Volume. XIX, No. 32
Sunday, 20 February 2005
The Missionaries
The missionaries and their families are truly faithful servants of the Lord. They are caring, humble, kind and are prepared to share what they have with their flock as well as guests. They are working tirelessly to bring souls to Christ. They have given up a lot for the service of the Lord in the Mission field. (I understand now why our Pastor initiated the Esther Koo fund four years ago). Nothing will deter them from doing God’s work. God is first in their lives. Their dependence is on God.
The Bible Students
Many of these students come from very poor families. They are eager to learn. They are humble, polite, friendly and are always ready and available to be used. They are lively and unbashful when it comes to presenting items to younger children. Many will be good servants for the Lord when they are properly trained. They are respectful to their leaders and have a close bond with their respective pastors. They are still uninfluenced by Western culture.
The Children
They are very poor. They are eager to learn and still receptive to new things and ideas. It is a good time to teach them about Christ. Uninfluenced by Western culture. Not shy when it comes to singing and participation. Very vocal and lifely. There is a lot of life in them when it comes to singing hymns in Khmer or English. They learn very quickly. Some have a good knowledge about Christ and the Bible. They are teachable and innocent.
Local Cambodians
They are still very poor. They are polite and friendly. Most of the villagers we spoke to have heard about Jesus. They are prepared to listen and are receptive. Most feel obligated to agree with you. Hence, many professed to being saved at Gospel Rallies as well as house to house evangelism.
My Perception
In many ways, we can learn more from the students than they can from us. We go there to teach them English, Chinese and Bible lessons. Their friendliness, their warmth, their sincerity, humility and the fire in them and their eagerness to learn about God would put many of us to shame. They are good listeners and are not shy to share. They have a desire to share the gospel to others and a willingness to help whenever they can. Many will make good leaders when they are properly trained.
The missionaries and their families are indeed true servants of God. Their untiring service and their devotion for the Lord are a reflection of some of the men and women we read in the Bible. They are very glad when our missions team visits them. Nothing is a burden to them. They go all out to make you welcome. Thank God I had the opportunity to go to the Missions field to serve with them.
My Acknowledgement: I would like to thank:
God for healing me in time to enable me to go to this Missions Trip
The Pastors of the various churches for giving me the opportunity to preach and teach.
The generosity and kindness of the Pastors and their families of every church that I went to.
Our Pastor for encouraging us to leave our comfort zone to go to the Mission field.
Elder Michael Lee for tirelessly planning and re-planning to make this trip a success. This it the first time that all B-P Churches in Australia are presented in this Team.
The support of the home churches to the Missions Teams financially as well as spiritually.
All team members of 2005 who have been so supportive and encouraging to one another. In deed the 3 weeks in Cambodia (2 for some) have really befitted the theme for our church this year ie “Striving Together”. This team has really strived together for the glory and honour of the Lord. We have learned so much of each others’ dietary reaction to the food that we had consumed. I was very glad that in Phnom Penh we (Sally, Chiew and I) stayed with the team.
My Prayer
For those who have not been to Cambodia I urge you to take the opportunity to go there personally to experience what we have experienced. What I have put on paper today does not justify how I felt when I was there. Words cannot express one’s feelings unless one is a very good writer of which I am not. You have to be amongst the people to feel how and what they feel.
Make it at least a once in a lifetime commitment to go to the Missions Field. The earlier the better.
For educational support to the various churches where possible to enable their aspiring men and women to further their studies at the Bible Colleges overseas so that upon their return they can assist their respective pastors to preach and teach others.
Where possible to encourage other B-P churches in Australia especially the leaders of the churches to support and participate in the yearly Missions Trip.
For continual support, both financially and spiritually from the home churches for the yearly Missions Trip
I hope this article will encourage some of you who have not been to the Mission Field to consider and pray for God’s leading. It is an experience that should not be missed.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Luke 10:1,2
Dn Tony Law
More Lively Hope
