Last several weeks we were busy with moving into our new house, on top of our daily language training and other events. Preparing an old and empty house into a home for our family has been a challenge to say the least. Imagine getting furniture and appliances from 4 different expats leaving the country and bargaining to buy household items with our limited Khmer. It was another great learning experience to understand the life and culture here. But after living someone else's house for over 5 months (btw it served us great), it feels good to be settled into our own place. We believe God has provided this house for us. It's spacious and close to kids' school, our office and language school.
Another gift from God is a vehicle for our use for both in-city and out-of-city travel needs ('98 Honda CRV). It came in time for rainy season.
Language training continues with progress; we are at the mid point of 1 yr program. Kids are enjoying their summer school 1/2 day program. Ministry opportunities keep coming to our way. Although being still in observing/discerning stage, we slowly and carefully start being involved in a few things: Joyce helping out Women commission of Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia and a new Christian NGO called "Genesis Community of Transformation"; Gil regularly meeting with a few Cambodian leaders and leading devotions for EFC staff and commissions. We also started collaborating with CRWRC in training village leaders for spiritual and community development. We are excited about these opportunities and ask your prayer for continuous discernment and effectiveness.
My family has been attending a Cambodian church close to our house. Guess what's called? It's "Living Hope in Christ" Church. Very dynamic intergenerational church. Its founder Rev.Barnabas Mam has an amazing testimony of surviving Khmer Rouge era and doing years of ministry while at a refugee camp (actually many Christians here have unique testimonies). Barnabas is an evangelist, church planter and discipler. I tagged along with him and his team leading a revival meeting in a rural province. It was during Khmer new year holidays which is filled with pagan practices and was at a historic temple site (I went into one of the old temples and it was spiritually challenging experience). Imagine people singing praises to Jesus and responding to the gospel message confronting these dark forces. I was really encouraged to witness that. Here is a clip:
Clearly Cambodian people are very open and responsive to the gospel. But churches are young and small and workers are few. Please pray with us that the Lord of harvest will raise up more workers for His kingdom in Cambodia. - Gil
Rainy season has officially begun. This was no surprise to us, having experienced several downpours that left rivers running in the streets and many places in Phnom Penh under 8 inches or more of water. The announcement came with the warning that, since the rains came early, they could also stop early—people should prepare for drought later in the year. Here is what Gil took the other day:
These announcements came shortly after the Khmer New Year. Khmer New Year is a time for celebration and family reunions, honoring ancestors. A lot of predictions for the coming year are made. On one of these three festive days, at a specific time, the “angel” for the year was welcomed. Again, there was a dire warning: this particular angel had a thirst for blood, so expect a difficult and possibly turbulent year. Expect bloodshed.
We are in a country vulnerable to the vicissitudes of the weather. Farmers depend on getting the right amount of water at the right time. I feel that mirrors the spiritual situation. People are vulnerable to the vicissitudes of so-called deities. Put this together with a deeply shadowed past history and one can see that Cambodia could be a place with little hope.
One thing we’ve noticed is that Christians have brighter countenances than the average person on the street. I don’t think that it is because they are better off. No, they have a living hope that helps them face the future that no one can predict. They have Christ dwelling in them. Please pray for the living hope of Jesus Christ to sweep this country. - Joyce
One Sunday morning, the visiting pastor at the Khmer service we attend called anyone who wanted special prayer or healing to come forward. A few people went forward, then more. First the older ones, then the younger. In the end, it seemed that more went forward than stayed in their seats. Those in their seats may have wanted to go forward too. To us, it was a simple picture of the desire of Khmer people for the presence and healing of Christ. God is moving in Cambodia. People are longing for the shalom that only comes from Christ.
One way that the church is responding in faith and obedience is through MK 2021. This movement aims to have a cell group/church in every village by the year 2021. Many church denominations and mission organizations in Cambodia have joined the movement. A survey of existing churches and programs is being undertaken with a view to determining areas of need and places that may have been overlooked or under-served. Based on the survey, more specific strategies will be developed and churches and missions will share the work.
We are very excited about MK2021 because the church is united in this effort. The movement is for evangelism, but not only for evangelism. The dream is for transformed people and a vibrant church to witness to the whole nation through Christian faithfulness. Though the church is small, the vision is big: for a great awakening in this great country.
We are also excited that the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia (EFC) is the backbone of the initiative. This blanket organization is coordinating and facilitating MK2021 alongside of its other work. One of our mandates is to support the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia in its ministry. Even while we are studying the language, we have set up an office at EFC. We have been invited to work with the staff at the central office in spiritual formation. We will also be consultants to some of its programs and agencies.
We are very thankful for the welcome that EFC has extended to us and the opportunities it is offering for us to support and empower its work in Cambodia.
