Gifts

I apologize to all supporters that I was not able to concentrate for a long enough time on blogging to get a full/satisfactory post up and want to thank Jeremiah from our team for taking care of so much of it! We don't say it enough but our team greatly appreciates the work that you did Jeremiah!

In this post as I start to reflect on all that has transpired in the past two weeks I wanted to talk about Gifts.  For once in a Christian context it's not about spiritual gifts but actually about tangible gifts.  Going to Cambodia was the first time since the age of 4 where I would be in a new environment where I would not know the language…at all.  Neither Vietnamese nor Khmer.  For some reason I was not too worried about it going in to this mission trip and knew that language was just one of many ways I could express love.  And it was true.  The first week went by swimmingly and I was all smiles.  But during some down time, chatting with some people, a team member asked me if I was lonely.  My initial reaction was "no, of course not".  I'm so surrounded by people 24/7, the more American/Western side of me felt almost suffocated at times… so how could I be lonely?  But when I really sat and thought about it some more tears started welling up in my eyes (for those who don't know me as well, don't worry, I cry a lot so it's typical).  I realized I indeed was lonely.  

Don't get me wrong, being on a team with all guys was great because I often felt like a princess and I felt like I gained 7 older brothers who included me in their jokes and fooling around.  I was very much cared for and included… but in that moment when the tears started coming I realized I really missed talking to girls.  There are just some things I didn't think about sharing with the guys that I did not even realize I was feeling or experiencing… and there were plenty of girls around but there was indeed a language barrier when it came to deeper issues.  I did feel lonely.  

And so that is how I entered the second week, feeling lonely.  But before I could wallow long in my own feelings God drowned me in gifts, tangible gifts of love.  It's funny because before this mission trip I would not have categorized gifts as one of my love languages but through an exercise we did during one of our team bonding events two weeks before leaving for Cambodia I learned that I indeed do appreciate good gifts.  So at least once a day for the next week I received gifts from people. I felt so undeserving too.  The girls brought me small boxes of used combs, used pens, hair clips, anklets that were missing jewels, freshly picked flowers, plastic princess jewelry… it was their best.  More than once I heard the girls had given me things they truly treasured.  Like Thia's favorite anklet or Bopha's shell of her beloved metallic green pet beetle that had died two years before.  Things that were not fancy or luxurious but that touched my heart more than any real diamonds or pearls could because of the genuine, innocently sweet, generous heart behind each gift.  

It is an art that we, as individuals who have so much no longer have access to.  When we have so much there is hardly anything that we hold to the same way they do any longer.  And things that we do hold on to in the same way we would never think about giving away because we have other things to offer.  The beetle to Bopha probably holds the same emotion that I have for my precious Teddy (a teddy bear I've had since I was 5).  I would never think about giving that away.

This reminds me of 2 things.  The gifts that we give to God, the things we have to offer are not necessarily always useful or luxurious to Him in any way but they please His heart like no other.  After all it is not the burnt offerings that He desires but our hearts.  Second it reminds me that my God is constantly watching over me and loves me despite myself.  He gives us gifts and woos our hearts even when we have nothing much to offer.  I could only smile and hug these girls and boys.  Even the words I wanted to say to bless them could not be given without the blurring of translations (not saying the translations were bad, just that sometimes the emotions are lost through translations).  

But praise be to the Lord that has such a love for all of us and holds us all in His hands. He cares for each of us beyond what we can imagine. 

-Peiran 

Cambodia 2015

Glory to Him! We all made it safely home from Cambodia around 3:30 pm at LAX on Saturday 27th, 2015. Thank you for all the love and praying for God's mission in Cambodia. WE are filled with the Spirit and lead by it to make a difference daily within the 2 week experience. The transition maybe not be easy, so please pray for all of us for God to heal us and use the time to reflect on what each teammate learned in Cambodia. Also, continue to pray for Love of Christ Church daily too. We as a team are praying for the people's hearts to be soften for the Gospel to transform lives and to know the seeds are planted too. The goal is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to ALL the nations, referencing the Great Commission. May ALL nations know Christ and may the Word prevail and proclaim in boldness of the Spirit! Praise God as HE is preparing our lives in His kingdom, and may these dry bones come alive in the living water of Christ! Goodnight and God bless everyone! :) 

- Jeremiah  

Typewriting

Typewriting is an important skill to have in a job career and life. Since Monday 15th 2015 around 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, we have been teaching students and people how to learn how to type on the 5 laptops we are donating to the church. Through the provision of God, we hope each person mastered the skill of typewriting and eventually disciplines the next generation in this skill. Plus typewriting will improve their English speaking, reading, and writing too. Pray for each student to mastered the skill, to be patience and be productive in their time typing and learning, and to see how typing will impact their lives in their jobs, school, and those around them. MAY the typing class blessed the students and its people in Cambodia. Thank you and God blessed!

