We just returned from Singapore trip. It was second time trip for Joyce and Mary and the first time for the rest of us. Our purpose of trip was two fold: (1) medical check-up for Mary and me (Gil); (2) family vacation during this school break--Khmer New Year.
First of all Mary needed to have a progress check up for her possible "precocious puberty." She has grown so fast over the last year that made us concerned and take her to see a specialist in Singapore in Nov. last year. Doctor said she's in "early stage of early normal puberty" in terms of her development and wanted to monitor her growth to determine if she needed a hormone treatment. Mary is not ill or anything, but a concern is if she grew too fast now, she may stop growing too soon and become a short adult. Also psychological and emotional stress related to early puberty is another concern. Thankfully, according to doctor's visit this time her growth has slowed down a bit so at this time we don't need to make a tough decision whether to treat her or not. We pray her growth would not accelerate but normalize.
For me, I needed to have a check-up on two lumps under my arm pit. I discovered these lumps a few months ago. A preliminary scanning in Cambodia showed no evidence of lymph nodes but not conclusive about sarcoma--cancer. A recommendation was to see a specialist in Singapore and have a MRI. The doctor in Singapore casually recommended a biopsy rather. Then at the lab, radiologist said there is no visible "target" to do a biopsy which she said is a rare case and recommended MRI. Interestingly that was the SOS doctor's recommendation in Cambodia. I took and showed her report to the Singapore doctor. He apparently ignored it or didn't take it seriously. (Later a taxi driver told me if it was a Singaporean patient, the doctor could have been in trouble--possibly being sued). Anyway I went ahead with MRI. Result was the lumps were 6 cm long each but most likely benign (lipoma). But the doctor recommended a surgery to remove the lumps completely in a month or two. I need to make a decision soon and feel stress about it although thankful for being spared from worse situations.
We had a nice family time in Singapore. A lot of things are quite contrary to Cambodia. Spotless and orderly. Upscale and controlled. But I didn't want to stay any longer than a week. Well, we couldn't afford it anyway; things are so expensive. Materialism was at work. I don't think there is any other city in the world that has so many clusters of shopping centers. And restaurants everywhere you turn to.
We stayed at YMCA International Guesthouse. Highly recommend. Basic but adequate. Perfect location. Everything is nearby: Bus station. Food court. Shopping centers. Cinema. Museum, and Orchard Road Presbyterian church was right next so we worshipped there on Sunday. Very nice service. Kids really liked the zoo and Science center. Joyce's favorite was Botanical garden. I enjoyed food courts.
We are happy to be back to Cambodia though. Humble modest Phnom Penh airport was so welcoming and I felt home hearing people speaking Khmer. Riding Tuk-tuk on the way home, my senses were again stimulated and came to life. All the sights, sounds, smell and sticky air blowing my face. Yes, this is Cambodia. I'm home.
One thing I was reminded of in Singapore was the importance of leadership for any group or society. Singapore became independent in 1965 and faced many challenges as a diverse society with high unemployment rate and lacking natural resources. How did it become so stable and developed in relatively short period of time? A key was effective leadership of the first prime minister who set solid foundation for the entire society--current prime minister is his son who seems highly effective and respected as well. I'm sure it's not perfect but in my mind it's a contrast to Cambodian history which is filled with tragedies due to leadership failures in my judgment. But Cambodia survived, and its people spared. Now busy rebuilding the society. Please join me praying that many leaders with the Kingdom vision will be raised up and write up new history for Cambodia.
Here are some pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/suhmission/SingaporeTripApril2010#
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Long time No blog!
Our blog hasn't been updated for awhile. Sorry! A lot of things happened. It's impossible to mention them all. I will post some pictures that highlight our last few months. Thanks.
Many visitors in Jan-Feb. including the students from Calvin college and Handong University
Calvin college students took over our living room. They were really good guests and eager to learn and engage. It was a delight to interact with although brief.
A short-term team from Michigan and a local Cambodian church helped building a new house for widow and her blind son. The hut on the right is the old one.
