The Faithful Worker @14
The one who
calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
(1 Thessalonians 5:24)
It is His faithfulness that we depend on, not our
own. July 23 I arrived in Cambodia in 2008, which was
14 years ago. While on the bus from the capital city of Phnom Penh to
Battambang, we traveled for seven hours; the rain was pouring so hard on that
day. I have seen no mountains but extensive rice fields. I was exuberant about
what the Lord had in store for me in this former killing field but now living
fields’ country. The following day, at the wet market, while looking for some
stuff, I accidentally stepped on the feet of a young lady; and I immediately said,
“Aukorn!” My shoes were full of mud, and the lady’s facial reaction was
pain, but after I quickly uttered “Thank you!” in Khmer language and she smiled
at me for I was supposed to say, “Somtos (sorry). God’s amazing grace has been
at special work from that day onward in transforming me inside and out. Later
as relationships were established and trust was developed, Cambodians believe
in Jesus, love the Lord, and serve Him faithfully. Worship Assembly Battambang
City (WABC) was planted in 2012 by His grace and is now being Shepherd by a
local Pastor, Sophin Smith, whom I worked closely with at LOHI, Cambodia
Schools for Missions (CSM) Bible School, and at church for years. This is
the church for the students at LOHI who were converted to Christ; moreover, many
Bible school students were trained and are now pastoring and leading churches
in different villages in the northwest countryside of Cambodia. We started village
ministry with Dara’s family that is now serving at WABC church, and we are
currently having Shine with an intentional discipleship-focused ministry. It
has been a challenging yet fruitful journey because He who calls us is
faithful, and for this, I am grateful to our Abba Father for allowing us all to
partner with Him throughout these years. Glory is all HIS. He is a
true, Faithful Worker. Please click this link for the ministry video.
“Doomsday is coming, and there’s only one safe
place to go, come to me at Kulen Mountain (Northeast Cambodia)!” –Khem Veasna (local political leader). Twenty thousand people were in
haste and left their houses, and sold out their properties, students stopped
their studies and work because of this false prophetic news that a huge flood
is coming to Cambodia and the world. And only Kulen Mountain is the safest
place to live according to Mr. Khem Veasna. It created a disturbance to
the country’s health and economy. At Shine cell group, we grabbed the
opportunity to pray for God’s mercy to intervene. One day at the village
ministry, at Nika’s house, God led us to use the momentum as a teachable moment
for the children and adults to know about the story of Noah in the Bible.
Suddenly, Theary, a young girl spoke about what was going on at Kulen’s
mountain and their neighbors who rushed to leave their village to go to mount
Kulen. The same girl asked me the following Sunday what will happen to
them as the big traditional holiday of Pachhumben day (All souls day) took
place. She is afraid that they won’t be allowed to enter the pagoda because
they study Bible stories. Thus, they were told not to learn about Jesus
Christ anymore. We pray and hope that this fear will lead these children to the
saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus. Now, after the doomsday date expired
which was predicted by Khem Veasna had passed, some people returned home but
some chose to stay in Kulen Mountain.
Shine hosted a fellowship on the graduation day of the batch of students at the University of Economics (UME) after six weeks of classes on English Career Development, taught by Kanhchany who are legally authorized by the US Embassy Cambodia to conduct this short course with the help of UME Administration. Kanhchany asked for my help as a substitute teacher every Wednesday. Our purpose is to establish relationships with these students; hoping that some will study Bible English at Shine in the future. God gave me the opportunity for me to share the Gospel with them during the event.
“Ber” months started and a nativity puzzle was
used at the beginning of each discipleship class. I have fun watching the
eagerness and competitiveness of each one of them as the timer ticks, but of
course, it was a teachable moment as I asked them what is the puzzle all about;
I shared with them how Jesus Christ was born through this simple activity.
May Jesus reign in our hearts regardless of the season we have in life
because He is always at work in saving lives.
Thanksgiving and
Praise:
1. I received my passport back with a year's visa.
2. His protection amidst danger. I had a motorcycle
accident last week that hurt my left side for days, but praise God as the
doctor's findings show no internal damage but only traumatized muscles. So,
a pain reliever was prescribed. I felt a lot better now.
3. His Word guides and gives me wisdom, peace, and
strength.
Pray for:
1. Salvation of Saohue, Sreylen,
Sreylis, Rath (Sreyleaks husband), Sivheurn (Dara’s husband), and Mie Oun.
2. Spiritual growth of Nika’s father and Aunties, Mak Ya and Mak Chan,
Sopheak, Sreyleak.
3. Thaibodia annual field council and BSOP 20th anniversary in Bangkok Thailand on November 10-13. Please pray for wisdom as we make
ministry plans for 2023. Good health, safe travels, and provision. Thank
you!
4. Diligence and obedience to God of Cambodia Teachers Community (CTC) to reach their
colleagues for Christ.
“And after you have suffered a little while,
the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in
Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish
you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1
Peter 5:10-11
--
In
Christ,
Mary Jane G. Aragon
BSOP
Cambodia missionary
https://mjaragonbsop.blogspot.com
P.O. 369 Box
Battambang City, Kingdom of Cambodia
+855770305008
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