June 26, 2006
Anglong Veng
Whew. What a whirlwind the last few days have been. I’ll have to add up all the kilometers of travel. How many kilometers of dirt and muddy roads? How many wooden and weathered bridges? How many hectors of jungle forest? How many muddy trails on the back of a dirt bike? I do not know but the people we met on the way were so welcoming and gracious, I am truly humbled. We drove all day to get near the last church building we helped dedicate yesterday. It is the first we’ve built on stilts. The area is very remote and floods so it was built about 6-8 feet off the ground. I’ll attached photos when I get back in the states. The church is fortunate because the Red Cross placed a high quality well with pump right next to the property. I have so enjoyed the time here teaching and sharing life together with these dear brothers and sisters in Christ. I was handed two letters of thanks from church leaders. In their words, they were “blessed” and were “inspired” by the “passionate” teaching they received. They sent gracious prayers and thankfulness and blessing to you all who are connected to this work. Thank you for your dedication to the kingdom of God and the beautiful people here in Cambodia.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Battambang, Cambodia
June 21, 2006
Hello all-- First of all, “Thank you” to all of you who have sent such encouraging words regarding this mission to Cambodia. Thank you for the support in both prayer and finances.
God has been very real in his blessing so far. Travel was safe and continues to go well. Even riding double on the back of a motor bike through muddy roads without a helmet and in sandals. Hold on tight! The people continue to amaze me. Their commitment to Christ, love for one another, and compassion for others is inspiring. Many live in desperate situations. Food is difficult and work even more scare in the villages. One young house church leader shared that some families in his village do not have enough rice from their own fields to last through the rainy season. Some even go days without food, and it breaks his heart when the children go hungry. Some move to Thailand to find work to support their family.
The Bible Institute is beautiful. Three new buildings were completed this year. Two are for housing (men and women) and another with 4 classrooms, a library and office space. Rainwater is recycled from the buildings into a water reservoir. A new kitchen was also constructed to feed the church leaders as they come for training twice a year. Teaching Galatians and James has been a challenge (how do you translate a goofy sense of humor?) and yet an immense joy. I learn so much from these church leaders and thoroughly enjoy the interaction and discussions. The library of yet is empty. So few Bible reference books or commentaries have been translated into the Cambodian language. I would love for us to find ways to get learning resources for these hungry pastors and leaders. It might be that provide technology so they can record the teachers on CD, as they come, so they can listen to the instruction whenever they need.
Many of you know Don and Bridget Brewster. They are pioneering work in Phnom Penh in the areas of justice and compassion in ministering to young girls trapped in the commercial sex trade (prostitution). We will be able to partner with AIM as they provide housing, care, rehabilitation and vocational training for girls rescued from life on the streets.
If you are still sending in financial support, it will go to some immediate needs we’ve discovered while here. There is a village church that we just dedicated last Sunday that needs to complete a clean water well. The property was purchased with a well dug and casting built but it needs to be drilled deeper and a pump installed. It can be completed for as little as $200 and a high quality pump purchased for around $1000. This well can provide water for this village in the name of Christ.
I will upload pictures as I can this page. If not, check back later.
Miss you all and you are in our prayers.
Preah Protem Po (God bless you),
Troy
Hello all-- First of all, “Thank you” to all of you who have sent such encouraging words regarding this mission to Cambodia. Thank you for the support in both prayer and finances.
God has been very real in his blessing so far. Travel was safe and continues to go well. Even riding double on the back of a motor bike through muddy roads without a helmet and in sandals. Hold on tight! The people continue to amaze me. Their commitment to Christ, love for one another, and compassion for others is inspiring. Many live in desperate situations. Food is difficult and work even more scare in the villages. One young house church leader shared that some families in his village do not have enough rice from their own fields to last through the rainy season. Some even go days without food, and it breaks his heart when the children go hungry. Some move to Thailand to find work to support their family.
