Want to say that I am sorry for the late reply. Came home last night after a 4 day bike ride with some good friends, just was not able to think anymore and had to leave it till tonight. Cambodia this time of the year is beautiful and we passed through some thick jungle and beautiful rice fields. Love this time of the year. I was with long-time friend Jarod Lee, his dad and some other guys. Great company and even better riding. I praise God that I am still be able to do this sort of riding. Seeing the need in the heartland of Cambodia really opens your heart for the people.
Thank you all for praying for my little sister, Elizma. She gave birth to twin-boys, Christiaan and Sebastiaan, on Thursday Nov.03. The boys are still in the hospital due to some breathing problems but they are doing just fine. This is a real miracle as they struggled now for many years to have children and finally they are parents. We rejoice with them.
Currently we have a small 10 year old boy in hospital due to a broken leg. He got operated on yesterday and hopefully he will be out soon. He is a small tribal guy and could not get the proper treatment in Ratanakiri. Please pray for him for healing.
I want to lift up all my American friends in prayer tonight. As you all know the election is due and we need to believe that God will put the person in charge that need to be there. Pray for peace and calmness into this big election.
Our prayer for Syria this week:
Isaiah 61:9b "All who see [My people] will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”
So true!! So true!!
Father God, as Syria grows darker and darker, as Turkey is imprisoning more people and killing Ks in Syria, You have not turned Your face away from Your people. Thank You Father that You see and You care. You LOVE! You have not forgotten. Father, I thank You sooooo much for the pastors who have stayed behind in Syria, risking their lives, but at the same time seeing a great harvest. I thank You for churches which are filling up with covered ladies, their husbands and their children. Thank You for new churches who have opened where no churches were allowed before. I thank You that You see! You see!! And the unbelievers see too! They see the light and are attracted to those who walk in the Light, in Freedom, and with Hope in their step. Father, as life is so uncertain and hopelessness is all around, may the blindfolds be removed and may SO MANY MORE come to know You, the God who sees!
Father, I pray for my pastor who is still in prison and doesn’t know what the future holds. I pray that You remove all lies from his mind, from his file, and from the accuser. I pray that You would gift him with Hope in this time of the unknown. I pray that You would bring the accuser to repentance, that he would stop chasing the godly with lies that destroy, but instead that he would desire Truth, and would speak truth! Father, please save his soul!
We have a big holiday coming up:
The annual three-day Water Festival competes with the Khmer New Year for being the most important holiday for Cambodians. In Khmer the annual Water Festival is called Bonn Om Toeuk. The Water and Moon Festival ushers in the fishing season.
The Water Festival also marks a unique natural phenomenon – the Tonle Sap river reverses the flow of its current. It is probably the only waterway in the world which flows in opposite directions at different times of the year. The Tonle Sap lake or Great Lake is a vast expanse of water, once an arm of the sea, which forms the most significant topographical feature in country. The lake is fed by the Mekong river and the Tonle Sap river. From November to May, the Tonle Sap river runs into the Mekong just like any other tributary. But with the arrival of the monsoon rains, there is such build-up of water in the main stream that excess pours into the Tonle Sap river, forcing it to change direction and flow back into the Tonle Sap lake.
The Festival also coincides with the full moon of the Buddhist calendar month of Kadeuk. The Cambodians believe that the full moon is a good omen which promises a bountiful harvest. On this night, especially in the countryside, people gather to give thanks to the moon. Special food is prepared for this occasion – fruits, vegetables and fish amok, a uniquely Cambodian speciality. Candles are lit, incense burnt and offerings made. The chief priest lights the candles and as it drips on the banana leaves spread beneath the candles, predictions are made. It is said that the shape of the melted wax on the banana leaves dictates the state of all future harvest for the year.
It is not surprising that the city takes on a carnival air during this period. Open-air live concerts are held, make-shift food stalls selling a variety of local fare are set up in parks and children as well as adults take rides on ferris wheels. Colourful buntings and banners adorn government buildings and as night falls the Royal Palace is brightly lit with colourful lights. Brilliant fireworks illuminate the night sky and flotillas, outlined by lights, glide gracefully down the river. This is, in fact, Cambodia’s version of the Mardis Gras.
Thanks again for praying for us all. God is good and good things happens in this time.
Love
Rossouwclan
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