Friends, Family, and other people,
Well Election day has come and gone. There was widespread rioting and mass looting in the more developed middle-class sections of Phnom Penh. Small fires broke out the damage was not too severe. The military came into the city and marshal law was declared. There was some concern among the short term teams since we are all spread out between three different locations and out of contact with Bill, our host missionary, but then I woke up and realized it was time to get ready for Church. Haha...OK maybe that was a bad joke.
In all seriousness election day passed by quietly and people were going about their business as usual in the city. Websites are saying that this is Cambodia's most peaceful election yet. There were fewer shops open at the Russian Market this afternoon but it was no where near the total shutdown of the city that the missionaries were predicting based on their experience during the last election. No word yet as to how the chips fell but there is little doubt as to which party is going to win. You can read more here.
All 60 of the short termers attended the New Jerusalem Church this morning, we outnumbered the members in attendance by about 3 to 1. Granted fewer people were around since many returned to their home province to vote. But church was good, Bill preached, and we had lots of time to talk to the people afterwards. We met a girl named Da Lin and her brother San Dee. I totally misspelled their names but you can see their picture attached to this email. They will both be attending English Camp so we look forward to spending more time with them.
Speaking of which English Camp starts tomorrow! As I have already mentioned there are 60 (give or take) short termers ready to teach and spend time with the students who will attend the camp. The girls, Emily Nat and Jessica are staying at the student dorm with about 20 other people from Nebraska crammed in there. It has been a bit of a culture shock for them to experience an American environment again after spending the last month adjusting to the culture of Cambodia. Pray for patience and grace as the girls adjust and the Nebraska team adjusts.
As we have mentioned before we are expecting a 60 to 40 ratio of Christian to non-Christian students to attend the camp, pray for open hearts and the opportunity to establish lasting relationships. Emily would like to make a correction, she previously stated that there would be 200 students in attendance but the actual numbers will be somewhere around 120. Either way, we know that everyone whom God wants at this camp will be there.Continue to pray that even outside of English Camp that we will be able to share God's love with those we come in contact with.
I discovered on our way back from the Russian Market that our tuk tuk driver is a Christian and that his wife and two children used to attend the New Jerusalem Church. Since the arrival of their third child about a month ago they haven't been to the Church but it sounds like they have been Christians for a while so I am hopeful that when things settle down at home they will start attending again. Our driver (as I am typing this I realize that I never asked for his name...) said that he does not go to Church often because he is usually working on Sundays. After he dropped us off he asked for 6 dollars instead of the 7 that we agreed on before setting off because we are all part of the family of Jesus Christ. We insisted on giving him 7 and told him that since he made a little extra money that he should show up to church next Sunday. I really hope to be able to talk to him again.
Emily and I have enjoyed the blessing of good health this past week. Please pray that this continues as it will be crucial as English Camp begins. For those of you who are wondering, Emily's spider/random insect bite is completely healed and there is no more swelling or soreness on her hand. Emily is also going to be telling a Bible story during the main group session some time this week, pray that God will use her and speak through her. I think I have to do MC. Bill is really kicking back this time around. Heh.
Internet shop is closing soon, thanks for reading.
Also, many thanks to Rocio and her tireless efforts to keep the team blog updated, for taking these update emails and posting them on the blog. Really appreciate that you continue to partner with us and support us even though we are on the other side of the world! Don't cut out this section when you post it on the blog. (=
Because He loves us,
Jonathan
Monday, July 28, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
a student says "I HATE THE WAR"
Hey guys, I can't help posting our students emails, sorry if that bothers you, but maybe their emails can shine some light on what they think, what they're going through. It's one thing for me to update you all with my own words, but I don't think that will have the same impact as it would coming from our own students. Here is one's prayer request:
Hey how are you now? it's very happy to hear from you. Do yo know now my country have a big problem with Thailand about the temple on the mountain at the border. Thai placed their arm force around the border about 1000 armsand cambodia also we place about 1000 arms around the border. Do you know i don't want to have the war again because we just finish the civil war in 1993. it's very difficult to develope the human resource again after Pol Pot regime and the war with Viet Nam very most of the student in the university even though the student in high school was killed. after we finish the civil war it's hard to find the techer to teach in the public school.so the student learn in grade 12 come to teach the student in the primary school and the student learn in grade 7 or 9 come to teach the children. during 1988-1993 whick guide that learn or teach english or french the police and the arm force will kill or take them to jail. But from 1995-Now it's free for us to learn english or other languages or believe to jesus and others. in 1991- 1992 you live in USA very safety and eat enough so you get healthy and you can go to school without any problems But for me you know? i live in Battambang Province which nearest to Khmer Rough camp and it's the point that Khmer Rough force and Viet Nam and the government force meet and fight each other so i can not go to school and the teach too. the teacher hidded in somewhere avoid from killing. when i was a child i think that i don't know which day will i die? i can die every second because we have alot of gun around us i live with frighten. I HATE THE WAR. please pray to god about it.
Hey how are you now? it's very happy to hear from you. Do yo know now my country have a big problem with Thailand about the temple on the mountain at the border. Thai placed their arm force around the border about 1000 armsand cambodia also we place about 1000 arms around the border. Do you know i don't want to have the war again because we just finish the civil war in 1993. it's very difficult to develope the human resource again after Pol Pot regime and the war with Viet Nam very most of the student in the university even though the student in high school was killed. after we finish the civil war it's hard to find the techer to teach in the public school.so the student learn in grade 12 come to teach the student in the primary school and the student learn in grade 7 or 9 come to teach the children. during 1988-1993 whick guide that learn or teach english or french the police and the arm force will kill or take them to jail. But from 1995-Now it's free for us to learn english or other languages or believe to jesus and others. in 1991- 1992 you live in USA very safety and eat enough so you get healthy and you can go to school without any problems But for me you know? i live in Battambang Province which nearest to Khmer Rough camp and it's the point that Khmer Rough force and Viet Nam and the government force meet and fight each other so i can not go to school and the teach too. the teacher hidded in somewhere avoid from killing. when i was a child i think that i don't know which day will i die? i can die every second because we have alot of gun around us i live with frighten. I HATE THE WAR. please pray to god about it.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Jon's skills to the test: Product Design in Cambo
Written by Jonathan 7-25
Today's story:
So Chris Manfred has been asking me about design stuff ever since we had dinner with them at FF and I told them about my previous involvement in Product Design. So the other day when she dropped by the CAMA guest house I was chatting with her and asking her how the office was coming. (Though they've started using it the building is not completly up to standard and the guesthouse behind it is still under construction.) She was like you want to help me design some architectural elements in the guesthouse? (She's the team's lay architect, she designed the new CAMA office and drew up the plans for them) I says sure! So she asks me to draw up ideas for recessed false window areas in a breakfast nook. The next day I show her the sketches and imediatly picks one and says "This is it! I'm putting this one in. So when you come back as a full time missionary you'll be able to see your design in the building." "OK" I said with a sort of yea sure attitude. "I'm serious!" She says. "You should come work for us, that's an invitation, it really is." Haha, so it looks like I'm gonna be in Cambodia sometime in the future. =P That and I think a whole lot of people are praying that God sends me to Cambodia. We shall see!