New Life Church of Phnom Penh Thmey mostly for young people. On a Wednesday service there was an altar call for many visiting students from the area. The pastor Sem is one of Timothy Leadership trainee.
Our family joined EFC staff going to visit Vietnam over New Year. At one of the stops.
Many visitors in Jan-Feb. including the students from Calvin college and Handong University
Calvin college students took over our living room. They were really good guests and eager to learn and engage. It was a delight to interact with although brief.
A short-term team from Michigan and a local Cambodian church helped building a new house for widow and her blind son. The hut on the right is the old one.
New Life Church of Phnom Penh Thmey mostly for young people. On a Wednesday service there was an altar call for many visiting students from the area. The pastor Sem is one of Timothy Leadership trainee.
Our family joined EFC staff going to visit Vietnam over New Year. At one of the stops.
Snapshots of highlight
Our kids in Christmas t-shirts sent from a missionary friend's family in Canada
Grandma Dorothy visited us and had many unforgettable experiences including visiting Angkor Wat
And conversing with a Buddhist monk
Joyce continues to be involved with EFC Women Commission through teaching and consulting
Annual meeting of Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia. Gil led a session on mission movement in Cambodia
more snapshots of highlights
Mary's 2nd grad class leading chapel of Logos school at their new campus
Our friend Ly Chhay sharing his life-timeline at Refocusing Leaders seminar in which Gil also attended.
Church leaders training at a village in Svay Rieng province, one of the poorest areas.
Pastors praying for their ministry plans at Timothy Leadership Training
Delicious Khmer food!!!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Regional Training in Battambang
Last week, I (Joyce ) went to Battambang, a city in Cambodia near the Thai border. I was assisting the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia’s Women’s Commission in their Family Management training for church leaders. There were about 32 male and female church leaders in attendance for a 3-day workshop.
We received feedback that the training was greatly appreciated—that it addressed needs and concerns that these leaders face every day. This is the third run on the manual that I worked so hard on with the staff of EFC-WC. We were encouraged to hear that many participants plan to use the materials and what they learned in their churches and women’s groups. I can only thank God for he opportunity and the strength to carry through.
On my side, I was blown away by the faith of Cambodian Christians. The more I get to see the faith of people at a grass-roots level and hear people’s stories and testimonies, I am simply in awe. Although there may be a lack of training and Biblical foundation, there is a very deep and real faith. There is maturity that grows out of persecution, through exile from family and through living their faith in spite of hardships every day. Seeing these leaders in prayer for each other and for various issues in Cambodia and the world, I felt honored to be in the same room, privileged to take part in the expressions of faithfulness here. I thank God for bringing us to this place in this time.
One evening the staff of the Women’s commission said that they thought that since I came all the way to Battambang (5 1/2 hrs from Phnom Penh by bus), I should see some of the city. So after the program ended, we all climbed into a tuk-tuk to go “daerleeng”—this is a term which means to go out, to hang-out Cambodian style.
There needn’t be a fixed purpose as I understand it. So we drove around town, seeing some points of interest and came to spot where they thought we should get out. There were various food stalls and roadside restaurants.
They started joke around and ask me how many “bong diya” I was going to eat. We and just eaten a nice meal at the church, so I said that I wasn’t so hungry. I know that bong diya here aren’t simply duck eggs, but eggs with embryonic baby ducks (like balut in the Philippines). We sat down and started with fish cakes wrapped in vegetables, another local treat. The next thing I knew, there was a duck egg in front of me and I was being shown where it dip it and what to wrap around it. I have to say that it was better than boiled chicken eggs (which I don’t eat). I did have trouble actually finishing it, not because of the taste or even the texture (which wasn’t as rubbery as I thought it would be), but by the thought. Next time, I am sure that I can eat it all and even possibly enjoy it.
The next evening, we sat down for our meal at the church and one of the volunteers said that I should eat very slowly. She was going to bring some very good “triy aing”--roasted fish. I have to mention that the food at the training was excellent, always a soup and at least two other dishes, well-prepared, tasty, fresh. It’s not that we weren’t eating well. About 15 minutes later, the volunteer came with something wrapped in newspaper.
