make plans for a center in. He said most the children in that village can’t read or write English OR their native language. He’s already begun a small bible study group there, along with community outreach, and once the money comes in he’ll begin constructing his second educational center.
This was a challenging month in many aspects, but meeting and communing with people like pastor Virack has touched my heart and humbled me in a way few experiences in life can. He is reaching the forgotten, the lost, and those the rest of the world has passed over. He’s raising children in the love of Christ and equiping them to reach new heights that will benefit their families, their future, and the generations to come.
Please keep Virack, his family, and his ministry in your prayers; and thank you for providing me the opportunity to work with him, learn from him, and share his story.