-Jon
Today's story:
So Chris Manfred has been asking me about design stuff ever since we had dinner with them at FF and I told them about my previous involvement in Product Design. So the other day when she dropped by the CAMA guest house I was chatting with her and asking her how the office was coming. (Though they've started using it the building is not completly up to standard and the guesthouse behind it is still under construction.) She was like you want to help me design some architectural elements in the guesthouse? (She's the team's lay architect, she designed the new CAMA office and drew up the plans for them) I says sure! So she asks me to draw up ideas for recessed false window areas in a breakfast nook. The next day I show her the sketches and imediatly picks one and says "This is it! I'm putting this one in. So when you come back as a full time missionary you'll be able to see your design in the building." "OK" I said with a sort of yea sure attitude. "I'm serious!" She says. "You should come work for us, that's an invitation, it really is." Haha, so it looks like I'm gonna be in Cambodia sometime in the future. =P That and I think a whole lot of people are praying that God sends me to Cambodia. We shall see!
-Jon
Pics!
Emily learning to ride a moto! And Nat, Emily and I take refuge at a drink stall during a heavy downpour. Thanks for visiting!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Rats in Cambodia!!!
Written by Em on July 24:
Running out of time, but the thought of sleeping in the student dorm with rats for more than a week deserves a quick prayer request back to the states, don't y'all think? :-) We cleaned out the dorms for a couple days mopping the floor, cleaning out the kitchen and showers/bathrooms... and setting mouse traps. I think we got about 8 rats the next day, but there are some more hiding around. Eeks! The funny thing was the six of us interns split up into two groups to clean out the dorms- Jon, Natalie, and I cleaning the showers/bathrooms and the other three doing the mopping in the rooms. Suddenly, we hear a high pitched scream and we start laughing because we knew our intern friends must be having some visits from the rats. When we all got together an hour later, we were told that Elijah was the one who screamed. Jess and Stan were up on the chairs the whole time, while poor Elijah was left on the floor screaming! To his defense, he said the rat touched his foot. The three of us gals will be sleeping on air mattresses during the whole week of English Camp, because the other short termers will take up all the bunk beds.
(On a sidenote, I think, or Jonathan thinks, I might have had a spider bite on my pinky. It hurts when I bend it and itches when I stretch it, and it was pretty swollen for a couple days. It's doing better now, no more swelling, just very itchy still. But I'm alive and I don't need to amputate it!)
The first team of 10 has arrived tonight. Two other teams arrive tomorrow, and the last one arrives on Saturday. Since Jonathan did a devotional at the Siem Reap ECamp already, the rest of us have to share one this time. Pray for me as I decide which Bible character to share and that it'll totally be God speaking through me! I'm getting a little nervous about it!
Sorry, I don't know what Jonathan's prayer requests are. We (the girl interns) are living at different places from the guys from now on, and I forgot to ask him if he has any prayer requests :-( Oh! Chris Manfred asked him to help with some interior design a the new C&MA office, so y'all could pray for that :-) The six of us spent some time working there today. We're both getting excited about this upcoming camp though! Gotta go, take care, y'all!
Finding courage in Him,
Em
PS- I don't think we'll be able to send any updates any time soon as more STMers are arriving and we'll have to take them around. Thanks again for your continuous prayers!
Running out of time, but the thought of sleeping in the student dorm with rats for more than a week deserves a quick prayer request back to the states, don't y'all think? :-) We cleaned out the dorms for a couple days mopping the floor, cleaning out the kitchen and showers/bathrooms... and setting mouse traps. I think we got about 8 rats the next day, but there are some more hiding around. Eeks! The funny thing was the six of us interns split up into two groups to clean out the dorms- Jon, Natalie, and I cleaning the showers/bathrooms and the other three doing the mopping in the rooms. Suddenly, we hear a high pitched scream and we start laughing because we knew our intern friends must be having some visits from the rats. When we all got together an hour later, we were told that Elijah was the one who screamed. Jess and Stan were up on the chairs the whole time, while poor Elijah was left on the floor screaming! To his defense, he said the rat touched his foot. The three of us gals will be sleeping on air mattresses during the whole week of English Camp, because the other short termers will take up all the bunk beds.
(On a sidenote, I think, or Jonathan thinks, I might have had a spider bite on my pinky. It hurts when I bend it and itches when I stretch it, and it was pretty swollen for a couple days. It's doing better now, no more swelling, just very itchy still. But I'm alive and I don't need to amputate it!)
The first team of 10 has arrived tonight. Two other teams arrive tomorrow, and the last one arrives on Saturday. Since Jonathan did a devotional at the Siem Reap ECamp already, the rest of us have to share one this time. Pray for me as I decide which Bible character to share and that it'll totally be God speaking through me! I'm getting a little nervous about it!
Sorry, I don't know what Jonathan's prayer requests are. We (the girl interns) are living at different places from the guys from now on, and I forgot to ask him if he has any prayer requests :-( Oh! Chris Manfred asked him to help with some interior design a the new C&MA office, so y'all could pray for that :-) The six of us spent some time working there today. We're both getting excited about this upcoming camp though! Gotta go, take care, y'all!
Finding courage in Him,
Em
PS- I don't think we'll be able to send any updates any time soon as more STMers are arriving and we'll have to take them around. Thanks again for your continuous prayers!
A Big Problem...
Written by Rocio:
so this email is from a student of ours who lives in Poipet (border of Thailand):
DearMy Love Sister !!
I am still in Siem reap .Yes i will go to phnom penh soon. How are you there?
Did You know about two weeks ago at Boder between Thailand and Cambodia got the big problem with the Preas Vi Hear Tample,and there are many soilder holding weapon too.Please praying for this metter.\
God will care about those and will relaxing them.\
Heng
Miss you too
so this email is from a student of ours who lives in Poipet (border of Thailand):
DearMy Love Sister !!
I am still in Siem reap .Yes i will go to phnom penh soon. How are you there?
Did You know about two weeks ago at Boder between Thailand and Cambodia got the big problem with the Preas Vi Hear Tample,and there are many soilder holding weapon too.Please praying for this metter.\
God will care about those and will relaxing them.\
Heng
Miss you too
Story 'bout a taxi ride to Phnom Penh...and a grampa
Written by Jonathan on July21
So now for today's story. On the way back from Mondulkiri we got a taxi to take us to Phnom Penh. It wasn't one of those camry deals with a huge tank in the back, this was a minibus with three rows of seats. So the guy shows up at our guesthouse at 8 in the morning. He throws our bags in the back with other random boxes and what appear to be several sacks of potatoes. We pile into the van and settle in the the back most row which has plenty of room for Jess Emily and I. (We are actually sitting in this order from left to right.) Thinking that we were gonna have a comfortable ride back we set off from the guesthouse. But we don't even leave town, instead we stop to pick up another passenger. By now the van is full, three in front including the driver. Three in the middle. And the three of us in the back. Then we stop to pick up another passenger. This time there are several people standing by the side of the road waiting for the taxi so I scoot over thinking that we might need to free up quite a bit of room. A Khmai girl who was sitting in the middle row bravely makes her way to the back to sit next to me and only one other person gets in the van... I guess it was just the rest of the family come out to see one person off. So with four of us squished in the back the Khmai girl presses herself as much as she can against the right side of the van and the window. She doesn't even lean back but sits forward practically hugging the back of the seat in front of her. =P OK maybe it wasn't that bad but I did feel bad for her having to sit next to this weird foreigner and a guy nonetheless. Thats not all. The best part of the 7 hour trip was when we stopped about three quarters of the way back and let someone off. In the middle row there sat a middle-aged Khmai man, an elderly man, (Who was really cute when he talked to the other people in the van with his wispy grampa voice and laughed almost every time after he said something. Emily wanted to hug him) and a middle-aged Khmai lady sitting right next to the door. We stop because the elderly grampa guy is getting off. The lady opens the door and gets down to let the grampa out but the moment he's out she practically jumps back in and slams to door shut. The four of us are in the back just kinda wondering what just happened. She then takes her bag and puts it next to her on the middle seat where the grampa was sitting. Haha, we just didn't know what to do and couldn't talk to the lady because we don't speak Khmai. So we just stayed squished for the rest of the journey. Emily drooled on my shoulder. Haha, just kidding. Oh but when we finaly got to PP we felt like movie stars pulling up to the taxi stop, which realy was just a street corner. But when we were about a block away from the stop guys who were sitting by the side of the road would jump up when they saw our van and actually chase it down the block on foot banging on the windows and the sides shouting tuk tuk? or moto moto? By the time we actually stopped at the designated taxi stop there was a crowd of about 20 guys around us all asking if we needed transportation within the city. We had to fend them off with our limited Khmai, "Aht tey awk-goon." (a direct translation of "no thank you") "Some one is going to pick us up." Not sure if they got the second part but after a few minutes they realized that we weren't going to change our mind and returned to lounging by the side of the road waiting for the next potential fare. Pretty wild place this Cambodia.
