Finding Opportunity

Let us stop thinking about what we cannot do but instead, let us find opportunity in the current season by facing the new normal with faith and not with fear: social distancing, frequent hand washing, wearing a mask, online ministry, and individual or small ministry gathering.

Leakhena's sweet smile shows God's love in her life. This picture was recently taken after her depression.

Leakhena, 25 years old, is currently working as house manager of a Christian girls’ home and a member at WABC church, which we were an instrumental of God. She was my teenage student and I spent time with her when she was under my class and later a colleague teacher. Leakhena came to me last week of April with a heavy heart, asking for prayer and help. At 16 years old, her mother died, she was in high school at that time.  She strove harder to finish her studies until she graduated from university. She fought life’s challenges as a teenager for her family and her dreams. God‘s mercy is obviously upon this young woman. She has been a breadwinner in the family. Her father is a burden to her with vices and no work, but she did not give up so she can provide for his father‘s personal needs and her two siblings who are still studying in high school and university. Because of her surmounting problems at work, family, and love life, her faith was shaken by it. Her sleepover at Shine’s place for a week allowed her to pour out her struggling mind and heart. She was disturbed emotionally and mentally which affected her health. There were times that she woke me up at 4 am for prayer, even though we went to sleep late already. She was so depressed and quite often in tears every day and worst, she was thinking of suicide at her workplace and while staying with me in my room. Because of depression that disturbed her, she had a motorcycle accident that left her with a bruised chest, arms, and legs. God in His mercy allowed me to be of help as she was recuperating from pain at Shine place for another few days.  I asked the Holy Spirit to reveal to me what was happening to Leakhena because her negative emotions were as disturbing as it keeps on coming back day after day. God in His power released Leakhena from the bondage of sins that held her captive. I brought Leakhena to church with her consent after orienting Pastor Sophin on Leakhena’s situation. At church, we spent hours listening again to her struggles, praying, and dealing with the root cause of her problems. The Holy Spirit and His Word released Leakhena from Satan’s scheme. It was not an easy journey but it’s worth it seeing Leakhena’s restoration.  Her experiences strengthen her faith in Jesus Christ, which makes her more effective and productive.  She finds an opportunity in understanding her father, praying, and guiding her siblings, and leading the 29 teenagers at Marlene’s Home. A testimony of God’s amazing grace and compassion.

Thanksgiving:  Praise the Lord for…

1. Leakhena’s testimony and growing faith in Jesus. She’s now constantly reading her Bible aside from the leadership book that I shared with her. Impacting the girls at Marlene’s Home through her leadership. She values the power of prayer in Jesus’ Name.

2. A miracle to my brother-in-law, Alex, and my sister, Merly. These fast few weeks were a roller-coaster ride to me and family back home in the Philippines. After being positive of COVID 19 and stayed in the hospital for more than 3 weeks, however, he was recently discharged out of the hospital. He is COVID free! He had at least 4 COVID tests because of his underlying condition and was moved from different COVID hospital rooms. My sister had developed some symptoms also and undergone swab tests and still in quarantine, but thanks to God the results show that she’s negative of the COVID virus. Above all, because of these literal struggles, God revealed Himself to my sister and brother-in-law that produced a very meaningful encounter with God. Now, both of them have a real relationship with Jesus Christ and promised to share Jesus with their children as well. I have been in constant communication with my sister Merly, through video call, which God used to the saving of my sister and brother-in-law. This has been almost 30 years of prayer that finally God has honored. My sister led my brother-in-law to receive Jesus in prayer and was in awe to God at the hospital bed yesterday.  His mercy and compassion to my family are so beautiful. Indeed, there is beauty in finding opportunities even in adversity only in God's love and mercy.

3. My brother-in-law and sister were supposed to pay 131 thousand pesos for hospitalization but God was so merciful, they did not pay even a single cent as the Philhealth insurance covered all the hospital bills. Indeed, God is good and faithful.  Hallelujah to Jesus again! 

