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