- Jeremiah 

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Update

Just an update: 3-4 brothers are healthily from the sickness in Cambodia, another is recovering from a stomach issue and overall, we are all healing. Thank you for all the prayers and support during this time. Also, we are pushing ourselves to utilize the time God has given us for the mission and to be continuously stay focus on knowing in experiencing Him more. Praise the Lord, we are officially finished with the playground! Every morning we see the students playing, climbing, and being kids. Thank you for providing the financial need to purchase the materials for the vision Pastor Hung and his son have for the kids and as well the heart Co Trang has for the children in the community. 

Please pray for Pastor Hung and Heang Jackson as both are on a mission until the 30th of June. Pray for safe trip there and back and for God to give them the heart of boldness to share the Gospel and any will God has for them.

We are at the final end of our trip. Keep praying for us and we will update the blog as soon as possible. God bless you guys and all the provision God has blessed us and you guys as spiritual partners in the glory of God!

- Jeremiah 

Cambodi8 2015

Update (6/22/15)

Please understand, we haven't had the time to post up photos and write updates from the team. We are stronger and fighting through every physical, emotional, and spiritual battle there is in Cambodia. The battle is real and we must lose ourselves in Christ to understand our purpose and to serve wholeheartedly. Pray for one of our brothers and myself are resting from being sick. Please for wellness and healing, thank you!

Saturday June 20^th 2015

We had an off day to explore the markets to purchase support gifts for our supporters and prayer warriors! I am very thankful for God to put your heart and to invest in our team to be in Cambodia. Each of you are gaining a spiritual benefit with God to grow, to witness and see the progress of the short-term mission of how Love of Christ Church will move forth in the long-term vision God place in the hearts of Pastor Hung and his wife Co Trang. Furthermore, you will be able to listen to our testimony of the conviction and experience each member witness in God's bidding. So WE thank you and appreciate every single individual and prayers that God has lead you in this life-changing movement of Christ!

We also had an opportunity to visit S21, the Khmer Rouge of Cambodia. In the history of this country, we witnessed a darkening, annihilation of lost souls and hopeless people. Our hearts were broken to see how many lives were killed, over 2 million people from all ages. Our hearts are still pondering how the cruelty of the act and the morality of human sin itself. Seeing the rooms where the people stay was devastating, seeing the photos of all the individuals before they were murder was profoundly sad and to see that the people did not have hope and finally, the interrogation and torture techniques were disturbing and painful to process. S21 felt heavy, and filled with emotions.
Other activities we had planned out throughout the whole day was visitation to the student's family. To use the chance to understand the student's living condition and to see how they live outside of school. Fairly, we all had a mixture of good and bad experience. But we all agreed, the Cambodian families are desperate in need for the Gospel, for a living hope of Christ to transform and unify from the tragic of the Khmer Rouge / Killing Fields and any stronghold and chains holding them to know Christ. Understanding their situation, helps us to understand the students and how we can pray for their families to be hopefully and to have the opportunity to love the people of Cambodia even more.

Sunday - June 21^st 2015

Sunday has been a fruitful day. The day is slow and productive. Right now, we are all outside finishing the playground we have built since last Monday and just hanging out. Other than that, praise God for using Pastor Tony to share a message on how God blessings us things or does miracles in order we first to use what He has blessed for His glory and kingdom, and then the blessing itself is a gift to enjoy for ourselves. The sermon came from Mark 1:40-45. Great job Tony for using your Vietnamese and using your gift to glorify God. The cool thing, we witnessed the sermon to be spoken in three languages, English, Vietnamese, and Khmer by Pastor Hung and his son Jackson! It's amazing to see the Spirit use those languages to reach the people there. Pure, loving worship. Please pray for the parents and the people to know and meet God in His timing too, thanks! We also gave a service to give the family's a 10 kg bag of rice with some goodies to bless the household and people. May the people use the blessing to glorify God and to blessed their family and others to.

Now (6/22/15)

Right now, just pray for us to finish this week strong, I have noticed some of the brothers and sister are physically tired and exhausted, yet we still push ourselves knowing the work of the LORD won't be in vain. We are so close to home but pray for us to be and stay kingdom minded for the people of Cambodia and for the Love of Christ Church. Pray for our minds to be more sharpen as we dive into the Word and implement the living water as our battle cry and sword and shield again whatever trials. Finally, to bond and be closer to the people too, each of us has built an relationship with each individual. It's difficult as the race is about to end and we are desperately desiring for God to give us the strength to follow through. "The Lord is our strength and my defense, he has become my salvation." He provide us what we need to finish the race strong and to follow through with obedience! Praise the LORD for the finally week, the joy and delight-fullness is through Him and only in Him!  

