A while ago, we (Jenny, I, and the 5 other missionaries here right now) were having supper and discussing a dilemma that was currently surfacing in the evening classes of New Hope School. (The school is teaching english at a VERY discounted rate to locals here in Phnom Penh, with the goal of exposing them to people who truly love Jesus and give that love out in servanthood. Right now we have about 100 people in 5 different classes ranging from Introduction to Level 3.) There is a lack of quality Christian english teachers available. Because of the need, a decision was made to let a girl (Muoy, by name) teach an introductory class with a westerner serving as her translator. To the missionaries at the table, this seemed like it could've been a compromise to the vision of New Hope School, which is to have a 100% Christian witness as staff. Muoy was not a Christian. Amidst the conversation, in true charismatic form, I blurted out (in all seriousness), "Well, then, I guess we'll just have to get her saved, and that will end the problem." There was unenthusiastic agreement with my statement.
If the students enrolled in these english classes are not able to afford the $5/month tuition, then they can recieve a scholarship, which means they have to attend 5 programs/mth at New Life in Christ Church. By doing that, the $5 fee is waived and learning english is free. One of the program options is a saturday evening youth meeting that starts around 5:15pm and lasts till 6:30pm. I was to speak at the youth meeting on Nov1/08. I decided to give my testimony (because in this culture, with no Biblical knowledge, testimonies are more powerful than back home) and speak a bit about how God's Spirit constantly calls out to our spirits, to know us more intimately. At the end I decided to give an opportunity for people to acknowledge their need for Jesus. In Cambodia, this is a sign  of weakness, and pride usually prohibits people from responding to "altar calls". I encouraged people to raise their hands as a sign of belief, and the only hand to go up, was Muoy's! I didn't know it was her at the time, but found out later. After that, because of the cultural reluctance, I explained that Jesus doesn't care about raised hands, or a rehearsed prayer, but He cares about the quality of one's heart. I led those who might be interested,  in a private prayer of repentance.
It is an honor to be working in a nation that is Buddhist in name only, much like those in the West work in nations that are Christian in name only. It don't matter if you are Hindu, or if you are Buddhist, or if you are Muslim, or if you are Christian; you must be born again!

Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3 nasb)

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