The experience led me to reflect on meals that I’ve had in various places over the years. And made me think about a top-ten list of the best meals I’ve ever eaten. Most of them are meals that I remember individually in vivid detail. There are a couple that made the list for overall consistent excellence.
1. Red stew with chicken made by the wife of our former student Obadiya Pandiwa in the Eastern Kambari area, Nigeria. Obadiya was our student at Smith Bible College and he had gone to work as a missionary in this remote place where the CRC was working. Gil also still talks about this meal when the subject of good food comes up. Although this list was meant to be in no particular order, this may be my favorite, even in the top 10.
2. Mom’s turkey dinner. What can I say? Will we be able to have it in the next two months while “Grandma” is visiting us in Cambodia?
3. Roasted lamb, Beijing, China. In the short 6 weeks in China where every meal was a treat this stop at a Uyghur restaurant is unforgettable. I don’t even normally eat lamb.
4. Kimchi Chigae, Charlie Kang’s, Lansing, Michigan. Gil was working at a church in Flint at the end of seminary. We were engaged and I usually went with him. Often we would swing by for this comfort food of Kimchi soup on the way back to Grand Rapids. How much of the memorability of this meal was its actual taste? How much was flavored by romance? It is hard to know.
I realize that it is hard to separate out the taste of a meal from the surroundings and atmosphere. As I look at the list that is developing, I have to recognize a certain “terroire” to many of these meals. How much of the greatness of Blessing’s red stew was the joy of eating it with a person who we had helped train and was now doing the Lord’s work cross-culturally? How much was just the red dirt, the sunlight, the expanse of the African countryside? How much of Mom’s turkey dinner is being in a warm house with family in the cooling days of Autumn or the chill of Winter in Canada?
5. Rice, beans and red stew, Jalingo Road, Nigeria. We were on the way to Gandole and needed to stop for lunch. Kathy Vanderkloet, a fellow missionary, suggested this hole-in-the-wall kind of place and I can not forget this humble meal that we had there. We often think of meals in Nigeria as being humble. But clearly that doesn’t mean not good. When I think of it, I can remember many individual meals made by each of the staff wives at Veenstra seminary and the peanut kunu made by my friend Charity and served steaming hot out of a thermos for breakfast from time-to-time.
6. Chinese feast, Beijing. One of our short-term mission team made friends with a girl whose mother owned a restaurant. Our team was invited for a meal and it felt like everything on the menu was on the table. Steamed, roasted, fried--every type of meat and vegetable cooked in every way imaginable. When I think of the banquet in the presence of the Lord in heaven, this is the meal I think of.. What does it tell you about food in China that, although I was only there for 6 weeks, two of my top 10 meals are there?
7. Korean barbecue. Well, this is another classic that seems to be good anywhere. Korean spicy tofu soup is at the same level in my mind and was a favorite in San Jose. Good Korean food is readily available in Phnom Penh and we get our share of it. But I am still waiting for the ultimate Korean dining experience when my dear husband of 12+ years takes me to Korea for the first time.
8. Omelet with deep-fried sweet potato chips, under the Mango tree, Wukari, Nigeria. I can make an omelet, have eaten omelets in fancy hotels even, but none have ever matched the perfect combination of onion, tomato and hot pepper. Maybe it is the generous oil, maybe it is the open fire. Maybe it is being able to rest in the shade of the mango tree. Maybe it was the feeling of being on the way. Something makes this experience--which became a habit when we traveled through Wukari—absolutely unforgettable.
9. Everything I’ve ever eaten in Thailand. Our vacation last week reminded me of this truism. We went for seafood—not normally my favorite. Particularly recommended was the crab curry. It didn’t sound good to me. Well, I was wrong. Thai food seems to capture the right combination of everything.
And now, a new addition to round out the top 10:
10. Grilled Red Snapper, Battambang Cambodia. As for others, the taste can’t be separated from the experience--eating outside, in front of the Methodist church, with staff and volunteers from EFC-WC, fish fresh from the fire, out of newspaper package, rushed over on the back of a motorcycle.
