Focus On the Family in Cambodia?

We came to realize “family” as one of the most important ministry needs in Cambodia. For so many families are deeply scarred, broken and dysfunctional. We began to see the great needs in families and the need to address this issue in our ministry present and future. Recently we had opportunity to train leaders on this topic in two different occasions (Please see "Our Recent Newsletter" under "Our Personal Site" in this page).


Related to that, our househelper’s situation is quite common here. Smey is originally from a province and now living in Phnom Penh with her family. She has 3 grown up unmarried children. She and her daughter are only Christians and bread winners for family by working at expats’ home. Her husband is motorcycle taxi driver making a meager income. Two sons are not that helpful without any job. Smey also takes care of 3 young children of her deceased sister who died of sickness last year. Their father remarried and don’t care much about these children’s welfare. Smey is paying for their education and providing their needs. And recently one of Smey’s sons got into motorcycle accident and severely broke his leg. He’s receiving medical care which costs a lot for Smey. We feel for Smey. She lives a difficult life. Where does she find joy and comfort? Thankfully she has faith in Christ. We try to encourage her as best as we can. We visited her son both at hospital and her tiny house. We prayed for his recovery and new relationship with the Lord and with Smey (he has been a rebellious one). I was worried that he would be angry and bitter about his situation (he will be bed-bound for months). Later Smey told me his attitude is surprisingly different. He said “Sorry…Ma. Sorry…” That’s big. She said she’s been praying for him years. Maybe a prodigal son is returning or at least coming to senses. May God continue to restore many more families in Cambodia as a foundation for both church and society!

Gil's mom visited us in Sep

Follow up, Follow up, Follow up

We are learning the importance of follow-up at a number of levels. We need to keep following-up on what we are learning in our Khmer class; otherwise, the vocabulary we learned yesterday slips away as new words come today. New words and phrases and structures are coming at us fast and furious. At this point many people max out and derail. Please pray that we can push through and find ways to embed what we are learning into our minds and everyday interactions. (Below is a sample page from our text book)


I (Joyce) went to the national women’s leadership conference last month. What a blessing to be with Cambodian women church leaders! We sang, we danced, we cried. As I get to know them more, I am amazed at their faith and faithfulness oftentimes through persecution and difficult personal circumstances. I believe that God is calling Christian women here to a new level of leadership and strength. And, from what I saw at the conference, they earnestly desire to rise to the challenge.


So, I am glad that the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia Women’s Commission is committed to following-up. And thankful that I have been invited to work alongside. Starting in September a series of regional seminars are planned. The topic is Christian Marriage and Family. My part is developing some of the training materials and being part of the leadership and teaching team.


In the process, I am catching a vision for the restoration of marriage and family here. In the past, God blessed Cambodia with a solid family structure, but it came under attack during the Khmer Rouge years. The deep wounds from those years seem to open and fester in family life. When we ask village and church leaders the most pressing needs, they invariably mention domestic violence at or near the top of the list. As we get to know people at a deeper level, we keep seeing just how shattered many families are. If the church can be better equipped to bring Christ’s love and healing to families, what a way to live out the gospel!


So, I ask for your prayers as I work with the EFC Women’s commission to follow-up. Please pray that the regional events can be places where a movement for healing and restoring families takes flight. Please pray that the materials will get to the heart of the issues and we can speak to people’s hearts. Moreover, pray for the EFC Women’s commission staff (Mrs. Chenda, Lynny, Dy Noeuth, Oudam, Chenda) as well as Chann and other volunteers who work faithfully with very limited resources to fulfill a high calling in Cambodia.


Our children, David, Isaac and Mary, will be returning to Logos International School next week. We are looking forward to actually starting the new school year rather than coming mid-way which was difficult last year. The kids have a busy schedule with some extra- curricular sports (soccer, basketball and, we hope, ballet) and piano lessons on their plates. We are also considering engaging a Khmer tutor for them once a week to supplement their once-weekly class at Logos. We are so grateful for how well they are all doing, but also recognize that they are vulnerable here. Please pray for their health and safety and for them to do well in their school work, activities and relationships.

Thank you for your continuing prayers, support and encouragement.

The Color of Hope

A few weeks ago, we were invited to do a pilot project in partnership with Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC). Our theme was “Come let us rebuild” from the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah is about the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and also about the renewal and restoration of the hearts of the people to worship and serve the Lord after years of Babylonian captivity. Four CRWRC national workers and our whole family went to a remote village Poom Thmey “New Village” where about 40 leaders including 15 women leaders had gathered.
They came from the surrounding area of Svay Rieng province, some from as far as 50 km away. The group was eager to listen and learn. They also shared their concerns for their communities and for their churches. CRWRC spent one day teaching about their community organizing process in which the community identifies needs and develops a locally-owned and -controlled vision for development. Then we spent a day on Biblical leadership and how spiritual and physical restoration go hand-in-hand. It is God who has a plan and we seek to follow his plans for our church and community.


We realize that we have a long way to go to learn to communicate effectively. It is one thing to get around Phnom Penh. It is another to really speak to the heart of someone in the village (where 80% of Cambodians live). We also need to learn more about the people and what is in their hearts. We were encouraged at the commitment of the leaders and their genuine desire to serve the Lord and reach out to their communities in spite of persecution and other hardships.


Our kids had a great time in the village. They were able to go into the rice fields and search for frogs, crabs and fish. They got to fish in a stocked pond. They played with new puppies and baby chicks. Mary was instantly adopted and loved by the village girls and women. We could tell that the villagers were very happy that someone was delighted with their world. It was refreshing to be among the fields. The farmers were transferring the seedling rice from the nursery plots to the fields. The new rice is such a beautiful bright green that it was refreshing just to look at it. It was a picture of the potential that we felt was present. Like the new green rice, there is growth, ripening and fruitfulness ahead. There is much that the Lord plans to do here for the sake of his church and his people.

Moved in and Moving on

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.

L.H.I.C. II

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

Living Hope In Christ

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

Mission Kampuchea 2021

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.

Enjoying Diversity/Learning Khmer

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.

Receiving Hospitality at Eden Farm

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.

Suhs "New"s

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