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Wow, what a few months it has been. Sometimes I (Mollie) look back and am overwhelmed by Gods goodness!
Sometimes things about living in Cambodia are extremely hard; recently roads have been like rivers, we have had invasions of all kinds of rodents and creepy crawlies in our house and some days you hear so many heartbreaking stories you just want to cry; but its so worth it!! What an honour is it to be here and serve our amazing God and the beautiful Cambodian people.
This last month we have been fairly busy having a team of Harvest School graduates here on extended outreach, but they were such a blessing. My highlight of that time was going out and doing street ministry and watching as people encountered the love of God through healings, prophetic words and dream interpretation; with many giving their lives to Jesus. One man who came up to us for dream interpretation had a recurring dream of himself fishing into the map of the world and then two nights before we met him he had another dream where Jesus came to him and told him to follow Him! He was confused by it all; so it was awesome when some of our team told him what it all meant! It’s in times like this I see how Cambodia is so ripe for the harvest!
People are desperate and hurting and living in fear, they need Gods love and the hope which is found only in Jesus. Other highlights were slum ministry by the railway tracks and also having communion in the some of the worst bars in Phnom Penh which was extremely powerful!
Sometimes things about living in Cambodia are extremely hard; recently roads have been like rivers, we have had invasions of all kinds of rodents and creepy crawlies in our house and some days you hear so many heartbreaking stories you just want to cry; but its so worth it!! What an honour is it to be here and serve our amazing God and the beautiful Cambodian people.
This last month we have been fairly busy having a team of Harvest School graduates here on extended outreach, but they were such a blessing. My highlight of that time was going out and doing street ministry and watching as people encountered the love of God through healings, prophetic words and dream interpretation; with many giving their lives to Jesus. One man who came up to us for dream interpretation had a recurring dream of himself fishing into the map of the world and then two nights before we met him he had another dream where Jesus came to him and told him to follow Him! He was confused by it all; so it was awesome when some of our team told him what it all meant! It’s in times like this I see how Cambodia is so ripe for the harvest!
People are desperate and hurting and living in fear, they need Gods love and the hope which is found only in Jesus. Other highlights were slum ministry by the railway tracks and also having communion in the some of the worst bars in Phnom Penh which was extremely powerful!
I have also had the privilege of getting involved with a ministry working with the prostitutes around Wat Phnom (the most famous temple here). It’s been amazing! It’s a ministry started by a very inspirational and passionate Cambodian women who loves Jesus. This ministry reaches out to women who are broken, abused and often feel completely hopeless. Many of these ladies have addictions to drugs, which is often because their “boyfriends” or pimps forced them to take drugs. The majority of these women also have HIV. This ministry invites all the ladies working in this area for a meal, fellowship, worship and a short message. Most importantly it’s inviting them into relationship and family as they show love to these women. I have been a few times now and have had the privilege of sharing my testimony and also about the father heart of God. It’s been an honour to get to know these women and pray for them and see them encounter God’s unconditional love. God is doing great things and many women I have spoken to have been healed! During worship many of the women looked totally different, their faces radiant and big smiles and tears falling down their cheeks. Every time I have joined this ministry the presence of God has been incredibly strong. Last week several ladies gave their lives to Jesus. I learnt from one of the volunteers there that many of the women working there are having babies (because customers refuse to use contraception and the women cannot afford to buy other contraceptive methods). The women are then selling their babies for as little as $25! Which is another reason this ministry is so important, to help prevent this kind of thing from happening again!
A highlight of this last month was being part of a princess party with Hard Places NGO. They have recently opened their girls centre and last week they invited all the little girls to a princess party .This girls centre is aimed at reaching the children who live in poverty/on the streets who are either being sexually abused or who are at high risk. It was such a ball; the girls could get a shower (which to some of them was the most exciting thing), a new princess dress, their hair done, nails done and then lot of fun games, made crowns then were told how precious, valuable there were. The transformation was truly amazing! At one point I felt tears role down my face as I just felt such joy; these girls were being taught about their true identity! It’s going to be exciting to see what God does in these girl’s lives.
Last week we went out to do bar ministry. For a while I have found it hard as we have not been seeing much fruit; but there have been victories which I will share. I have recently made a friend who I have been visiting several times a week and forming close relationship with. She has come out of the bars and has now enrolled in English classes; she even brought a friend with her to enrol – praise God! Also last week when visiting the bars I went with Wendy, a friend of mine who works with the MESSAGE parlour, and we had an amazing time. We were speaking to the girls and having a laugh with them and we asked if any of them wanted to learn English; they all shrieked and called for their manager. Initially I was worried as usually this means we need to leave, but this manager was amazing. She loves all the girls in the bar and wants them all to have better lives and jobs; she is so keen for them all to learn English and even suggested we have a class in the bar! She understands that all the girls in the bar, like herself, were brought up in poverty and feel like they have no choice but to work there. She was only 23 and had dreams herself of helping people and working as an air-hostess. We spoke to her about her dreams and really encouraged her; by the end we felt like sisters ...so I am VERY excited to see where this relationship will go. We are hoping to set up English lessons very soon and see how they go.
We have been recently looking for property for our night centre; and God has told us the road we are to be on. We are excited that we have received a donation which covers the first year of running the centre! We have been spending lots of time in the area and regularly seeing what’s available. Please be praying we find the perfect place which will be a home for the boys who are currently living on the streets or with paedophiles.
We have been recently looking for property for our night centre; and God has told us the road we are to be on. We are excited that we have received a donation which covers the first year of running the centre! We have been spending lots of time in the area and regularly seeing what’s available. Please be praying we find the perfect place which will be a home for the boys who are currently living on the streets or with paedophiles.
One of the families Steve has been working with were doing well but have had some recent setbacks. They are extremely poor but have until recently been coming to church every week. Steve had managed to get 2 of the young adult members into a 6 months vocational training course for free, which would have been another way to help the family out of poverty – sadly they both quit just before the training started! One was influenced by a jealous spouse the other left for short term work of 3 dollars a day on a local building site. In this same family a young mother who we know very well one day just got up and left her children with their grandparents and moved somewhere else in the city. The whole family in total has 12 mouths to feed on an income made by selling a few vegetables in the local market. Pray for wisdom on how to help empower them to break out of poverty with long term solutions and for repaired relationships within the family. Please also pray for continued breakthrough for them, they are gradually learning more about Jesus and recently 2 members of the family gave their lives to Him.
The harvest is ripe in this country and we are seeing it every day. People getting saved, given new hope and new joy. When they thought they had nothing, in Jesus they are realising they have so much more. Thank you for continuing to be a part of the journey with us and thank you so much for your continued prayers.
The harvest is ripe in this country and we are seeing it every day. People getting saved, given new hope and new joy. When they thought they had nothing, in Jesus they are realising they have so much more. Thank you for continuing to be a part of the journey with us and thank you so much for your continued prayers.
Prayer Requests:
Please pray for our team especially our leaders. We have had lots of sickness, some have had difficulty sleeping and generally had struggles. We know that as we advance Gods kingdom we are on the frontlines of battle; your prayer makes such a difference!!!
Please be praying for more of Gods glory to be manifest in the women and children’s lives. We are so hungry for people to experience God in a tangible way. The people here believe in the spiritual world and commonly go to witch doctors, fortune tellers etc and we need to show Jesus is so much more powerful!
Please be praying for peace here; today was a day where thousands showed up to protest about the result of the general elections here. There is so much corruption and frustration and people are desperate for a change to come.
Please pray for clear direction and open doors. Next week there is a big meeting when many of the Non Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) will be getting together to talk about how we can work together more – this is so important! Please pray for good connections and a united vision with other NGO’s.
Please pray for the women who are choosing to leave the sex –industry – this last month two of the girls I know very well are wanting new jobs and a new future. Please be praying for open doors for them. I have been meeting one girl this week to write her CV and try prepare her for interview; which made me realise how much a of challenge it will be to find them jobs – but God is good and He has a plan!
Here is a beautiful intercessory prayer song by a very good friend of mine who helped to co found The Sanctuary Centre house of prayer and worship. The song is is a song of lament and intercession over trafficking and what’s going on in Cambodia and across the world.
Please pray for our team especially our leaders. We have had lots of sickness, some have had difficulty sleeping and generally had struggles. We know that as we advance Gods kingdom we are on the frontlines of battle; your prayer makes such a difference!!!
Please be praying for more of Gods glory to be manifest in the women and children’s lives. We are so hungry for people to experience God in a tangible way. The people here believe in the spiritual world and commonly go to witch doctors, fortune tellers etc and we need to show Jesus is so much more powerful!
Please be praying for peace here; today was a day where thousands showed up to protest about the result of the general elections here. There is so much corruption and frustration and people are desperate for a change to come.
Please pray for clear direction and open doors. Next week there is a big meeting when many of the Non Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) will be getting together to talk about how we can work together more – this is so important! Please pray for good connections and a united vision with other NGO’s.
Please pray for the women who are choosing to leave the sex –industry – this last month two of the girls I know very well are wanting new jobs and a new future. Please be praying for open doors for them. I have been meeting one girl this week to write her CV and try prepare her for interview; which made me realise how much a of challenge it will be to find them jobs – but God is good and He has a plan!
Here is a beautiful intercessory prayer song by a very good friend of mine who helped to co found The Sanctuary Centre house of prayer and worship. The song is is a song of lament and intercession over trafficking and what’s going on in Cambodia and across the world.
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The last few weeks have been incredible. Not only have we recently celebrated a year since moving to Cambodia but we have also witnessed God do some incredible things, including powerful healings and many salvations. God has also graciously made clear to us the next steps for our time here in Cambodia.
A few months ago the directors of Iris Cambodia came out and stayed with the team. We had some great meetings and were really blessed. Jason Holbeche one of our directors shared a quote about the Kingdom of God that really impacted me:
A few months ago the directors of Iris Cambodia came out and stayed with the team. We had some great meetings and were really blessed. Jason Holbeche one of our directors shared a quote about the Kingdom of God that really impacted me:
“Most of what you need will come to you; most of what you want you’ll have to go get.”
- Bill Johnson.
