Mother

Thank you for praying for our health. God answered and we are fully recovered from the flu and colds.  

Last week we were in Bangkok, Thailand, and had a good time with our daughter who is visiting. We thank God for  Christmas here at home in Koh Kong. Praise to God for the Savior coming into the world to save sinners. The Christmas program on the 20th went well.

Sunday the 27th was a good day in worship, in the Word and in fellowship. Mrs. T was feeling better and back in church. After the worship service and Sunday School we went by motorcycles to the estuary and held a baptismal service. One young man was baptized. Praise God for this step in his life. Pray that he would continue to grow in the Lord.

We have been informed that the church permit renewal has been issued at the office in Phnom Penh. Hubert plans to go pick it up near the end of this week. Please pray that it will go smoothly and truly get completed. It has taken many months.

Tomorrow I plan to fly to the USA for a week to be with family. My mother is soon to enter her heavenly home. What a privilege to have a godly mother and give glory to God for what He has done through her life.

“A woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”  Proverb 31:30

 

Needing God's Strength

We are excited to have one of our daughters coming for Christmas, but right now Hubert has the flu and I have a head cold with a cough affecting my voice. Please pray that God would heal us quickly. Wednesday we are scheduled to go to Phnom Penh to pick up our daughter at the airport. Then next week we hope to travel with her to Bangkok. God has a purpose in all.

Please pray for Mrs. T. in our church. She is having health problems. She missed church last Sunday which is rare for her.

December 20 is the Christmas program at our church. Please pray for a good attendance and that God would work in hearts through it.

We are grateful to God for the advent programs you are having that exult the Lord.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6

Christmastime

Celebrating the birth of Christ is a joyful time. We thank God for the three youth who came and decorated the house last Saturday.  They had fun and did a great job. They also decorated Christmas cookies that my noon English class students had cut out the day before. We had a full cast here for Christmas play practice on Sunday afternoon. Praise the Lord for that. Pray that the play and program on December 20 will go smoothly.

There is an American man living in Koh Kong that enjoys discussing religions with Hubert. Pray for God to work in his heart to see the truth of God. Please keep praying that we will be good instruments in God’s hands as He works in lives here in Koh Kong.

“For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Psalm 95:3

 

Fellowship

Thanksgiving week was a great time of fellowship with many of God’s servants. Our guests early in the week enjoyed seeing a bit of Koh Kong and swimming in the Gulf of Thailand. On Wednesday our eleven hour bus trip from Koh Kong to Phnom Penh and on to the SE corner of Cambodia went smoothly. After the bountiful Thanksgiving Day meal we sang together and spoke of God’s blessings. About the same time the dark world around us burned candles in front of their houses in fear of spirits on the second night of the Cambodian water festival. Such a contrast.

Please continue to pray for Miss L. studying in medical school in Phnom Penh. God is using her to encourage other Christians from Koh Kong who are pursuing studies in the capital. She just moved to a different rented room. She will also become involved in a different church since the church plant closed that she was helping before.

This Saturday some of the youth from church plan to come decorate our house/church for Christmas. Please pray for good fellowship. Pray for God to use the church as a light to draw people to Himself.

“If we walk in the light…we have fellowship with one another…” 1 John 1:7

Blessings

Driving through the Moslem section of our town last Sunday afternoon, my heart ached for the hundreds of people there in darkness. Some of the ladies are dressed in colorful headdresses and gathered skirts. Others show only their eyes through black burkas. There are more and more mosques being built. Pray for wisdom from God as to ways to share the gospel. Pray for God to work in hearts and draw people to Himself. The treasure we have of the knowledge of the true God is a blessing.

Plans are being made for a couple doctors, a premed student and a nursing student to come work with us next summer. Please pray for God to direct and prepare the way for them. God has used short term visitors in great ways in the past. They are blessings.

Praise God for a safe trip for our missionary friends, the Pooles, who arrived from Phnom Penh today. It is a joy to have them in our home. They already got to experience city water pressure too low to reach upstairs and the electricity going off. It increases our gratefulness for electricity and water-- which we have most of the time.

“You guide me with your counsel…”Psalm 73:24

 

Pray for Fruit

Thank you for praying for God’s working during the visit of French doctors these past one and a half weeks at our hospital. Each day has been very busy with helping patients who came to see the specialists, interpreting for consultations, charting, doing ultrasounds, etc. God gave many opportunities to share the Good News of Christ with the French medical teams, as well as with patients. Please continue to pray for fruit for eternity.