I can’t see changing this list, but given my experience in Cambodia so far, I am expecting the list to develop to a top-20 list in no time. People may wonder how missionaries can “eat the food” in the places where they are living. Well, the opposite is true. The question is how can we “not eat the food”? My list tells me to value the humble, roadside kind of places, and treasure the joy of sharing a meal with old and new friends.
We received feedback that the training was greatly appreciated—that it addressed needs and concerns that these leaders face every day. This is the third run on the manual that I worked so hard on with the staff of EFC-WC. We were encouraged to hear that many participants plan to use the materials and what they learned in their churches and women’s groups. I can only thank God for he opportunity and the strength to carry through.
On my side, I was blown away by the faith of Cambodian Christians. The more I get to see the faith of people at a grass-roots level and hear people’s stories and testimonies, I am simply in awe. Although there may be a lack of training and Biblical foundation, there is a very deep and real faith. There is maturity that grows out of persecution, through exile from family and through living their faith in spite of hardships every day. Seeing these leaders in prayer for each other and for various issues in Cambodia and the world, I felt honored to be in the same room, privileged to take part in the expressions of faithfulness here. I thank God for bringing us to this place in this time.
One evening the staff of the Women’s commission said that they thought that since I came all the way to Battambang (5 1/2 hrs from Phnom Penh by bus), I should see some of the city. So after the program ended, we all climbed into a tuk-tuk to go “daerleeng”—this is a term which means to go out, to hang-out Cambodian style.
There needn’t be a fixed purpose as I understand it. So we drove around town, seeing some points of interest and came to spot where they thought we should get out. There were various food stalls and roadside restaurants.
They started joke around and ask me how many “bong diya” I was going to eat. We and just eaten a nice meal at the church, so I said that I wasn’t so hungry. I know that bong diya here aren’t simply duck eggs, but eggs with embryonic baby ducks (like balut in the Philippines). We sat down and started with fish cakes wrapped in vegetables, another local treat. The next thing I knew, there was a duck egg in front of me and I was being shown where it dip it and what to wrap around it. I have to say that it was better than boiled chicken eggs (which I don’t eat). I did have trouble actually finishing it, not because of the taste or even the texture (which wasn’t as rubbery as I thought it would be), but by the thought. Next time, I am sure that I can eat it all and even possibly enjoy it.
The next evening, we sat down for our meal at the church and one of the volunteers said that I should eat very slowly. She was going to bring some very good “triy aing”--roasted fish. I have to mention that the food at the training was excellent, always a soup and at least two other dishes, well-prepared, tasty, fresh. It’s not that we weren’t eating well. About 15 minutes later, the volunteer came with something wrapped in newspaper.
The experience led me to reflect on meals that I’ve had in various places over the years. And made me think about a top-ten list of the best meals I’ve ever eaten. Most of them are meals that I remember individually in vivid detail. There are a couple that made the list for overall consistent excellence.
1. Red stew with chicken made by the wife of our former student Obadiya Pandiwa in the Eastern Kambari area, Nigeria. Obadiya was our student at Smith Bible College and he had gone to work as a missionary in this remote place where the CRC was working. Gil also still talks about this meal when the subject of good food comes up. Although this list was meant to be in no particular order, this may be my favorite, even in the top 10.
2. Mom’s turkey dinner. What can I say? Will we be able to have it in the next two months while “Grandma” is visiting us in Cambodia?
3. Roasted lamb, Beijing, China. In the short 6 weeks in China where every meal was a treat this stop at a Uyghur restaurant is unforgettable. I don’t even normally eat lamb.
4. Kimchi Chigae, Charlie Kang’s, Lansing, Michigan. Gil was working at a church in Flint at the end of seminary. We were engaged and I usually went with him. Often we would swing by for this comfort food of Kimchi soup on the way back to Grand Rapids. How much of the memorability of this meal was its actual taste? How much was flavored by romance? It is hard to know.
