Monday night prayers 13 Jan.2025

 

Sorry for the late reply to our prayer Mondays. Since we last talked to each other we took a trip to Malaysia and spent quality time with Anton. It was a sweet reconnection that evening when we arrived. Like Twans said:”” Today the world is good again.”” We brought Anton some of his favorite foods from Cambodia as he is missing them the most. Wonder if he misses us?? He is enjoying his classes and making friends slowly. He has some challenges that he is working on and it takes time to resolve. Making friends with foreigners is not an easy task and because he is almost the only white person there, it makes it even more difficult. Thank God he is enjoying church and a small youth group.

I am preparing to go on a few outreaches with some friends who are starting to fly today from the States. We will go down South as well as going to the jungle. Please pray with us for this outreach to the jungle as the people from the small church in Rum Jopon want to be baptized. Pray that they do this out of true conviction and not just as an add-on to their old religion. Remember that these people did not know who Jesus was, just a few months ago. We read about this kind of event all the time in the Bible and we are looking forward to a momentous occasion and for the Lord to be present.

Also, pray for Curtis and Din to talk to the school's teacher about what her role needs to be in the future. We feel we want to lay down some sort of guideline for her even if there are only a handful of students—nothing serious, but something to help her along the way as well. As we move forward on this path we do not want people to see us only as an ATM/provider but rather see the investment of their efforts in it, without us being involved too much. We are one amongst us that we want to play a minimal role in this development. One day we will not be there and they need to move on by themselves, so teach them from the beginning.

FGC had 2 teams just before Christmas. One team was a young people team and they had a very big Christmas party at the base. Toinette said that she was very impressed with this young team’s willingness to help and work with the people. The other team was older people doing the 321 Teachings. These teachings encourage all the staff a lot. We could even visit with one member while we were in Malaysia. Just to show how small the world can become when Christians work together.

 

Please pray:

Some update from Ettiene: We saw the doctor this morning and he’s pleased with my dad’s blood results - the liver is healthier than it has been in a really long time. My dad got admitted to the hospital today and will start the tests tomorrow 😊. We’ll keep you updated as we find more. Thank you for praying.

 

May this week be a glorious week for you all.

Love

Rossouw-clan

Monday night prayers 23 December 2024

 

Good day everyone

Christmas in Asia is not such a big deal. When we first came to Cambodia, there were no signs of Christmas, but now it is all over the place. The hotels’ displays even got all the Disney characters on display as well with lots of lights of course. It seems it's good for business. The Christians here use this time to tell the story of our Lord to the ones who do not know. Big Christmas parties are conducted by various NGO’s, and it’s a joyful occasion. Of course, the Filipinos already started their Christmas in September. Poor Anton got some classes off but he still needs to attend them online. I guess it depends on what university you attend. We will go and visit him on the 26^th and be back for the new year again, which is also not a big deal around here as we have 3 new years to celebrate.

 

A team of young adults from Full Gospel Church Johor Baru joined the FGC Community Link this past week.  Twans was touched by their servant's heart to come in their precious Christmas holiday and serve together with the FGC Community Link team in KoukResay.  It was a Christmas party for the kids in the morning and adults in the afternoon in KoukResay village yesterday. This is a great opportunity to invite the students to learn at the center and their friends and neighbors. Christmas here is a great time to tell the story of Jesus. 151 kids came in the morning and 53 adults in the afternoon. The team brought a lot of crackers and small gifts that we could hand out to the children. The younger ones each got a wooden toy car as well.  Please pray with us for those who truly heard the Gospel yesterday, that they would open their hearts to learn more and accept the salvation of Jesus.

 

Visit a friend, who went through a very difficult time these last few months. We just realize the importance of encouragement to people in need. Just as we were comforted in our difficult times, we need to do the same. It was great to see that the whole family is breathing again, even the healing process is still going on. Let’s not forget those in need in this time of celebrations.

 

Update on Ettiene: We ask for extra prayer this morning. Last night my dad had a weird sensation where he temporarily lost the ability to see in his right eye as the bottom part went dark. This lasted for a little over a minute. When we told our doctor this morning he said that it could be a number of things, but he wants to take an MRI just to be on the safe side. In rare cases of my dad’s type of cancer, it can spread to various parts of the body, including the brain. While my dad doesn’t have any other symptoms that point to this, we are getting an MRI later this afternoon after his immunotherapy and targeted therapy. We want to ask that you please pray for protection for every part of my dad’s body, and that no abnormalities would be found in his brain. We will keep you updated as we find out more

The MRI came back normal! There is nothing abnormal in the brain. We are so grateful! Jesus is so good! Thank you for your prayer and support.

We wish you all a wonderful and joyful Christmas season and may the Lord of peace be with you all.

Love

Rossouw-clan

Monday night prayers 16 December 2024

 

Good evening all

This mail is from our new little mansion in Karoakie street, yes you heard right, guys staying around the corner in a bit of a slum area are having a go every night. Well, at least they stop at some point haha.