Next week we are looking forward to a missionary family that works in Phnom Penh coming to visit us here in Koh Kong for a couple days. After that we plan to travel to the east side of Cambodia to celebrate Thanksgiving with several missionary families. Please pray for traveling mercies and great fellowship.

“I will remember the deeds of the LORD…” Psalm 77:11

God is our Help

Last week Hubert’s computer began giving problems. We prayed for God to help. The Lord guided and things are working again now. Please pray for God to keep the computers working well. We use them a lot every day.  Please continue to pray also for his books in Cambodian language. He continues to improve them and write more. Pray for them to be clear and for people to know God and His Word more through them. Pray for lives to be changed.

Today was very busy at the hospital. Helping translate and do paperwork and patient flow for the visiting French Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor took many hours. But we are happy for the patients that received help.  Right in the middle of the day ambulances brought many trauma patients to our hospital from an accident in the mountains. So the entire staff worked together caring for those.

My mother, who is 91, is having new health problems. Please pray for her and those who are caring for her in Michigan. She loves the Lord and is looking forward to heaven.

“In the morning my prayer comes before you.” Psalm 88:13

 

God is My Helper

Praise God for some new students in Hubert’s English classes. Thank Him for helping us last Saturday in the party for all eleven students. They made pizzas and played group games. Please pray now that they will work out their new schedules in order to continue coming since the high school just began its new academic year.

The Christmas play practice is coming along much better now on Sunday afternoons. The Christian youth enjoy working together in this service for the Lord. Pray that the Lord will continue to help them as they prepare and will use the words of the play in lives when they present it at Christmastime.

Next week the hospital is expecting some French doctors to come work for a couple weeks. They come every November and offer specialized services in ear, nose, and throat problems, ophthalmology, and gynecology. In the past God has allowed me to help translate for them and has given opportunities for witness to them. Please ask the Lord to work in hearts that they would turn to Christ.

“Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.” Psalm 54:4

 

Sharing Christ's Love

God was working last Saturday as Dr. I. and his family were here in our home for a cook out. A hard thunder storm arrived about 2 o’clock, but it cleared in about one hour. The family of four arrived on their motorcycle about 4:30. I enjoyed some “Grandma time” with the 1 year old and the 3 month old baby.  Thank you for praying and please keep on. Dr. I. is reading Hubert’s apologetics book. Pray that they will be open to discuss more and will understand God's Word.

Next Saturday Hubert is planning a pizza party with his English class students. Please pray that it will be a profitable time of showing forth Christ and fun for all. Some of the students are Christians and some are not.

The Christmas play practice continues each Sunday afternoon, but we need the participants to be faithful and make progress on memorizing their lines. Much of the script is Scripture.  Pray for wisdom and joy for Hubert as he directs it.

“So shall my word be… it shall not return unto me void…” Isaiah 55:11

 

 

God is Answering

Thank you for praying for the opportunities of last week. Monday we made the trip to Chan, Thailand in record time—no waiting at connections for public vans. God helped us find things on our shopping list for several people. On Tuesday the biggest challenge was the gas oven for P. and SM.’s bakery business. It was rather large for transporting; it is on a stand. But after the pick-up taxi driver switched from her covered vehicle to a nice double cab open back-end pick-up, we were able to get it to the border and across into Cambodia. Pray that the Lord will guide in their lives as they live and witness for Him.

Miss L. spent a morning at the hospital with me to supplement her medical school studies and witness. We spent some quality time studying the Word of God together. God gave us other special times with some of the other youth during the holiday time, to encourage them in putting God first and being faithful in church attendance. Thank you for continuing to pray for them.

Please continue to pray for our contacts and conversations each day as we seek to lead people to Jesus Christ. This Saturday night a Khmer doctor and his family are planning to come to our home for a cook-out. They need the Lord.

“I will thank you forever, because you have done it.” Psalm 52:9

Love the Lord

Praise God for great Sunday services. It is a joy to meet with God’s  people for worship and study of the Word. Several young people are back from Phnom Penh and other places for the Cambodian Pechum Bun holiday. We have had special times together already and expect more throughout the week. Pray as they witness to their families. Pray that they will continue to be an encouragement to each other when they return to the capital at the end of the week. Pray for their love for God to be strong.

This week we plan to cross the border into Thailand for two days. We have many supplies to look for for ourselves and for other people. Koh Kong is limited in what is available. Please pray for safety and success in finding things.

