In Cambodia, the custom is that if we want to help the family, one has to stay with them throughout the wake until the cremation, which includes the night watch.
We have such an amazing team that helped out in the wake day and night. Although these boys and girls are young, they did whatever they could as if they were relatives. The family also trusted our boys and girls in the area of finance, even more than the priest (the religious leader in that area).
The girls were in charge of collecting the money and gifts in kind and serving the guests, whilst the boys arranged all the necessary logistics and negotiations. Bro Bunthorn rose up to the occasion as the main co-coordinator, and the family really appreciated him for his love.
As we only had a budget of US$400, he and Udom had to negotiate with the caterer for a long time as it was a holiday and all prices had been doubled. They really tried to save every cent. Thank God for creativity, as we did some things in an unconventional yet acceptable manner, one of which was that we had packet food and only some food from the caterer as it was really expensive.
The priest even announced to the whole community that the Christians were helping this poor family and urged the community to help out too. Thereafter, many people came; some gave money, rice, candles and even joss-sticks! By the grace of God, through the collection and after paying for everything, the shortfall was only US$150,. Considering it was the first time our team did a wake, especially during festive season, some said it was amazing that we only spent that amount.
Bro Da Sothea spent most of the night encouraging the family members and some of the girls even tried to share the good news to people who came to the wake. The pastor, who was not only willing to help to conduct the service, but also brought his church members the next day, even called many other pastors to come. In total we had about 10 pastors from various churches who came to the wake and who all knew nothing about the deceased family.
On 26 Sept 2011 about 100 people turned up to send our Bro Pharom for cremation. A message was preached not only for the people who came for the wake, but also to the whole community who heard it amplified via a loudspeaker. This is a Cambodian custom — be it a wedding or funeral, they will have a loudspeaker blasting music or chanting. In our case, it was the Word of God!
Right now we have 4 cell groups in this area. God is opening doors for us that nobody can shut. Even the priest was so happy with what we had done — l believe the next time we go to his house, he will be ready for the gospel. We are all ready to harvest the field; please pray that we will be there to reap the harvest with the anointing and love of God!
Through this event, God has given me more compassion for this group of poor people. They need more than what money can give them; they need to experience God personally, by looking at our lives. Although some of our team members had to cancel trips and planned activities for the festive holiday, and even with the sleepless nights and exhaustion, we all can only said one thing — Praise God for the grace to finish a JOB AND FINISH IT WELL.
Despite having no experience and being young, God is able to use us as a channel of blessing to the family. The only thing we can offer to God is our willing hearts to serve HIM with all our might, soul and spirit!
On hindsight, God has been pursuing this family especially this brother, Pharom, who was “disappointed with the church and God”. They thought that because they had left the church, God had punished them but instead HE had pursued them through us. We had chanced upon them by divine timely guidance!
The last words of Pharom to his wife were not to worry about his funeral, that God would provide. He breathed his last by asking God to help him. This experience really opened our inner eyes to understand how fortunate we are. There are enormous needs out there and they make our own needs seem like nothing in comparison.
So what’s next? We will continue to visit the family, starting a cell group in their house and teaching them the word of God because only God can set them free from this vicious poverty circle and also only He can break all the curses that have been passed down from their ancestors.
Please pray for our team that we do not just only provide them with fish, but achieve our main purpose of teaching them how to fish. Thank God our team is growing in numbers and spiritually. He has a task for us; we have to accomplish it by His grace and all your prayer support.
ALL GLORY AND HONOUR BELONG TO HIM. AMEN
The crowd descends! Everyone wants a taste of missions! ;)
Tasty yak meat from Yunnan, China
Getting to know more about the work in Lijiang, China.
Explaining the whats and wheres and whys.
Could it be? Someone from the Yi minority tribe from the mountains of rural China?
Alas, no. We were fooled by the costume!
Our Thailand booth with their very creative pop-ups!
Chefs at work!
The Thai salad was a hit!
Captivated by the myriad of Cambodian street food.
Cambodian street game for the young and old alike!
Cambodia church planting and iAim programs.
Cambodia children homes support.
Mala hotpot from our China City Church team!
"Only one each please!" ;)
Something for everyone!
Last but not least, our feature missions location - The Philippines.
Tasting Filipino delicacies! ;)
Arise To Missions!