Everything is still standing around and of course we are looking for everything that we packed away. Thanks, anti-Senta, we will remember that quote from you. Well, the dogs are taking it hard and they are not interested in eating at all as they think they need to go back home to their old home. When I get in the car they are ready to jump on. The neighborhood rascal dogs are up and awake when these 2 big boys get out. Missing Gideon this time as he would have loved this interaction with the neighborhood dogs. Right next to us, these guys are farming with a few chickens but they are quiet.

News from the jungle is that everyone wants to be baptized. We asked them to wait a bit until we can get there, and in the meantime, Dim can talk a bit more about the big step they want to take. They want to make a stand now, and we are so happy for them. Pray with us, as in a few weeks, they will take the big step. The small school is full on the go and they even close one side so the children can concentrate and not look around. There are just a handful but it’s the beginning of big things.

Twans is asking for prayer for their Big Christmas Party on Sunday at River of Life Fellowship (Now the name changed to The Good Shepard, because they are registering the NGO as a local NGO, and the name needs to change). FGC church in Johor Baru is sending a team to help conduct the Christmas outreach. There will be 2 parties, one for the kids in the morning and 1 for the adults in the afternoon. Many people are invited and for many, this would be the first time to hear the Gospel message. Please pray that the seed will fall on good ground.

Thank you for praying for us all

Love

Rossouw-clan

Monday night prayers 9 December 2024

 Good evening you all

Moving is almost done and this week we will be done and into our little place. Went there a few times this weekend and tried to pack out things and sort them out. Will most properly be a long time still before we can call it home. If I look at all the wood lying around, I cannot but wonder how in the world I got there??

Anton was really sick this last week but after 2 visits to the doctor he is doing much better, thank you, Lord. One more thing he had to do by himself. We thank the Lord that he is getting more friends and that life is making sense in school.

While writing this letter, my friend Emily phoned and informed me that their son Eli got hold of some keys, thought it would be a nice snack, and ate it. Needless to say, it was time to bring him down to Siem Reap. Jared did it in record time, and the doctors at Kanta Bopha did an amazing job getting the keys out of his stomach. Please pray for the days ahead as his throat will be a bit sore and pray for Mum and Dad to get over the shock of dealing with stuff like that, here where things can get wrong very quickly. Update: This morning the little man is out and enjoying some ice cream cause a sore throat ask for that type of meds. Praise God he is well.

I met up with an old friend, Ottonya. We have known each other for a very long time, and she is working for Ywam here in Siem Reap. She is not doing well. For a long time now, she has been under the weather, and the doctors cannot figure out what is wrong with her. I advised her to go to Thailand for a better checkup. Pray for her as she is struggling health-wise.

Ouma Paula is saying that she is just very weak but like the person she is, never complain. Please pray for her as she is dealing with a lot of pain due to a broken rib.

The great news is that the small school in the jungle started. They are sending pictures daily to show the students in the class. Dim went there to also use it for worship. We are glad that they now have a place to do those things that are needed. Luckily we are not in on the number of students but one thing is for sure: some kids want to learn. Pray as this place is starting to make a stand for Jesus and that this will be a beacon of Hope to people around.

 

Some news from Ettiene:

This evening we had the joy of celebrating Thanksgiving with some friends! Our hearts are so grateful for God’s goodness, especially looking back at the last few months. We are overwhelmed by God’s goodness in keeping my dad so strong throughout treatment, keeping him healthy, and shrinking the cancer. Thank you for praying for our family and for my dad! We really appreciate your love. Like the friends who broke through the roof to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus, we want to say thank you for carrying our family in faith and prayer.

My dad is recovering well from his treatment this past Thursday. He is feeling a bit nauseous and quite fatigued. Please continue to pray for his body to fight the cancer well and for his liver inflammation to go down.

Thank you very much for praying with us.

Love

Rossouw-clan

Monday night prayers 2 December 2024

 

Good evening all

What a day!! Who said they love packing and moving? Well my whole yard was a mess today as people came and load stuff and break stuff down. Seeing all our stuff on a truck or being broken down is a bit unsettling for a moment but then so is life. At least next time it will be easier to move.

We were off to the jungle without our friend Dim. Please pray for him as he needs to deal with the passing of his father-in-law. Curtis and Kimloon and 2 boys from WOL came along for the ride. We had a great outreach with the Gospel being preached in various places. Like Curtis says:”” In some places the people do not listen but the seed has been planted.””

Not everywhere it is the same. In Rum Jopon the people were waiting for us. They finished the little roof they built for a small “” school”” as well as for a worship area. I am so encouraged by the attitude of these people. They wanted to run with this project and finished it. We gave meds to the sick and of course, the children got some sweets and balloons. Afterward, some ladies were asking Kimloon and Curtis questions. You must realize that these so-called Christians do not even know how to pray. They ask them to teach them how to pray as well as to sing worship songs. It is hard to believe that in this time of age, you still get people who do not even know the basics like prayer. It is exciting that they asked about it.

Next, they shared their recent persecution. The local people around asked them why they started believing these Christians as they were no good, they lied to people and forced them to join their beliefs. They told them that they checked us out now for more than 10 years and they see that we do not force them to become Christian nor do we lie to them. We gave them good medicines and taught them how to take it as well and it worked wonders because it was the right medicine.