Please keep praying for more people in Koh Kong to understand the gospel and turn to our loving God. Only He can convict them of their need and save them.

"And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." Deut. 6:5

 

 

 

Follow the Lord

One of the ways we try to help people understand the Gospel and the Christian life is by our little lending library. We have several books that are somewhat easy-to-read English but stories that are interesting for Cambodians the ages of high school and above. Cambodian culture often does not value books nor reading, but we keep encouraging the students that have studied English with us to borrow them and read them. Please pray that God will use the books and help unsaved people see their need of Christ. Pray that Christians would understand the good examples of people who walked with God and want to follow. It is so rare for them to see Christian families in real life. Some of the stories portray Christian homes filled with the love and joy of Christ.

Please pray for the Cambodian Christians at this Pechum Bun holiday time of year. It is a festive couple weeks. The Buddhists take food to many pagodas to offer to the spirits of their ancestors. The young Christians stand out when they refuse to participate in false worship with their families. Please ask the Lord to give them courage, joy, and peace in doing what is right and honoring to God.

“Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.” Psalm 33:20

 

Tell His Deeds

Last Thursday, God helped me find where Mrs. K. has a stand selling odds and ends by the waterfront.  I was delighted to be able to visit with her.  She had moved and I had lost contact with her. She has not come to church for a very long time. Her husband is unsaved. Please pray for her and others like her to return to walking with the Lord and being faithful in church.

Praise God for Mr. L’s new building being completed and open for business—selling ice cream, hamburgers, etc. On Sunday a group of us from church went there to pray—thanking God and asking His blessing.

A Christian family in the church, P. and SM. are developing a little pastry business in the front of their home. Please pray for God’s blessing for them.

We are beginning to prepare for Christmas. Hubert is writing a play and will have someone help him translate it into Khmer. Pray for God to direct in all and that all who participate would delight in serving God.

“Proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, And telling all your wondrous deeds.” Ps 26:7

Pray for Laborers

God gave an opportunity to meet briefly with Mrs. C. last Friday. She was in town for only a couple days. She still rejoices in her salvation and talks with the Lord, but out in a rural area of another province where her husband works, there is no church for her to attend. She does not know any other Christians there. Mr. S. is in a similar situation, but is in a good sized city without any church to attend. He is studying in the nursing school. Elderly Mrs. G. is living with her children in yet another province, and has no church to attend. Please pray for more good churches throughout Cambodia for spreading the Gospel light and building up the Christians.

Please pray for God to send out workers committed to Christ and following His marching orders to serve Him as career missionaries. What a privilege to be instruments in His hands and see Him working in the remote places of the world.

“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:38

New Class

Praise God for one couple in our church who have begun a Sunday afternoon children’s class at their home for their neighborhood children. SM teaches the same lessons that she teaches in the children’s church here, and I help her get coloring pictures to go with the stories. Her husband, P., also teaches. Pray for wisdom for them and God’s blessing. The children are learning some songs. They live in the town of Cham Yiem, twenty minutes away. Pray that the children would understand the truths of God’s Word and turn to Christ for salvation.

Toward the end of this week L. expects to move into his new building! Praise God for this good progress. Pray for the move to go smoothly, for God’s blessing on his ice cream business, and for wisdom in every detail. Pray for his parents and siblings to turn to the Lord too.

“All things are possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23

 

God's Church

God continues to build His church here in Koh Kong. People are serving the Lord. We are seeing some visitors. Attendance this year is averaging higher than last year. But we would like to see more families and more people able to serve in leadership. Pray for wisdom and God’s leading in the church. Pray for more people to be faithful in all the services and passionate about Christ their Lord. Pray for the Christians to be instruments in God’s hands making disciples. Pray that God would help us in teaching His Word well. Pray that God’s people would spend much time in His Word. Pray for God’s protection of the Christians from false teachers.

Please pray for the church permit renewal to be granted soon. All the paperwork is sitting in the Office of Religious Affairs in the capital, Phnom Penh. We are waiting for them to send us the actual renewed permit. God is able.

Thank you for praying for our trip to Phnom Penh last week. It went smoothly and we met the various people we needed to see and purchased supplies. God answers prayer.

