Philippians 2:3-5 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem the other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”

The Mission Trip to Cambodia this year was from 9 Jan—31 Jan 2005. I arrived in Cambodia on 19 Jan ’05 with Sis Sally Law and Dn Yaw Chiew Tan. By then, the Medical Team had already been busy treating the villagers and at the same time spreading the gospel message.

We were met at Phnom Penh by Pastor Ki (who happened to arrive about an hour before us) and Rev Choi. We did not spend much time in Phnom Penh that day. After a short rest at the residence of Rev Choi which was at Glory Church, we had a quick lunch and boarded a bus to Sihanoukville. It was a four hour journey. We were met at the Sihanoukville bus terminus by Rev Koo and he took us back to his “Mansion”, Life B-P Church. Later in the evening we met up with the medical team.

The Cambodian Missionaries:

Rev Choi’s Ministry in Phnom Penh.

This ministry was established about two years ago. It is called Glory Church. It is a four storey building situated in town which Rev Choi is renting for US$550.00 a month. All classes and church services are held in this building.

There are about thirty to forty young men and ladies who come to the church to study the Bible. Their average age is probably around seventeen to eighteen years. They are a vibrant group of Bible students. Full of life and raring to go.

Korean and Chinese are taught by Pastor Choi in the evening. English is taught by Sophi, a Cambodian undergraduate studying at the University of Cambodia. All lessons are free. Children who attend lessons are encouraged to attend the church service on Sunday morning.

On the Lord’s Day there are three services. A children’s service is held early in the morning. The children’s service begins at 7.30am and ends at 9.00am. the Chinese service is from 10.00am-11.00am in the morning and the Cambodian service is from 3.00pm-4.00pm in the afternoon.

Rev Koo’s Ministry in Sihanoukville.

This ministry was established by Rev Koo about seven years ago. Now, this ministry has seventeen provincial churches. Rev Koo’s “Mansion” is a massive building. It is a four storey building which is used as a Kindergarten and Primary school, classes for the Bible students, residence for the Bible students, residence for the Principals of the Kindergarten and Primary School, part time missionaries, guests and residence for Rev Koo’s family.

The Kindergarten and Primary school employ fourteen teachers and these teachers are paid four times the salary of a Government teacher. The average wage of a Government teacher is US$30.00 a month. Classes for these students are from 8.00am-3.30pm in the afternoon. Before classes begin, there is morning devotion for the whole school.

The Cambodian Government has given permission for the School to begin the Secondary and High School Programs. This month (February), the School will offer programs for students in the Secondary level. A class will consist of about thirty students. So far about ten have expressed their interest to enroll. Among them are Esther and Solomon Koo.

The Bible students reside at the premise. Bible lessons are taught in the school. Sometimes they have combined lessons with the students of Rev Hahn at the “Mountain Top”. Bible lessons are also taught by a few graduates from Far Eastern Bible College.

Church service at Life B-P Church is at 9.00am in the morning. The service is held on the fourth floor building.

Rev Hahn’s Ministry in Kompong Som.

The ministry of Rev Hahn was also established around the same time as Rev Koo’s. Rev Hahn’s ministry, the Kompong Som B-P Church is a four storey building in Kompong Som. The building in Kompong Som is the residence of Rev & Mrs Hahn. It is here that children come to learn English and Chinese. There is a service held on the Lord’s Day at this building.

Rev Hahn’s Bible School is situated about twenty five minutes by car from Kompong Som Life Church. This Bible School is known as “Mountain Top”. The “Mountain Top” is aptly called as the building is situated on high ground.

The Bible students at the “Mountain Top” are taught by graduates from Far Eastern Bible College. It also houses the fifty or so Bible students studying in this school. These Bible students are from all over Cambodia. Many of them came here through the recommendation of friends.

There is a building away from the dormitories which is used for Sunday worship. On other days, this building is used as a lecture room for the Bible students.

Preacher Chang’s Ministry in Siahnoukville.

This ministry was established by Preacher Chang about three years ago. In the afternoon Chinese classes are offered to those who are interested. Preacher Chang herself is the teacher. Attendance at the worship service on the Lord’s Day is around fifteen.

Dn Tony Law

More Lively Hope

© Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
14 Bedford Square, Colonel Light Gardens, South Australia 5041