The Bible Institute is beautiful. Three new buildings were completed this year. Two are for housing (men and women) and another with 4 classrooms, a library and office space. Rainwater is recycled from the buildings into a water reservoir. A new kitchen was also constructed to feed the church leaders as they come for training twice a year. Teaching Galatians and James has been a challenge (how do you translate a goofy sense of humor?) and yet an immense joy. I learn so much from these church leaders and thoroughly enjoy the interaction and discussions. The library of yet is empty. So few Bible reference books or commentaries have been translated into the Cambodian language. I would love for us to find ways to get learning resources for these hungry pastors and leaders. It might be that provide technology so they can record the teachers on CD, as they come, so they can listen to the instruction whenever they need.
Many of you know Don and Bridget Brewster. They are pioneering work in Phnom Penh in the areas of justice and compassion in ministering to young girls trapped in the commercial sex trade (prostitution). We will be able to partner with AIM as they provide housing, care, rehabilitation and vocational training for girls rescued from life on the streets.
If you are still sending in financial support, it will go to some immediate needs we’ve discovered while here. There is a village church that we just dedicated last Sunday that needs to complete a clean water well. The property was purchased with a well dug and casting built but it needs to be drilled deeper and a pump installed. It can be completed for as little as $200 and a high quality pump purchased for around $1000. This well can provide water for this village in the name of Christ.
I will upload pictures as I can this page. If not, check back later.
Miss you all and you are in our prayers.
Preah Protem Po (God bless you),
Troy
Taipei – Taiwan
Taipei – Taiwan
June 15, 2006
Arrived 10 PM after an 11-hour flight. Five (5) random movies and airplane food can send anyone into a travel coma. I got to the Chaing-Shei Check airport and promptly got a hotel room for the night. I tried to set my internal clock for South East Asia, but a greater voice prevailed. About 4 AM I awoke to watch Germany defeat Poland 1-0 in literally the final minute. No need for translation, I am stoked that the rest of the world will air the games whenever they are played. I am trying to update my blog from Starbucks in this airport. Scary, that their reach is so vast, but thankful for the wireless connection. Props also go to T-mobile for the Wi-Fi. I am excited today to meet with Don B. with Agape International Mission. I hope to find out how One Life can partner in rescuing, restoring and empowering young girls rescued from the commercial sex trade. God’s heart beats for the opposed, under-represented, and marginalized of our world. After all Jesus did come to see and saved that which was lost. Lost means, “I noticed it’s missing.” If we go to Disneyland as a family and I notice that one of my children is missing. I will go on an all out search to find him. I will also never give up and relentlessly pursue my son until we are together again. My love for him compels me to not rest until he is home. My love declares that my son is of great value. When Jesus states that He came to seek the lost, it is a declaration of great love and a commitment to bring us together again. May this journey be one fueled by the love of Christ revealed in His life and shown profoundly in the cross.
June 15, 2006
Arrived 10 PM after an 11-hour flight. Five (5) random movies and airplane food can send anyone into a travel coma. I got to the Chaing-Shei Check airport and promptly got a hotel room for the night. I tried to set my internal clock for South East Asia, but a greater voice prevailed. About 4 AM I awoke to watch Germany defeat Poland 1-0 in literally the final minute. No need for translation, I am stoked that the rest of the world will air the games whenever they are played. I am trying to update my blog from Starbucks in this airport. Scary, that their reach is so vast, but thankful for the wireless connection. Props also go to T-mobile for the Wi-Fi. I am excited today to meet with Don B. with Agape International Mission. I hope to find out how One Life can partner in rescuing, restoring and empowering young girls rescued from the commercial sex trade. God’s heart beats for the opposed, under-represented, and marginalized of our world. After all Jesus did come to see and saved that which was lost. Lost means, “I noticed it’s missing.” If we go to Disneyland as a family and I notice that one of my children is missing. I will go on an all out search to find him. I will also never give up and relentlessly pursue my son until we are together again. My love for him compels me to not rest until he is home. My love declares that my son is of great value. When Jesus states that He came to seek the lost, it is a declaration of great love and a commitment to bring us together again. May this journey be one fueled by the love of Christ revealed in His life and shown profoundly in the cross.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Where ever you go, there you are
Happy New Year! It has been quite a ride in 2005 for the Dean clan. Many of you have been so encouraging and supportive as we have been walking through the biggest transition of our lives. Planting University Praise almost 8 years ago seems (at this place) so much easier than this past year. Many of you have been pursuing us and asking us in your own words, “what happened to you guys? And “where did you go?” Some of you we have missed the opportunity to journey with these past months and maybe surprised by this update.