In Joyce’s Khmer class of 11, there are 2 Chinese, 2 Filipinos, 3 Koreans, 1 Cambodian American, 1 Chilean, and 2 North Americans. Not all are missionaries. But this small demographic shows the face of mission in Cambodia. The Church of Jesus Christ is reaching out in diverse ways through an amazing array of people. We were delighted to learn that there are even some Nigerian missionaries to Cambodia! God is working through all of his people for all of his people. In the words of a song that our tutor taught us: no knong Preah Cris, yeung jiya crewasah dai muy—in Christ, we are one family!
How is the language learning going? Some days are very frustrating. We feel like we’re in kindergarten, mixing up our d’s and b’s—actually, the Khmer alphabet equivalents (of which there are many). As we try to speak, sounds come out wrong, the vocabulary which we should know, almost know, thought we knew … eludes us. Other days we manage to communicate something in some small way which excites us and gives us hope. It’s hard to believe that there could be joy in this humbling, stretching experience, but there is. We are thankful that we can laugh at times with classmates at the university and with our tutor, Borey.
As we have talked with people we realize that it is very difficult to stay on task and follow through with Khmer lessons. Many people fall away at some stage—mostly because they become occupied with something else. The course is intensive and it is difficult to keep apace. The basic program is a one year course with four levels.
Please pray for us to be able to stay focused and keep working hard. Also pray that Christ will enable us to absorb the language and become fluent.
Over the last few days we have smelled incense, heard firecrackers and seen chickens sacrificed to ancestors in honor of Chinese New Year. There is a significant population of people of Chinese descent living in Cambodia. The shrines were a very vivid reminder that few people here love Jesus and call him Lord..
Last weekend, we made an overnight trip to the countryside. We wanted to see and learn more about a project being started by Ly Chhay and his wife Navy Chan—Eden Farm and Eden School of Agriculture.
Navy worked for many years with CRWRC, the development branch of our denomination and it was she who laid the groundwork for our coming to Cambodia. They are starting a farm with the hopes of building it up into a self-sustaining training center—to teach farming and the business of farming.
We didn't realize that a lot of the wonderful produce and fruit that we eat is actually imported from neighboring countries. Over 80% of the population are farmers. Still, there is a need to teach farmers here to grow and sell produce in a commercially viable way.
The project is in its early stages and there are several facets to the dream, including a primary school as well as vocational school. We were given a tour as Ly shared his vision (Navy is currently studying in the Philippines). We realize that this kind of dream needs a lot of prayer on top of all the hard work that Ly and others are contributing.
Ly also took us to some nearby villages where we were able to greet a number of families. The closest village does not have any Christians. There are clearly many spiritual needs as well.
We left with many thoughts and impressions. The deepest impression was of Ly's passion to help the rural people. Also, we were so blessed by the gentle hospitality that Ly offered our family. The trip left us with a deeper desire to be able to communicate well in Khmer and of course to pray for this venture to flourish.
It has been about 2 weeks since we arrived in Phnom Penh. As expected we are adjusting to a "new normal." David, Isaac and Mary are busy at their new school (Logos). There are different routines, different teaching methods and some different subject matter in their classes. There are new faces, new names, new activities. But we feel that the transition so far has been positive. They checked out a Saturday morning soccer league this morning and may make that part of the new normal. Logos School is holding a jog-a-thon for its new facility and it would be a great encouragement to our kids if they received some support from our friends in Canada and the States. Please consider making a modest donation via online giving: www.asianhope.com The deadline is January 16.
For Gil and Joyce, we are settling into a routine of studying Khmer. Unfortunately, we are not in class together as the time conflicts with the kids' schedule. Someone told Gil that Khmer is in the Guiness book of World Records as the most difficult language in the world (not sure he was joking or serious). There are many more consonants and vowels than in English. Also, the sounds are affected by the surrounding letters—the same letter makes different sounds in combination with different letters. It would take a mathematician to figure out just how many different sound and letter combinations we have to memorize. Did we mention that the script is Sanskrit? The good news: once you know the letters, you can read anything because it is phonetic. Of course, there is still vocabulary, syntax, idiom, oral comprehension and actual speaking to be mastered. We are hoping to find a good tutor to supplement our formal classes at the University and request prayers for us to find the right person to help us.
Ministry opportunities are already coming at us and we can see how we could be easily drawn away from our focus on learning Khmer. At the same time we realize that involvements could strengthen our Khmer as well as forge solid relationships. We are planning to begin office hours at the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia next week and begin learning about its commissions and ministries. We also hope to go back to the villages that we visited in August shortly to let the pastors know that we are back. Other things that are passing before us are serving an international church on an interim basis and teaching advanced English. We will observe some leadership training modules (Timothy Leadership Training) in early February. We request prayers for discerning what to do and not do and just how involved to be at this early stage.