God has put so many things in my heart that I desire to see and walk in. I want to be used as a vessel for Jesus to heal people and see lives changed and I want to experience Heaven on earth and God’s Kingdom increasing in this place. I felt like God was encouraging me to go after these things more.
Over June we were hugely blessed to have Mollie’s parent’s come and stay with us and have a break with them in Malaysia. It was an awesome time of refreshing and rest and they blessed us so much. During this holiday I was in a private prayer time asking for more of God and his Kingdom outworking in my life. He told me that after Mollie’s parents returned home I was to fast for a week. I was hungry for more so I did. I had no idea what would be to come in the weeks ahead.
Over June we were hugely blessed to have Mollie’s parent’s come and stay with us and have a break with them in Malaysia. It was an awesome time of refreshing and rest and they blessed us so much. During this holiday I was in a private prayer time asking for more of God and his Kingdom outworking in my life. He told me that after Mollie’s parents returned home I was to fast for a week. I was hungry for more so I did. I had no idea what would be to come in the weeks ahead.
This fast was actually a really special time with God revealing incredible things to me. The sixth day of the fast marked exactly a year since we arrived in Cambodia. On the seventh and final day of the fast I was on my way to the riverfront to meet our team to do street kids ministry and I saw my first ever rainbow in Cambodia. it was there the whole time I was driving to the riverfront. God spoke to my spirit clearly during this time that his promises still stand and that I need to focus on and remember these promises. It’s through these promises we attain the goal:
“...have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature...” - 2 Peter 1:4.
After seeing this I felt filled with faith. That same afternoon I was walking down the street with my Khmer friend and God highlighted someone for me to stop for and chat to. We got to sit with him and share the gospel with him. He had never heard of Jesus before but remembered that people from a church had helped him in the past. He received the good news about Jesus and decided to give his life to him. While he prayed and committed his life to Jesus the evening sky had one of the most beautiful sunsets I have seen in Cambodia and I just knew Father God was showing off, celebrating this man’s salvation and welcoming Him into the Kingdom.
The week after things got even better. Previously we had been asked to help lead on an XP Missions Outreach School which is a two week missions outreach school hosted by Extreme Prophetic (XP). As one of XP’s partner ministries we were privileged to come along side and help them with the school. It was an incredible 2 weeks of ministry and encounter with Jesus. Every day was packed full of ministry opportunities in areas all over Phnom Penh. From some of the poorest slums, to the city’s hospitals, to children’s ministry, to even ministering on the city’s streets. God moved in so many people’s lives and we got to see many salvations and healings.
One of my favorite evenings of the school was when we went to a popular area of the city where most people go and hang out in the evening called the river front. We set up a team here with three different signs written in Khmer and English saying, “receive your healing”, “dream interpretations” or “receive destiny words”. People came flocking up and Jesus moved powerfully. One man who was mute and couldn’t speak was healed and spoke for the first time. His first words ever were “Preah Yesu (Jesus)” and as he said them he lent on the guys in our team who prayed for him and wept for joy. He then spoke more and more and by the end of the night was singing songs in Khmer.
Another lady who was there with her sister couldn’t hear for 3 years our team prayed for her and Jesus opened her ears! Her and her sister both got healed and both gave their lives to Jesus. People were receiving words about their lives that only God could have known and were giving their lives to Jesus and some of the street kids who we had been working every week for the last six months were witnessing this and so amazed that they were deciding to give their lives to Jesus too. God had divinely placed them to be there at the right place at the right time so they could see for themselves the reality of the Love of Jesus in action.
One of these teenage boys had been one of our most difficult cases we have had so much trouble with in the past. He used to beat up the younger boys and girls even while we were holding them in our arms trying to protect them. He was always so angry and we could tell he had been deeply wounded by something that had happened to him. Well God set it up so he was a witness to a miracle that happened the week previously when some of the girls from the team had prayed for a guy in a wheelchair and he was healed and walked. The boy witnessed it all (and actually translated for the girls) and that night on the riverfront he saw the other things that Jesus was doing powerfully in people’s lives and decided to receive Jesus into his heart. Immediately his countenance changed and he seemed to no longer be the angry and troublesome boy we once knew Him to be. Jesus gets all the glory, only He can orchestrate such an incredible turnaround and place people in the right place at the right time.
The rest of the school was equally great, we got to go and serve and wash the feet of a whole slum village, demonstrating our King Jesus in a new way to them. People there got healed and some received Jesus as their Lord and saviour.
There is so much more to write about that I don’t even have room. So many people were saved, healed and encountered their loving God for the first time. God graciously blessed us with an incredible time of encountering Him in a greater measure, seeing Him move powerfully and change lives. Just the things He has given me the hunger to experience more of in my own life.
As the school ends and we get back to normal daily routine we know things will look different but I will remember to keep expectant to keep trusting in His promises and hungering for more. He always has so much more to give. This special time has reminded me that the fields are ripe for the harvest in this country.
There is so much more to write about that I don’t even have room. So many people were saved, healed and encountered their loving God for the first time. God graciously blessed us with an incredible time of encountering Him in a greater measure, seeing Him move powerfully and change lives. Just the things He has given me the hunger to experience more of in my own life.
As the school ends and we get back to normal daily routine we know things will look different but I will remember to keep expectant to keep trusting in His promises and hungering for more. He always has so much more to give. This special time has reminded me that the fields are ripe for the harvest in this country.
As we look ahead to what is next God has given us further clarity to where we will be serving with Iris Cambodia in the future. He told us both in separate ways that He wants us to move down to Sihanoukville (which is a town on the coast of Cambodia) to join the team aiming to set up an Iris Cambodia base down there. We plan to move there this coming October, so we can finish well with the projects we are working on up here in Phnom Penh.
On the day that marked exactly a year since we moved to Cambodia our director Jason called me and asked if I would help to co-lead the Iris Cambodia base in S’ville with Joel (another member of our team). This is a big responsibility and a big challenge as we pioneer and start things up from scratch in a new place, but God gave me a peace that it was right and that it was what God has been preparing us for during our time here in Phnom Penh.
On the day that marked exactly a year since we moved to Cambodia our director Jason called me and asked if I would help to co-lead the Iris Cambodia base in S’ville with Joel (another member of our team). This is a big responsibility and a big challenge as we pioneer and start things up from scratch in a new place, but God gave me a peace that it was right and that it was what God has been preparing us for during our time here in Phnom Penh.
As we look ahead to the next few months we also look back with great thankfulness. Not forgetting we have a God who is faithful, who fulfils His promises, who can change lives in an instant with his love and who gives us clarity in the paths he intends us to walk along in the future. Not forgetting his promises, never forgetting His promises.
He and He alone has made our first year in Cambodia so special and it is Him who we look forward to knowing more closely the coming year as we continue to follow His steps in this exciting journey. What an amazing and awesome and God we serve. To Him be all the glory.
He and He alone has made our first year in Cambodia so special and it is Him who we look forward to knowing more closely the coming year as we continue to follow His steps in this exciting journey. What an amazing and awesome and God we serve. To Him be all the glory.
Please pray for:
-All the special people who's lives were touched by Jesus in the last few weeks. That the seeds which have been planted will not be stolen away but grow up to even further multiply the harvest.
-At the end of the month national elections will happen. Tensions are already being stirred up, and like the pattern that seems to be happening all over the rest of the world at the moment there is one thing that is different to elections that happened here 5 years ago – social media. The people are now empowered with impartial information and an ability to communicate and arrange meetings faster than ever before. Please pray for peace here. It is a very sensitive time and things could change the worse so please pray for beautiful Cambodia at this sensetive time.
-Pray for us that we would be protected and remain healthy and safe. Particularly as Steve steps up to a position of leadership in the coming months.
-Pray for our language learning. We are getting somewhere even if we feel like we aren’t but we want to be able to communicate to people’s hearts which requires a level of fluency which is hard to acquire in our current routine. We are thinking of and praying about living with a Khmer family when we first move to Sihanoukville. Please pray with us as we consider this.
-Pray for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done. In our lives as it is in Heaven. Amen.
-All the special people who's lives were touched by Jesus in the last few weeks. That the seeds which have been planted will not be stolen away but grow up to even further multiply the harvest.
-At the end of the month national elections will happen. Tensions are already being stirred up, and like the pattern that seems to be happening all over the rest of the world at the moment there is one thing that is different to elections that happened here 5 years ago – social media. The people are now empowered with impartial information and an ability to communicate and arrange meetings faster than ever before. Please pray for peace here. It is a very sensitive time and things could change the worse so please pray for beautiful Cambodia at this sensetive time.
-Pray for us that we would be protected and remain healthy and safe. Particularly as Steve steps up to a position of leadership in the coming months.
-Pray for our language learning. We are getting somewhere even if we feel like we aren’t but we want to be able to communicate to people’s hearts which requires a level of fluency which is hard to acquire in our current routine. We are thinking of and praying about living with a Khmer family when we first move to Sihanoukville. Please pray with us as we consider this.
-Pray for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done. In our lives as it is in Heaven. Amen.
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It is hard to put into a few paragraphs all that’s been happening over the last few months. There have been many highs and lows, victories and defeats and many changes. However through the times of heartbreak I am learning more and more how good and faithful our God is. When things seem impossible His presence always seems to increase and bring such comfort and hope.
When praying about what to write about I felt God wanted to me to share his victories here. So often we can despair and look at all the huge problems and all our inadequacies to deal with them; but God is moving here and it's good to remind ourselves of his triumphs over the darkness.
When praying about what to write about I felt God wanted to me to share his victories here. So often we can despair and look at all the huge problems and all our inadequacies to deal with them; but God is moving here and it's good to remind ourselves of his triumphs over the darkness.