“As for the saints in the land they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” Psalm 16:3

Day by Day

Some days we can see God working in special ways. There are receptive hearts when witnessing, and God’s strength is very evident in spite of our weakness. Other days the challenges seem bigger than usual, but we thank God it is for our growth in grace. We thank God for encouragement from Christians here in Koh Kong, and from those who write from far away.

We thank God for allowing us to work alongside Cambodians. Saturday Miss P. and I went to the hospital to talk to a patient that had expressed interest in believing on Jesus. The patient stated again that he wanted to believe in Jesus. But his wife, sitting beside him, was quite opposed. She showed us her booklet in Arabic that she reads to her husband to strengthen them in their Moslem religion. Miss P. explained the way of salvation clearly to the couple. Sadly, the man did not ask Christ for the free gift of life in Christ. Perhaps he will when alone with the Lord. Please keep praying for more disciples to be formed.

This week Hubert and I plan to go to Phnom Penh on Wednesday and return on Thursday. Pray for us to accomplish our errands there in the half day we expect to be there. Pray for safety and joy in this service for God.

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!…” Romans 11:33

 

Progress

The high school seniors throughout Cambodia just took a national test to see if they pass high school.  Some of our Christian students from Koh Kong will be celebrating with a party on Wednesday at our home. A couple days later some plan to go up to Phnom Penh, the capital, for college entrance tests. Please pray for God to guide them to the schools and majors of His choice. Pray for them to be faithful servants of the Lord in good churches there.

L.’s new building is making very slow progress. Please keep praying for it to get finished soon so he can move in. He needs to be at the building site a lot which results in slow sales at the old site. Customers miss his cheery interactions with them.

My trip to the States was a wonderful gift from the Lord. Things went  smoothly. It was encouraging to see all of our children and grandchildren, my mother, all my siblings, and other friends and relatives as well. Our home church let me report on what God is doing here in Koh Kong. From Cambodia Hubert Skyped often while I was away. I came back eager to see what more the Lord will do here in the months ahead.

“Fear not, but let your hands be strong.” Zechariah 8:13

Traveling

For the next couple weeks I will be traveling to the USA. Please pray for God to make me a blessing and use me for His glory. Coming back, one of my daughters plans to travel part way with me. Pray for Hubert as he continues his ministries here in Koh Kong while I am gone.

Keep praying for the church to be strong and growing. We thank the Lord for those who serve the Lord in the church. Pray that some who are irregular in attendance would come faithfully every week.

Please continue to pray for the construction of L.’s new building. When it rains part of a day, the workers don’t work that day. They also split their time between other projects. So it is progressing slowly. Although the building is a hamburger shop, eventually it may be used as a meeting place for the church as well.

“…His spirit has been refreshed by you all.” 2 Cor. 7:13

 

 

Making Disciples

It is a privilege for me to care for patients at the local Koh Kong hospital. There is a diversity of physical needs such as pneumonia, AIDS, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and many more.  Pray that God will help me serve Him well in the tasks He has given. As I meet new people every day from so many towns around as well as from Koh Kong City, my heart is burdened for them to come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. God gives opportunities to share the good news with some of the patients and their families. Often I give them tracts in Khmer language as well, but there are so few people that turn to the Savior. Please pray for wisdom and clarity in witnessing and for God to work in hearts that more people would become His disciples.  

Hubert continues his pastoring, writing, and teaching ministries. Pray for God to guide him continually. Praise God for the church growing and for Khmer Christians witnessing.

“…that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel”           Ephesians 6:19

 

 

Progress

Praise the Lord for progress on the church permit renewal. Today God answered prayer and the provincial office signed the papers. On Wednesday Hubert will take them up to Phnom Penh (again) and turn them in for approval at the national level. After that we wait for the renewed permit to be sent down to the church. Thank you for praying, and please keep on.

Please continue to pray for our classes with new believers. It is a joy to see them enjoying studying the Bible. Pray for them to know God and His Word more and more. Pray that their lives would faithfully reflect Christ. Pray for others to be saved as a result of the witness of Christians in the church. Buddhism and Islam are strong here. But God is stronger.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

Permit

The church permit renewal papers are going back and forth from our house to the government office here in Koh Kong. They keep asking for additional items. Mr. L. is patient in talking with them. As always it is only the Lord who can get the approval granted. Please pray.

Renee Boswell finishes her six week internship with us this week. Please pray for us taking her to Phnom Penh at the end of this week and then for her flight back to Iowa. Pray for the Lord to continue to lead in her life and use her always for His glory. She has been a huge help in teaching several of my Bible classes and in many other ways. We will really miss her.

