Visits

This week Hubert and I are looking forward to taking  the bus up to Phnom Penh to meet with Steve and Kim Brennecke, the Freeze family, and the Carlyle family. Mr. Brennecke is our field administrator and is visiting from the States for a few days. The Freezes and Carlyles are our coworkers with Baptist Mid-Missions here in Cambodia. But since we all work in different provinces, getting together is a rare treat. Please pray that God would give traveling mercies and guide us all in this special time together. We always have lists of other things to do also when we go to the capital, like getting my glasses fixed and visiting the dentist. We hope to pick up Hubert’s books from the printer too.

Visiting homes of believers here in Koh Kong to encourage them in the Lord is part of our work each week. We also visit homes of people we are trying to introduce to the Savior.  Our trusty motorcycles   get us around and we always have raincoats tucked under the seat in case needed.  Pray that the Holy Spirit would guide us in every conversation. We desire to teach the Word of God clearly. We need God to illumine the minds and hearts of those hearing.

Thank you for praying.

Special patients and special printing

Among the many special people the Lord allows us to minister to are the AIDS patients. The government provincial hospital here where I work as a volunteer physician has a large program for people living with HIV/AIDS. Generally patients have appointments to come every two months. Monday afternoon is the pediatric clinic and Tuesday through Friday afternoons are for the adults. They come from our city of Koh Kong and from distant towns. Medical care is provided for their various illnesses and also medicine is given for treating the HIV virus. Although there is no cure, at least the illness can be suppressed as long as one stays on the treatment. It is so nice to see when patients gain weight and strength and are able to carry on normal living activities. But it is sad when they are hospitalized with complications or come too late. Christ offers hope to people. Eternal life is for anyone who will accept it. What joy to see those who have their lives changed by the power of Christ. Please pray for me as I work in this area.

This week Hubert will taking his manuscripts to Phnom Penh for the printer. One is a revised commentary on the book of Matthew and the other is a revised Disciples In Deed book. Please pray that they would be printed well and used of God to help many Cambodians know God and His Word better.

“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”  Galatians 4:6

Meetings

Short term visitors who come to serve the Lord together with us for a week or several weeks have been a great asset to the ministries God has given us throughout the years. We thank God for each of His servants and pray God will continue to guide in their lives. Now as we prepare for furlough, one of the joys we anticipate is sharing about our experiences with short termers in a workshop format at the Baptist Mid-Missions annual conference in July 2011.  Please pray that God will direct us as we prepare for the seminar, and that He will use it for His glory in the outreaches of other missionaries too.

This week I plan to participate via Skype in a seminar with nursing students at Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa. Please pray that God will guide in that encounter. We desire to see students prepare well to serve the Lord around the world, and follow His leading in their lives.

We sure enjoy meeting our children and grandchildren on Skype too. Last month, our three year old granddaughter Christina recited for us all of Psalm 121 in Vietnamese. It challenged me to relearn it in English. Hubert has our church here in Koh Kong working together on Bible memorization. Continually hiding God’s Word in our hearts is vital.  

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  Psalm 119:11

Communicating

God gives many ways for us to communicate His Word here in Koh Kong, Cambodia: teaching Bible classes, teaching English classes with a portion of the time given to Bible study, talking with people one-on-one, publishing Bible study books that have been translated into Khmer language, and proclaiming God’s truth via the radio airways.

This week I began a new Bible class at our house. There are four students who come from 6:30-7:30pm. Of these, one is a Christian and three are not yet. Our other Bible classes continue as well. Please pray that God would give wisdom in teaching and that He would work in hearts to change lives.

Some of the students in one of Hubert’s English classes are asking great questions about knowing Christ and are coming to the Sunday evening services faithfully. Pray that soon they would accept the salvation that God offers.

Revising the commentary on Matthew and the Disciples in Deed books is taking a long time. Please pray that they would be done well and soon completed.

The special radio play about four young people who found new life in Jesus was aired for seven weeks and is now completed. It was also performed in the youth meetings here on Sundays. The regular fifteen minute radio Bible study program which is aired weekly continues. Please pray for the preparation of the programs and that God would work in the hearts of listeners to understand and turn to Him.

“Withal praying also for us…that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”  Col. 4:3&4