God's Church in Koh Kong

It takes patience to wait and trust God.  In Koh Kong Baptist Church Sunday after Sunday we keep hoping the attendance will increase. There are visitors. There are decisions for salvation. These are often people who have never before attended a church. Then there are also people who fall away. I am glad the Lord gave us the parable of the sower and the seed. We see it here so often. It has been quite a while since we have had new people become members. We thank God for the faithful Christians who are shining brightly for the Lord. Yet some of these move away and serve the Lord in other places. Please pray for increased attendance and an increased number of people wholeheartedly serving the Lord in the church. Pray for the preaching and teaching of the Word. Pray for awareness of meeting with God in every service, and selfless worship offered to the Almighty One.

Please pray for the Wednesday prayer meeting to be well attended. Pray for children to be saved in the Sunday children’s church. Pray for churches in Phnom Penh where some of our young people are attending, that those churches would be strong in the Lord and His Word and growing.

“I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

The Lord Rules Over All

Thank you for praying for the Cambodian national elections on July 28. God has answered prayer and kept Cambodia for the most part peaceful through the election process. Pray for the results that continue to be discussed. We thank God for the freedom we have here to tell the good news of Jesus Christ.

News from USA: we thank God for protecting two of our grandchildren that were in a bus on July 27 returning from camp to their church, Colonial Hills Baptist Church of Indianapolis. The teen bus following theirs was in an accident. Three adults were killed and entered the wonderful presence of Christ in heaven. Many others were injured and are recovering. God is using it to bring people to salvation in Him! Please pray for full recovery for all involved and for God to continue to accomplish great things through this.

Another short term worker is preparing to come serve the Lord with us for two months. Michelle Little plans to leave New York September 30 to come to Koh Kong. Please pray for her and God’s work through her here.

“For the kingdom is the LORD’s: and he is the governor among the nations.” Psalms 22:28

 

Challenges

Monday at 1:30 pm! We can’t forget to turn on the radio to hear the broadcast of our weekly Bible study. Why? Because sometimes our local FM station airs it and sometimes it doesn’t. We want people to hear the good news of Christ through this outreach. Besides, we pay for 4 months in advance.  Please pray that it would be faithfully broadcasted each week. Pray for Hubert and Lalin as they prepare the studies. Pray for listeners to come to know Christ.

Because of increasing pressure from her husband who is opposed to Christianity, R. has decided to stop coming to church and stop studying English at our house. Please pray for her to be strong in the Lord and do what is right. Pray that her husband will not object to her coming to church. Pray for her whole family to be saved.

Please ask the Lord to help P. in Phom Penh, that the Lord would direct him to a Christian wife in just the right time, and protect him from non-Christian relationships.

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:25

 

Please Pray

Hubert continues to enjoy teaching English classes. Most of the students come to the Sunday evening church service. They especially like the singing. Two of the young men have expressed interest in accepting Christ, but are afraid of their families’ reactions. Please pray that W. and S. would trust in Christ, and that their families too would turn to the Lord.

P., who is one month old in Christ, is planning to begin studying the Bible with me daily now that summer break from school is here. Pray that she would keep growing in the Lord. She is faithful at the evening services and L. is teaching her weekly discipleship lessons.  Please pray that she would attend Sunday morning worship as well.

Cambodian elections are scheduled for Sunday, July 28. Please pray that the country would remain peaceful through this time. It is so good to know that God rules over the nations.

“…Searched the scriptures daily…”  Acts 17:11

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Visits

As our boat turned out from the canal into the estuary, a full beautiful rainbow arched straight ahead of us. God’s promises are sure. His presence was with us and He blessed the trip to Koh Pao last Saturday. The light rain at the commencement of the journey was brief, and the continued overcast sky protected from the sun. After the one hour ride in the fishing boat, we hiked from the shore to T.’s house. The streams we crossed were shallow. T. was at her house and we had a good Bible study with her. Please pray for her to keep growing in the Lord, and to come to church when she travels to Koh Kong.

It is rainy season, and though it was late starting this year, we have caught up to our usual amount for this date in the year. Hubert enjoys keeping a record of the rainfall. According to our rain gage, yesterday and last night set a new record. We got about 16 inches of rain in 24 hours. This was double our previous record.

Tomorrow Hannah and I take the bus to Phnom Penh for her to fly out on the 18^th. Please pray for her trip back to the States and God’s guidance in her life. Praise God for using her here this past month.

“Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name…”  Psalm 140:13

 

Interceding

Thank you for praying for our trip to Thailand last week. God protected us when our taxi was in a minor accident. He helped us in all parts of the trip. His loving care is wonderful.

Please pray for:

-          Hubert and L.’s weekly Bible study in Tumpeang Rung, one hour away, with new believer, C. He is delighted to keep learning more about the Lord. The road there is good most of the way, and raincoats give protection on the motorcycle from our frequent rains.

 

-          Mrs. K. whose health continues to deteriorate. This month Hannah S. has been teaching the weekly Bible lesson we have with her in her home. I translate for her.

-          We haven’t heard from Mrs. T. who lives way up the river for a long time and want to try again this week to visit her.

-          Miss L. continuing her medical studies in the capital. She praises God for His help. On Sundays she helps teach Sunday School for the children in her church. She has a burden for her family here in Koh Kong to turn to the Lord.

-          Hubert and I to be used by the Master in every way He directs.

“…Praying also for us…” Colossians 4:3

God's Working

God has again demonstrated his power working in lives. Our neighbor, Mr. S., accepted the Lord last Thursday! He has been studying English and Bible with Hubert for several months. We have witnessed to him for several years. He finally realized that Christ is the truth and Buddhism is not. He is a pork butcher and runs a guest house. Please pray for him to grow in the Lord and come faithfully to church. Pray for his family to accept Christ. Another neighbor is occasionally attending services.

July 4 and 5 we plan to take Hannah to visit Thailand. Please pray for our trip. It will be going to a town just a couple hours into the country. She will be able to get a new visa when we reenter Cambodia. She needs that to finish out her weeks with us.  

For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.” Psalm 92:4