I realize that it is hard to separate out the taste of a meal from the surroundings and atmosphere. As I look at the list that is developing, I have to recognize a certain “terroire” to many of these meals. How much of the greatness of Blessing’s red stew was the joy of eating it with a person who we had helped train and was now doing the Lord’s work cross-culturally? How much was just the red dirt, the sunlight, the expanse of the African countryside? How much of Mom’s turkey dinner is being in a warm house with family in the cooling days of Autumn or the chill of Winter in Canada?
5. Rice, beans and red stew, Jalingo Road, Nigeria. We were on the way to Gandole and needed to stop for lunch. Kathy Vanderkloet, a fellow missionary, suggested this hole-in-the-wall kind of place and I can not forget this humble meal that we had there. We often think of meals in Nigeria as being humble. But clearly that doesn’t mean not good. When I think of it, I can remember many individual meals made by each of the staff wives at Veenstra seminary and the peanut kunu made by my friend Charity and served steaming hot out of a thermos for breakfast from time-to-time.
6. Chinese feast, Beijing. One of our short-term mission team made friends with a girl whose mother owned a restaurant. Our team was invited for a meal and it felt like everything on the menu was on the table. Steamed, roasted, fried--every type of meat and vegetable cooked in every way imaginable. When I think of the banquet in the presence of the Lord in heaven, this is the meal I think of.. What does it tell you about food in China that, although I was only there for 6 weeks, two of my top 10 meals are there?
7. Korean barbecue. Well, this is another classic that seems to be good anywhere. Korean spicy tofu soup is at the same level in my mind and was a favorite in San Jose. Good Korean food is readily available in Phnom Penh and we get our share of it. But I am still waiting for the ultimate Korean dining experience when my dear husband of 12+ years takes me to Korea for the first time.
8. Omelet with deep-fried sweet potato chips, under the Mango tree, Wukari, Nigeria. I can make an omelet, have eaten omelets in fancy hotels even, but none have ever matched the perfect combination of onion, tomato and hot pepper. Maybe it is the generous oil, maybe it is the open fire. Maybe it is being able to rest in the shade of the mango tree. Maybe it was the feeling of being on the way. Something makes this experience--which became a habit when we traveled through Wukari—absolutely unforgettable.
9. Everything I’ve ever eaten in Thailand. Our vacation last week reminded me of this truism. We went for seafood—not normally my favorite. Particularly recommended was the crab curry. It didn’t sound good to me. Well, I was wrong. Thai food seems to capture the right combination of everything.
And now, a new addition to round out the top 10:
10. Grilled Red Snapper, Battambang Cambodia. As for others, the taste can’t be separated from the experience--eating outside, in front of the Methodist church, with staff and volunteers from EFC-WC, fish fresh from the fire, out of newspaper package, rushed over on the back of a motorcycle.
I can’t see changing this list, but given my experience in Cambodia so far, I am expecting the list to develop to a top-20 list in no time. People may wonder how missionaries can “eat the food” in the places where they are living. Well, the opposite is true. The question is how can we “not eat the food”? My list tells me to value the humble, roadside kind of places, and treasure the joy of sharing a meal with old and new friends.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Family Vacation in Chiang Mai Thailand
Last week our family took a whirlwind 6-day vacation in Thailand. It was a national holiday—the water festival—in Cambodia and we felt we needed to get away. Thank you to Air Asia budget fares, we were able to make a “once in a lifetime” trip. Thank you also to budget fares, we were on two separate flights which meant getting our baggage, checking in and running through the Bangkok airport. Imagine a family of five losing all dignity. Thankfully we did make the flights both ways.
Once in Chiang Mai we were able to meet up with JJ and Junya Hwang missionaries.
Both Gil and Joyce did short term mission trips to their hostel and discipling ministry, Jasper Kids, in Wiang Pa Pao. We were also reunited with Frank Kim our friend and member of San Jose New Hope CRC, who is serving there for 1 year.
We weren’t expecting it, but they truly hosted us. JJ arranged tours and accompanied us here and there, picking us up and dropping us off. Junya arranged and accompanied a medical consultation. Their recommendations, translations and company were amazing. Frank was fun and encouraging company the whole time.
