News From the Battlefront

The Bible tells us that we war a spiritual warfare. We are all fighting on our own battlefront. Ours happens to be in the former French Indochinese colony of Cambodia. Another soul came to God, trusting the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation from sin this past Sunday. Her name is Srey Thom and she's about 19 or 20 years old. Satan does everything that he can to blind the minds of the people so that they will not see the truth. Acts 26:18 says that we are turning them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God.

We still lack the needed funds for our building's completion. Please pray for this urgent need. We lack about $5,000 to $6,000 in order to complete the new building for Capitol City Baptist Church, Phnom Penh. We would like to see, God willing, all of this need met in the next 30 days. Please, would you all pray together with us, that God would raise this money from among the brethren so we can finish this building. We need to finish the bathrooms, the wall around the building, the front gate, the iron railings, and the roof. Presently we have no toilets or sinks in the church because the money is just not there to finish the project.

Prey Veng Church Update

Sorry for the long delay since posting last, but I've been out in the "boonies." For those readers unfamiliar with American slang, that's "a remote location." About two hours east of here, towards the border with Vietnam, we have a church. They invited me to come out and teach all week from the book of Proverbs. I was also able to teach English to the youth during the week. Driving out there is a wild experience. We had to wait on the road while a large herd of water buffalos crossed the bridge in front of us.

We had a great day at our Prey Veng church today. Thirteen brave young new believers submitted to believers' baptism. Some of them were wavering this week, fearing persecution from the community and their own families. But in the end, everyone stood firm for Christ. We all gathered on the banks of the mighty Mekong River. After all were baptized, we loaded up the pickup we rented and some rode bicycles and motorcycles. We drove back through town, the young believers singing "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus." What a joy! I'll get some photos posted for you soon.

Oh Rats!

I hope you're sitting down for this one! About two hours ago, Cindy needed to go buy bread. She went out to the van with a few of the boys. I was getting supper ready in the kitchen and all of a sudden I heard doors slamming and Cindy screaming. Before I could stop what I was doing, Cindy came tearing into the kitchen like a woman on fire! "Rat! Rat! Rat in the van!" She had opened the driver's side door and there to greet her was Willard the rat. So, we all went on the search for the rat. We checked up under the seats, the glovebox, the area behind the radio, the airconditioning ducts and vents, and the engine compartment. No rat. Four people saw the rat. But no one saw the rat escape. So, Cindy bravely boarded the van and drove the ten minutes to the place to buy bread.

Taking Turns Being Sick

Well, I'm here, but that's about all. Wow, what a week. For about a week we've been sick with the flu with just about everyone getting it. Kayla got it. Then a few of the boys got it. Then Cindy. Now me. Today two more of our orphans got it. Kayla, Petro, Pov, and Sina have missed school because of this flu. I just need to rest. We're taking the medicine and trying to just take it easy. We sure would appreciate your prayers at this time.

Believers' Baptism

This morning in our Phnom Penh church, I had the privilege of baptizing about 20 people. Some of our orphans have trusted Christ and were ready to be baptized. A number of teens and adults also came to be baptized. One man, Vuthy, has received Christ in recent weeks. His life was filled with sin, as he drank and abused his wife. Now there is a soul saved and a home restored. Tears of joy were shed by all, but especially by his wife and two little girls as they watched daddy being baptized. To God be the glory!

Spiritual Darkness

This is the time of year when millions of Cambodians gather at the pagoda, bringing food offerings to the spirits of dead ancestors. Many believe that their ancestors return from the underworld to wander in search of food and offerings. Pchum Ben is probably the most important holiday to the average Cambodian. Ancestor worship is deeply ingrained into the mind and soul of the people. A very brave little girl, one of my wife's students, told my wife today that she stood up against the tide this past week. She was forced to attend the pagoda with her family. However, she refused to call on the spirits, pray, or make any offering. Her family was very angry with her. The parents planned a nice vacation at a five star hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia, but this sixth grader was forbidden to enjoy this because of her stand for Christ. Srey Nach, age 18, one of the new believers, also stood firm and refused to offer prayers or offerings to spirits. She was very happy that even though she was ridiculed and called names, that she stood for what she believes.