As quoted from one of my favorite characters, from one of my most favorite movies; Inigo Montoya replies, “It’s too much, I must sum up.” So, here it goes. We have left UP in Southern California and now reside and minister as a part of a community of faith in Northern California called One Life Church. We have moved our family and our stuff from Fullerton to Lincoln. In many ways it represents a new season in our life as a family but also for me in ministry. During the space between leaving and grieving UP, we shared in life, conversations and interviews with a number of churches and ministries. We met many new friends and experienced a depth of relationship for which I am truly grateful.
My heart and vision for the church was expanded and enlarged. One advantage to being unemployed and somewhat nomadic was to experience so much more of what God is doing “over there”. I was blessed by such a variety of experiences as I worshipped and shared in community with brand new church plants of 20-30 to large churches of 4,000 or more. What a diversity and what creativity and beauty exists in the Body of Christ scattered all over. Our family had the joy of being a part of a new church community in North Orange County during our in between time. NewSong Church (NOC) was a deep blessing to us, and a few friends and family members. What a great community of faith, gracious leaders and wonderfully creative and devoted servants. Our kids were loved and ministered to in this beautifully diverse family.
OK. I know the real question. Why did the OC born and bred Deans leave So. Cal. and move all the way to Lincoln, CA. You probably won’t believe the answer but here it goes. I am not sure. It’s not that I am unsure, its just that there is no easy or pretty way to say that we were led by God without it coming across somewhat shallow. We do know this: God connected us with a special group of people (some staff and many that are a part of the community) that simply and profoundly communicated love and grace to us. They welcomed us into their lives and their hearts. The authenticity and freedom we discovered being among them was and is so attractive. They affirmed and invited us to bring who we are and our unique blend of gifting and passion to this three years young church plant. Their way of life and devotion being a church community inspired and wooed us to this out-of-the-way place. Don’t get me wrong. Its not a rural community but it is not urban or metropolitan. It is beautifully simple and yet profoundly progressive community walking a transition of its own. Lincoln was one of the fastest growing cities in California the past few years, on pace with the entire region around Sacramento. It has this unique mix of both traditional and native Lincolnites and a new breed of transplants from the bay area that are seeking a new life (and affordable housing) for their families.
Dawn felt the call perhaps even more strongly that I at the offer. The boys had a fantastic time visiting and they constantly talked about it. After we accepted the call to come to One Life, the boys’ prayers to Jesus expressed both gratefulness and a hope for something better. During our search for a new house, they would pray, “Thank you God that we have a new church, and daddy has a new job and that he likes the one with the pool.”
We have been very busy since I came up in November and we made the final trek as a family when school let out for the Christmas break. We worshipped together for the first time as a part of the One Life community on Christmas Eve. Tanner has been skating around the neighborhood with his Heelies. Dakota has lost his first tooth and will be playing little league baseball this Spring. Chase had a great 5th birthday party with 18 preschoolers from his Messiah preschool class. He says he likes his new school and we find him most days riding around the playground in a helmet on a tricycle.
We have already made a number of treks to Lake Tahoe. Can I say, “Beautiful. Awesome. Breathtaking. Inspiring”?! We’ve gone sledding, skiing and snowmobiling. I am looking forward some time of solitude and silence in the Sierras and surrounding lakes and rivers. This adventure includes some amazing terrain both physically and spiritually.
We are indebted to so many of you who through prayer, spoken or written encouragement and financial support helped us through this season of transition. We already miss you. It has been the most difficult part of this journey to not share life together at the same level we have in the past. We will truly miss that. But, that does not mean we are to do life entirely separate either. Please write or call and give us an update. You can still find me on the web periodically via Podcast even. I do inconsistently keep a blog and have been able to write more than ever before. I was asked to write an article during Christmas for the local newspaper, the Lincoln News Messenger.
