Welcome brothers and sisters to this month's report of the work of Christ in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This month is a much needed month for not only myself but the staff and students of IBISR. As we completed our first school year, the students were sent home and the staff got a chance to visit family and take a break from teaching. We also had the opportunity to regroup and focus on the next school year. It is a blessing to be able to work with individuals who are excited about doing God's will and teaching his pure gospel to sincere souls. It is more of a blessing to have fellow workers of Christ like yourselves who read and support this work on a consistent basis. We know that our goal is to be self sufficient but we also know that we need your support until that day comes. It's like a teenage orphan who knows that he has the responsibility to take care of his younger brothers and sisters but he doesn’t refuse help from kind and generous individuals who show compassion on him and his family until he is able to grow up to be an adult and take care of them himself. That is why we appreciate your love and sacrifice in sending your hard earn money to support this work.
As some of you might know, I was planning on taking my wife and daughter with me to America to visit with all of you and report of the work for the past 4 years that I've been here. For me and my daughter it's not a problem because we are U.S. citizens but my wife is not a citizen of the United States yet, so we had to apply for a tourist Visa for her. To make a long story short, her Visa was denied because the embassy doesn’t think that she will return to Cambodia if she gets approved. Anyway, if I do go back to America, I'll probably just bring my daughter and leave my wife at home, which I really do not want to do. I told her that I will not return to America without her. But my wife understands the situation and how important it is for me to go back and report of all the good things that's happening here with all of you face to face. She knows it's part of my work as a missionary and is willing to sacrifice a month's time away from me and my daughter so that we can continue to get financial support for this wonderful work. I would ask that you all pray for my family and I as we make this difficult decision. Thank you in advance.
As for the news concerning the work of the church, we were able to successfully conduct a VBS for 150 children combined in Takam and Siem Reap. The theme for this year's VBS was "Jesus loves the children." Chann, our local preacher did all of the organizing and preparation along with Darat, Choeuy, Savay, Hout, Piseth, Ravy, Sokchea and many other local leaders. I just sat back and watched everything. It was truly a local's work and they did an amazing job! It's just another testament to the work of IBISR in developing such wonderful and mature leaders. More importantly it's a testament to the power of God's word to transform lives. Not only did they prepare the lessons and activities themselves, but the local church provided finanically for the food and costs of materials. We are starting to take little steps to reaching our goal in becoming autonomous. We are also studying with new prospects and when God opens their hearts and they obey the gospel, we will report and rejoice with all of you. Please continue to pray for this work to grow and thrive in the land of the Buddhas.
If you would like to read more from past reports and see pictures to the current report, please visit the following website: http://www.freewebs.com/siemreapchurchofchrist/apps/blog/
-Phanat