4. Shine team, Dara, and Singim are diligently praying and meditating His Word as we meet once a week in person or through online. Both of them are now enjoying memorizing God’s Word with me and we have memory verse contest and Bible quiz.

Dara and Singim at Shine's living room, holding a mini blackboard for the Bible quiz. 

5. Relief goods operation at a distant village with Kanhchany and her colleagues at work, Freedom Promise in response to the global pandemic crisis. She asked me to help in the distribution of goods and in sharing God's Word to the 20 mothers and grandmothers with the chieftain in the village. God blessed me with an opportunity to pray also for some after sharing the message of hope. God is indeed using the life of Kanhchany mightily. God's investment in Kahnchany’s life is now producing good fruits. I am delighted to see her faith and service to God grow. Great is His power in Kanhchany’s life.

This is the video riding a tuk-tuk to the village where we distributed the relief goods and prayed for an old grandmother that was left behind by her children and also with the blind young mother due to excessive exposure to the pesticide at the farm. 

6. God’s gift of life and opportunity to serve Him more.  I celebrated my birthday last May 18.

Capturing the moment.

A belated surprised birthday cake from Kanhchany and Leakhena.

7. I have met and visited some of my former students at their workplace and in different places, trying to reconnect with them.

8. Cambodia has only 124 cases of COVID 19 with zero mortality rates.  There are only 3 infected cases left in the hospital, the rest recovered already from the virus.

Supplications: Please pray for…

1. Leakhena’s request to mentor her. I meet her every Tuesday afternoon for an hour or more. God’s wisdom and sensitivity from the Holy Spirit.

Shine's weekly prayer meeting that was attended by these 4 beautiful ladies, Dara, Singim, Essa, and Leakhena.  

2. Shine launching to new contacts on June 18. We limit this gathering into at least 10 people. Dara and Singim will be inviting their friends and me also. Preparations for the occasion as we aim to slowly introduce Shine cell group ministry.

Lina, holding her face at the dinner in my kitchen. She has been a Cambodian friend for years now. I have been praying for her to open her heart to God. These three ladies with my discipleship class Vorleak & Singim came to know the Lord ahead of her. 

Singim's mother. We ate lunch together at Shine's place. 

3. I have been praying for specific names and two came to Shine place already: Kimlang and Sothorng, they were my former students. Sovannary, I visited her at work as a manager in a Weng Money Transfer branch. God used me 4 years ago to recommend her at this work through a friend who is a Bank manager that owns multi businesses in town.

Kimlang and Sothorng.

4. Cambodia Teachers Community (CTC) Zoom prayer meeting on Saturday, June 6. I will be leading the said meeting. I have to familiarize the different features of Zoom to use it effectively. God be exalted and be magnified as we reach teachers from different provinces of the country.

5. Intimacy with God in His Word and prayer.  Good health and God’s hedge of protection as Satan is not happy with God’s work. I was attacked by the enemy, however, “thanks to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” —1 Corinthians 15:57

6. Wisdom to government leaders as many teachers and individuals who have no work and no pay.  Despite the minimal cases of COVID 19 in the country, the government is still careful not to open schools, factories, religious gatherings, and some establishments to prevent the second wave. We know that this is happening globally. Let us pray for God’s mercy and grace.

7. The spiritual growth of my sister, Merly and brother-in-law, Alex. Pray for a church where they can fellowship and grow in faith after COVID. Continues protection as Alex needs to go to the dialysis center twice a week.

8. Complete healing to our BSOP International Director, Dr. Dennis Nordine. He had an operation last May 19 because of cancer. He is recuperating well now at home. 

Thank you for your faithful partnership in reaching more Cambodians for the Lord Jesus.  How can I pray for you? Please send me also your prayer concern.  God be made known in our faith especially in this season where fear is magnified in the hearts of many. God is sovereign. 

In Christ,

Mary Jane G. Aragon

BSOP, Cambodia missionary