-Jon
So now for today's story. On the way back from Mondulkiri we got a taxi to take us to Phnom Penh. It wasn't one of those camry deals with a huge tank in the back, this was a minibus with three rows of seats. So the guy shows up at our guesthouse at 8 in the morning. He throws our bags in the back with other random boxes and what appear to be several sacks of potatoes. We pile into the van and settle in the the back most row which has plenty of room for Jess Emily and I. (We are actually sitting in this order from left to right.) Thinking that we were gonna have a comfortable ride back we set off from the guesthouse. But we don't even leave town, instead we stop to pick up another passenger. By now the van is full, three in front including the driver. Three in the middle. And the three of us in the back. Then we stop to pick up another passenger. This time there are several people standing by the side of the road waiting for the taxi so I scoot over thinking that we might need to free up quite a bit of room. A Khmai girl who was sitting in the middle row bravely makes her way to the back to sit next to me and only one other person gets in the van... I guess it was just the rest of the family come out to see one person off. So with four of us squished in the back the Khmai girl presses herself as much as she can against the right side of the van and the window. She doesn't even lean back but sits forward practically hugging the back of the seat in front of her. =P OK maybe it wasn't that bad but I did feel bad for her having to sit next to this weird foreigner and a guy nonetheless. Thats not all. The best part of the 7 hour trip was when we stopped about three quarters of the way back and let someone off. In the middle row there sat a middle-aged Khmai man, an elderly man, (Who was really cute when he talked to the other people in the van with his wispy grampa voice and laughed almost every time after he said something. Emily wanted to hug him) and a middle-aged Khmai lady sitting right next to the door. We stop because the elderly grampa guy is getting off. The lady opens the door and gets down to let the grampa out but the moment he's out she practically jumps back in and slams to door shut. The four of us are in the back just kinda wondering what just happened. She then takes her bag and puts it next to her on the middle seat where the grampa was sitting. Haha, we just didn't know what to do and couldn't talk to the lady because we don't speak Khmai. So we just stayed squished for the rest of the journey. Emily drooled on my shoulder. Haha, just kidding. Oh but when we finaly got to PP we felt like movie stars pulling up to the taxi stop, which realy was just a street corner. But when we were about a block away from the stop guys who were sitting by the side of the road would jump up when they saw our van and actually chase it down the block on foot banging on the windows and the sides shouting tuk tuk? or moto moto? By the time we actually stopped at the designated taxi stop there was a crowd of about 20 guys around us all asking if we needed transportation within the city. We had to fend them off with our limited Khmai, "Aht tey awk-goon." (a direct translation of "no thank you") "Some one is going to pick us up." Not sure if they got the second part but after a few minutes they realized that we weren't going to change our mind and returned to lounging by the side of the road waiting for the next potential fare. Pretty wild place this Cambodia.
-Jon
Preps before Phnom Penh English Camp...tension on the Poipet/Thai border...
Written by Em on July 21
Hello there,
Quick update- the six of us interns are getting settled back in Phnom Penh from our respective trips from Mondulkiri and Battambang. We're moving out of the student dorm to the C&MA guesthouse so we can clean up the place before STM teams arrive on Thursday. The girl interns (Jessica, Natalie, and I) will move back in to the dorms to stay w/ a total of 22 STMers during the week of English Camp. Phearum (and Moch) will stay at the C&MA guesthouse, and Jonathan, Stan, and Elijah will be at another guesthouse which will be all packed with STMers. We'll have about 60 STMers and 200 students at English Camp this time! More students will be non-Christians compared to the English Camp in Siem Reap, so that's a big prayer request! Pray for the students, pray for the interns, pray for the STMers, pray for divine opportunities to share about Christ, pray that seeds will be planted, pray that God's name will be glorified at this camp! Pray for the interns as we take the STMers around Phnom Penh the weekend before ECamp starts, which will be right around elections time. Pray for saftey as we travel around and that no one gets lost :-) Pray also for Bill and Ilana Lobbezzoo as they make arrangements for the camp and teams coming in. They have a big responsibility!
The next few days, we'll be having Khmai language study in the mornings and then cleaning out the dorms during the day. The first set of teams will arrive on Thursday and more will come throughout the weekend. Camp starts on Monday and runs till Saturday. The teams will still be here on Sunday and will start leaving on Monday and Tuesday. Jonathan and I are tentatively scheduled to help out with a VBS with a Vietnamnese missionary, Kim, right after the English Camp. You all can pray with us for God to give us energy and physical strength as the weeks gear up! Pray that I will not compare the English Camp in Siem Reap (which I love love love!) with the upcoming one in the city. It's so easy to be nonchalant and distant for this camp, because I don't see myself coming back to the Phnom Penh Camp again next year (and because I don't really enjoy the city life out here). But hey, no one knows where God will place me, so I got to keep my heart open and teachable!!!
I cannot express my gratitude for all your faithful prayers in the past 3 weeks. Jonathan and I are praying for y'all back in the states too! (I try not to call Los Angeles "home" now........ many times, I feel the Siem Reap church/Cambodia is like "home." But, our Home is in heaven, praise God!!!)
Smiling at God,
Em
P.S.- Below is part of the email update from our missionary in Poipet. Please please pray for them and the Poipet/Cambodia-Thai border situation!!! And for the upcoming elections!
1/ There some issues concerning border problems around the Poipet and> Preay Viheah areas. Both Thai nd Khmer people don't seem to agree to> stay on their side of the country. This causes great conflics and> tensions on both sides. Last week while we were at FF, there have> been some shooting along the border by Poipet areas resulting 2 Khmer> farmers died and at least 2 other severely wounded. At the same time,> there are strong tension at the Preay Viheah areas with similar> issues. Some people in Poipet have already moved away or evaccuated> from Poipet for fear of another fighting might take place.>> 2/ Cambodia is scheduled for a National Election day on July 27. Some> predicts that there might be trouple coming up. Already beginning> this early morning there are armed soldiers and police officials are> standing guard at every road in Poipet! And there have been a lot of> military activities going on in town, perhaps it has something to do> with border problems. Whatever the reason there are some concerns and> fear in the air!