The first little miracle is a special little boy close to all our hearts. He is called baby Victory* and he is now 3 weeks old. His mom Leah* is only 17 years old and addicted to drugs. She has worked outside Watt Phnom (the biggest temple in the city) for several years now as a prostitute. She is good friends with the Hard places Community who we work with. She gets lots of love and support from them, many times they have tried to help her change her lifestyle but each time something pulls her back. From the moment she found out she was pregnant she was adamant she didn't want the baby. Many times we heard of her trying to kill the baby and we have desperately prayed protection over his little life. Thank God he made it through! Thank God she went into labour at just the right time for us to be there, help her and ensure she and baby received all the correct treatment required. From the moment little Victory was born he has been changing hearts and lives; bringing such joy and hope to people. He is completely healthy and perfect and we are believing he doesn’t have HIV. The beautiful thing is that now his mum wants to change her life and is in a restoration centre getting help. God has turned the whole situation around and it has been amazing to watch. We have had the privilege to help look after him and every time I hold him I am reminded that nothing is impossible!
Another story of hope is about a little boy, let’s call him Esau*. He is 4 years old and is the most smiley boy on the riverfront. His family spends most of their time begging on the street. Sadly his parents are alcoholics and are very poor .Since we have known him we have rushed him into hospital twice where he has been admitted to Intensive Care Unit on both occasions. He has a heart condition which is very serious and starts to fail when he gets ill. The most recent occasion was last week when he was diagnosed with TB and his mum was told he probably wouldn’t survive. We all felt such a desire to pray for his healing and believing God to save his life. We had such a powerful time of prayer for him. The next day our wonderful Khmer friend contacted the mother and we heard he had been discharged, was off oxygen and doing much better – such a difference from dying in ICU! Praise God!
Since working here one of the highlights has been working in the clinic at the boys centre. I love spending time and learning more about each precious child; trying to see what their needs are. Recently we had a little boy come in who seemed extremely withdrawn, heartbroken and hopeless. He was in rags, covered in dirt and lice and was very thin. His body covered in scars of beatings and he eyes just seemed empty. Immediately we knew something was wrong and on further questioning his social situation was awful. So we spent time loving him, washing him, giving him new clothes and praying for him. He then went to speak with one of the very talented member of staff at the centre and he managed to really connect with him and try help him. He now comes every day to the centre and always has a big smile on his face; he has found place where he is safe and loved. It’s heartbreaking that many children have never really experienced true love, only the kind which exploits them. Which is why I feel so passionate about the work HPC are doing. In addition through this relationship there has been such a breakthrough in one of the cases against a well known paedophile. I feel so privileged to work with such an amazing organisation and group of people. Its exciting seeing God use Cambodian people to really make such a difference to these children’s lives.
After going to the clinic one afternoon I was sat on the pavement watching some of the kids we know play on the street. Then this girl approached me who was about 20 and just started chatting to me. She said she didn’t usually just walk up to strangers but something inside her made her want to come speak to me, I then sensed that this was a divine appointment (this is the first time this has happened to me). We had an amazing conversation where we discussed all about the difference between Budda and Jesus. She was so hungry to learn more about Jesus and asked if she could come “meditate Jesus” with me sometime. Last week we met again and I gave her a bible and on Sunday we went to church together. She is so hungry for God and told me she wants to bring all her family to church and she loved it. I know that God has plans for this amazing, generous and kind women. I just love how God is moving and causing people’s hearts to hunger for him and that is just so easy to partner with what he is breathing on.
We have been so excited about our bar ministry! Recently we have made such a great connection with an NGO here called Daughters of Cambodia and they have made a way for us to get our girls involved in their amazing work programme. They are even helping to transport them across the city to their centre. It’s great to be able to offer the girls a realistic alternative to working in the bars. Many girls are desperate and this is a life line to them.
On Friday night, after a wonderful time of worship, we went out to the bars to minister to the women there. One of our team was chatting to a young man who was there. Him and his friend were sat chatting to two girls in the bar who they had been seeing for a few days. When he heard what we were doing he was so amazed ! Hs eyes were open to the realities of these girls’ lives. He really praised us and then he gave us 100 dollars to “bless us”. Shortly afterwards he left the bar alone and his entire countenance had changed! It was amazing that we received such encouragement from someone who was a there to be a customer!
On Friday night, after a wonderful time of worship, we went out to the bars to minister to the women there. One of our team was chatting to a young man who was there. Him and his friend were sat chatting to two girls in the bar who they had been seeing for a few days. When he heard what we were doing he was so amazed ! Hs eyes were open to the realities of these girls’ lives. He really praised us and then he gave us 100 dollars to “bless us”. Shortly afterwards he left the bar alone and his entire countenance had changed! It was amazing that we received such encouragement from someone who was a there to be a customer!
Jesus is doing so much here in people’s hearts and lives. Even our team is growing and we have amazing new staff, we also have just acquired land in Sihanoukville for the boys centre down there! Things are really moving forward. It’s exciting to see what the next month holds ! On a personal note Steve and I had a wonderful surprise visit from our family. It was so lovely having them here as we miss them so much! We had such a wonderful time together and have lots of lovely memories together. When focusing on the victories it’s so much easier to be full of praise to our wonderful God.
Your continued prayers for ourselves and our team so greatly appreciated. Please pray for:
-Protection as we continue to go into the darkness to minister.
-Blessing on our team as some move down to Sihanoukville to set up a base there.
-Continued openness to God's strategy and his leading's.
-More divine connections and provision for Iris Cambodia to fulfill its vision here.
-For us to become fluent in the Khmer language.
*names have been changed to protect identities. A copy of this blog post can be also be found at http://iriscambodia.wordpress.com/
Your continued prayers for ourselves and our team so greatly appreciated. Please pray for:
-Protection as we continue to go into the darkness to minister.
-Blessing on our team as some move down to Sihanoukville to set up a base there.
-Continued openness to God's strategy and his leading's.
-More divine connections and provision for Iris Cambodia to fulfill its vision here.
-For us to become fluent in the Khmer language.
*names have been changed to protect identities. A copy of this blog post can be also be found at http://iriscambodia.wordpress.com/
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Reflecting on the last month I feel there is so much I could write about. I feel each day I am learning more and more about this wonderful country and its fascinating ways, its problems, its people and the amazing plans God has for it. I am learning so much about myself and the importance of being so close and in-tune with Jesus. Whenever I take my eyes of Him I get this sensation of drowning. Drowning in all the many difficulties, horrific realities and heartbreaking stories which we often feel so powerless to help with. Drowning in my own sense of inadequacy for what God is asking us to do and the bigness of all the problems, especially that children face here.
I have also learnt that I need to be daily filled by His love. Without it I feel I am pouring out and running on empty. I am learning the difficulties in loving people the way God loves us. That when people let us down, lie to us, exploit us, reject us , continually don’t turn up to meet us that we still desperately pursue them with true love. That we love them in the way God loves us, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and open to constant rejection, that we are always there no matter what and that we never give up.
I have also learnt that I need to be daily filled by His love. Without it I feel I am pouring out and running on empty. I am learning the difficulties in loving people the way God loves us. That when people let us down, lie to us, exploit us, reject us , continually don’t turn up to meet us that we still desperately pursue them with true love. That we love them in the way God loves us, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and open to constant rejection, that we are always there no matter what and that we never give up.
It’s only from a heavenly perspective that things make sense here. I am learning to trust God more and to not carry the burdens which were never mine to carry. I know He is in control, but sometimes I allow myself to forget that.
I’m really realising how evil poverty is. That it holds people in bondage, giving them no options or making them do things they hate doing. I think of all the girls we meet in the bars, all the parents who live on the streets with young children, the many 100’s of children who just beg on the streets until the late hours of night, who don’t go to school or who have any hope for future financial stability. So many people are taking advantage of these people by offering them a way out and sadly this is usually a disaster. We have heard of so many people on the riverfront, where we work offering to buy people’s children or offering them “ a job” in Siem Riep or Thailand . A child who we are good friends with has apparently “moved to Siem Riep” after an offer like this. We are extremely worried about her.
I’m really realising how evil poverty is. That it holds people in bondage, giving them no options or making them do things they hate doing. I think of all the girls we meet in the bars, all the parents who live on the streets with young children, the many 100’s of children who just beg on the streets until the late hours of night, who don’t go to school or who have any hope for future financial stability. So many people are taking advantage of these people by offering them a way out and sadly this is usually a disaster. We have heard of so many people on the riverfront, where we work offering to buy people’s children or offering them “ a job” in Siem Riep or Thailand . A child who we are good friends with has apparently “moved to Siem Riep” after an offer like this. We are extremely worried about her.
I feel so blessed to be working with and learning so much from the Hard-Places Community. I love to watch how they offer hope to people who are so desperate. It’s a privilege to watch how building relationships with children and their families is so crucial. To reveal the Father's love to them and to reveal to them they do have a hope, a great future and that they don’t need to just submit to a poverty mindset. Through this so many amazing things are happening. Children are opening up about the terrible things going on in their lives. Its only through love and trust that this will happen ; and its only when we learn what’s going on that we can try do something to stop it for that particular child. It’s a low and slow process, which requires patience and strength. I am in awe of all the staff who work there and teaching us so much about what love looks like to these kids who are often so broken. I find it fascinating that its often the boys who are in the worst situations who often come to the medical clinic with various minor/ fabricated problems. They are crying out for attention and love even from a doctor or nurse. I feel it’s probably one of our most important roles in the clinic; to always be there to love.
A few weeks ago I was reminded of how people can be so stigmatised by society. My dear friend Annie and I were out celebrating her birthday. We went to a restaurant I go to all the time , but this time is was so different. She does work in one of the girly bars on the riverfront and she was wearing slightly inappropriate clothing, but the way she was treated in the restaurant was absolutely disgusting. This was her birthday, an important day for her where she should have felt special. But she was made to feel like a lesser human being, no one brought her a menu, any water, the waiting staff ignored her and even lied to her. I was so upset! I felt so angry that they would do this. But I realised she wasn’t, in fact she is used to this , this is her life.
I suppose this does happen in England too but its much more subtle. I then started go wonder what her life must be like and that of course she doesn’t feel empowered or perhaps even able to leave the bars, as people treat her like dirt. That’s when I realised that even if we can’t offer these women much right now, we love them , we can call the greatness out of them, the greatness that God hand-crafted and designed to the finest detail. I have noticed the same stigmatisation to the street kids, the poor and the beggars.
