Kandi Lay | Poipet, Cambodia

Lots and lots of testimonies followed the moto/truck trip to encourage the youth and churches in Preah Viheah province a few weeks ago. Many had to do with God’s protection during a really strong rain and wind storm on the way home. The storm was so violent that more than five trees were knocked down onto the road where we were traveling – some barely missing the motos! But other than being blown around by the wind and drenched by the rain, everyone came through the storm unharmed. Thank you for praying for our protection!! Other testimonies had to do […]

There are a lot of ups and downs with youth ministry and if I’m honest, I’d say there have been a lot more downs than ups in the past three years. But that doesn’t mean that the youth who make bad decisions, as they wrestle with God and His will for their lives, can’t return to Him. And that doesn’t mean that God isn’t working. I, personally, am grateful for this wonderfully grace-filled, forgiving God who doesn’t stop working in our lives! Recently, I heard a young man say, “I’d rather stay here and study ‘Christian Family’ (a Bible study […]

Happy New Year! The new Cambodian year arrived as usual with lots of water and powder, gifts to the ‘angel’ of the New Year (offerings to the spirits) and many loud parties. I didn’t participate too much in the New Year festivities this year, and instead helped my teammate, Ruth, move into her new house and said goodbye to Emma (another teammate) who finished her year in Poipet yesterday. Two transitions that are the beginning of the end . . . that sounds ominous doesn’t it? Two more months and I’ll be leaving Poipet, along with all of my teammates, […]

Happy Resurrection Sunday! Area CMA churches came together this morning for a celebration of the hope and victory that is ours because of Jesus’ resurrection. Things didn’t go as planned – as the sound system decided to quit working shortly after we started, but those on the stage simply moved right into the midst of the crowd and used their outside voices! 🙂 At least one person prayed to receive Christ after an encouraging and evangelistic message. We finished our time of worship with some moving testimonies of God’s power and faithfulness. He is risen and at work in and […]

Greetings from the big city of Phnom Penh! I arrived here on Friday in the midst of the evening rush hour. The trip from where I dropped off my travel companions to the guesthouse where I am staying should take 20-30 minutes. Unfortunately because of Friday evening traffic, it turned into three hours! Boy, was I glad to finally collapse into my bed that night – after more than twelve hours of travel. Thank God for the strength, energy and grace to make the trip. Pray for this week of meetings . . . Tuesday & Wednesday will be the […]

Sixteen children, ages 4 to 13, piled in my truck at Living Water Church for the trip to the Andong Tmaa Mia (ATM) Church. Thankfully, Kate Manske, climbed into the back of the truck as well – just to make sure none of the little ones jumped out! When we arrived at the ATM church, we found 50 children from the village already there and waiting for this new exciting children’s outreach to begin! The next two hours included songs, games, snacks and two skits. The first skit showed us who our neighbor is and how we are to treat […]

Yippee! Winter has come to Poipet! It was in the 60’s yesterday morning and today. (Don’t laugh. That’s chilly for us. I even had to wear socks! :)) The ‘cold’ weather, plus the the “pop-pop-pop-BANG!” of fire crackers that comes with Chinese new year has made this an unusual weekend. Continue to pray for the youth at the Living Water Church. The youth leader has decided to help at another church location, so a new youth leader for the Living Water Church is needed. Pray that God will raise up a man or woman of faith and passion to give […]

Christmas at the Living Water Church was great (although way too hot for Dec. 25th, think 80-90 degrees)!  Even after the church bought new chairs, it was still hard to find a seat!  Many of the children sat on the floor at the front of the sanctuary, so the adults could have a chair.  The church was just too full – a wonderful problem to have! 🙂 The message by an International Worker teammate from Phnom Penh clearly declared the reason for Christmas in words and images that the Cambodian people could understand.  In fact, the woman who sat behind […]

On December 25th is the big Living Water Christmas Celebration.  Pray for the preparations – including a youth skit – and that Jesus would be proclaimed clearly! As for the Christmas events in the last two weeks,they say that a picture is worth a 100o words, so to save you some time here are some pictures . . . Youth Christmas Rally on December 10th Children’s Christmas party at Andong Tmaa Mia church – Dec 11th Andong Tmaa Mia Church Christmas Celebration – Dec 12th Santepheap Church Christmas Celebration – Dec. 19th          

“Praise the Lord!”  “Thank you God!”  These are the phrases heard most often at the first Thanksgiving celebration that the Poipet area churches have ever had.  Joy and thanksgiving filled the service – from the gifts of fruit to the testimonies to God’s goodness and love.  Makara, the young man leading the service, has a small phone repair business.  He reminded us of how amazingly God has created us (our bodies) – they are so much better than an i-phone!  He spoke of taking a picture with his phone at twilight of God’s amazing creation – but the picture couldn’t […]