Hello there,
Quick update- the six of us interns are getting settled back in Phnom Penh from our respective trips from Mondulkiri and Battambang. We're moving out of the student dorm to the C&MA guesthouse so we can clean up the place before STM teams arrive on Thursday. The girl interns (Jessica, Natalie, and I) will move back in to the dorms to stay w/ a total of 22 STMers during the week of English Camp. Phearum (and Moch) will stay at the C&MA guesthouse, and Jonathan, Stan, and Elijah will be at another guesthouse which will be all packed with STMers. We'll have about 60 STMers and 200 students at English Camp this time! More students will be non-Christians compared to the English Camp in Siem Reap, so that's a big prayer request! Pray for the students, pray for the interns, pray for the STMers, pray for divine opportunities to share about Christ, pray that seeds will be planted, pray that God's name will be glorified at this camp! Pray for the interns as we take the STMers around Phnom Penh the weekend before ECamp starts, which will be right around elections time. Pray for saftey as we travel around and that no one gets lost :-) Pray also for Bill and Ilana Lobbezzoo as they make arrangements for the camp and teams coming in. They have a big responsibility!
The next few days, we'll be having Khmai language study in the mornings and then cleaning out the dorms during the day. The first set of teams will arrive on Thursday and more will come throughout the weekend. Camp starts on Monday and runs till Saturday. The teams will still be here on Sunday and will start leaving on Monday and Tuesday. Jonathan and I are tentatively scheduled to help out with a VBS with a Vietnamnese missionary, Kim, right after the English Camp. You all can pray with us for God to give us energy and physical strength as the weeks gear up! Pray that I will not compare the English Camp in Siem Reap (which I love love love!) with the upcoming one in the city. It's so easy to be nonchalant and distant for this camp, because I don't see myself coming back to the Phnom Penh Camp again next year (and because I don't really enjoy the city life out here). But hey, no one knows where God will place me, so I got to keep my heart open and teachable!!!
I cannot express my gratitude for all your faithful prayers in the past 3 weeks. Jonathan and I are praying for y'all back in the states too! (I try not to call Los Angeles "home" now........ many times, I feel the Siem Reap church/Cambodia is like "home." But, our Home is in heaven, praise God!!!)
Smiling at God,
Em
P.S.- Below is part of the email update from our missionary in Poipet. Please please pray for them and the Poipet/Cambodia-Thai border situation!!! And for the upcoming elections!
1/ There some issues concerning border problems around the Poipet and> Preay Viheah areas. Both Thai nd Khmer people don't seem to agree to> stay on their side of the country. This causes great conflics and> tensions on both sides. Last week while we were at FF, there have> been some shooting along the border by Poipet areas resulting 2 Khmer> farmers died and at least 2 other severely wounded. At the same time,> there are strong tension at the Preay Viheah areas with similar> issues. Some people in Poipet have already moved away or evaccuated> from Poipet for fear of another fighting might take place.>> 2/ Cambodia is scheduled for a National Election day on July 27. Some> predicts that there might be trouple coming up. Already beginning> this early morning there are armed soldiers and police officials are> standing guard at every road in Poipet! And there have been a lot of> military activities going on in town, perhaps it has something to do> with border problems. Whatever the reason there are some concerns and> fear in the air!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Last night in Mondulkiri...Elections...tension on the border
Written July 19th by Emily:
Well, tonight is our last night in Mondulkiri. It's goodbye cool weather and hello hot humid Cambodia weather! The three of us (Jessica, Jonathan, and I) will be taking a taxi back to Phnom Penh at 8 in the morning. It's been a blessed time with Joyce here in Mondulkiri and seeing the different ministries she's involved in. It's always great to spend time with missionaries to better know how to pray with them!
Don't know if y'all heard about the recent tension on the Thai-Cambodian border. Below is an email I received regarding the situation. No worries, we're near the Vietnam border right now and don't have any plans to go to the Thai-Cambo border..... yet.
Please pray for the Cambodian election coming up on July 27. Since we'll be in the capital (Phnom Penh) during the election, things may get interesting- i.e. riots, coup, etc. Well, in all seriousness, do keep the Cambodians in prayer as they vote for a leader for this country. We've had some political discussions with some of our students/friends at English Camp, and elections can be quite touchy. Many people want the current party to change, but they're holding onto power through manipulating elections and because they have control of the military. Cambodia only has elections every 4-5 years, so pray for the upcoming leadership and generation!
Jonathan and I just passed our 3 week mark; 5 more weeks to go! There's a flight change for our return trip. We'll be taking a flight back on August 19 instead of the 18th. More details to come once my dad checks the time for us!
My stomach is doing better, thank you. I've also been applying DEET like lotion every four hours. I'll be sweating DEET pretty soon at this rate. Pray also that Jonathan and I will remain open to how God will lead the rest of our trip in Cambodia. It seems like we'll stay in Phnom Penh for the next 5 weeks (which we'd rather not), and we don't get to decide on what we'll be doing. There are some places and students/friends we really want to visit, but at the same time, we don't want to be running off when our host missionary wants us to be doing something else.
Thank you all for reading/praying with us and sending us encouragement emails! Oh! Don't forget the 21st- Sharon Chan's birthday! Oh, and I keep getting evites to Jolene's event! I'm not sure when that'll be, but tell her I said HI!!!!!!!!!
Marching on,
Jon & Em
Warden Message Tensions On The Thai-Cambodian Border
July 18, 2008 American citizens resident and traveling in Cambodia should be aware of tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border (Preah Vihear Province in Cambodia and Sisaket Province in Thailand) in the area of the Preah Vihear temple, also called Khao Phra Wihan. A land dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over a 4.6 kilometer area adjacent to the temple has led to the closing of the temple to visitors seeking to access the site from Thailand, and the temporary arrest by the Cambodian military of three Thais who crossed over into this area. We understand from media reports in Thailand that the road has been blocked 8 kilometers from the entrance on the Thai side, and there have been clashes between Thai demonstrators and the local population. Access to the temple from within Cambodia requires a difficult trip by motorcycle that goes up a steep escarpment and through forested areas that have not been fully cleared of landmines. We recommend American citizens defer travel to this area until the situation has been resolved. For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs? web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the current Worldwide Caution can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or callers in other areas may call a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). The U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh can be reached at 023-728-000; the fax number is 023-728-700. The Embassy?s web site, which includes consular information and the most recent messages to the American community in Cambodia is http://cambodia.usembassy.gov.
Well, tonight is our last night in Mondulkiri. It's goodbye cool weather and hello hot humid Cambodia weather! The three of us (Jessica, Jonathan, and I) will be taking a taxi back to Phnom Penh at 8 in the morning. It's been a blessed time with Joyce here in Mondulkiri and seeing the different ministries she's involved in. It's always great to spend time with missionaries to better know how to pray with them!
Don't know if y'all heard about the recent tension on the Thai-Cambodian border. Below is an email I received regarding the situation. No worries, we're near the Vietnam border right now and don't have any plans to go to the Thai-Cambo border..... yet.
Please pray for the Cambodian election coming up on July 27. Since we'll be in the capital (Phnom Penh) during the election, things may get interesting- i.e. riots, coup, etc. Well, in all seriousness, do keep the Cambodians in prayer as they vote for a leader for this country. We've had some political discussions with some of our students/friends at English Camp, and elections can be quite touchy. Many people want the current party to change, but they're holding onto power through manipulating elections and because they have control of the military. Cambodia only has elections every 4-5 years, so pray for the upcoming leadership and generation!
