10/30/2023 8 Comments Increase and GrowthWe have now been back in Phnom Penh for 15 months! It has been a wild and beautiful journey of adjusting to life here as a family. Cambodia is a beautiful nation with the most kind and hospitable people and truly over this last year we have fallen back in love with the people here. Our language abilities are slowly coming back and the kids are learning a new way of life. It has been such an honor to co-lead our team here ; which is now consisting of 26 people ; including 12 missionaries ! The people we get to work with are some of the most kind and inspiring people I have ever met. Iris Phnom Penh has historically been an anti-trafficking organization. We have a team of full time Cambodian social workers whose aim is to keep children and families safe and helping them in very practical ways. We want to prevent but also intervene in any trafficking cases that come to light in our communities. We serve in several at-risk and impoverished communities where we run kids clubs and do regular outreaches, building relationship with those in need. Our child sponsorship program enables us to support families in need and make sure each child can attend school. Love looks like something and so for every baby milk, family food package we give out it opens the door for people to know they are loved and that God sees them and cares for them. We wholeheartedly believe community transformation won’t happen without people knowing Jesus, and knowing who they are in Him. This only comes from regular exposure to the truth and constant relationship with His body (the Church). So recently we have being putting an even greater emphasis on discipleship. We have a discipleship groups in all our communities which are growing and people are encountering Gods love and power ! Our family is doing well, the kids have so many friends here and are finding things that they love to do. Both kids have been playing football/soccer and enjoying it (despite it being very hot). Abigail is learning Khmer faster than I (Mollie) am at the moment and its very sweet to see her greet people in the traditional Khmer way! There have been some regular challenges with Steve’s health with some food intolerances here but the kids are always quick to pray and we are seeing God move powerfully through their prayers! The Well that never runs dry ....It has been such a joy to see Gods promises spoken to our team over a decade ago coming to fruition in “The Well” the prayer room in the red-light area. We have had many powerful times of prayer and worship both as a team and wider with other Christians from different organizations ; declaring Gods redeeming powerful love over the centre of the red-light district. We now have a full time team based in the red-light area and weekly outreaches into the bars. Last week we started our first discipleship group for these women and it was so beautiful. Our dream is one day to see a church established here but for now we praise God for this group! We are also seeing increased fruit from our kid's club in this same area and some of our kids have asked to receive Jesus which is impacting their whole families. It's beautiful to see how whole families are now listening together to the audio bibles that we have given them. We are continually astounded at Jesus' constant faithfulness and goodness over here, even in spite of ourselves and our own imperfections, He is more than capable! He alone deserves the glory! So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." 1 Corinthians 3:7 We also give God praise and thanks for yourselves and your co-labouring in loving and serving His beautiful people here. Every prayer, every encouragement and every financial seed sown in makes a huge difference. We dearly appreciate you all and thank God for you!
Much love in Jesus from us all here!
8 Comments
Harry
10/30/2023 04:08:10 pm
Very nice newsletter. Loved picture of Grace
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11/8/2023 03:45:57 am
Thank you so much Harry! We appreciate the prayers! Hope you are all well
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Marina
10/30/2023 05:23:40 pm
Thanks for the great update. Encouraged to see the growth and potential in your area. May God’s grace remain on you as a family and Steve’s health.
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Natalie Green
10/30/2023 06:12:08 pm
I love reading how the hand of God continues to move over the hearts of the Khmer people. Thank you for your beautiful obedience to God and to the country of Cambodia. I know it doesn't come without constant sacrifice and discipline and I know God is providing for your every need and desire for His people. Sending a huge hug to each of you and your beautiful family. Maybe someday my feet will touch Cambodia soil again.
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11/8/2023 03:47:56 am
Thank you so much Natalie! We miss you, hope you're well!
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Aubrey Hastings
11/1/2023 03:06:27 am
I am so encouraged by all of your testimonies of God’s kindness, protection, restoration, and unfailing love. Thank you for the sacrifices you make as a family and for your continuous YES to God. Praying for you all often and sending a special hello to Gracie from all her friends at BCS. We love you!
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