One shared that the people in charge in the jungle came to them and tried to scare them as they became Christians but she stood her ground and told them that she would start following this Jesus cause He is good for her.

One lady was saying that her husband is always drunk but she told him that she will not drink with him anymore as she feels that Jesus does not want her to do that. While she talked to Curtis she was so full of joy that it was addictive.

The ladies were sharing one after the other about things that happening around them. Even if they do not want them to make a school, they borrow the small tables of the old school to use.

Please pray for these beautiful souls out there making a difference in their community. It is not easy being a Christian surrounded by people who do not believe. Pray that they will learn new ways from the Bible on how to make ends meet and how to live their lives according to Jesus. It is a long and difficult road but we are doing our best in trying to encourage them.

 

Thank you for praying with us and we keep you posted as things develop in the jungle.

Love

Rossouw-clan

 

Monday night prayers 25 November 2024

 

Good evening all

Wow in one month it is Christmas, can you believe it?? This year went by a pace that we could hardly keep up with. I am looking forward to Christmas as we go to Malaysia to see our little boy, hahaha.

Twans is still working as they have a team that is visiting these few days. They will conduct a seminar. Everyone is busy these days with teams visiting Cambodia during the December months. I am gearing up to go to the jungle at the end of the week in order to give out some medicines where needed. It is winter in Cambodia. Yip you heard right, we also have winter for about 2 days when it gets cooler all around. So it is a good time to give out blankets and clothes to the people in the North as they normally suffer from this cool weather. Most of you that live in snow-covered areas, will say that it is insane to get cold in Cambodia, but believe me, it gets cold. Come and visit and you can experience it by visiting the North.

The people in the jungle at Rum Jopon have already constructed the building and they will most properly finish it soon without us even helping them. These guys are serious about getting their children some schooling as well as getting a place to worship. Dim reports that the parents normally send their children away to their grandparents as there are no schools anymore. Now that the small school will start again, the parents get the children back home to stay. That is an answer to prayer as this was very worrying for me for so long to see children without any knowledge running around. We have a small opportunity now to speak into the children’s minds as well as minister to the adults. God’s timing is really wonderful. Pray for Dim as his work is taking flame.

Anton is doing great, just reporting that he finally made some friends. It will take some time for him to adjust to life in Malaysia but we know that he is in the right place at the right time. He is enjoying his classes as it is stuff that he did already before. Pray with us for him that his testimony amongst the other students will speak for itself.

Ouma Paula is doing well. She is not a person that complains a lot and we can learn from her as she is always so positive about life. She is such an example of being content with what you have.

Packing and moving creates a lot of emotions as we open old stuff and recall memories from the past. What to keep and what to throw away or give away. Staying such a long time in one place and then moving is not a job for sissies.

Thank you very much for praying with us.

Love

Rossouw-clan

 

Monday night prayers 18 November 2024

 

Good evening all you beautiful people

Things are moving a bit fast here. The Rossouws found a new house, much smaller as we are only 2 people now. So now everything needs to be packed and shifted. My goodness, that is a mission in itself. This morning I bagged 10 bags full of wood and did not even make a dent in my garage. Needless to say, it was a really dirty job, someone had to do it. My friend from up North is taking care of all our wood furniture as they are building a new base. Great, now the shifting can start. We need to be out by the end of the year so we still have a few weeks left. Packing up your house after living here for 12 years is no job for anyone.

Toinette says that we are talking much more to Anton now than when he was here. Thanks to technology, we are able to connect with him daily, not once but twice a day. He is settling in slowly but surely. It is so good to know that our little boy is handling stuff now on his own. Mum and Dad are looking forward to our short visit over Christmas with him. Pray with us that the Lord will keep him safe from temptations and bad influences with almost no Christians around him.

Dim is making a lot of waves in the jungle as he continues to reach out to the people of Rum Jopon. The people are so on fire that they already went ahead to cut wood to build a small roof for the teaching of children as well as a place to worship. Nothing fancy only a roof to protect from the elements. No school like you used to as well. This teaching here is for all different ages and they basically learn how to read and write in Khmer. Most of the children and people around do not know how to write and read due to the remote location. If any of you feel to help with this little project, please let me know and I will provide you with more info.

 

A little update from Ettiene:

Hi friends, thank you for all your prayers. My dad has been recovering great from his chemo that he received on Thursday. We think this might be the strongest he’s felt after chemo in a long time! His liver has been struggling a bit more though. Over the last few weeks his liver infection markers have slowly been increasing but not at a dangerous level yet. Also, there is some redness around the port area on my dad’s chest, and while it doesn’t look like a serious infection at the moment, the doctor is taking precautionary actions and has prescribed an antibiotic skin cream for my dad for the next few days. The pins and needles in his hands are doing better but still present. Please be praying for my dad for these things.

Thank you so much for standing with our family in faith and love. We really feel so loved by your support ♥

 

May God bless you guys in this week to come.

Love

Rossouw-clan