Next Saturday we will move into our temporary housing/sublet. That will give us more stability but there are still many logistics to look after. Pray for that transition as well.
Please know that throughout our time, we have been assured of God's provision for us. He has already been letting us feel at a deeper level the burdens and struggles of the Cambodian people and shown his heart for them. At the same time we have been held in the palm of his hand and continue to trust in his guidance and care. ~ Joyce
What does EVA stand for? A few days ago, we stepped onto an EVA airplane in San Francisco. We flew over 13 hours to Taipei and 3 ¼ more to Phnom Penh. Everything seemed to go without a hitch and we can honestly say that it seemed like less time. Very efficient airline?
An immigration worker was waiting in PP to hand us our visa documents. Two CRWRC staff, Ruth and Pastor Paulerk, were waiting in the luggage area. We picked up all 12 of our suitcases and boxes and were taken to the guesthouse where we are staying for the first few weeks. We had a nice meal and slept a good 8 to 9 hours.
Yesterday we walked to a local market to pick up some flip flops, not realizing that we would walk past the kids' school. Although the school is not in session, we met the facility manager who just happened to be stopping by. He showed us around. Unexpectedly David's and Isaac's teacher were preparing for the next session, so we were able to talk with them briefly and see their classrooms.
We are obviously thankful for all of that. The kids have landed in good spirits and have been interested and engaged in their surroundings. They had their first tuk-tuk ride. (here is a clip)
We are starting to get settled, but realize that we need to be patient since we need a little advice on some of the things we need to do (banking, cell phones etc.) and CRWRC is closed for the week. Most Christians are on break and even away for the week..
Gil and Joyce are hoping to start Khmer language at the Royal Phnom Penh University on January 5 when the kids also start school. We will meet with the people we will sublet from this week and see the house we will move into January 17.
Well, feeling good—well, feeling a little hot—but manageable. EVA: Ever Vigilant Ally--That is Jesus.
Our family is a testimony to unity in diversity. Gil is from South Korea. He immigrated to the Los Angeles area when he was 17. As well as holding various jobs to help support his family, he went to community college to learn English. He started attending church at that time and gave his life to Christ. He felt a call to ministry and continued his education in Biblical Studies at Biola. Joyce grew up in Stirling, Ontario, Canada. Her parents were Dutch immigrants and she grew up in the Christian Reformed church. She eventually went to law school and practiced family law for a short time before listening to the call to ministry.
We met at Calvin Seminary, Grand Rapids MI in our very first class. Who knew that romance would flourish while parsing Hebrew words? Actually it took several years of taking classes together and the encouragement of others for the relationship to become more serious. We were married prior to our last academic quarter and immediately left for Smith Bible College, Baissa, Nigeria where we both completed seminary internships. We worked at Smith for 1 ½ years and came back to graduate, May 1999. Gil was ordained.
In the meantime our first child David was born (April 11, 1999). If all had gone according to plan he would have been born after coming back to the US. Instead he was born six weeks early, the day we were supposed to leave Nigeria. David has never forgotten his bush beginnings and continues to be interested in outdoor pursuits. Had we stayed in Nigeria, he would probably be an expert tracker and hunter by now. We hope that he will be able to channel that energy into gardening in Cambodia. We hope that he will be able to exercise his tender heart and people personality well in Cambodia.
Gil served as interim pastor in a Korean congregation in Toledo, Ohio, as we discerned our next step. An opportunity arose to continue leadership training in Nigeria at Veenstra Seminary, Donga. We felt that there was still much needed work to do in support of the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria. We returned to Nigeria on David’s first birthday.
Isaac was born exactly on his due date (August 22, 2000). His name, meaning “laughter” came from Gil’s spontaneous eruption of joy when he found out that he would be having a second child. Isaac is a very self-motivated learner and we hope that he will find many things to challenge him and new things to learn in Cambodia. We also hope that he will continue with his drawing and illustrating. If there are any spelling bees in Phnom Penh, Isaac will be an eager participant. Undoubtedly, his “techie” skills will also grow. He is anxious for e-mail buddies.
Although Mary was born (July 29, 2002) in Grand Rapids MI during home service, her name has African connections. The day that we found out that we were going to have another child was the day that the tribal conflict in Donga led us to facilitate the evacuation of all of our Tiv students and their families. It was a grim day, but out of bitterness (mara) came something sweet. Mary loves to color and draw and create things. She thrives at school and is an excellent reader. She holds her own against her big brothers with a passionate personality and strong sense of justice. We hope that she can feel helpful in Cambodia and also that she finds some good friends.
As we were finishing our second term in Nigeria, tribal and religious conflicts as well as banditry enveloped our area. We felt like we were constantly running the gauntlet with our three small children. During those two terms, we helped shepherd Veenstra seminary through a leadership transition and saw the blossoming of next generation leaders in the church as a whole. We felt that it was a fitting time to let go, though it was difficult to leave our many friends and students as well as the way of life to which we had become accustomed.
