Friday, September 28, 2018

Pray, Give, Go






I have come to believe the impact we have in life is often decided by small daily decisions we make.  The small choices about how we use our time, energy and resources usually aren’t complicated, but have a significant influence on our life impact.

When Christ changed my life I remember having a heart for people of other nations who had not heard about Christ. I began to pray. When I was old enough to have an income I began to give to missionary endeavors. At the first opportunity I decided to go to another nation and share the Gospel with those who had not heard.

Christ had transformed my life and welcomed me into a relationship with Him. I wanted to do whatever I could to share that with others.  Part of that journey included travelling to the Czech Republic nearly 20 years ago. It was during that time Tricia and I became friends with Lukas Targosz and his wife Dita. Lukas and Dita were starting a church in a city called Hradec Kralove. For several years we travelled to the Czech Republic and our friendship with this great couple grew.

Fun at a small waterfall
Three years ago Lukas contacted us about bringing a group of his church members to Cambodia to share the Gospel with those who have not heard.  The church that Lukas and Dita pastor is a wonderful family of believers. It is an honor to have them come and be with us. Lukas and Dita are both internationally respected teachers, pastors and leaders and for Lukas and his church members to take time out to come and minister alongside our Cambodian brothers and sisters is a blessing.  This last month we hosted the third team from Element Church and they were here teaching English and hosting a youth camp for 60 young people, 40 of which did not know Christ.  During the Element team’s time here they also spent time with the staff of one of our Cambodian partner churches.
Kid's club in a Kampot village


Their message was simple, Pray, Give and Go. Whatever you have the ability and gifting to do, make the simple choice to do it whenever and wherever you can.  It’s exciting to see the response of the heart of Cambodian believers as they have faith that they can now pray, give and go to other nations to share the Gospel with those who have not heard.  Our simple choices can have far reaching impact. What is God saying to you today? What’s the next step He is asking you to take in your journey?

Sunday, June 10, 2018

Where Durian Grows Wild

Mountain path to Channa's home
Channa, a third grade boy, pointed towards a grassy mountain path. The boys in the class had decided his one hour walk through the forest was the farthest of them all. As we talked I wondered what types of things he saw on his way to school every day. 

Driving to the mountain village we had crossed rivers and bounced our way through muddy, steep roads.  Walking in the village I tripped over a sprouting pineapple plant as our team picked and ate fresh Rambutan and climbed the Durian trees. 


The children’s school was a rickety, wooden building with a dirt floor and limited resources. But Channa, the other kids, and the village families who gathered to meet us seemed happy and content.

I listened as a Khmer pastor I work with shared how he had helped the community put a new roof on the school. We talked about practical ways he had helped with putting in a self pumping water system from a nearby stream.

I felt inadequate and inept in an environment where I was very out of place. I wondered why I was there and what I had to offer.

Grade 1 sign in chalk by the
grade 1 doorway
They asked me to share something and I wasn’t “prepared”. I had been so awestruck with everything I had seen that day, so I simply asked the children “Who created the world?” They knew I had come with the Christian pastor, so they had a safe answer, “God”.  Then I asked what He created. They were silent for a minute, so I primed the pump. “Did he create the elephant?” They answered yes and then began to list all the animals they knew from the forest. We continued the pattern with fruits and forest geography.

Rambutan
Finally, I asked “What was His favorite creation?” It got really quiet as they all thought deeply. No one spoke and so I finally answered the question. I wasn’t expecting the look of surprise on their faces when I pointed to each of them and said “You”. Of all the grand things God created He loves you the most.  They all giggled and smile with warm looks.

That’s when I realized that was what I had to offer. The simple message that the God of the universe created them and loved them. Of all the needs I had seen that was the greatest need I could fill. The need to know they were special and loved.

Durian Tree
This isn't to minimize the work of the church planter who has helped in practical ways, showing the love of Christ. His practical works of love communicate the Gospel as well. God just used this day in a village where Durian grows wild to remind me that His love fills the most important need of any human heart.