"God Is Most Glorified in Us When We Are Most Satisfied in Him." - John Piper 

- Jeremiah

Love Of Christ School

Dear loving supporters,

This will be my first attempt to describe the amazing things God is doing in Sensok. I will try my best to articulate what God have been opening my eyes to see and do.  This year I have the privilege of being part of the building team and you (loving contributors/supporters) all are part of making this vision come true. God gave the pastor oldest son Heang a vision to build a playground for the local kids who attend to play, but, I'm believe God has a grander purpose for this playground. As we worked on the structure, pastor Hung found a wooden cross and we nailed to the structure high as a beacon hope to this community.  Updates will follow soon. Stay tuned.

David  

Cambodia Missions Update

Hi all,

It has been six days since we first set foot in Sen Sok and I can wholeheartedly say that I have been tremendously blessed to be a part of God's plan in Cambodia so far. During the first couple of days here, I assisted the ministry by constructing a playground for the children. Despite the constant humidity and spontaneous out-pours of rain, God has been teaching me that the little things matter and that patience is necessary to see his big picture.

As I was adjusting to the weather and schedule here, internally there was an ongoing strife between my self-interests and what God wanted. I was struggling with discomfort (unclean water, insects, language barrier) and doubts about my own abilities to serve. I wasn't serving with the right heart until I heard Tony talk to us about how our pride may be an impediment to us serving with the right intentions. In my head, I kept thinking about what I could do to improve the lives here with what I can offer. However, God really humbled me as he revealed to me in my heart that the victory has already been won and that we should simply rejoice and be blessed. God helped me realize that he is completely in control and that all I have to do is obey. It has been an absolute joy serving and enduring with my brothers and sisters.

1 Corinthians 12:26 "And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."

Ultimately, God has been teaching me to rejoice in him daily and to seek delight in him. In the process of finding joy in Jesus, I am beginning to learn more about how to lose myself in order to find out who God created me to be. Patiently, I am learning how to trust in God's plan, not mine!

- Jerry

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Teaching, Learning, in Cambodia (TLC)

Since Monday, we have taught the younger classes about animals, human body parts, the alphabet, and today color and for the older classes, we are teaching more advanced topics. How does this impact their growth? It helps them to recognize new topics to learn, and to participate the pronunciation of the words and the sound each letter makes. We are also improving their mental capacity to learn English since the children already know how to speak Khmer (Cambodia language) and Vietnamese. This teaching program exposes them to consume new information to build a skill, to expand their knowledge, and improve their reading, speaking, and writing skills for their future career. The amazing feats they have accomplished as a student body. Thanks to Love of Christ Church, the church's vision teach the students to read, memorize, pray Scripture as their learning tool daily and foundation of life and to use this program as a tool to bless people daily.

Kevin and Peiran are doing an astonishing job leading the classes! They are great examples of showing love, being patient, and teaching with amazing grace like how Christ discipling his students. We also have an awesome group of teacher assistants to help them too (Co Hau and Co Em, Huong, Andrew, Tony, Jerry and myself). Praise God for the ability and the gifts to use TLC as VESSELS for His work/glory to transform the lives of the children in Cambodia one day at a time! 

P.S. Everyone, keep on praying for the kids and the instructors: the blessing is truly giving the kids what they need to live prosperously and to grow tremendously in the education God has provided!

- Jeremiah 

Team Beach Photo (06/18/15)

Beach DAY (06/18/15)

Yesterday, we had a resting day from teaching and building. We spend about 3 hours on the road to spend quality time with the kids at the beach. Such a wonderful and breezy day to get away from the humidity and enjoy the beautiful outskirts of Cambodia. The distance to the destination of Kambot is about 150 km (93-95 miles), plus we are approximately 30 minutes away from the borders of Vietnam, what an amazing sight! GB, and keep praying for us! 

- Jeremiah 

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One of my mini-breaks! :) 

Update from Chris

Day 3 of missions

It is alway good to start the day off with the Lord. My day started at 5:30 am continuing the book of Acts for devotional. From it, I want to be reminded to simply obey the Lord. Out of fear I do not want to miss out on opportunities to serve and preach. 

The food is always awesome, I am so blessed to have Co Trang look at me I am learning Vietnamese spend her time cooking for my team and the rest of the family. 

The work I am doing is helping to build a playground. Listen everyone for the people who are reading this, this is not a playground that is a cookie cutter model where you put it together, but the pastor's son and I went out to purchase the raw materials. Jerry, David, and the other guy who helps us out, (sorry I forgot his name) went to buy the wood.