The only way I can survive in such a heart-breaking world is by continually reminding myself that Jesus has a plan for every child we meet, every girl we meet, every family we meet, every sleezy man we come across. It’s not about us planning any thing, but about us being aligned to His plans. That He can redeem even the very worst circumstance. We are started to see that unfolding and it’s exciting!
I suppose this does happen in England too but its much more subtle. I then started go wonder what her life must be like and that of course she doesn’t feel empowered or perhaps even able to leave the bars, as people treat her like dirt. That’s when I realised that even if we can’t offer these women much right now, we love them , we can call the greatness out of them, the greatness that God hand-crafted and designed to the finest detail. I have noticed the same stigmatisation to the street kids, the poor and the beggars.
The only way I can survive in such a heart-breaking world is by continually reminding myself that Jesus has a plan for every child we meet, every girl we meet, every family we meet, every sleezy man we come across. It’s not about us planning any thing, but about us being aligned to His plans. That He can redeem even the very worst circumstance. We are started to see that unfolding and it’s exciting!
For instance last week God showed us a beautiful story of redemption. We met 28 year old man with a mangled leg from a terrible motorbike accident he had a month and a half before and he is in constant pain, after the accident he lost his job and because of this his wife and child left him and he had no other family left alive to support him. He had no choice but to live on the streets and beg. Steve and Joel met him whilst on the riverfront. He told the boys how he often just wants to "go up into a tree and put rope around himself". Well God revealed His love to this man through the boys and he accepted Jesus! He said his heart felt excited! The boys got to pray for him and prophesy over him, they also got in touch with a Christian healing home, which is a place where he can live, be supported and loved on while his leg gets healed and he is currently learning that he is so precious and does have a hope and a future. Praise God that he has such great plans for this man and that he is having a huge party in heaven right now for this dearly loved son!
Thank you so much for all your prayers and support for us all. We couldn’t do it without you. Some days we really feel under spiritual attack, but it’s with your help that we are using this attack to actually refine us and develop us instead of letting it affect out work. God is so incredibly good and so incredibly powerful ; I really feel He is going to start revealing more of his power here in Cambodia so please be praying for that. Please be praying for the children and women here who are being so exploited, being abused and being neglected. That God will be revealing us how we can best help them and how we can best reveal His love to them. Please Pray that God would be making our strategies even more clear, that we would know how to break their chains that hold them. Please pray for Hard-Places Community as they continue to change many people’s lives and bring light to the darkness and also pray for us and our team.
~Lots of Love Mollie and Steve~
Thank you so much for all your prayers and support for us all. We couldn’t do it without you. Some days we really feel under spiritual attack, but it’s with your help that we are using this attack to actually refine us and develop us instead of letting it affect out work. God is so incredibly good and so incredibly powerful ; I really feel He is going to start revealing more of his power here in Cambodia so please be praying for that. Please be praying for the children and women here who are being so exploited, being abused and being neglected. That God will be revealing us how we can best help them and how we can best reveal His love to them. Please Pray that God would be making our strategies even more clear, that we would know how to break their chains that hold them. Please pray for Hard-Places Community as they continue to change many people’s lives and bring light to the darkness and also pray for us and our team.
~Lots of Love Mollie and Steve~
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We are so blessed to be out here in Cambodia and are both having such an adventure and are learning so much. Recently God has been showing me why it is important to “Stop For The One”.
This is one of Heidi Baker's famous phrases it involves two parts, firstly to "Stop for the One who is The One” .
So many times I forget to stop for Jesus, take time to listen to Him and learn from Him, catch His heart and be influenced by His love.
I notice it more while I am out here. If I don't stop for Him but try and do things in my own strength, on my own, things are much more difficult, more of a battle and everything just feels much more negative.
This is one of Heidi Baker's famous phrases it involves two parts, firstly to "Stop for the One who is The One” .
So many times I forget to stop for Jesus, take time to listen to Him and learn from Him, catch His heart and be influenced by His love.
I notice it more while I am out here. If I don't stop for Him but try and do things in my own strength, on my own, things are much more difficult, more of a battle and everything just feels much more negative.
Stop in Khmer is "Chop"
Moses said he didn't want to move on if he knew the Lord's presence wouldn't go with them ...
What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth? Exodus 33:16 - NIV
It’s true, if the presence of God is not with me, if I am not influenced by Him every day then how will I be any different from any other person in the things that I do.
I want to make an impact that lasts for eternity, for a Kingdom that is out of this world and to do that I need to spend time with its King, daily.
I have learnt so much about the importance of this recently and this is in no way a chore. He is a joy to be with, I just need to remember to take time to stop for him.
I want to make an impact that lasts for eternity, for a Kingdom that is out of this world and to do that I need to spend time with its King, daily.
I have learnt so much about the importance of this recently and this is in no way a chore. He is a joy to be with, I just need to remember to take time to stop for him.
The second part is to "Stop for the one in front of you..." Sometimes the Lord just puts a person in front of you and you have a choice to stop for them and love them or to just carry on with your day.
One day we were out on our regular ministry to some of the street kids on the river side; who we try and see at least two afternoons a week.
As we were playing games with the kids a young man limped up to us. At first sight he was really unpleasant to look at. With one eye blind and whitened over, some of his front teeth missing and a really thin frame through lack of food. He had a limp because his right foot was crippled and his right hand was also paralysed.
He didn't smell nice because he hadn’t showered for weeks and he immediately asked for money so he could buy food. We could have just said no and carried on with our main "focus" for the afternoon, the kids, but instead we decided to stop for him.
I got some of the other guys to come and join me and we prayed for him. Afterwards he put down his bag and brought out some of his only possessions; two Khmer bibles and a hymn book. He already knew Jesus, and after a while talking wuth him he started reading from his book and bursting out some Khmer style hymns in heartfelt song.
He said he came to Phnom Penh by bus from the countryside to try and find work a few weeks before. He soon ran out of the little money he had, so he was forced to sleep on the streets; where he had also been beaten up and robbed. He was called Veesna and was only 25 years old.
I took him for lunch with another friend and we talked some more (in the little Khmer I know). Something about him really touched my heart and I was determined to try and help him and eventually ended up meeting up with him on a daily basis. He was so grateful after having his first shower in weeks and getting lots of new clothes he looked like a completely new man, smart and handsome.
One day we were out on our regular ministry to some of the street kids on the river side; who we try and see at least two afternoons a week.
As we were playing games with the kids a young man limped up to us. At first sight he was really unpleasant to look at. With one eye blind and whitened over, some of his front teeth missing and a really thin frame through lack of food. He had a limp because his right foot was crippled and his right hand was also paralysed.
He didn't smell nice because he hadn’t showered for weeks and he immediately asked for money so he could buy food. We could have just said no and carried on with our main "focus" for the afternoon, the kids, but instead we decided to stop for him.
I got some of the other guys to come and join me and we prayed for him. Afterwards he put down his bag and brought out some of his only possessions; two Khmer bibles and a hymn book. He already knew Jesus, and after a while talking wuth him he started reading from his book and bursting out some Khmer style hymns in heartfelt song.
He said he came to Phnom Penh by bus from the countryside to try and find work a few weeks before. He soon ran out of the little money he had, so he was forced to sleep on the streets; where he had also been beaten up and robbed. He was called Veesna and was only 25 years old.
I took him for lunch with another friend and we talked some more (in the little Khmer I know). Something about him really touched my heart and I was determined to try and help him and eventually ended up meeting up with him on a daily basis. He was so grateful after having his first shower in weeks and getting lots of new clothes he looked like a completely new man, smart and handsome.
The more I got to know him the more I realised how much God loved him and valued him. He would always grab me and give me a big hug each day that I met up with him to help him out.
In the end after looking for many days we realised there was nowhere in Phnom Penh that would employ him, no organisations that could take him in or give him training and he eventually requested to go back to his family in the province. The members of the church we attend put together the funds for his bus ticket and sent him back with a huge bag of rice as a gift for his family and some new clothes for him, with a view to hopefully visit him in the near future.
In the end after looking for many days we realised there was nowhere in Phnom Penh that would employ him, no organisations that could take him in or give him training and he eventually requested to go back to his family in the province. The members of the church we attend put together the funds for his bus ticket and sent him back with a huge bag of rice as a gift for his family and some new clothes for him, with a view to hopefully visit him in the near future.
He had been in Phnom Penh a few weeks and with no money left, nowhere to stay and no one willing to employ him he was in a vulnerable situation. With many homeless and jobless young men in Phnom Penh often turning to glue sniffing, substance abuse and crime in an effort to survive.
He said that Jesus sent us to help him and show him love in a practical way. But it’s not only him that benefited, I learnt so much from all time I spent with him.
Sometimes by stopping to help those in need and spending time with them it can cause more change in us than in them.
He said that Jesus sent us to help him and show him love in a practical way. But it’s not only him that benefited, I learnt so much from all time I spent with him.
Sometimes by stopping to help those in need and spending time with them it can cause more change in us than in them.
New year new challenges... The run up to Christmas seemed to go by so fast and so much was happening. I was finishing my teaching job and Mollie was continuing on with the medical clinic whilst we were both continuing to do language school among many other things! Time just seemed to fly by!
As a team we went on a scouting trip to Sihanoukville in November to pray and plan for the next steps ahead as part of our team will be pioneering a second base there.
It was a great time and felt significant but it wasn’t without its (spiritual) opposition. Our team leader Shelly became very ill with dengue fever and we had to come back to Phnom Penh early. It was a hard time and was really difficult to see our close friend so unwell.
It was a time in which we faced much opposition and we had a busy month ahead of us with our first outreach team of graduates from "Harvest School" in Mozambique coming out to visit us. By the time they came we were all feeling tired and weary but in the end they were all such a blessing and encouragement to have with us. They brought so much enthusiasm and passion and they were all so filled up from living and learning in the midst of revival in Africa. (The opposition didn’t end there though with our new temporary team leader Joel himself getting ill with Dengue fever and shingles at the same time just as they were back in Australia visiting family for Christmas!).