Jonathan and I just passed our 3 week mark; 5 more weeks to go! There's a flight change for our return trip. We'll be taking a flight back on August 19 instead of the 18th. More details to come once my dad checks the time for us!
My stomach is doing better, thank you. I've also been applying DEET like lotion every four hours. I'll be sweating DEET pretty soon at this rate. Pray also that Jonathan and I will remain open to how God will lead the rest of our trip in Cambodia. It seems like we'll stay in Phnom Penh for the next 5 weeks (which we'd rather not), and we don't get to decide on what we'll be doing. There are some places and students/friends we really want to visit, but at the same time, we don't want to be running off when our host missionary wants us to be doing something else.
Thank you all for reading/praying with us and sending us encouragement emails! Oh! Don't forget the 21st- Sharon Chan's birthday! Oh, and I keep getting evites to Jolene's event! I'm not sure when that'll be, but tell her I said HI!!!!!!!!!
Marching on,
Jon & Em
Warden Message Tensions On The Thai-Cambodian Border
July 18, 2008 American citizens resident and traveling in Cambodia should be aware of tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border (Preah Vihear Province in Cambodia and Sisaket Province in Thailand) in the area of the Preah Vihear temple, also called Khao Phra Wihan. A land dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over a 4.6 kilometer area adjacent to the temple has led to the closing of the temple to visitors seeking to access the site from Thailand, and the temporary arrest by the Cambodian military of three Thais who crossed over into this area. We understand from media reports in Thailand that the road has been blocked 8 kilometers from the entrance on the Thai side, and there have been clashes between Thai demonstrators and the local population. Access to the temple from within Cambodia requires a difficult trip by motorcycle that goes up a steep escarpment and through forested areas that have not been fully cleared of landmines. We recommend American citizens defer travel to this area until the situation has been resolved. For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs? web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the current Worldwide Caution can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or callers in other areas may call a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). The U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh can be reached at 023-728-000; the fax number is 023-728-700. The Embassy?s web site, which includes consular information and the most recent messages to the American community in Cambodia is http://cambodia.usembassy.gov.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
At work in Mondulkiri
Written by Emily 7-17
Suo sdey!
Picking up from where Jonathan left off last night, our first full day in Mondulkiri was... amazing! We walked through the jungle, Jonathan helped dig a water well, and Jess and I plowed the land! We have pictures and videos to prove it on the blog (at least for the well)! http://sgvac-cambodia-stm-08.blogspot.com/ Jonathan asked me if I could have walked through the jungle in my first year to Cambodia. To that, I murmured, I couldn't even take a complete shower in the student dorm the first year! Oh, how God has grown and stretched me. The best thing is that it's a lot cooler here than the other parts of Cambodia. Sure, we still sweat, but the sun doesn't burn as much and there's a nice cool breeze here and there.
We might go back to the land tomorrow morning and visit a patient with Joyce. They're building a small training center for someone to stay in and to store supplies there. If we behave well, she might take us to one of the waterfalls in Mondulkiri too! On Saturday, we'll head out to a village church where there will be some kind of children's program. The plan on Sunday is to leave around 8 in the morning and be back in Phnom Penh by 4ish. Hopefully, we can make it to the evening church service!
(Sidenote: As I'm typing this email update, I'm actually feeling cold!) I forgot to mention in my previous email that Dengue Fever usually ends with a rash. One of the missionaries said God's definitely calling us to go long term overseas if we get Dengue. Hmm, how shall we pray? For His protection against Dengue or for Dengue?
Pray with us as we continue our trip in Mondulkiri and learn more about Joyce's ministry. Pray for the people working the land. I love watching the way the Khmais (better described as Bunong tribal people. Joyce was saying that these people have a better sense of community and they work better together compared to the Khmais who don't trust each other as much because of the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge) work together! They're kickback, they sing, joke, and chat while working. About 30 people are camping up there this whole week to finish the center and water well. A couple people were injured in the process, pray for protection! We just found out that a guy who worked and lived near the land had passed away last week. The area he took care of is now being neglected. Pray that they'll be able to finish what needs to be done before more rain comes and that the training center can be up and running as soon as possible.
As Jonathan was finishing up his time at the internet cafe, he had a chance to talk to the guy who works there. He's Buddhist but has many Christian friends. Pray that good seeds will be planted and God will continue to send people to water the seeds.
Jonathan's doing well, but my stomach was hurting and I felt like puking last night. Same thing happened again tonight after dinner. Also, please keep praying for the mosquitoes to stay away from me! They stopped biting me for a couple days, but they have no mercy on me again now.
OK, think we should go now. A couple tipsy guys are coming in and out the plac and they're blasting the music louder now. Plus, the electricity's out now since it's passed 10 P.M. (The internet cafe has its own generator.) Guess we'll have to shower in the dark or shower tomorrow morning. Either way, it'll be a cold shower, especially since there's no warm water! Y'all take care!!!
In Christ,
Jonathan & Em
Suo sdey!
Picking up from where Jonathan left off last night, our first full day in Mondulkiri was... amazing! We walked through the jungle, Jonathan helped dig a water well, and Jess and I plowed the land! We have pictures and videos to prove it on the blog (at least for the well)! http://sgvac-cambodia-stm-08.blogspot.com/ Jonathan asked me if I could have walked through the jungle in my first year to Cambodia. To that, I murmured, I couldn't even take a complete shower in the student dorm the first year! Oh, how God has grown and stretched me. The best thing is that it's a lot cooler here than the other parts of Cambodia. Sure, we still sweat, but the sun doesn't burn as much and there's a nice cool breeze here and there.
We might go back to the land tomorrow morning and visit a patient with Joyce. They're building a small training center for someone to stay in and to store supplies there. If we behave well, she might take us to one of the waterfalls in Mondulkiri too! On Saturday, we'll head out to a village church where there will be some kind of children's program. The plan on Sunday is to leave around 8 in the morning and be back in Phnom Penh by 4ish. Hopefully, we can make it to the evening church service!
(Sidenote: As I'm typing this email update, I'm actually feeling cold!) I forgot to mention in my previous email that Dengue Fever usually ends with a rash. One of the missionaries said God's definitely calling us to go long term overseas if we get Dengue. Hmm, how shall we pray? For His protection against Dengue or for Dengue?
Pray with us as we continue our trip in Mondulkiri and learn more about Joyce's ministry. Pray for the people working the land. I love watching the way the Khmais (better described as Bunong tribal people. Joyce was saying that these people have a better sense of community and they work better together compared to the Khmais who don't trust each other as much because of the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge) work together! They're kickback, they sing, joke, and chat while working. About 30 people are camping up there this whole week to finish the center and water well. A couple people were injured in the process, pray for protection! We just found out that a guy who worked and lived near the land had passed away last week. The area he took care of is now being neglected. Pray that they'll be able to finish what needs to be done before more rain comes and that the training center can be up and running as soon as possible.
As Jonathan was finishing up his time at the internet cafe, he had a chance to talk to the guy who works there. He's Buddhist but has many Christian friends. Pray that good seeds will be planted and God will continue to send people to water the seeds.
Jonathan's doing well, but my stomach was hurting and I felt like puking last night. Same thing happened again tonight after dinner. Also, please keep praying for the mosquitoes to stay away from me! They stopped biting me for a couple days, but they have no mercy on me again now.