They do not have a Home Depot, well I am sure there is one, but we went to a local mom and pop shop to buy the materials. From nothing on day 1 to day 3 we have dug holes 3 feet deep. Look this was not an easy task the ground has been beaten and baked rock hard from the hot Cambodian sun and the get to the layer where it is soft enough to scoop is not easy. On top of that the humidity is tough. Im sticky all the time, and with the little work that I do I am soaked within minutes. 

On Day 3 we have put up a structure and swing set, tied down a rope ladder, and set up the foundation to finish the rest of the playground we built, I did not come here to bring God. That was a foolish idea from long ago when I went to Arizona. I came to serve and love on the Cambodians. Through this I find myself learning more about myself and how to deny my desires. In my head I am trying to stay with the group working when my body is failing me. I am losing the same amount of water through sweat that I am drinking. When I get tried I think about home and what I signed up for. I have an internal dialogue going on in my head of what God is saying well at least scripture reminding me to stay the course. 

So as the day has come to a close my belly full from dinner tomorrow is another day. I hope to alway try a little bit more than I did the day before. I see the poverty of this nation, it saddens me of the living conditions. I am not trying to change that, I want to give them hope in a better life from God. If kids come when I leave and have a safe place to play and hear the gospel the PTL. 

I am trying to be less... 

Building Project

Here is the playground we are building for the church. The before and on-going progress. The playground will be a connection to build fellowship and relationships through Christ!

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Team Cambodia

The biggest blessing I've received so far in Cambodia is my team.  Everyone is selfless, serving, resilient, working hard, and focused! They make the mission about Jesus! Thank you for supporting and sending off such a great team.

RAINING!

We are teaching right now and building as this rain is pouring out. The mosquitoes are just lurking around the corner. Some of the brothers and sister will soon post and blog about the experience. I have been taking photos through the whole time and I will post photos and writes as soon I as I have more time. Honesty though, I am enjoy and finding God's presence and love in the most ordinary places of teaching, listening to MS speaking, having quality time with the team, and just finding opportunity of God wherever I go. 

[Kevin, Andrew and I (Jeremiah) with the younger kids and Pastor Tony and Peiran are with the older kids] and [Chris, Jerry, and David are building the playground]. 

[Such an astonishing shot] right? 

- Jeremiah 

First day of teaching - 6/15/15

Photo-Log 1

The Love of Christ Church in Sen Sok, Phnom Penh!

Writing Update

Hey everyone, it's Monday 15th, 2015 at 3:05 am. In 2-3 hours, we will be teaching the kids and students English and Vietnamese for 8 hours today, this includes mastering them in typewriting too. While the other brothers are planning to build a playground set for the church.

So far, based on my observation, I am experiencing a cultural shock of how different USA and Cambodia are. The weather is hot and humid, the family church we are serving are filled with joy and laughter, and the circumstances the people are living daily to make it through. I looked into MS (Pastor) Hung's sons closet earlier today and he only has 5-10 pieces of clothing including a couple of shirts, 2-3 shorts, and a pair of pants or two. I reflect at my life in America and I am spoil with abundance. And I realize the phrase "Less is more than enough." The reality is I am blessed but also, I have the essential needs to live life without any worries of food, clothing, and transportation.

Another observation I am learning is find joy in trusting God, Christ, and the Spirit. Rather than finding it anything of this world, I have observe MS Hung and his wife "remain in me" by staying constant in the Lord. That through all the circumstances and situations they face, they are rooted, built under the foundation of Christ, where they believe faithfully and trust God and their uncertainties! Do not forget God when I am here.

It's radical to experience what God is pressing throughout His kingdom. The first day, I thought I would be doing something life-changing, which is occurring as He is leading. Through the grace of God, He is teaching me to be selfless, be more open in understanding the culture and its people, and really, letting go of my pride to love people more. I'll be honest, the people here especially the church, are actually pouring out more love towards us more than anything else. And the joy of love becomes a ripple effect in the community to the country of Cambodia for people to see how grand and lavishing God's love is impenetrable and relentlessly amazing!

I have 2 more hours before I wake up, good morning and goodnight to everyone. Please continue to pray for our team with a driven purpose. Pray for our understanding comes from God, and God alone. Also for a heart for the Cambodia people to love and to display Christ's love to them daily. Finally, strength from the Lord, with a heart of delightfulness to love and serve and to be "strong and courageous" for the Lord!

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. - John 15:11

- Jeremiah

Bonding on our first day in Sensok!

Taipei!

Cambodia 2015: Arrived in Taipei, Taiwan at 6:00 am (13-14 hour flight)!

- Jeremiah (Jerm)

Arrived at LAX

After some turns, here and there! We finally arrived at the airport!

Pray for the Cambodia Team

Jeremiah is off to Cambodia

Thanks everyone !

Mission Send-off Night

Sending off the team Cambodia

Ready

TLC 2015 Cambodia team is ready!