After spending Christmas 2011 away from our families doing ministry in Thailand we decided to try and get back to see them this Christmas 2012 and we were incredibly blessed to have our flights paid for as a gift from some close family. It was a really special time of refreshing and a precious time with family which seemed to fly by. We also got to see a few friends (although we didn’t have time to see all the people we would have hoped to see) it was such a gift from God to not be away from family at such an important time.
As a team we went on a scouting trip to Sihanoukville in November to pray and plan for the next steps ahead as part of our team will be pioneering a second base there.
It was a great time and felt significant but it wasn’t without its (spiritual) opposition. Our team leader Shelly became very ill with dengue fever and we had to come back to Phnom Penh early. It was a hard time and was really difficult to see our close friend so unwell.
It was a time in which we faced much opposition and we had a busy month ahead of us with our first outreach team of graduates from "Harvest School" in Mozambique coming out to visit us. By the time they came we were all feeling tired and weary but in the end they were all such a blessing and encouragement to have with us. They brought so much enthusiasm and passion and they were all so filled up from living and learning in the midst of revival in Africa. (The opposition didn’t end there though with our new temporary team leader Joel himself getting ill with Dengue fever and shingles at the same time just as they were back in Australia visiting family for Christmas!).
After spending Christmas 2011 away from our families doing ministry in Thailand we decided to try and get back to see them this Christmas 2012 and we were incredibly blessed to have our flights paid for as a gift from some close family. It was a really special time of refreshing and a precious time with family which seemed to fly by. We also got to see a few friends (although we didn’t have time to see all the people we would have hoped to see) it was such a gift from God to not be away from family at such an important time.
We are now back in Phnom Penh and know we have an exciting year ahead!
The other day during team prayer and worship they asked us to write down all of the things God had done in us and through us in the previous year so we could reflect and be thankful. It really gave me perspective, He is an incredible God and had done so much - a little through us - but much in us!
He is so good :-)
The other day during team prayer and worship they asked us to write down all of the things God had done in us and through us in the previous year so we could reflect and be thankful. It really gave me perspective, He is an incredible God and had done so much - a little through us - but much in us!
He is so good :-)
Prayer Requests:
-Please pray for the women who we meet every week who work in the bars who think they have no options and no hope. Pray that we can share the hope of Jesus in an effective way.
-Pray also for the kids who we see every day in the medical clinic and on the streets, pray for protection from further abuse, healing of past hurts and restoration in their lives.
-Please continue to pray for our team for protection as they step out into all of the things that God has for them.
-Pray for Mollie she is about to start driving a motorbike on the Phnom Penh roads, pray for protection, incredible driving skills and safety!
-Pray for Iris Cambodia in the year ahead, exciting but also pray for continued sensitivity to Holy Spirit and His guidance and leading in this special time.
-Please pray for the women who we meet every week who work in the bars who think they have no options and no hope. Pray that we can share the hope of Jesus in an effective way.
-Pray also for the kids who we see every day in the medical clinic and on the streets, pray for protection from further abuse, healing of past hurts and restoration in their lives.
-Please continue to pray for our team for protection as they step out into all of the things that God has for them.
-Pray for Mollie she is about to start driving a motorbike on the Phnom Penh roads, pray for protection, incredible driving skills and safety!
-Pray for Iris Cambodia in the year ahead, exciting but also pray for continued sensitivity to Holy Spirit and His guidance and leading in this special time.
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Wow, what a great few months. I’m falling more and more in Love with this beautiful country. Things have been great but getting more busy. For this month the spiritual climate has also been more challenging with Potchum Benn and other festivals.
Potchum Benn is...“A time when many Cambodians pay their respects to their dead relatives of up to 7 generations. Monks chant in Pali language overnight (continuously, without sleeping) in prelude to the gates of hell opening, an event that is presumed to occur once a year, ghosts of the dead are presumed to be especially active, and thus food-offerings are made to benefit them.” Source Wikipedia.
Potchum Benn is...“A time when many Cambodians pay their respects to their dead relatives of up to 7 generations. Monks chant in Pali language overnight (continuously, without sleeping) in prelude to the gates of hell opening, an event that is presumed to occur once a year, ghosts of the dead are presumed to be especially active, and thus food-offerings are made to benefit them.” Source Wikipedia.
An interesting time of year, we are still learning so much about people’s spiritual habits out here.
Anyway, meanwhile, the power of the resurrected Jesus has been setting people free and working with us and through us, equipping us and blessing us. His presence has been incredible, especially during times of worship and meetings. He has an incredible heart and I have had the privilege of sharing encouraging words of prophecy on a number of occasions in the last few months to speak truth into people’s lives to help them to see who they really are in Him.
Anyway, meanwhile, the power of the resurrected Jesus has been setting people free and working with us and through us, equipping us and blessing us. His presence has been incredible, especially during times of worship and meetings. He has an incredible heart and I have had the privilege of sharing encouraging words of prophecy on a number of occasions in the last few months to speak truth into people’s lives to help them to see who they really are in Him.
One thing which happened a few weeks ago was a testimony to this powerful and resurrected Jesus working in people’s lives. Our land-lord who is a very kind and gentle Khmer man who survived starvation and forced labour during the Khmer Rouge regime came around to install a fan and shared his story with us. It was such an insightful moment and one which helped us to understand some more of what this country has been through. He had his wife with him that day and I remembered him previously sharing how for almost 40 years (ever since the Khmer Rouge was in power) his wife had been having night terrors EVERY NIGHT. Often kicking and punching him in her sleep because of the nightmares and the fear. As they were here together we saw it as an opportunity to pray for her in the name of this resurrected and powerful Jesus who we trust in.
As we all prayed I felt the presence of God and she said she felt something, then they went back home because they had finished the jobs they were here to do. We expected a phone call or something a few days later but didn’t hear anything. About a month later when we had almost forgotten about it our landlord came around to do another small job at the house and is passing said “oh thanks by the way for praying for my wife”, for the whole month she had many nights peaceful sleep and only had nightmares on three occasions. We praised God and said they were welcome to come around any time to receive more prayer.
There is such a stronghold of fear over this country, with many people still having night terrors and trapped in fear because of past hurts and current lies, but the power of Christ easily overcomes it with His perfect Love driving out fear. Jesus and the life that is in His Love is the only remedy to the hurt in this land.
There is such a stronghold of fear over this country, with many people still having night terrors and trapped in fear because of past hurts and current lies, but the power of Christ easily overcomes it with His perfect Love driving out fear. Jesus and the life that is in His Love is the only remedy to the hurt in this land.
Sometimes this incredible and loving God asks us to do things which we don’t want to do but trusting Him and being obedient to Him is powerful, knowing that in the end He knows best (plus I would be a hypocrite to call Him “Lord” and then not do as he says!).
I recently experienced an example of having to do something I really didn’t want to do, language learning was going well and I was getting into a good routine and settling into life out here. All of a sudden I felt God tell me I needed to help out by teaching at the local international Christian school. They were desperate for staff at the start of the school year and through a combination of injuries, illnesses and last minute resignations.
Teaching at a high school was the last thing I wanted to do and was a season of my life that I thought was behind me! To be honest I was at first upset and annoyed and confused. I thought my aim was to focus the first 6 months at least on language learning and I thought that I had a really good plan! Why did God have to change it?!
I recently experienced an example of having to do something I really didn’t want to do, language learning was going well and I was getting into a good routine and settling into life out here. All of a sudden I felt God tell me I needed to help out by teaching at the local international Christian school. They were desperate for staff at the start of the school year and through a combination of injuries, illnesses and last minute resignations.
Teaching at a high school was the last thing I wanted to do and was a season of my life that I thought was behind me! To be honest I was at first upset and annoyed and confused. I thought my aim was to focus the first 6 months at least on language learning and I thought that I had a really good plan! Why did God have to change it?!
I emailed the headmaster who emailed straight back saying what an answer to prayer I was and it would be great if I could help out. It turns out he is from Leeds and even knew some of my colleagues from the previous school I taught at! Small world indeed! After a few days God actually put an excitement back in me to get back into the class room and teach again.
After getting the OK with my Iris team leaders I started working there and have been working there since the beginning of September on a part time basis, going in three days a week. Giving me time to continue with language studies and the other ministries I was involved with. It seemed right to tell them I could only help out until Christmas so it should only be a short term arrangement until then.
It has been great working there, many people have thanked me saying I was an answer to prayer and to be honest I have enjoyed teaching again. The kids are great (mostly missionary kids from all over the world) and the extra bit of pocket money has helped me to save up to buy a motorbike). I suppose God knows best, and I’m not just out here for myself or what I think is right but His kingdom and where he wants me to help in that.
After getting the OK with my Iris team leaders I started working there and have been working there since the beginning of September on a part time basis, going in three days a week. Giving me time to continue with language studies and the other ministries I was involved with. It seemed right to tell them I could only help out until Christmas so it should only be a short term arrangement until then.
It has been great working there, many people have thanked me saying I was an answer to prayer and to be honest I have enjoyed teaching again. The kids are great (mostly missionary kids from all over the world) and the extra bit of pocket money has helped me to save up to buy a motorbike). I suppose God knows best, and I’m not just out here for myself or what I think is right but His kingdom and where he wants me to help in that.
Mollie has been busy helping with more medical clinics in Svay Pak and also making preparations to eventually start a clinic (in partnership with another organisation we are working with) right in the centre of Phnom Penh where more victims of the sex industry can be reached. They are also still doing outreaches to girls in the red light district every Friday and slowly building relationships with the girls who work there. Progress seems slow but they are faithfully going out every Friday night to Love and be a blessing to the girls. I have been continuing on with the football coaching and bible teaching with vulnerable boys who live around the riverside area and I have really been enjoying it.
We also had a nice break meeting my brother and his girlfriend across the border in Vietnam. They are touring SE Asia and Australia on a kind of gap year. They also came back to Cambodia with us and it was so nice to have family out here and to show them this wonderful country. It was great for them to meet the amazing people we are working with. We just got back from a trip with them to the North of Cambodia to see Angkor Wat and see some more of the country.