OK, think we should go now. A couple tipsy guys are coming in and out the plac and they're blasting the music louder now. Plus, the electricity's out now since it's passed 10 P.M. (The internet cafe has its own generator.) Guess we'll have to shower in the dark or shower tomorrow morning. Either way, it'll be a cold shower, especially since there's no warm water! Y'all take care!!!
In Christ,
Jonathan & Em
Arrival in Mondolkiri
Written by Jonathan 7-16 cambo time
Dear Family, Friends and Supporters,
We arrived in Mondolkiri today after a harrowing 10 hour drive through mountain passes and dense jungle. OK, maybe not that harrowing but it was 10 hours including stops in various towns. We met Joyce (the missionary who works in Mondolkiri) outside the dorm in Phnom Penh at 5:30 am and loaded our bags into her pickup. Only half of our team went on this trip myself, Emily, and Jessica. We ate a breakfast of cereal bars and pretzels in the truck as we drove out of Phnom Penh towards the sunrise. The road was pretty smooth for most of the ride and then the pavement ended. We had to slow down after that and avoid the potholes washed out of the dirt and gravel road by the rain. We were more than halfway to our destination but it took the last five hours of the drive to make it to Mondolkiri. We had several stops along the way including a CMA church, bathroom breaks, lunch, bathroom breaks, a patient Joyce was consulting (she is a nurse), and a visit with some church members from a remote village. The last part of the journey was the best. After we drove through a jungle wildlife preserve we entered an area of rolling hills and farms with scattered trees. It reminded me of England for some reason, or maybe Hawaii would be a better description.
So we have spent our first afternoon in Mondolkiri. The weather is nice and cool here actually when we were walking back to the guest house after dinner at Joyce's house Emily said she was feeling cold. Apparently during the winter months it can dip down to 17 or 18 degrees... Celsius that is. I'll let you run that calculation on your own. We had a good home cooked meal that was very close to a beef and potato stew only with a hint of curry to give it that Cambodian twist. We also had fresh squeezed lime-onaide which was quite heavenly. After dinner we sat at the table practicing and learning Khmer phrases with Joyce's helper, Sok Leang. Her story is pretty cool. In short she met Joyce because she was sick and came to accept Christ. Although she was very sick, on the verge of death, she recovered and is now the only believer in her village and has been for a while.
So yes, we are staying at a pretty nice guest house with running water and clean sheets. My initial fears of being out in the boonies and sleeping under a canopy of stars turned out to be unfounded. However we have been told that electricity is somewhat sporadic here and it comes and goes as it pleases. All the guesthouses have generators but most of them shut off after 10. Good thing the weather is cool because we would die without fans otherwise.
Tomorrow we will be visiting a plot of land that the local churches are getting together to develop so that it can be used for a Christian leadership training center. There is the possibility of getting down and dirty with the locals. We hear that there is a well that needs digging.
Prayer requests for today: Sok Leang, that she will persevere in her faith and that others from her village will come to know Christ. Many of the team members are coming down with cold-like symptoms, pray for healing. For the safety of the other three interns as they travel to Battambang on Saturday (Cambodian time so pray on Friday) and for the three of us as we travel back to Phnom Penh on Sunday. We will try to send out another update before the end of the week.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Jonathan and Emily
P.S. I realize that some of you may not have gotten some of the earlier updates. If you want I can resend them to you, just let me know.
Dear Family, Friends and Supporters,
We arrived in Mondolkiri today after a harrowing 10 hour drive through mountain passes and dense jungle. OK, maybe not that harrowing but it was 10 hours including stops in various towns. We met Joyce (the missionary who works in Mondolkiri) outside the dorm in Phnom Penh at 5:30 am and loaded our bags into her pickup. Only half of our team went on this trip myself, Emily, and Jessica. We ate a breakfast of cereal bars and pretzels in the truck as we drove out of Phnom Penh towards the sunrise. The road was pretty smooth for most of the ride and then the pavement ended. We had to slow down after that and avoid the potholes washed out of the dirt and gravel road by the rain. We were more than halfway to our destination but it took the last five hours of the drive to make it to Mondolkiri. We had several stops along the way including a CMA church, bathroom breaks, lunch, bathroom breaks, a patient Joyce was consulting (she is a nurse), and a visit with some church members from a remote village. The last part of the journey was the best. After we drove through a jungle wildlife preserve we entered an area of rolling hills and farms with scattered trees. It reminded me of England for some reason, or maybe Hawaii would be a better description.
So we have spent our first afternoon in Mondolkiri. The weather is nice and cool here actually when we were walking back to the guest house after dinner at Joyce's house Emily said she was feeling cold. Apparently during the winter months it can dip down to 17 or 18 degrees... Celsius that is. I'll let you run that calculation on your own. We had a good home cooked meal that was very close to a beef and potato stew only with a hint of curry to give it that Cambodian twist. We also had fresh squeezed lime-onaide which was quite heavenly. After dinner we sat at the table practicing and learning Khmer phrases with Joyce's helper, Sok Leang. Her story is pretty cool. In short she met Joyce because she was sick and came to accept Christ. Although she was very sick, on the verge of death, she recovered and is now the only believer in her village and has been for a while.
So yes, we are staying at a pretty nice guest house with running water and clean sheets. My initial fears of being out in the boonies and sleeping under a canopy of stars turned out to be unfounded. However we have been told that electricity is somewhat sporadic here and it comes and goes as it pleases. All the guesthouses have generators but most of them shut off after 10. Good thing the weather is cool because we would die without fans otherwise.
Tomorrow we will be visiting a plot of land that the local churches are getting together to develop so that it can be used for a Christian leadership training center. There is the possibility of getting down and dirty with the locals. We hear that there is a well that needs digging.
Prayer requests for today: Sok Leang, that she will persevere in her faith and that others from her village will come to know Christ. Many of the team members are coming down with cold-like symptoms, pray for healing. For the safety of the other three interns as they travel to Battambang on Saturday (Cambodian time so pray on Friday) and for the three of us as we travel back to Phnom Penh on Sunday. We will try to send out another update before the end of the week.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Jonathan and Emily
P.S. I realize that some of you may not have gotten some of the earlier updates. If you want I can resend them to you, just let me know.
Pictures
Working the well that's about 15 meters deep! They stand and squat over it without holding onto anything like nothing!
Me, Natalie, Elijah, and Jonathan at the beach during Field Forum (FF)
The youth group Jon and I were with the whole week at FF
Elijah, me, Jon, Pete (the guy doing his apprenticeship), Stan, Jessica, and Natalie
Jon, me, and Jess next to the sign that states in Kmai: Welcome to Mondulkiri
Me, Natalie, Elijah, and Jonathan at the beach during Field Forum (FF)
The youth group Jon and I were with the whole week at FF
Elijah, me, Jon, Pete (the guy doing his apprenticeship), Stan, Jessica, and Natalie
Jon, me, and Jess next to the sign that states in Kmai: Welcome to Mondulkiri
Friday, July 11, 2008
an update
written by Jonathan:
Hello Church family,
I know many of you are praying for me so I would like to thank you for your support and for partnering with me on this mission trip.