Please pray for our daughter and son-in-law, Jonathan and Cherith Teachout, and family, while they are on a short furlough in the States. Pray for safety as they travel to churches reporting what God is doing in France. Pray also for our youngest daughter.  She also is on furlough with plans to return to her field in Asia in August.

“It is I who answer and look after you.” Hosea 14:8

 

 

Building

We thank God for the children’s church and the Sunday School classes at Koh Kong Baptist Church. In Sunday School there is a men’s adult class, a ladies’ adult class, and a class for children under 11 years old. We have two teachers in the Children’s church and two in the children’s SS. In each of these, one is experienced and one is new. Please pray for the two new teachers, SM and SP, as they learn, prepare lessons, and teach. Please pray for the students in all the classes to understand more and more, to enjoy studying and interacting, and to put God’s Word into practice in their daily lives. Pray also for the morning and evening worship services. May God be exulted and His people edified.

Last Sunday, after the morning service many of the people from the church went to T’s house for a house warming. We sang, read Scripture, prayed together, and ate fruit and cookies. God has blessed in giving them this new house in the place of their old one. It is still over the water, but high enough so it should not flood each year when the river (estuary) is at its highest level.  It has three rooms. Please pray for T (our deacon) and his family.

The church permit renewal was submitted to the provincial Ministry of Religion here in Koh Kong today. Please pray for God to make it be approved and granted smoothly.

 “…The Lord on high is mighty!” Psalm 93:4

 

Short Term Missionaries

Thank you for praying as we traveled to Phnom Penh for our short term visitor Beth to fly out. Our trip went well, and Beth arrived at her parent’s home in Taiwan fine. They serve the Lord as missionaries there. Hubert was able to get more printing done in Phnom Penh as well as apply for a new visa. He also visited the office of the Ministry of Religion to get forms for renewing our church permit. Please pray for the renewal process to go smoothly.

Renee continues to work with us teaching Bible studies and Ladies’ Sunday School.  She plans to start teaching a new believer, S., this week at S’s home, with another Christian Khmer girl helping to translate. Pray that it will be a blessing to all three of them. It is a joy to teach God’s Word. Renee is also helping in many ways at the hospital, including helping me with ultrasounds and helping me learn to use a new ultrasound machine. She also starts IV’s, escorts patients, checks blood sugars, helps with patient assessments, and does many other things. Please keep praying for the patients that we witness to to accept the Lord Jesus.

“Let your work be shown to your servants…” Psalm 90:16

 

Grace

God continues to show His saving grace. Two people made professions of faith this past Sunday. One was the husband of a Christian in the church. Pray for God to guide and help Mr. and Mrs. P. to grow in the Lord. Pray also for S., who has been studying the Bible for a while and now prayed to receive God’s gift of salvation.

Last Thursday, as we traveled to Thailand, it rained on and off throughout the day. God was gracious that it stopped or was very light each time we were outside until the last part of our trip. It is rainy season. Things went smoothly with getting new Khmer visas for the two short termers as we reentered Cambodia. Thank you for praying.

This week we plan to take Beth to Phnom Penh to fly out on the 26^th. Please pray for our travels and for God to continue to work in the lives of people she has ministered to during her weeks with us. Pray for God’s guidance in her life as she prepares for career missions.  

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

 

God's Works

Thank you for praying for this past weekend. The English class party Saturday went well. There were 14 students here and they enjoyed the grilled hamburgers and the games. They were back again on Sunday to hear the Word of God.

After the Sunday morning service, some of us from the church walked and some took motorcycles to the estuary. There Mr. T. met us with his fishing boat and took us out to the middle of the water where the sandy bottom was very nice. Three high school youth followed the Lord in baptism. We thank God for their clear testimonies and joy at this occasion.

Thank God for an MP3 of the Bible in Khmer that the Lord provided for the sight-impaired man in our church. He is delighted to be able to find various books of the Bible on it and listen. It also has songs from our hymnbook. It is small enough to carry in his pocket as he goes to his workplace, sharpening knives.

Please pray for our trip to Thailand on Thursday to renew visas for Beth and Renee.

“…That I may tell of all your works.” Psalm 73:28

 

Weekend Plans

God answered prayer and gave us a good trip to Phnom Penh. Renee arrived fine and now she and Beth are a great help to me at the hospital. The Cambodian staff enjoys working with them too. Pray that some of the staff will accept Christ.

