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.
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