Well a little over two weeks in Cambodia and already so much has happened! We just finished teaching at an English Camp last week and said good bye once again to many of the students and church leaders that we met the first year we were here. It was hard when we said goodbye last year and it's even harder the second time around. One of the missionaries accurately described English Camp as "Relationship Camp". The truth is that only a little English teaching goes on during the course of the week. The real impact is in the relationships that are built between the short term missionaries and the students. Through those relationships and the conversations that occur the students get to practice their English. Many of the other missionaries that joined us (about 24 from both Canada and the U.S.) said that their students said they look forward to English camp all year. An average day starts at 6 am when a few brave souls wake up for half an hour of morning worship. We then wake the others up and prepare for the day and walk about 10 min from the guest house to the church where English camp is held. Half the journey is down a busy paved road were motorcycles, cars and trucks rush by. The other half is down a muddy dirt road where the puddles never seem to dry up no mater how hot it gets during the day. We eat breakfast at the church with the students and then begin our morning session. We always have worship in English and all the students jump and dance around and have a great time. There are a couple testimonies shared by the short term missionaries, a bible story and a game. Then we go into a 2 hour "teaching session". I put that in quotes because there's a little teaching but we also play a lot of games and sometimes just talk with our students and share details of our lives. Then we have lunch and then meet together again for an afternoon field trip. Over four days we went to museums, a lake, the local market and hiking up a small mountain. (The last day of the 5 day camp was spent entirely at different temple complexes including the famous Angkor Wat) After we return from our trip we have dinner and then a night service. There are more testimony sharing from both the missionaries and the students. The things that the students share are amazing and very encouraging, but I don't have time to go into that now. After that many of the missionaries go back to the guest house or go sightseeing around the city. Emily, Rocio, Darlene, myself, and one or two other missionaries stay at the church to spend more time with the students there. Many of them travel quite far to come to English Camp and so they live at the church for the week. We spent several nights playing all sorts of traditional games with them and have a blast. Night is the best time to run around because it is so much cooler than the day. By the time we finish it is usually around 9 or 10. Phearum, one of the local church leaders has to kick us out or we would keep the students up all night probably. Haha, but he is happy to have us at the church and he arranges a small convoy of motorcycles to take us back to the guest house every night. We try to stay awake for a quick team meeting, shower, wash clothes (I brought 3 pairs with me) and then catch about 5 and a half hours of sleep before starting all over again the next day. It was super tiring but so worth it. There is much more to tell but I will move on.
Most of the team returned to the States on Sunday. Emily and I stayed on and joined 4 other young people who are on the Global Ventures program for a 6 hour bus ride down south to the capitol city of Phnom Penh. We stayed there a couple days resting and recuperating and getting sick. Some of you may have heard that I got food poisoning or some sort. We ate at a KFC the night we arrived in P.P. that night I had intense stomach cramps and vomiting that kept me up till 4 or 5 am. I blame it on the coleslaw, I was the only one who at 3 cups of it. American food makes me sick, go figure.
On Tuesday we rode another bus to Kampong Saoum where the annual CMA Field Forum was to be held. It's a time for all the missionaries from throughout Cambodia to come together to connect, share, learn, and relax. Emily and I were put in charge of the youth. (12 kids ranging from 6th grade to about to enter college) It was a major shift to go from hanging out with local youth to spending time with missionary kids with a very western mindset. Though it is a bit of a challenge to keep them entertained we've been having a good time with them. The most amazing part of field forum is having so many different missionaries, each with their own unique and moving stories, all in one place. I wrote to someone earlier today that it is a major task to decide who to sit with for each of the meals. I have been so encouraged by the conversations that I've had with these men and women out here on the front lines. We're a little more than halfway through field forum and our plans for the next couple weeks are still up in the air. It might be possible for us to link up with different missionaries and follow them to see the ministries they are involved with but that is still to be decided. There are so many missionaries doing so many amazing things that I wish I had a year to spend in Cambodia. =P
In about two weeks time we will begin the second English Camp this time in Phnom Penh. The student demographic will be different since they live in a big city, the first English Camp in Siem Reap involves students who live a more rural lifestyle. I must admit that I love the rural feel of the Siem Reap camp. People there are much more concerned with enjoying the event than they are with schedules and keeping time. The students are very content playing simple games or starting impromptu song and dance sessions. They know how to entertain themselves and keep occupied. Still, I look forward to the next camp I know it will be fun too.
Thanks for reading and for praying,
Jonathan Chua
Hello Church family,
I know many of you are praying for me so I would like to thank you for your support and for partnering with me on this mission trip.
Well a little over two weeks in Cambodia and already so much has happened! We just finished teaching at an English Camp last week and said good bye once again to many of the students and church leaders that we met the first year we were here. It was hard when we said goodbye last year and it's even harder the second time around. One of the missionaries accurately described English Camp as "Relationship Camp". The truth is that only a little English teaching goes on during the course of the week. The real impact is in the relationships that are built between the short term missionaries and the students. Through those relationships and the conversations that occur the students get to practice their English. Many of the other missionaries that joined us (about 24 from both Canada and the U.S.) said that their students said they look forward to English camp all year. An average day starts at 6 am when a few brave souls wake up for half an hour of morning worship. We then wake the others up and prepare for the day and walk about 10 min from the guest house to the church where English camp is held. Half the journey is down a busy paved road were motorcycles, cars and trucks rush by. The other half is down a muddy dirt road where the puddles never seem to dry up no mater how hot it gets during the day. We eat breakfast at the church with the students and then begin our morning session. We always have worship in English and all the students jump and dance around and have a great time. There are a couple testimonies shared by the short term missionaries, a bible story and a game. Then we go into a 2 hour "teaching session". I put that in quotes because there's a little teaching but we also play a lot of games and sometimes just talk with our students and share details of our lives. Then we have lunch and then meet together again for an afternoon field trip. Over four days we went to museums, a lake, the local market and hiking up a small mountain. (The last day of the 5 day camp was spent entirely at different temple complexes including the famous Angkor Wat) After we return from our trip we have dinner and then a night service. There are more testimony sharing from both the missionaries and the students. The things that the students share are amazing and very encouraging, but I don't have time to go into that now. After that many of the missionaries go back to the guest house or go sightseeing around the city. Emily, Rocio, Darlene, myself, and one or two other missionaries stay at the church to spend more time with the students there. Many of them travel quite far to come to English Camp and so they live at the church for the week. We spent several nights playing all sorts of traditional games with them and have a blast. Night is the best time to run around because it is so much cooler than the day. By the time we finish it is usually around 9 or 10. Phearum, one of the local church leaders has to kick us out or we would keep the students up all night probably. Haha, but he is happy to have us at the church and he arranges a small convoy of motorcycles to take us back to the guest house every night. We try to stay awake for a quick team meeting, shower, wash clothes (I brought 3 pairs with me) and then catch about 5 and a half hours of sleep before starting all over again the next day. It was super tiring but so worth it. There is much more to tell but I will move on.
Most of the team returned to the States on Sunday. Emily and I stayed on and joined 4 other young people who are on the Global Ventures program for a 6 hour bus ride down south to the capitol city of Phnom Penh. We stayed there a couple days resting and recuperating and getting sick. Some of you may have heard that I got food poisoning or some sort. We ate at a KFC the night we arrived in P.P. that night I had intense stomach cramps and vomiting that kept me up till 4 or 5 am. I blame it on the coleslaw, I was the only one who at 3 cups of it. American food makes me sick, go figure.