What didwe do?: Elephant Camp adventure including show, elephant ride, oxcart ride through Lisu village, and bamboo raft trip down a small stream. Petting a baby tiger at tiger kingdom. Chiang Mai zoo—the highlight of which was the panda and animal show. We strolled the night bazaar and the Sunday night handicraft market.
We went visit the Jasper kids ministry and stayed over night. The highlights for the kids there were the cutting down of a mango tree, fishing and firecrackers. They made friends with Ethan and Abby, the Hwang kids. It was good for us to see a few familiar faces and see the progress of the ministry. Also, the trip to Wiang Pa Pao through the hills and forests seemed very refreshing
after being in Phnom Penh city for so long. Back in Chiang Mai, we went on the night Safari and the kids had their picture taken with a white tiger. On Sunday we worshiped and took communion in a Thai church pastored by Junya’s uncle. We strolled in the Queen’s garden and took in a festival the night before leaving. Check our Picasa album for more pics.
Given our itinerary, obviously, it was not a lay-around-and-relax kind of vacation. We succeeded in our purpose of getting away and having a real break. How does it feel back in Cambodia? It feels like home. Many times, we noticed and remarked how developed and advanced Thailand is in comparison to Cambodia. But that has not made us feel bad about being here. We see how a country in this part of the world might move forward—in its own way of course. And we long for the day when some of the harshest edges in Cambodian life will be smoothed out. Spiritually speaking we continue to be hopeful for God reaching out to this nation. And we are glad we are here to be part of that.
We are so thankful for the opportunity to have this kind of a break and especially thank JJ, Junya, Ethan, Abby and Frank for their hospitality and companionship. What a blessing to have friends with such giving hearts and hands.
Once in Chiang Mai we were able to meet up with JJ and Junya Hwang missionaries.
Both Gil and Joyce did short term mission trips to their hostel and discipling ministry, Jasper Kids, in Wiang Pa Pao. We were also reunited with Frank Kim our friend and member of San Jose New Hope CRC, who is serving there for 1 year. We weren’t expecting it, but they truly hosted us. JJ arranged tours and accompanied us here and there, picking us up and dropping us off. Junya arranged and accompanied a medical consultation. Their recommendations, translations and company were amazing. Frank was fun and encouraging company the whole time.
What didwe do?: Elephant Camp adventure including show, elephant ride, oxcart ride through Lisu village, and bamboo raft trip down a small stream. Petting a baby tiger at tiger kingdom. Chiang Mai zoo—the highlight of which was the panda and animal show. We strolled the night bazaar and the Sunday night handicraft market.
We went visit the Jasper kids ministry and stayed over night. The highlights for the kids there were the cutting down of a mango tree, fishing and firecrackers. They made friends with Ethan and Abby, the Hwang kids. It was good for us to see a few familiar faces and see the progress of the ministry. Also, the trip to Wiang Pa Pao through the hills and forests seemed very refreshing
after being in Phnom Penh city for so long. Back in Chiang Mai, we went on the night Safari and the kids had their picture taken with a white tiger. On Sunday we worshiped and took communion in a Thai church pastored by Junya’s uncle. We strolled in the Queen’s garden and took in a festival the night before leaving. Check our Picasa album for more pics.
Given our itinerary, obviously, it was not a lay-around-and-relax kind of vacation. We succeeded in our purpose of getting away and having a real break. How does it feel back in Cambodia? It feels like home. Many times, we noticed and remarked how developed and advanced Thailand is in comparison to Cambodia. But that has not made us feel bad about being here. We see how a country in this part of the world might move forward—in its own way of course. And we long for the day when some of the harshest edges in Cambodian life will be smoothed out. Spiritually speaking we continue to be hopeful for God reaching out to this nation. And we are glad we are here to be part of that.
We are so thankful for the opportunity to have this kind of a break and especially thank JJ, Junya, Ethan, Abby and Frank for their hospitality and companionship. What a blessing to have friends with such giving hearts and hands.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
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
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
Saturday, August 8, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
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.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
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.
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.
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