#259 - A Pictorial Update of Ministry

 Vol.# 259

 

Good morning from a quiet office!

 

I came in early to get this update done and all I can hear is the singing of my Khmer sister who is cleaning the floors in the office, praising God! What a wonderful way to begin my day here! I thought I would send pics and write a bit about them as my way of updating you on life here. 

A pictorial update! 

The past few weeks have been quite busy in my role in ‘regional care’, which simply means looking after the pastoral care of the leaders from the different ministries. I was asked to join the Finance team for lunch and pray for them on my Sabbath day, which was a Monday. I usually do not break my routine on that day, but felt strongly in my spirit that I should honor that request as I was asked by them to come in when the office was at its quietest. Since most teams work on Sunday, they are usually off on Mondays. The head of the Finance Team is Oun Wichika (the only male on that team) and the Office Manager/Accountant is Jenny. The rest of the team comprise of the bookkeepers and cashiers. Five of the girls working on this particular team are from Rescue Orphanage (not all were present when I took the pic!), and were my former students. SO it was a pleasure to sit and pray and hear about their dreams!

 

Last week we got the news of the unexpected death of MaSakhon, who was one of the Directors /Founders of Rescue Orphanage. She was battling cancer. I had the opportunity to go to the funeral that was in the Buddhist tradition, and met with many former students from Rescue! As in the Khmer tradition, the boys sat at one table and the girls at another, wearing white and black. When I arrived, it was a ‘down time’, and they were about to serve an early lunch. At funerals, breakfast, lunch and dinner meals are served, depending on how long the funeral/wake time lasts. Thus it can be expensive for the bereaved family, so giving a donation when you go is expected and needed by the guests. MaSakhon, even though I did not speak any Khmer and she only spoke a little English, was always kind and helpful in my early years working at the orphanage.

As I am writing this, I was asked by one of the staff if I have the time to come and pray and get an update about her life!! A godly interruption by Oun Roma! I listened and then prayed with her, excited to see how God has been opening up new opportunities for her to learn about her giftings in video production and directing/editing videos! She has ingrained in her His DNA of excellence in her work ethic and she in turn invests this trait into the next generation!

 

Last week Wednesday one of the groups I am assigned to is called the 5Ps and we had an off site workshop meeting, where we analyzed the last 6 months of our work and then talked about the short term and long term goals for the upcoming year. It was a LONG day for me since it was all in Khmer, but a fruitful one, as each section heard in entirety what each one has been doing and then we got to pray with and over each other. We discussed the weaknesses and strengths and then the opportunities God was giving to us within the respective ministries of Prayer and Soul Care of Cell Leaders, Worship Service, Events (women’s ministry day, men’s retreat, next generation retreat etc.), Youth and Children’s Ministries.

 

Last pic is of Oun Ouddom, one of the teachers from the Skill Training Centre, and the head of the Centre, Oun Pheareak, both of whom I am helping in different ways in teaching and the administration of the Center.

 

Prayer Requests: 

Please pray for teachers who can teach English, not necessarily ex-pat but can be Khmer who can teach it as well. 

As we provide a free service for those who cannot afford to go to school, we are praying for financial aid for the Skills Teaching Centre.

Praise: 

Many of the students have been coming to the Youth Events and some of them said yes to Jesus the Christ!

 
Prayer Requests: 

Pray for His wisdom as I plan individual / small group time, especially as we will have our first staff retreat in 2 years on an outside location on the 23rd to 25th of this month. I am helping to plan a morning worship devotion time on the 24^th, and on the last evening we will have an open time of sharing, prayer and communion.

 
Thank you all for your sacrifice of time and finances and your prayers for me and His work here. Please continue to send your stories and YOUR prayer requests as well! 

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 

Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 

Your sister, Vedya