On Tuesday we rode another bus to Kampong Saoum where the annual CMA Field Forum was to be held. It's a time for all the missionaries from throughout Cambodia to come together to connect, share, learn, and relax. Emily and I were put in charge of the youth. (12 kids ranging from 6th grade to about to enter college) It was a major shift to go from hanging out with local youth to spending time with missionary kids with a very western mindset. Though it is a bit of a challenge to keep them entertained we've been having a good time with them. The most amazing part of field forum is having so many different missionaries, each with their own unique and moving stories, all in one place. I wrote to someone earlier today that it is a major task to decide who to sit with for each of the meals. I have been so encouraged by the conversations that I've had with these men and women out here on the front lines. We're a little more than halfway through field forum and our plans for the next couple weeks are still up in the air. It might be possible for us to link up with different missionaries and follow them to see the ministries they are involved with but that is still to be decided. There are so many missionaries doing so many amazing things that I wish I had a year to spend in Cambodia. =P
In about two weeks time we will begin the second English Camp this time in Phnom Penh. The student demographic will be different since they live in a big city, the first English Camp in Siem Reap involves students who live a more rural lifestyle. I must admit that I love the rural feel of the Siem Reap camp. People there are much more concerned with enjoying the event than they are with schedules and keeping time. The students are very content playing simple games or starting impromptu song and dance sessions. They know how to entertain themselves and keep occupied. Still, I look forward to the next camp I know it will be fun too.
Thanks for reading and for praying,
Jonathan Chua
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Home?
When I set foot in my apartment for the first time after Cambodia I was not sure if I was actually supposed to be back. Like last year, I felt like I have no home except that which is in heaven, which makes it easier for me to adjust to being in different places. But unlike last year I feel more like a missionary in the states in that there is a lot of work to do here. Last year I felt like I was just coming back to the same old thing, probably because I did not have a specific direction that I wanted to go, but this time I know I'm going to Seminary and then hopefully back to Cambodia for the long term. I was pleasantly surprised that my question was answered so completely, I had asked God to show me what He wanted me to do with the skills and knowledge that He has given me. So in talking with the pastor of the church we where at he told me about a computer ministry he has been trying to start for the past couple of years and how he needs help. I was asked to help and to come back to teach his students. This is what I want to do, I can say that with a certainty that comes from a changed heart. It is my goal for the foreseeable future and for my studies at Seminary. I know that I want to serve God in Cambodia, but also know that I must serve Him in the States while I am here. I still covet your prayers especially with Seminary starting to soon.
Oh and I almost forgot, the picture of our new brother in Christ, the one that Phearum (the church pastor) talked to on the mountain is here:
Oh and I almost forgot, the picture of our new brother in Christ, the one that Phearum (the church pastor) talked to on the mountain is here:
Getting Into You - Relient K
When I made up my mind and my heart along with that
To live not for myself but yet for God somebody said
"Do you know what you are getting yourself into?"
When I finally ironed out all of my priorities
And asked God to remove the doubt
That makes me so unsure of these
Things I ask myself, I ask myself
"Do you know what you are getting yourself into?"
I'm getting into You
Because You got to me
In a way words can't describe
I'm getting into You
Because I've got to be
You're essential to survive
I'm gonna love You with my life
When he looked at me and said
"I kind of viewed you as a son"
And for one second our eyes met
And I met that with the question
"Do you know what you are getting yourself into?"
I've been a liar and I'll never amount to
The kind of person You deserve to worship You
You say You will not dwell on what I did
But rather what I do You say
"I love You and that's what You are getting Yourself into"
Monday, July 7, 2008
on my return to the states...
hey guys, I just wanted to say thanks for those of you who were able to pick us up at the airport, and for those who couldn't, but wanted to, as well. Just your being there really meant alot, and your earnest prayers as well. The flight back was really taxing on me. If it weren't for Darlene, I probably would have cried alot more than I actually did. It all probably started with a little chickadee we ate with our kids, that night i was fine, but in the AM, the day of our return, i was having diarrhea every so often, which worsened on the 17 hr flight back. I was shivering with chills so much, all my muscles are sore, some fever, and no sleep. Darlene gave me some body heat and helped me all the way, tried getting me to eat and drink some, but nothing stayed in. I'm hungry, but I can't seem to keep anything down for much time. As much as I want to be better, I'm just happy that even this has provided opportunity for D and I to be close. Last night when I got home from LAX, my neck started stiffening, and I couldn't turn it right or left. I told my mom to take me to the hospital if that didnt get better by the morning, or if it got worse. my nursing mind was going all over the place. thank God this morning my neck wasn't as stiff. I would've loved to stay out and hang out with you guys last night if it weren't for this. but it all worked out, mom got to hear the best of our stories, and we even stayed up late showing her pictures. I heard summer camp was awesome! we prayed for that, i'm glad it went well. as much as i love group presentations, i'd love to have a more personal time to hang out and talk. pray for my quick recovery so i can do just that w/y'all. much love,rocio
Back home .
So we are back home but missing Jon and Emily....
Please keep them in your prayers!
Wow thats all i can really say. There are no words that can explain the feeling i have in my heart right now. This trip has been life changing. One of the other short termers asked me on one of the last days if this trip was everything i had hoped and dreamed of and much more and thats exactly what it was. If someone would of told me how i would feel being over there and coming back i would of never believed them. I guess no one can have that feeling unless you experience everything, the struggles, the miracles, the blessings.
I want to thank you all for keeping us in your prayers and especially from me to those who believed I would make it because I did! This for sure wont be the last time for me.
Thanks
~darlene~
Please keep them in your prayers!
Wow thats all i can really say. There are no words that can explain the feeling i have in my heart right now. This trip has been life changing. One of the other short termers asked me on one of the last days if this trip was everything i had hoped and dreamed of and much more and thats exactly what it was. If someone would of told me how i would feel being over there and coming back i would of never believed them. I guess no one can have that feeling unless you experience everything, the struggles, the miracles, the blessings.
I want to thank you all for keeping us in your prayers and especially from me to those who believed I would make it because I did! This for sure wont be the last time for me.
Thanks
~darlene~
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Title
We've been in Cambodia for quite a while now. Today was our last day teaching. Tomorrow we'll be taking a field trip over to Angkor Wat. Today we went to "the mountain", it was very hot and humid and we needed to walk up hundreds of stairs. I think we could have filled a swimming pool with our sweat. Pearum, one of the pastors shared Christ with a beggar on the way up to the Buddhist temple complex and he accepted Christ, he is 81 years old. (A picture will be up soon ... ish). We also preformed our skit for the Cambodia students and they liked it very much, everyone was afraid of the sisters who beat up Sharon. Good stuff. The Cambodia students understood the skit, which was something I was a little bit worried about.
The week has gone by faster than any of us expected it to. It's already almost Friday which means we have three days left in Cambodia and about two with our students.
Please pray for our brother Heng, he will be starting an English teaching class in his hometown. He is not sure what he will teach, so please pray for wisdom. Also continue praying for his family, none of which are saved. Please pray for the salvation of the students who do not yet know Christ. Also, for a safe flight home and a safe extended trip for Emily and Jonathan.
-Sharon and Alain (mostly Alain)
The week has gone by faster than any of us expected it to. It's already almost Friday which means we have three days left in Cambodia and about two with our students.
Please pray for our brother Heng, he will be starting an English teaching class in his hometown. He is not sure what he will teach, so please pray for wisdom. Also continue praying for his family, none of which are saved. Please pray for the salvation of the students who do not yet know Christ. Also, for a safe flight home and a safe extended trip for Emily and Jonathan.
-Sharon and Alain (mostly Alain)
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