It’s Khmer New Year next week and we are
thankful to say we’ve been having a bit of rain, which is unexpected this time
of year. April (the hottest month of the year) is the month we all fear and in
almost every conversation this year’s April is compared to previous Aprils and
which was hotter. Each year during this time, when we just cannot bear it
anymore we decide to go and buy an aircon, and then just as we are almost doing
it the worst is over and 3 showers a day are enough!
A bit of feedback from Twans and the
ministry of FGC Community Link. The outreach to a new village is up and
running. Two teachers go 4 days a week to teach and students from all ages are
joining. The home visitation staff are
reporting that most parents are open to them visiting and building
relationship. In Kouk Ro Sey the students are doing well. The high school
students continue to grow spiritually, especially the boys. They have formed a
soccer team and are even competing with teams from other churches. We encourage
them to invite their friends so that this will be an outreach too. The vision
is to rise up Cambodian leaders and it is such a blessing to see how some of
them are stepping up as group leaders or even MC during church service. Please
pray for them, as they have to join their families in religious activities over
this New Year. The families tell how their children have changed from lazy to
helpful and hardworking. Their changed lives are testimonies at home!
Here is something to read about the poor
situation the school system is in Cambodia.
I was with my friends Jared and Emily at
AOC Stung Treng, for the whole week, helping to get everything ready for the
grand opening of the Hope Centre. After a bit of good sweats, the day came that
a lot of people came from across the globe to celebrate for this joyous
occasion. After lots of work from all the staff, it was at last the day!!
The
Hope Center looked really nice and they did a great job in finishing the
building. I think all of the VIP people that came could be proud of the staff
in Stung Treng. Needless to say that we had great food all around and excellent
time for fellowship.
Another
highlight was to see how they distribute the Christmas boxes in the village. Seeing
the joy on the children’s faces was very precious. I wonder how many of them
ever received such a present in their lives. This is definitely a blessing if it’s
done right. We have so much corruption here that it’s a shame that they only
receive it now in April instead of December. Customs need to be bribed to get
the boxes into Cambodia and that takes time and then there are reports of
people taking the boxes and selling it to the pastors in the provinces.
I
will be driving to Battambang tomorrow to take my friend to the doctor and see
if we can help him with his leg. He broke it more than a year ago and it’s not
fixed yet. Pray for safe driving and openness of the doctors.
Our
tickets to go home are booked for 21 May and we hope to be home for 6 weeks.
Cannot wait to touch base with all you beautiful people back home. And of course
cannot wait to go and sit on the dunes and see nothing.
Love
you all and hope that this week will be a good one.
Rossouw-clan
No comments:
Post a Comment