Saturday a party is planned for the students in Hubert’s English classes. They enjoy playing games and eating hamburgers that Hubert grills for them. Please pray that all will go smoothly and that God will use it to help Cambodians come to know Christ.

Sunday we look forward to a baptismal service. Please pray for the three new Christians who want to obey the Lord and be baptized. Their families do not look favorably on their following the Lord. God is able to give them courage and help them grow in grace.

“Be not afraid…for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 1:8

 

Water

We thank God for water! Tuesday, the day after posting last week’s blog, we had rain all day. The rain tank filled well. We didn’t find the cause of all the water running out of the tank last week, but it hasn’t happened again. After that the pump for the water tank broke but God helped Hubert find the part he needed right here in Koh Kong and get it fixed. One of our toilets started leaking and it was quite a project to get that all fixed up. The city water is back on now, for the days we don't get rain, but the pressure is intermittently high, popping off the end of one faucet. The city water is not as slimy as before, so the water filters for our drinking water are working better. We appreciate your prayers and look to God for His daily provision of every need.

Please pray for Beth and I traveling to Phnom Penh this week to pick up Renee. She plans to arrive on Friday. She is a nurse, doing a six week internship on missionary medicine. Please pray for God to work through her in the lives of many people.

Praise God for K. accepting Christ after Church Sunday evening. He is a student in Hubert’s English classes and a brother of another young Christian. Pray for him to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“…And the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants…” Isaiah 66:14

 

 

God is Faithful

God brought Elizabeth, our pre-med student, safely to us last week. She is getting to spend time with many of the students from Hubert’s classes and she has started teaching Bible lessons. At the hospital she is interacting with staff and learning about medicine. She is getting many hands on experiences. Please pray for God to use her to help Christians grow in knowledge of Him and help the unsaved find the Savior.

Rains have started a bit now, but not regularly enough to keep our tank of rain water full. The city water is sporadic. Please pray for God to grant us our daily water needs.

“God is faithful…” 1 Corinthians 1:9

Short termers

This week we travel to Phnom Penh to pick up Elizabeth, a pre-med student short termer. Please pray for her ministry for the Lord here for the next six weeks. Pray also for Rene, a short term nurse preparing to come two week later.

Praise God for people hearing the Word of God. Last night there was a good group in the Sunday evening service. There were ten in the new believers’ class. The youth in the main service were mostly new students from Hubert’s English classes. Hubert began again with Genesis 1 since the Bible is a brand new book to most of them. Hearing of the One and only God who has all power is so different from their Buddhist beliefs.

Pray for L. as he is building a new building for his hamburger/ice cream shop. This time it is on land instead of over water. God is using him greatly in preaching on Sunday and teaching many classes.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear…” Psalm 27:1

Mercy

Seeing patients in our hospital get better is always encouraging, but two in particular were answers to prayer this week. One was a TB meningitis patient and another had pneumonia and asthma. They both were near death and on their way to eternity without Christ. God had mercy and gave them improving health and then the opportunity to hear about salvation. Neither of them has responded to God’s mercy yet, but I thank God for letting them hear the gospel. Perhaps they will listen again and turn to the Lord.

Another missionary here in Koh Kong who has a talent for photography took portrait shots of Hubert and I about a week ago. The day we picked them up at his home, one of our churches asked for an updated picture of us for their church missionary display. We thank God for His timing. If other churches or individuals would like any, let us know and we can email one to you.

Please pray for Elizabeth, an American pre-med student who is coming to work with us for six weeks. She is traveling to Taiwan this week and then to Cambodia next week. Pray for her travels. Pray for God to prepare the hearts of people He wants her to reach out to. Pray for eternal fruit during her time here.

“Great is our Lord, and of great power…” Psalm 147:5

 

The Play

Sunday evening the Christian youth in the church put on an evangelistic play before the sermon. They had been preparing it for several months. God answered prayer and helped them do a great job. There were many in attendance at the service.  Pray that the people who saw it will think about what they heard and turn to Christ.

After our regular prayer meeting and New Believers’ classes on Saturday, Hubert and I traveled to visit the new believer in Thailand who accepted Christ at Koh Kong hospital. We had a good Bible study with five in attendance. M. was the only Christian. They said there is no church in their town.  It is about an hour on motorcycle to the next town where there is a church. It may be difficult for us to continue to visit them due to their work schedules. Pray for God’s leading for us and them. Pray for M. to grow in Christ, and the others in her family to accept Christ.