The last couple of weeks I have just felt so blessed to still be a part of this incredible journey God has got us on and I have recently been remembering the true reason we are out here, for Him, wonderful Jesus. This perfect and amazing God who is so fun and enjoyable that we are prepared to move out over to the other side of the world just to follow His heart and get to know Him more. When Jesus is the centre, it’s so easy to be joyful, no matter where you are in the world!
Thank you for your continued prayers, lots of Love,
Steve and Mollie x x
We also had a nice break meeting my brother and his girlfriend across the border in Vietnam. They are touring SE Asia and Australia on a kind of gap year. They also came back to Cambodia with us and it was so nice to have family out here and to show them this wonderful country. It was great for them to meet the amazing people we are working with. We just got back from a trip with them to the North of Cambodia to see Angkor Wat and see some more of the country.
The last couple of weeks I have just felt so blessed to still be a part of this incredible journey God has got us on and I have recently been remembering the true reason we are out here, for Him, wonderful Jesus. This perfect and amazing God who is so fun and enjoyable that we are prepared to move out over to the other side of the world just to follow His heart and get to know Him more. When Jesus is the centre, it’s so easy to be joyful, no matter where you are in the world!
Thank you for your continued prayers, lots of Love,
Steve and Mollie x x
Prayer Requests:
- Please continue to pray for us. That He continues to be the centre.
- Also pray for continued protection. I am about to buy a motorbike (it’s the easiest, cheapest and quickest way to get around here) so please pray for continued safety on these crazy busy roads.
- Pray for our team, another family are coming out to join us who have 4 children! Pray they settle well. Also pray for the Iris Cambodia director (Jason) who is coming out to spend some time with us at the end of the month, pray for His wife (Kelly) who is heavily pregnant, pray that the baby doesn’t come unexpectedly early while he is out here!
- Pray for our language learning, it is really difficult to develop relationships with the locals on a deep level when language is a barrier. Pray that we become fluent quickly.
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We feel so blessed to be part of the journey of Iris Cambodia. Its hard to summarise the last 7 weeks; but I hope this gives a small insight.
After so much anticipation we finally moved to Phom Penh. We felt so excited, we were here where God wanted us to be! It was a great feeling to be at the start of something so special. We started off really busy; moving into our beautiful base, buying furniture and trying to work our way round this huge and often chaotic city.
The first morning we were here we started language class at the university. We were picking up momentum and we were making contacts with other NGO’s, making friends and learning more about the many needs and problems of Cambodia. We even did a few outreaches to the brothels/bars with a visiting team from Northern Ireland; who were so awesome and really blessed us! We met some really precious Khmer girls who we continue to have relationships with and praying they will know the love of Jesus.
After so much anticipation we finally moved to Phom Penh. We felt so excited, we were here where God wanted us to be! It was a great feeling to be at the start of something so special. We started off really busy; moving into our beautiful base, buying furniture and trying to work our way round this huge and often chaotic city.
The first morning we were here we started language class at the university. We were picking up momentum and we were making contacts with other NGO’s, making friends and learning more about the many needs and problems of Cambodia. We even did a few outreaches to the brothels/bars with a visiting team from Northern Ireland; who were so awesome and really blessed us! We met some really precious Khmer girls who we continue to have relationships with and praying they will know the love of Jesus.
Then one day the excitement wore off a bit...We weren’t here on a short term mission and we weren’t going home any time soon. The realisation dawned on me and I began to feel a bit lost and useless. What would people think back home if I didn’t have a big list of things I had achieved this week? Things seemed to be taking longer than I had anticipated and the language was coming on very slowly, which made me feel frustrated, stupid and a bit inadequate. In addition to that I realised I don’t really like being sweaty/dusty all the time; I do not like rats and cockroaches...and so many things here don’t make sense! Sometimes things can be really frustrating for example; one day we went to take a little boy to the hospital and I was appalled at how we were treated as we were left all day waiting only to be told we had to leave as the clinic was over and they didn’t have time to see the boy.
It was on a day like this that God reminded me that ITS NOT ABOUT ME ...ITS ALL ABOUT HIM! It’s not about keeping myself busy and striving to love the lost – it’s about BEING STILL and knowing that HE IS GOD and then FOLLOWING HIS LEAD. If I do that then He will give me the ability to love this country as my own and he will give me the grace to enjoy living here! I just need to trust Him with everything.
Of course I “knew” this already but it is hard to actually do, especially after coming from a culture where I worked 60+ hours a week as a hospital doctor and everything is “Go go go”. I realised that in the busy-ness of the previous weeks I had neglected the most important thing – my relationship with God and without making that a priority I might as well go home!
It was on a day like this that God reminded me that ITS NOT ABOUT ME ...ITS ALL ABOUT HIM! It’s not about keeping myself busy and striving to love the lost – it’s about BEING STILL and knowing that HE IS GOD and then FOLLOWING HIS LEAD. If I do that then He will give me the ability to love this country as my own and he will give me the grace to enjoy living here! I just need to trust Him with everything.
Of course I “knew” this already but it is hard to actually do, especially after coming from a culture where I worked 60+ hours a week as a hospital doctor and everything is “Go go go”. I realised that in the busy-ness of the previous weeks I had neglected the most important thing – my relationship with God and without making that a priority I might as well go home!
In a place like Cambodia its essential to view things from heaven’s perspective, otherwise you could get overwhelmed with the scale of the problems and poverty here. Many people are so hurt and many have lost hope which stems from years of hardship and a devastating genocide.
One example of the scale of some of the issues here was highlighted a couple of weeks ago when we visited Svay Pak a community located about 30 minutes outside the city. Three years ago there was a study conducted which said approximately 70% of parents in that community sold their children for sex. The culture of this community was so messed up! What they perceived as normal was so twisted and perverse!
Walking around this place you could feel the darkness and the despair – however since Agape International Ministries has moved there has been a huge improvement. In fact they moved their premises into a place which was previously a brothel where children were sold and kept in locked cells like prisoners! They have slowly brought the light of Jesus Christ to this place and changed people’s hearts. There is still a long long way to go, as you still see barangs (white men) visiting the village looking for a way to satisfy their twisted desires.
One example of the scale of some of the issues here was highlighted a couple of weeks ago when we visited Svay Pak a community located about 30 minutes outside the city. Three years ago there was a study conducted which said approximately 70% of parents in that community sold their children for sex. The culture of this community was so messed up! What they perceived as normal was so twisted and perverse!
Walking around this place you could feel the darkness and the despair – however since Agape International Ministries has moved there has been a huge improvement. In fact they moved their premises into a place which was previously a brothel where children were sold and kept in locked cells like prisoners! They have slowly brought the light of Jesus Christ to this place and changed people’s hearts. There is still a long long way to go, as you still see barangs (white men) visiting the village looking for a way to satisfy their twisted desires.
We had the privilege of working in the Clinic at the centre, which we plan to continue for a few more weeks. We had an eye-opening bitter-sweet time there. We met so many great people who were living lives which reflected the love of God and naturally causing change. However at the beginning it was tough for the first people who moved there determined to bring hope and a change for the better. They were spat on, swore at and even had rocks thrown at them, but gradually over the years through perseverance in love they earned the community’s trust.... I am sure if they didn’t see things from a heavenly perspective and know that God is faithful with his promises they would have left a long time ago.
Praise God they didn’t leave as they now continue to impact many hundreds of lives there. Seeing this testimony of God’s faithfulness inspired me and I remembered that even though the country’s problems are so big, Gods love for this nation is even greater.
We have also recently had Gillian join our team all the way from Northern Ireland and she has a real gift of leading worship. Since she moved here we have had some incredible times of worship in our prayer room. We also have access to a base right in the centre of one of the darkest areas of Phnom Penh right in the centre of the red light district, we have held worship here a number of times which has felt so powerful. This new season of worship has been amazing and really helped to get us focused on God and not us - which is what we needed! We have also been able to have amazing nights were we are just lost in the presence of God – amazing, and really refreshing!
Praise God they didn’t leave as they now continue to impact many hundreds of lives there. Seeing this testimony of God’s faithfulness inspired me and I remembered that even though the country’s problems are so big, Gods love for this nation is even greater.
We have also recently had Gillian join our team all the way from Northern Ireland and she has a real gift of leading worship. Since she moved here we have had some incredible times of worship in our prayer room. We also have access to a base right in the centre of one of the darkest areas of Phnom Penh right in the centre of the red light district, we have held worship here a number of times which has felt so powerful. This new season of worship has been amazing and really helped to get us focused on God and not us - which is what we needed! We have also been able to have amazing nights were we are just lost in the presence of God – amazing, and really refreshing!
We are starting to feel more settled into our local community which is such a lovely place. Opposite our house most days there is a Christian Kids club so we often hear the sounds of local children singing about Jesus which is great!
We have also found a church we enjoy, it has a nice community feel and has a good mixture of Cambodians and foreigners. In addition the pastor and his wife are from England and only live a few houses down the street from us and have the same last name as us!
God has been starting to open some exciting doors for us and bringing us together with some really great and inspiring people. Steve has started to help with a football and bible study class with the street boys and Sahra and I are hoping to start a medical clinic in the red-light area working along-side the Hard Places Community. Both these opportunities were not in any way from our own striving/organising but purely doors that God has opened for us and we have just put one foot in front of the other and followed him.
We have also found a church we enjoy, it has a nice community feel and has a good mixture of Cambodians and foreigners. In addition the pastor and his wife are from England and only live a few houses down the street from us and have the same last name as us!
God has been starting to open some exciting doors for us and bringing us together with some really great and inspiring people. Steve has started to help with a football and bible study class with the street boys and Sahra and I are hoping to start a medical clinic in the red-light area working along-side the Hard Places Community. Both these opportunities were not in any way from our own striving/organising but purely doors that God has opened for us and we have just put one foot in front of the other and followed him.
We also feel God is really highlighting the girls who work in the bars/brothels in one of the biggest red-light areas of the city. There are 1000’s of girls who work here in such misery and are desperate for the love of Jesus. We have started going out more regularly and really feel God is wanting us to really pursue these treasures in the darkness! We are very excited to see how God’s going transform their lives.
