Under the mango tree

Under the mango tree is where our church began. Then God provided a small covering with a metal roof and now we have this beautiful building. To you and I we might not see it as beautiful. As Americans we are used to multi-million dollar facilities with gymnasiums and dedicated children's centers. This "building" is a wooden shack on poles (because this area floods annually). THe stairs leading up to the one room are barely wide enough for the ball of your foot.

This small church is led by a gifted and passionate woman who has seen heart ache in their village community. Almost apologetically, she shared how the church is smaller today because so many of their friends and family have moved to Thailand to be day laborers because work is so hard to find. These Cambodians are the illegal day laborers of this region. If there were a Home Depot across the Thai border they would be standing outside hoping to get work so they can eat another day.

We spent time with this gracious congregation singing, praying, playing and making a craft with the numerous children. They shared theirs hearts and a dozen coconuts harvested that morning for our thirsty palates. We left only after laying hands on the core leaders of this village church. I was humbled and encouraged as we saw how God uses the simple places of this world to confound the sophisticated. Praise Jesus for his loving and extending church.

If God does it, it's easy

We arrived in Battambang after a 5 hour bus ride from Phnom Penh. We were warmly greeted by the gracious brothers and sisters at Hope Bible Institute. Christopher Lapel gave us a history and tour of the Institute and we were amazed by what God did in order for this church and facility to exist, here, in Cambodia. Christopher's story alone is amazing, but we will leave that for another post.

But all the while he shared with us how God provided the land, the permit to exist as a church group, the buildings, the electricity, he kept repeating on phrase, "When I try to do it, it's hard; when God dies it, it's easy." They attempted twice to get permission to be a legitimate religious group and it always failed. But, finally after prayer and waiting, God opened a door that only he could and through a former donut shop owner in Long Beach, CA now turned Ministry of Religion; God opened the door and they could officially exist in Cambodia. One of the very few for which this is true.

Maybe, I can learn from them. Pray, seek and then let God do the heavy lifting. He is mighty and can do more than any of us.

Grace and Peace,

Troy

Taipei – Taiwan again (May 22 7:00 AM)

We just landed in Taipei and will take off again soon for Phnom Penh. I forgot that I landed here that last time. Economy sure looks different... Starbucks has closed its small cafe here and a local business has taken its place... $3.00 for an American style coffee. I don;t do the coffee thing but Mr. Mehren is needing a fix. We will just finished 13.5 in the air and will do another 3.5 before landing in Phnom Penh. The off to the hotel and get our "khmer" on. That's "cambodia" to you and I. Team is doing great... I can tell everyone is very excited. Not a ton of sleep on this last flight... too much anticipation.