Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
At the beginning of March, we had the opportunity with C&MA Canada International Workers from across the world to gather in Chiang Mai, Thailand for the first every Global Gathering. Not only were IW’s present, but many came from churches across Canada to not only attend the Global Gathering but to participate in Short Term Trips pre and post Global Gathering.
Hand delivered mail from Canada!
We were blessed with hand delivered mail from our Canadian Churches! Thank you Bayview Glen, Cedarview, and Richmond Chinese Alliance Kids Ministries for your notes of love and encouragement!
Our Cambodian team had the opportunity to host individuals both pre and post Global Gathering. As we reflect upon the 3 weeks spent hosting teams and attending the Global Gathering, we are reminded of the global nature of the Great Commission that we are all called to (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8…). But furthermore, we have been reminded that the Great Commission is not just given to a select few disciples nearly 2000 years ago nor is it give just today to a select few who get given the name “missionary/international worker”. We are all called to the Great Commission, called to participate in it through different ways and means and called to respond individually to the Great Commission with the giftings and talents that God has blessed us all individually with. At the Global Gathering we heard stories of IW’s who were serving in such unique different ways. But what was of greater impact to us were the stories that were shared about all the local believers that the IW’s were working with. Those who God has raised up in local churches around the world to not only bring the message of Jesus to their own neighbors but to the different peoples and people groups within and outside of their national borders.
All these stories from Global Gathering
inspired and lifted our hearts but also at the same time these stories heavily burdened our hearts. We reflected upon our work here in Cambodia among the Vietnamese people group. We see the vast number of Vietnamese in Cambodia who still do not believe in Jesus or have not even heard about Jesus, and the task is daunting. We are praying for God to raise up local leaders needed for this task, stoke the fires to burn in the hearts of all believers here in Cambodia to be a part of His Great Commission work in Cambodia.
Recently, David has been helping to teach a Baptism class at Tai Chi Church in the village. The teens in the class have a lot of head knowledge but need a lot of encouragement to live out their faith and to trust in God’s great plan to use them for his kingdom’s glory. As he teaches the class, Dave is also having a 19 year old young adult leader named Sang attend so that he can be mentored and trained to do some co-teaching in the future. Sang has grown so much as a leader these last 2 years and continues to grow but still needs discipleship himself as well. We praise God that his 16 year old brother Ban has been stepping more into leadership as well. It encourages our hearts so much to see them serve God. Pray for this church that God will also raise up more older adult leaders as well to help lighten the load of leadership upon these young men.
Thank you for your continued lifting up of our family and the ministry here in Cambodia in prayer.
Blessings,
David, Joyce, Jadon, Elisabeth and Josiah
On a personal note please continue to pray for some of our family’s personal needs:
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Pray for our plans as we head back to Canada this summer. We are still looking for use of a Vehicle while in Ottawa and Vancouver.
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Pray that we can squeeze in all the needed appointments for medical check-ups and to renew needed licenses and medical cards.
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Pray for Jadon’s university application process, there have been some unexpected delays and complications connected with us being overseas which has made these last few months extra strenuous for the family, especially Jadon.
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Pray for Jadon and Elisabeth who have their IGCSE and IB final exams from the end of April until early June.
Praise and Prayer
Pray for the relationship between David and Sang, that David will know how to best mentor him.
Pray for us to have wisdom to walk well alongside the local believers, for us to have new fresh ideas to raise up a new generation of leaders and for us to know when to push them along.
Pray for the local believers, that they will a burdened for the lost and be open to the new things God may be wanting to do in their midst.
Pray for unity among the leaders and believers, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
Pray for God to lead the Hope Churches as they will elect new children, youth and women committees in June.
Pray for our work with the scholarship students. Pray for us to know how to better engage them as well as pray that they will be more consistent in their participation. Our next gathering will be April 26th.
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