So gradually through our time here we are learning more and more how to trust in Papa God. We haven’t forgotten our long term vision or the main reason why we are out here but we are learning how to trust in His timings, at His pace and in His ways. Sometimes this is difficult because we just want to get stuck in and start making change happen but we know His heart and intentions are better than ours and we need to trust in this. Please pray that we can continue to do this more and more as we continue to walk in the plans He has for us out here.
~Lots of Love ~ Mollie and Steve
So gradually through our time here we are learning more and more how to trust in Papa God. We haven’t forgotten our long term vision or the main reason why we are out here but we are learning how to trust in His timings, at His pace and in His ways. Sometimes this is difficult because we just want to get stuck in and start making change happen but we know His heart and intentions are better than ours and we need to trust in this. Please pray that we can continue to do this more and more as we continue to walk in the plans He has for us out here.
~Lots of Love ~ Mollie and Steve
Prayer requests:
-Please pray for continued protection for us, especially in driving around the hectic city on the back of motorbikes all the time and pray for our continued health.
-Please pray that our whole team would become family – as its hard being away from family, and also please pray for our team directors who are amazing and who are leading us in this adventure ! Pray that they would be so so blessed and that would God would provide miraculous provision they need as they step out in faith!
-Please pray for the members of the team who aren’t here yet – that there time at home is really precious and that God would prepare them well as they are about to move out here.
-Please pray that God would give us courage and strategy especially in our new areas of ministry
-Please pray for our friend - lets call her A , she was coming to church with us but has stopped . She is a girl we met in one of the bars and it seemed like God had huge plans for her life ... please pray protection over her and that she will break away from her old life
(If anyone is interested in learning more about Cambodia and the problems it faces regarding sexual exploitation of children I would really recommend the film about trafficking across the globe called Nefarious).
-Please pray for continued protection for us, especially in driving around the hectic city on the back of motorbikes all the time and pray for our continued health.
-Please pray that our whole team would become family – as its hard being away from family, and also please pray for our team directors who are amazing and who are leading us in this adventure ! Pray that they would be so so blessed and that would God would provide miraculous provision they need as they step out in faith!
-Please pray for the members of the team who aren’t here yet – that there time at home is really precious and that God would prepare them well as they are about to move out here.
-Please pray that God would give us courage and strategy especially in our new areas of ministry
-Please pray for our friend - lets call her A , she was coming to church with us but has stopped . She is a girl we met in one of the bars and it seemed like God had huge plans for her life ... please pray protection over her and that she will break away from her old life
(If anyone is interested in learning more about Cambodia and the problems it faces regarding sexual exploitation of children I would really recommend the film about trafficking across the globe called Nefarious).
- Published on
We have just finished a great few weeks back in the UK after feeling like it was right for us to go back there for a bit. While we were at home it was confirmed we had made the right descision in numerous different ways, it was a great (but very busy) time.
We are now back in SE Asia where from now on we will be full time! On the plane over from a stop in Singapore I felt like God was teaching me that the season we were just in is ending and a new season was begging. Ever since August last year we havent been in one place for more than 10 weeks! Its been a great season with lots of moving about including long stints in Mozambique, Thailand and Cambodia. We have learnt so much and had the priveledge of meeting some incredible people. But on the plane on the way over it felt like God was speaking to me about a new and different season starting.
We are now back in SE Asia where from now on we will be full time! On the plane over from a stop in Singapore I felt like God was teaching me that the season we were just in is ending and a new season was begging. Ever since August last year we havent been in one place for more than 10 weeks! Its been a great season with lots of moving about including long stints in Mozambique, Thailand and Cambodia. We have learnt so much and had the priveledge of meeting some incredible people. But on the plane on the way over it felt like God was speaking to me about a new and different season starting.
As you know from our last few updates our trip in March to Thailand and Cambodia was amazing and life changing and we had an incredible time. We also had about 6 weeks after the rest of the team left in Thailand to spend -among other things -waiting on God to find out where He would wanted us long term. We knew it would be either Thaland or Cambodia but we wanted to make sure we were completely in His will and we weren’t making the descision by leaning on our own human understanding (Proverbs 3:5).
After receiving a few different words, pictures and other confirmations we realised that we should start our time here in SE Asia in Cambodia. Since then we feel like this has been confirmed time and time again.
The priorities for the first few months of our time here will be to learn the language and culture. Then after a few months of getting established the vision for Iris Cambodia will then hopefully start to take shape.
After receiving a few different words, pictures and other confirmations we realised that we should start our time here in SE Asia in Cambodia. Since then we feel like this has been confirmed time and time again.
The priorities for the first few months of our time here will be to learn the language and culture. Then after a few months of getting established the vision for Iris Cambodia will then hopefully start to take shape.
We are starting with a pioneering team (of including some fellow Iris Harvest School Graduates) to help set up Iris Cambodia. Their main vision is to rescue and rehabilitate child victims of the sex industry by setting up safe houses to see survivors freed and restored (for more information about Iris Cambodia please check out their website).
We arrived in Cambodia late afternoon on Sunday 1st of July. It has been exciting, but hectic, our 3 months intensive Khmer language school started at 7;30am the next morning! Since then we have moved into our new permanent accomodation, bought beds, furniture and sorted lots of other things. This morning again we had our second language lesson (learning how to write Khmer!). At the moment (as you can see from the picture) to me the letters just look like fancy squiggles, but that will hopefully change in time!
I felt led to share the main reason why we are actually here in Cambodia and the main reason we have completely changed our lives to move out here. It’s not because of what we will be doing (even though hopefully we will make a difference).
Its very important for me to communicate the main priority of our hearts and the main reason we are actually out here. I am only slightly beggining to grasp how incredible God is. To be in His presence is the most incredible feeling I have ever experienced, nothing else even comes close. We both have a hunger to know Him more closely, whatever the cost, we have just been finding that the more we are getting to know Him the more enjoyable and exciting the journey is getting.
I felt led to share the main reason why we are actually here in Cambodia and the main reason we have completely changed our lives to move out here. It’s not because of what we will be doing (even though hopefully we will make a difference).
Its very important for me to communicate the main priority of our hearts and the main reason we are actually out here. I am only slightly beggining to grasp how incredible God is. To be in His presence is the most incredible feeling I have ever experienced, nothing else even comes close. We both have a hunger to know Him more closely, whatever the cost, we have just been finding that the more we are getting to know Him the more enjoyable and exciting the journey is getting.
I am overjoyed to be here, not because of the specific location or even because of the things we are going to be doing. It’s purely because we are going to be walking with and getting even closer to Father God, by living in the things He has planned for us (Ephesians 2:10). We desire to get even closer to Him, know Him more and walk in all the things that knowing Him brings.
I know you dont have to move out to a foreign country or do things in this specific way to know God closely, anyone can know Father God thorugh Jesus. But this way is His specific plan for our particular lives and this is where He has led us. The more time we spend with Him the more he changes our hearts and His priorities start to become priorities on our hearts as well.
This is a path we are excited and delighted to walk and say yes to because He has given us a passion and hunger and excitement to do these things, they are all desires received from Him and they do not originate in us. He is our priority, our relationship with Him through Jesus and the excitement, peace and and joy which comes with that relationship (which is on offer for all people).
King David sums it up better than me, singing in the Bible:
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11.
We hope to start as we mean to go on, not letting the things we do define us but who we are in relationship to Him and that will never change because our true identity is in Him and He will never change.
Here's to an exciting new season ahead and to an awesome God who loves to Father us and see us walk in the incredible and exciting destiny He has planned for us! Thank you so much for sharing the journey with us and continuing to do so.
Lots and lots of Love,
Steve and Mollie Brown
I know you dont have to move out to a foreign country or do things in this specific way to know God closely, anyone can know Father God thorugh Jesus. But this way is His specific plan for our particular lives and this is where He has led us. The more time we spend with Him the more he changes our hearts and His priorities start to become priorities on our hearts as well.
This is a path we are excited and delighted to walk and say yes to because He has given us a passion and hunger and excitement to do these things, they are all desires received from Him and they do not originate in us. He is our priority, our relationship with Him through Jesus and the excitement, peace and and joy which comes with that relationship (which is on offer for all people).
King David sums it up better than me, singing in the Bible:
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11.
We hope to start as we mean to go on, not letting the things we do define us but who we are in relationship to Him and that will never change because our true identity is in Him and He will never change.
Here's to an exciting new season ahead and to an awesome God who loves to Father us and see us walk in the incredible and exciting destiny He has planned for us! Thank you so much for sharing the journey with us and continuing to do so.
Lots and lots of Love,
Steve and Mollie Brown
*Prayer points, please pray for:
- Continued protection and covering over us.
-Supernaturally fast and easy language learning!
-For us to settle in well (and the way God wants us to settle).
- Continued protection and covering over us.
-Supernaturally fast and easy language learning!
-For us to settle in well (and the way God wants us to settle).
- Published on
Since our last update we have learnt so much about following God’s voice. From following His direction during treasure hunts to hearing Him during different divine appointments. From hearing where we are to go during our time in Thailand to hearing His voice about where we are to settle for the long term and establish roots in S.E Asia.
After an incredible Cambodia trip (see previous update) we returned to Thailand to see a close friend and Spiritual mentor from our home city in the UK who happened to be in the country leading a youth trip. It was perfect timing and a gift from God to see her and spend time together.
After an incredible Cambodia trip (see previous update) we returned to Thailand to see a close friend and Spiritual mentor from our home city in the UK who happened to be in the country leading a youth trip. It was perfect timing and a gift from God to see her and spend time together.
Afterwards went on to the North of Thailand with a couple of close friends (and fellow Harvest School graduates) to check out some ministries who were working with rescuing young people from the sex trade. We stayed with a good friend who runs Deeper Still Ministries, who does fantastic work discipling and equipping local Thai people and other missionaries.
The first group we saw was called Ezekiel Rain and we were so inspired to hear and their incredible wisdom and learn from them. We were able to pray for their team (including their Thai staff) and prophecy over them and bless them. They are a ministry which really seemed to reflect similar values to our heart in what they wanted to achieve in rescuing and rehabilitating children from the sex industry.