Thank you for praying for our children. We thank God for their love for Christ and service to God. Pray for God to continue to guide them and use them and all our grandchildren for His great glory.

“Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt his name together!”  Psalm 34:3

 

Praying Always

Thank you for praying for new students for Hubert’s English classes. He has several new ones now. They are coming to church on Sunday evenings too and hearing the gospel. Pray that they will understand and turn to the Lord.

Please continue to pray for Christians from Koh Kong who are studying or working in other towns now, that God would help them to be in good churches and faithfully serve God there. We praise God for those that are joyfully serving the Lord, but are concerned for those that are careless about church attendance.

The new printer in Phnom Penh last week did a good job. We thank God. Hubert continues to write. Pray for his books and booklets to be accurate Khmer language and that  people will understand and use them in studying about God.

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching…” Eph. 6:18

 

Answered Prayer

God was working in the heart of M. when I spoke with her about the gospel a couple days after her surgery. She had heard of Christ some time ago from a Christian friend. Wednesday she prayed to receive Christ. During her stay at the hospital we visited several times. She gave a clear testimony to the Christians from our church who went to see her. Today she returned to her home in Thailand. Please pray that she would find a good church and continue to be taught the Scriptures. Pray for her husband and mother to receive Christ also.

Please continue to pray for godly Christian wives for the young men of our church and godly Christian husbands for the young ladies. It would be great to see more strong Khmer Christian families.

Hubert found a new publishing place in Phnom Penh this week. Pray that they will do a good job, and pray that God will use the booklets in helping many people to know Him and His Word better.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105

 

 

Holiday Time

Praise God for His working:

-          The church Easter services and fellowship times went very well and were a blessing.

 

-          God is helping the Christians this week as they face family pressure for Buddhist ceremonies during the Khmer New Year.

 

-          Several Christian young people are visiting back here in Koh Kong this week. L.,a medical student is working with me at the hospital.

-          K., the elderly father of S.M. accepted Christ last Sunday morning. Formerly he was a Buddhist monk.

-          God helped us during our travels to Thailand last week.

Please pray for fruit as we witness this week

-          at the hospital,

-           among the unsaved families of believers,

-           and to our neighbors. God is able to do great things.

“The hope of the righteous shall be gladness…” Proverbs 10:28

 

 

Above All That We Ask

God does exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. We prayed for time to train someone to teach children at church. One of the young ladies in the church who has experience teaching, now began working as a translator/interpreter for an Australian volunteer at the hospital.  As part of her duties, she was assigned to spend hours each day with me at the hospital to learn more medical vocabulary.  On a break from medical terms, we went over the lesson for Sunday. She did a great job teaching on the crucifixion yesterday. Most of the kids listened with rap attention. (Her own little toddler wanted her mommy's attention.) Many of the stories in the Bible are still new to S.M., but she has been growing so much in her knowledge and walk with the Lord.  Praise the Lord for the special time she and I have serving the Lord together and praying. Please pray for her unsaved relatives and neighbors that she is witnessing to.

Praise the Lord that so many of Hubert’s English class students have now become believers. Pray that they would grow in the Lord and bring others to Him. Pray for more new students to come who need salvation. Two new boys started last week, unsaved brothers of Christians in the church. They are looking for friends who want to study. God is working here.

 "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think..." Eph.3:20

 

Planning

Easter is coming soon. Please pray as we prepare for celebrating Resurrection Sunday. Messages and Sunday School lessons will study the death and resurrection of Christ. Usually we have a Sunrise service and a fellowship dinner. Pray that it will be a meaningful time for the church and make an impact on the unsaved. Please pray for God’s guidance in our planning.

Later in April is the Khmer New Year. It goes by the Buddhist calendar. It is the biggest holiday of the year for Cambodians. Many people travel back to their hometowns. Pray for God to help the Cambodian Christians who face family pressure to participate in offerings to idols. Some of our Koh Kong Christians working and studying in Phnom Penh plan to come home to Koh Kong for this holiday. Please pray for us as we plan.

We would like to train more people to teach the children’s church and children’s Sunday School. Most of those who have done it in the past are now in Phnom Penh. Pray for God to show us the best time to do the training.

“Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” Psalm 147:5

What God Has Done

Thank you for praying. We were truly blessed by our visitors these past two weeks. Our daughter flew out from Phnom Penh on Tuesday evening. I returned to Koh Kong on Wednesday by bus, arriving in the afternoon just before Hubert came back from Thailand with Pastor Mark and George. They were able to see some of what God is doing here. God brought a great group of people for the special service Thursday. The message from God’s Word was encouraging and the fellowship great. One of the ladies even today mentioned truths from the message that are strengthening her as her mother is sick in Phnom Penh.

On Sunday evening, two young ladies, both in twelfth grade, prayed to receive Christ as their Savior. One had been witnessed to by her brother and has been coming to English class and Sunday services for a few months. The other had heard the gospel from her friend and is quite new in the English classes and Sunday services. They are both excited to be in God’s family now. Please pray for O. and T.  O’s mother was angry when she heard that her daughter had become a Christian. But God will guard and keep His own.

“Sing to the LORD; for he hath done excellent things…” Isaiah 12:5

 

 

 

Visitors

This week, Pastor Mark from Rochester Hills, Michigan plans to come to Asia and SE Asia to visit some of the missionaries that First Baptist Church supports. Accompanying him is another missionary. We are looking forward to meeting them Wednesday afternoon. Hubert will be going to the airport in Trat, Thailand and bringing them over to Koh Kong, Cambodia. On Thursday the people from our church here would like to have a special meeting at 5 pm to fellowship around the Word of God with the visitors. Please pray for good attendance, for God’s Spirit to use His Word and His messenger, and for eternal fruit. They depart on Friday. Please pray for their travels and God’s blessings.

“There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.” Deuteronomy 33:26

Cancellation

Well, God had other plans. The March 6 mobile medical clinic for Chum Naup was canceled. The health office called me in and said they did not feel it was safe for us to go to that area. Recently there was a European nature activist escorted out of that area. We were disappointed not to have this outreach with the gospel to the mountain villages at this time, but we trust God is in control and will use us where He chooses.

Our trip to Phnom Penh this week went well. We met our daughter, saw the dentist, and got more printing done for the Bible study books Hubert has been revising. Pray that God would give wisdom in distributing the books and that many people would use them.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

Chum Naup

The Lord is continually showing His working and power. Bible studies with young believers are going well. The Khmer Christians are witnessing to others. Please pray for God to continue to use their witness and bring people to himself. Also God is giving me many opportunities at the hospital to serve him.

God helped us prepare the paperwork for permission for next week’s one day mobile medical clinic and get it approved today. He is putting together the team. Please pray for Hubert and L. going up to the town of Chum Naup this week to meet with the leaders and spread the word for patients to come. Hubert’s motorcycle got repaired today to prepare for the trip. Pray for people to get saved through this outreach.

Next week Monday we plan to go to Phnom Penh and meet one of our daughters coming to visit for one week. She is excited to participate in the work during her days with us before traveling on.  Please pray for God’s blessing on her and our travels, and her meeting with many people in the weeks and months ahead.  

“…Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

 

 

Good News

After the Sunday evening service yesterday, K. prayed to receive Christ. He counted the cost, expecting his parents’ disapproval, but knew he needed to obey God. Please pray for him to grow in the Lord. He has been a student in Hubert’s English class for quite a while.

Praise God for people at the hospital and in the English classes who are hearing about the Lord. God is so good to open opportunities to share and he helps us explain the Good News. Pray for more people to turn to him for salvation.

Hubert and I are considering doing a one day mobile medical clinic in a mountain village soon. Rainy season begins up there even sooner than in our town, so we would like to do it about three weeks from now. Pray for wisdom, the right Cambodian helpers, and hearts to be prepared to hear of Christ.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16

Mobile Medical Clinics

Thank you for praying for the mobile medical clinics. God worked out the arrival of the tracts, the team transportation, meals, housing, schedule, and many other details so smoothly. People came from many towns. The Cambodian medical staff at the health centers where we worked were receptive and listened to the gospel too. Michael Freeze was a great help in Phnom Penh when the team went up to fly out. He borrowed a van and took us around. Other details are in our prayer letter.

Now I am back to the hospital and teaching ultrasounds again. Pray for the staff there to respond to the gospel. My daily Bible studies have also resumed. Hubert’s English classes are going well, but he would like to add new students. Please pray for God to send the right ones who will be interested in knowing God’s truth.

Please continue to pray for the Koh Kong Christians studying and working in Phnom Penh, that they would serve God well in good local churches there.

 “Come and see the works of God…” Psalm 66:5