My team and I are currently in a small village about 2 hours outside of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We have been here since Friday, January 4. We are living with our contacts, Umong, who is 28, and his amazing wife, Nary, who is 24, in their newly constructed home, which sits high above the surrounding sugarcane fields.
Shortly after arriving and settling in last Friday, we met as a team to pray over our month and ministry. We got words like:
- Seek peace
- Love your neighbor as yourself
- Proverbs 31:25 "She laughs without fear at the future"
- The harvest is great, the workers are few
- Freedom
- Harvest time
- Breakthrough is about to happen
- We are positioned above the fields in this house which gives us a vantage point – we can see where God is moving
- Be intentional
- Stick to simple truths, be innocent, and uncomplicated – the Gospel is simple Truth
- Jesus wants to romance each of us through the love we show one another
- Sisterhood
- Walk in the freedom of who he's created you to be – your life is NOT in who your friends are but who you are in God
- We can't escape each other
- Have peace with the simple things – be it a smile or a display of love
- See God in new ways this month – through nature for example
- Savor every moment
Then we prayed specifically for Umong, Nary and their ministry:
- Expansion of territory
- Small tree that is budding
- "Press on, it won't be long!"
- Breakthrough is on the verge
- Savor each moment
- Lasting impact
- He sees your sacrifice, your daily choices matter
- Friends are coming
- The time is coming
Umong and Nary are the only two Christians in a primarily Buddhist village. Umong was saved a number of years ago through English classes, much like what they now offer. Because Umong found Jesus through English classes, his heart is burdened for the young people in his village. Umong's desire to reach kids in this village in a similar manner teaching English gives them the opportunity to demonstrate the love of Jesus and speak his truths. Entire families will come to know the Lord; in the process, Umong is raising up a new generation!
This month our ministry involves teaching 6 English classes each day, with ages ranging from 5 to 20. However, we are doing way more than simply teaching English to a bunch of rambunctious Cambodian children – we are sharing the love of Christ to kids that may not experience love at home or in any other place.
While we may not be "preaching" the Gospel during classes, we believe that our presence is making a difference and seeds are being planted within each child's heart – the Lord is faithful enough to water those seeds.
It's extremely unusual if one of the kids isn't hanging around the house during the day – the house is known as "The House of Jesus" around town! I'm sure half the reason why the kids are drawn to the house is because we're white foreigners, while the other factor is that these kids feel LOVED here, they feel noticed, and accepted. This house is also filled with peace, lightness, and opportunity!
This is Pauleong – he showed up bright and early one morning and joined me and Elizabeth for our morning prayer!
Since arriving, we have already begun to see Umong's territory expanding – several teenagers inquired about attending English classes! Word has spread like wildfire that 7 Americans are staying at the "house of Jesus" teaching English!
A new generation is arising and will greatly impact the future of Cambodia for the better – a country that was recently devastated during the Khmer Rouge Regime when Pol Pot assassinated nearly 1/3 of the population!
"Hear this, you leaders of the people.
Listen, all who live in the land.
In all your history, has anything like this happened before?
Tell your children about it in the years to come,
And let your children tell their children.
Pass the story down from generation to generation."
Joel 1:2-3
Please keep Umong and Nary in your prayers- they began their ministry only two months ago and are already being stretched thin. Please pray for the following:
- Supernatural strength and energy
- Clear vision and direction
- Community with other believers
- Revival
- Financial support