God led us to San Jose New Hope CRC where Gil was the pastor of the English ministry. This ministry was a challenge that enabled Gil to grow in areas that were not fully utilized in Nigeria. Joyce was blessed to work with Christian Reformed Home Missions part-time as a coordinator for campus ministry. She also took great joy in a short time as interim pastor of the youth ministry at SJ New Hope. The desire to complete what she had started over 10 years earlier was activated and she started the candidacy process.
When we came back from Nigeria 4 ½ years ago, we were presented with the opportunity to start a new mission field for CRWM in Cambodia. At that time, given the intensity of our final year in Nigeria, we felt unable to make that decision. However, as restlessness grew in our hearts over the beginning months of 2008, we sought the Lord’s guidance. One morning Gil opened the CRWM website and noticed that the Cambodia ministry which had never been taken up had just been reopened. We knew almost immediately that this was a second chance. There was a convergence of experience, training and interests as well as burden for the people and country of Cambodia.
We are looking forward to moving to Phnom Penh (December 28, 2008). Our first year will be devoted to Khmer language and culture learning and relationship building. Our mandate is church leadership development and ministry coordination. Within that mandate, we have some flexibility. We ask for prayers for discernment, especially through our first mission term (January 2008-June 2011), to discover which particular projects, ministries and relationships we ought to pursue for the sake of the gospel in Cambodia. We are thankful that the way has been prepared by the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, so that we have avenues before us. We are also thankful for the welcome extended by the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia.
We feel blessed that so many friends and churches have come alongside of us with support, encouragement and prayers. It takes a village to raise a child; it takes a community to send out a missionary. To all of you we say mungode, akun, kamsahapnida, thank you!
*This was an insert to our commissioning service bulletin on December 7, 2008
In C.S. Lewis’s "The Magician’s Nephew", there is a place that the book’s characters discern as “not a world at all—an in-between place.”The Suh family seems to be in just such a place now. We are not yet in Cambodia; we aren’t fully in San Jose anymore either. Our hearts and minds belong partly to both places, partly to some no-man’s land in between. It is an uncomfortable place to be at times. We feel torn between so many things and people and drained by balancing it all. I was almost feeling sorry for myself. Then yesterday I chatted with an acquaintance who had seen the “for rent” sign in our yard. I told him that we were moving to Cambodia to do mission work. I had thought he was Vietnamese, but he shared that he spent the first 14 years of his life in Cambodia—third generation ethnic Chinese living as Vietnamese in Cambodia. His family was warned to flee their village before the Khmer Rouge came into their area in the early seventies. So they immediately left their home, and lived in Vietnam for a time. Then he, as a young single man, he had the opportunity to take a boat to Malaysia. His relative was a mechanic and helped him get on a “good boat” that actually reached its destination without major hardship. From there, he came as a refugee to Denver and eventually moved to San Jose. He considers himself to be one of the “lucky ones”—but every single step was difficult. Of course, that put things into perspective for me. Our transition has the luxuries of time and resources, preparation and closure. How do we live “between worlds”? One day at a time; one step at a time. With thanks in our hearts. We are not alone, after all: the“Wood between the Worlds” is Christ’s country too. - Joyce
*We have set our departure date: December 27. David, Isaac and Mary’s school in Phnom Penh begins on January 5.
In C.S. Lewis’s "The Magician’s Nephew", there is a place that the book’s characters discern as “not a world at all—an in-between place.”The Suh family seems to be in just such a place now. We are not yet in Cambodia; we aren’t fully in San Jose anymore either. Our hearts and minds belong partly to both places, partly to some no-man’s land in between. It is an uncomfortable place to be at times. We feel torn between so many things and people and drained by balancing it all. I was almost feeling sorry for myself. Then yesterday I chatted with an acquaintance who had seen the “for rent” sign in our yard. I told him that we were moving to Cambodia to do mission work. I had thought he was Vietnamese, but he shared that he spent the first 14 years of his life in Cambodia—third generation ethnic Chinese living as Vietnamese in Cambodia. His family was warned to flee their village before the Khmer Rouge came into their area in the early seventies. So they immediately left their home, and lived in Vietnam for a time. Then he, as a young single man, he had the opportunity to take a boat to Malaysia. His relative was a mechanic and helped him get on a “good boat” that actually reached its destination without major hardship. From there, he came as a refugee to Denver and eventually moved to San Jose. He considers himself to be one of the “lucky ones”—but every single step was difficult. Of course, that put things into perspective for me. Our transition has the luxuries of time and resources, preparation and closure. How do we live “between worlds”? One day at a time; one step at a time. With thanks in our hearts. We are not alone, after all: the“Wood between the Worlds” is Christ’s country too. - Joyce 
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