A Hope and a Future

Greetings, everyone, from our Battambang Internet Café!

I couldn’t e-mail yesterday because our team spent the day driving to the airport to pick up two additional members, then driving 5 hours to Battambang from Phenm Penh. Nothing unusual … unless … you consider WATER BUFFALO on the road UNUSUAL. Our driver dodged all kinds of creatures (WB’s, cattle, & dogs), stalled vehicles (marked on by the Cambodian version of an orange cone – branches), and pedestrians (who don’t believe in “looking both ways” since it would be Buddha’s will for their wrongdoing, if they got hit...)

We met Kevin and Jill Kane, our missionaries, at the hotel upon arrival in BB, where they shared how God brought them to faith and led them to Cambodia through Wooster Grace. For all who have supported them directly or through the ministries of our church, we are privileged to be associated with these committed servants of Christ. Together, they are building relationships with the lost, discipling new believers, training leaders and teaching English classes. God is using them to make a significant impact for him in this part of the country.

I wasn’t prepared for what I experienced this morning, however. When we arrived at the site for our orphanage dedication, we were swarmed by dozens of children who hugged and loved us. The property provides the space for five Asia’s Hope orphanages and was decorated with a stage, tent, balloons, signs, and bunting. The dedication of our orphanage was a VERY BIG EVENT for our orphans and their leaders.

During the program, the orphans from each home sang and danced to either a traditional Cambodian song (complete with costume) or worship chorus. This 2-hour service featured music, dancing, preaching, praying and Scripture reading. I shared from Jeremiah 29:11 about how these orphans have a hope and a future because God knows them, created them and loves them.

Tonight it was … TIME TO PARTY!! Cambodians love a good party so ours featured music, dancing, and fireworks. After about 45 minutes of dancing, I tried to join the kids. When I started dancing, the generator quit working … so the party ended! Not surprising, the way I dance!

The highlight of the day for me, however, was meeting the 5-year old adorable girl, named Vin Seang, whom Roxanne and I sponsor. She just arrived at the orphanage from the Cambodia-Thailand border within the last week. (See picture above).

Please continue to pray for us. Tomorrow I preach at the morning worship service on the stories of Esther and Jephthah, who also had difficult family backgrounds.

I’ve been bothered a bit by stomach issues, so I very much appreciate your prayers for strength and health for all of us! God listens when His people pray!!

Yours because HIS,

Pastor Bob