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Ephesians 6:12
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

We recently hosted the returning Richmond Chinese Alliance Church short term missions team.  It was a blessing to both us and the local believers as they reconnect with each other and use creative ways to communicate this second visit to Cambodia.  Seeing the smiles on faces as they recognised each other brought joy in the midst of fatigue and challenges.  One highlight was the vocal training workshops.  There was much laughter and fun as well as a heavenly sound as we sang together. 

I started writing this as we neared the end of a retreat with the pastors and deacons of the Hope Churches, focusing on the much needed topics of church caring, harmony & unity.  As we are obedient to do what God calls us to do, we are keenly reminded that the enemy does not like it when we shine God’s light into the world.  There will be opposition.  And we have certainly experienced that over the two weeks the team was here.  Simplest things such as rain storms right before the start times of workshops – which become a challenge to travel in the rain.  Our trip on the Monday to the retreat location was supposed to be a full day earlier arrival than the church members so that we would have a full day of preparations.  However, the rented van kept overheating so we had to slow down the journey, take several breaks, and those in the van had no air-conditioning for the journey.  Then there were unexpected illnesses, preventing some from attending the retreat. 
Early Tuesday morning, the original bus for the church members did not show up at all and the bus company had to rush to find another bus and driver.  On the way, after getting onto the 2nd bus, during a washroom break, one pastor stepped on a sharp dirty object and cut his foot badly, needing to get a tetanus shot and antibiotics.  All these inconveniences are distractions from the focus God wants us to stick to.  But Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that “our struggle is NOT against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of even in the heavenly realms.” 

 

Workshop introducing Microsoft Excel

We are then reminded in Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Would you take a moment right now to pray for those who attended the retreat?  We tackled some topics in some much needed growth areas.  
  
Thank you for your partnership in the work that God is doing across the world. May the Lord bless you richly for your faithfulness.
 
With love and gratitude,
 
David, Joyce, Jadon, Elisabeth and Josiah

Praise and Prayer
  • Praise God for bringing the RCAC STM to be with us in Cambodia.  Praise God for His protection over the team, keeping everyone healthy during their time here.  Thank God for their willing hearts to learn, love, and serve.
  • Pray for us to act and speak boldly as the prophets in the Bible did when they received a message from God.
  • Pray for a spirit of unity among the local churches in Cambodia. Pray for humility, servant attitudes, acceptance, openness and Holy Spirit empowered voices to come out of the Vietnamese churches in Cambodia.
  • Pray against the spirit of discouragement
  • Pray that there are positive lasting outcomes from the discussions at the retreat