There is so much more to the story but I will leave it for another time or another blog.
Blessings,
Troy, Dawn and the three boys Dean
As quoted from one of my favorite characters, from one of my most favorite movies; Inigo Montoya replies, “It’s too much, I must sum up.” So, here it goes. We have left UP in Southern California and now reside and minister as a part of a community of faith in Northern California called One Life Church. We have moved our family and our stuff from Fullerton to Lincoln. In many ways it represents a new season in our life as a family but also for me in ministry. During the space between leaving and grieving UP, we shared in life, conversations and interviews with a number of churches and ministries. We met many new friends and experienced a depth of relationship for which I am truly grateful.
My heart and vision for the church was expanded and enlarged. One advantage to being unemployed and somewhat nomadic was to experience so much more of what God is doing “over there”. I was blessed by such a variety of experiences as I worshipped and shared in community with brand new church plants of 20-30 to large churches of 4,000 or more. What a diversity and what creativity and beauty exists in the Body of Christ scattered all over. Our family had the joy of being a part of a new church community in North Orange County during our in between time. NewSong Church (NOC) was a deep blessing to us, and a few friends and family members. What a great community of faith, gracious leaders and wonderfully creative and devoted servants. Our kids were loved and ministered to in this beautifully diverse family.
OK. I know the real question. Why did the OC born and bred Deans leave So. Cal. and move all the way to Lincoln, CA. You probably won’t believe the answer but here it goes. I am not sure. It’s not that I am unsure, its just that there is no easy or pretty way to say that we were led by God without it coming across somewhat shallow. We do know this: God connected us with a special group of people (some staff and many that are a part of the community) that simply and profoundly communicated love and grace to us. They welcomed us into their lives and their hearts. The authenticity and freedom we discovered being among them was and is so attractive. They affirmed and invited us to bring who we are and our unique blend of gifting and passion to this three years young church plant. Their way of life and devotion being a church community inspired and wooed us to this out-of-the-way place. Don’t get me wrong. Its not a rural community but it is not urban or metropolitan. It is beautifully simple and yet profoundly progressive community walking a transition of its own. Lincoln was one of the fastest growing cities in California the past few years, on pace with the entire region around Sacramento. It has this unique mix of both traditional and native Lincolnites and a new breed of transplants from the bay area that are seeking a new life (and affordable housing) for their families.
Dawn felt the call perhaps even more strongly that I at the offer. The boys had a fantastic time visiting and they constantly talked about it. After we accepted the call to come to One Life, the boys’ prayers to Jesus expressed both gratefulness and a hope for something better. During our search for a new house, they would pray, “Thank you God that we have a new church, and daddy has a new job and that he likes the one with the pool.”
We have been very busy since I came up in November and we made the final trek as a family when school let out for the Christmas break. We worshipped together for the first time as a part of the One Life community on Christmas Eve. Tanner has been skating around the neighborhood with his Heelies. Dakota has lost his first tooth and will be playing little league baseball this Spring. Chase had a great 5th birthday party with 18 preschoolers from his Messiah preschool class. He says he likes his new school and we find him most days riding around the playground in a helmet on a tricycle.
We have already made a number of treks to Lake Tahoe. Can I say, “Beautiful. Awesome. Breathtaking. Inspiring”?! We’ve gone sledding, skiing and snowmobiling. I am looking forward some time of solitude and silence in the Sierras and surrounding lakes and rivers. This adventure includes some amazing terrain both physically and spiritually.
We are indebted to so many of you who through prayer, spoken or written encouragement and financial support helped us through this season of transition. We already miss you. It has been the most difficult part of this journey to not share life together at the same level we have in the past. We will truly miss that. But, that does not mean we are to do life entirely separate either. Please write or call and give us an update. You can still find me on the web periodically via Podcast even. I do inconsistently keep a blog and have been able to write more than ever before. I was asked to write an article during Christmas for the local newspaper, the Lincoln News Messenger.
There is so much more to the story but I will leave it for another time or another blog.
Blessings,
Troy, Dawn and the three boys Dean
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