Jenny and I have survived the (non)Holidays in Cambodia. There were no Christmas tunes, no houses decorated, no days off for businesses. The major shopping centers had a tree and decorations, but there was little or no awareness of what this time of year means here in Cambodia. It is far removed from December in Canada.
We spent Christmas Eve and most of Christmas Day at Matthew and Nary McCullough's. Matt is a missionary from Ottawa, and Nary is his Cambodian wife. We got up and watched the family open their presents, and afterwards, we had a Christmas feast!!! Turkey, rice, gravy, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, and marshmellow salad!
We returned to Keat & Sally's house following, and went up to the 4th floor of NLCC and had a time of food and fellowship with the staff of the ministry here.
On Boxing Day morning, we got on a bus and headed 6 hrs north to the city of Siem Reap for a 3 day vacation. We stayed at the King Angkor, which, was pretty good, compared to Cambodian standards. On saturday, we toured the temples; most notably: Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm (where some of Tomb Raider was filmed). It was one of the most amazing days I have ever had.
We looked for the kids we had met during the water festival in Phnom Penh, and found them outside Angkor Wat!!! We spent some time with them, and then went back sunday morning and spent some time with them as well. It was the best time of the trip.
We arrived back in Phnom Penh yesterday, with ittle time to prepare for our evening classes. And so, we trod on.
To see photos of our amazing trip, click -->HERE<--

Yes, it totally does not feel like Christmas from my perspective. Here we are, in a Buddhist nation, it's 30 C / 86 F, and the Christmas songs I hear are all in Khmai (the language of Cambodia). I also have a weird rash that will not go away, and the last few days I've had a headache, as well as a bad stomach. Yes, it definitely does not feel like Christmas, from my perspective.
Santa Claus is quite popular here in Phnom Penh; Jesus..................not so much. In a country where the philosophy of Siddhartha Gautama has permeated it's very culture, there is not much room for another teacher, who is looked upon as 'the white man's god'. It is our job, as servants of that God, to show the evidence of what a life lived with Him ia all about. It is far from Christianity, or what the Churches in the West portray. It is a life lived for a Love that far eclipses any other concievable life of service that is scrutinized by the world today.
The Holiday Season we experience in North America is far removed from the one Jenny & I are experiencing this year. But, what is the alternative. To remain at home with 99.9% of the other Christians, safe in our comfort and security?
Close to death, Francis of Assisi said to his followers, "I have done what was mine to do; may Christ teach you what you are to do." At the end of the day each of us are accountable to what God has called us to do, not, to what others think we should be doing. Jenny & I's lot in life, for this season, is the people of Cambodia. They, are who we are accountable to right now. Our lives belong to them, until God says otherwise.
Enjoy the season of Christmas, and take none of it for granted.

Last night I had a dream of PEI. In it, Jenny & I were with someone and we were standing beside a truck, by the red dot I placed on the picture, just outside of Murray River. We were looking south (being upon a high hill from which our vantage point provided an amazing view). There had been reports of a massive storm coming but few people responded to the threat. We looked upon a scene of horror. Lightning flashed, and water had engulfed the whole area the picture implies. There were huge crashing waves and a tremendous loss of life. The water continued to rise until it was almost upon us. We got into the truck and tried to drive away but the water was rising much too fast, and we were in danger of being swept into death as surely as thousands already had been. We managed to escape the rising flood waters, and make it to safety. I woke up.

Not sure what this means. Interpret it as you may, or are led. I hope it's significance was not literal.

Things have been well. Since our Tent City Children’s Service, Jenny & I have resumed normal activities, which included returning to Tent City on sunday. We played with about 10 kids, and no rocks were thrown!!! That’s sweet!

This week, we will not be teaching in New Hope School through the day like we were. Keat has asked us to help him put together some booklets for short and long term missionaries that come here to help. So, today, we begin the process of going through a boatload of material, and trying to formulate some sort of  sense to it all. It will take much work, but the end result should be worth it. After that, I will try to help Keat update his website. Prayers toward these areas are appreciated.

On friday, I took my Bible Study (which has grown to 3 gentlemen, praise God!) through the Books of History (1Samuel-Esther). It was one hectic half hour, and A LOT of material was covered. But they seem to enjoy getting an overview of basic information about what is in the Bible, so I will continue tonight with Job and the rest of the Books of Poetry. Your prayers in this area, as well, are surely coveted.

Yesterday, at 7:45am, Jenny & I hopped into the back of a large truck with two Cambodians, and headed over to Tent City to see how many (if any) kids were waiting for us. The day before we handed out flyers describing a church service we would be putting on. There were at least 20 at the gate waiting for us, and after two truckloads, there was about 90 of the little critters, at New Life in Christ Church.
We played games, sang songs, had a hip-hop dance competition, and had opportunity to accept Jesus as a part of their lives. At least half of them responded to this opportunity! It was sweet. We played another game, and then tried to organize the return trip home.
Luke (a Cambodian youth) and I were in the back with the kids while we drove, and after we had dropped of the first batch of kids, some of them started throwing rocks at us, yelling, "We received nothing." They have the mindset that equates whities with things, gifts, money, etc. They had thought that because white people were involved, that they would get money, or gifts or something. Jenny & I are trying to build relationships that run deeper than superficial materialism. We are trying to tear down stereotypes that have been erected by past Westerners. Perseverance, and Divine love is an attribute that is desperately needed.
We will return to Tent City whether they stone us or not. We go not because they love us, but because God loves them, and gave His Son for them.
The next thing we do is pray, and then after that, we return.

Here is my preach from last sunday, Dec 7. The scriptures I used were:
Psalm 16:11 In His presence is fullness of joy
Isaiah 12:3 With joy we shall draw water from the wells of salvation

There were 100+ people in attendance. The translator is Pastor Keat Kove, and I am preaching at New Life in Christ Church. Hope you enjoy!

Jenny & I have both started Bible studies on Mon-Wed-and Fri after english class in the evening. Last night was my first class. Two men stayed for it, which is pretty good considering we are in Cambodia. These two new believers had been Christians for 2.5mths and 1 month. I asked them why they decided to follow Jesus rather than Buddha (whom they have previously followed). One said that he used to always be stressed about things and never had peace. When he believed on Jesus, he had peace. The other said that with Buddhism, there was an awareness of sin, but with Jesus, there was the forgiveness of sin. How simple, yet how powerful.
So I started teaching them the basics, starting with Genesis. But, when they were a little confused about the origen of Satan, I went back a few (million, maybe billion) years to the creation of Lucifer and the angels, etc.
These new believers are so in need of good discipleship. As all are here in Cambodia. It is not uncommon to see someone who has been a Christian for 2 or 3 years, not reading the Bible or professing any real Biblical knowledge. Teachers (and Lovers) are in high need here.
So, pray for Jenny & I; that God's hand and anointing would be upon these classes. We would love to see increase beyond what we can imagine, but, even if our numbers are small, we would love to see abundant fruit in the life of even one. Our ministry (our very lives) are in His hand.