The first group we saw was called Ezekiel Rain and we were so inspired to hear and their incredible wisdom and learn from them. We were able to pray for their team (including their Thai staff) and prophecy over them and bless them. They are a ministry which really seemed to reflect similar values to our heart in what they wanted to achieve in rescuing and rehabilitating children from the sex industry.
Then we met an incredible Christian group called Destiny Rescue who were well established in areas across Thailand (and some other countries) and were positively impacting the lives of hundreds of young people who have been rescued from the sex industry. They had training programs a school, vocational training and were looking to expand to accommodate even more young people. It was great to see what God had done and was doing in their lives and the provision God had given for them to continue to grow. Both visits were another incredible example of the Body of Christ (the church) impacting- rescuing and changing the lives of people who’s freedom had previously been stolen.
At the end of our Cambodia trip before the team went their separate ways each of us got prayed for and prophesied over. While I (Steve) was being prayed for I kept getting words about spending a season seeking God, spending considerable amount of time soaking in His word and seeking Him and His Heart. So over the last few weeks we have been trying to do this. I also felt the Spirit urging us to return to Phuket (where we had gone in January after our first missions trip) and to link again with some of the believers we had previously formed relationships with there. So after our time in Chiang Rai in the North we booked a ticket down to the South of Thailand. As soon as we were there God seemed to confirm we were in the right place in numerous ways it was great to again just follow God’s voice even though we didn’t know what was around the corner.
At the end of our Cambodia trip before the team went their separate ways each of us got prayed for and prophesied over. While I (Steve) was being prayed for I kept getting words about spending a season seeking God, spending considerable amount of time soaking in His word and seeking Him and His Heart. So over the last few weeks we have been trying to do this. I also felt the Spirit urging us to return to Phuket (where we had gone in January after our first missions trip) and to link again with some of the believers we had previously formed relationships with there. So after our time in Chiang Rai in the North we booked a ticket down to the South of Thailand. As soon as we were there God seemed to confirm we were in the right place in numerous ways it was great to again just follow God’s voice even though we didn’t know what was around the corner.
Mollie had a real heart for us to get together with the others and worship in Patong (the darkest town in Phuket with the most prostitution and brokeness). God had already given our friends the exact same heart to worship and release his presence into the same area so we all met up to do so a few nights later.
It was a strange night, just before we were about to start the clouds started pouring down with heavy torrential rain.
It was a strange night, just before we were about to start the clouds started pouring down with heavy torrential rain.
We sought shelter in an area next to a public park and it was a very strange atmosphere. We had chanting (and praying) buddhist monks across the field from us and electrical transformers blowing up like loud fireworks making huge blasts of sound and light because of the torrential rain. Also during the worship we had regular power blackouts and confused locals coming over to us and asking questions about what we were doing. It was a strange time but at the same time it felt really significant and the worship was incredible. While singing about the love of God, and the blood of Jesus it felt like something special was being released into the atmosphere.
The next night we returned again to Patong and with some of the resident believers who were really hungry to grow in boldness of faith so we took them out on a treasure-hunt. For our friends it was their first time but they were so excited to try it (if you dont know what a treasure hunt is check out this webpage for a simple explaination). It was so exciting, great fun, faith increasing and really encouraging. We met at least 3 of the treasures God wanted us to speak to that night got to share the gospel with them, bless them and with some of them pray with them. Again it was an example of simply hearing God and learning to pick up cues from Him that previously I would have ignored or not noticed. He is so good, not only to speak to us but to also teach us how to hear Him.
The next night we returned again to Patong and with some of the resident believers who were really hungry to grow in boldness of faith so we took them out on a treasure-hunt. For our friends it was their first time but they were so excited to try it (if you dont know what a treasure hunt is check out this webpage for a simple explaination). It was so exciting, great fun, faith increasing and really encouraging. We met at least 3 of the treasures God wanted us to speak to that night got to share the gospel with them, bless them and with some of them pray with them. Again it was an example of simply hearing God and learning to pick up cues from Him that previously I would have ignored or not noticed. He is so good, not only to speak to us but to also teach us how to hear Him.
In the last few weeks I have had more divine appointments from God than in my whole life previously. Whether it has been in a local Northern Thai restaurant where we have been eating food, or someone I have sat next to on a plane, whether it has been speaking to someone on a ferry and I even met someone in the departure lounge of Singapore Airport. God has lined up so many opportunities for me to speak to people and tell them His love for them through Jesus.
This is really weird for me and a completely new thing that God has been teaching me and I have learnt so much in stepping out and acting on the impression, word or feeling that God has given me at the time and hopefully planted seeds in people’s hearts that won’t get stolen away in future.
This reflects the season we feel like we are in at the moment. A season of God equipping us and teaching us how to grow in and use our individual giftings for the things that He has ahead for us. Following God’s voice is fun and equipping, It’s not without its surprises though! When we left for S.E Asia at the beginning of March we were on a one-way ticket and aiming to stay in S.E Asia for the long term to set down roots and start learning a language.
This is really weird for me and a completely new thing that God has been teaching me and I have learnt so much in stepping out and acting on the impression, word or feeling that God has given me at the time and hopefully planted seeds in people’s hearts that won’t get stolen away in future.
This reflects the season we feel like we are in at the moment. A season of God equipping us and teaching us how to grow in and use our individual giftings for the things that He has ahead for us. Following God’s voice is fun and equipping, It’s not without its surprises though! When we left for S.E Asia at the beginning of March we were on a one-way ticket and aiming to stay in S.E Asia for the long term to set down roots and start learning a language.
Things have turned out differently with Mollie getting an overwhelming feeling that she should return home to attend her best friend’s wedding and then God confirming that we should go and do so. It was a great bonus because It meant I got to attend another friends wedding as well! We have been back in the UK since Friday 11th May and we aim to stay until mid June when we finally do return to S.E Asia for the long term. More updates to come on exactly what we plan to do and where that will be are coming very soon (I didn’t want this update to be too long!).
One thing we do know, that as long as we listen to the Lord’s voice and follow His plans it will come together well! (Mathew 4:4 Jesus A
answered 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.').
One thing we do know, that as long as we listen to the Lord’s voice and follow His plans it will come together well! (Mathew 4:4 Jesus A
answered 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.').
- Published on
Over the last few weeks Steve and I have had the privilege of joining a pioneering Iris Cambodia trip, Iris Ministries are eventually hoping to establish a presence in the nation. We have had our hearts broken for Cambodia, shedding many tears but also much laughter with the beautiful Khmer people and a fabulous team. As soon as I arrived in Phnom Penh I felt like I was walking through water; my spirit felt so alert to what was going on around me. After reading and learning so much about the child prostitution in this nation part of me was still shocked to see these things actually happening before my eyes.
During our time in Phnom Penh God gave the team such favour and we were able to meet with many influential and inspirational people. The first organisation we visited was Chabdai. Here we were informed about the realities of child prostitution, who is involved and how they are working to stop it. I was shocked to learn about the scale of the problem. Child sexual abuse is ingrained in the culture and many of the customers are in fact local men. Some believe that they will be cured from HIV/AIDS by intercourse with a virgin because they think they will get rid of it by giving it to them. Others believe that if you sleep with a virgin it will make your business prosper and others think that they will be become more youthful by performing such an act.
Many children are sold for sex outside the grounds of local temples and the relationship between culture and religion is strongly intertwined. Chabdai goes into rural villages and schools and teaching young children the dangers of being groomed by traffickers who try and go to the villages to entice them to a “better life”, away from their poverty and desperation.
One organisation we met (who I will not name) is involved in the investigation of paedophiles their main aim is to protect vulnerable children. They have signs all across town with a hotline number for anyone (tourist or local) to ring who sees suspicious behaviour and is concerned about a child’s wellbeing. They will investigate all reports, they are doing incredible things and have rescued hundreds of children.
One organisation we met (who I will not name) is involved in the investigation of paedophiles their main aim is to protect vulnerable children. They have signs all across town with a hotline number for anyone (tourist or local) to ring who sees suspicious behaviour and is concerned about a child’s wellbeing. They will investigate all reports, they are doing incredible things and have rescued hundreds of children.
The local police cannot always be trusted so this organisation makes sure all evidence is gathered properly and then hands it over to the authorities. Sadly though when the perpetrator has a lot of money or power their hands are tied; one man guilty of numerous acts of child molestation and who was convicted of over a decade in prison actually in the end got a Royal pardon! (read the article here). Most people say this is because he has invested millions in the country and is very influential.
Another incredible project we visited in Pnhom Penh is called “feed my lambs”, there are 400 slums in the city and this organisation goes into some of them to feed all the children and mothers. We got to go with Anne to help out. The first thing that hit me was the stench – a “river” more like a sewer was on the edge of the slum , with a rubbish dump on the other side. The slum felt so sad and hopeless, people lying around in rubbish, filth and the scorching heat. Many hadn’t eaten that day and many were ill, one baby we had to send to the hospital.
However as I watched Anne I saw how people lit up when she came to their homes , they told her their problems and she loved them and said she would try and help. She has funded many new roofs, medical treatments and much more for these people. They loved her and she brought them hope. However it was still sad to see such poverty, with many people on less than $1 a day (usually made from sorting through rubbish). One of the saddest moments was when 2 different ladies tried to give me their babies as they couldn’t cope with another mouth to feed. They did not want these beautiful babies; not because they are bad mothers; but because they cannot feed them. Anne who is in her 60’s has adopted a girl from this village who was born with a cleft palate – her mother did not want her and begged Anne to take her, she is now a beautiful little girl who is so full of love. This visit completely inspired me as I thought of how amazing it would be to watch Jesus transform and redeem places like this.
Steve and a few others also had the honour of meeting an incredible woman who is working with the street children on the main red-light district called the Hard Places Community. They are the only ministry working with young boys in prostitution. Her faith, endurance and incredible heart was really inspiring. She had even adopted 2 little babies who were rescued during a raid on a brothel when they were only a few weeks old and she is raising them as her own children.
One of the best times we had was just hanging around the riverside area (near the main red-light district) and just playing, loving and feeding the street kids. We had so much fun with them! Such beautiful, joyful and precious children, many of whom have been prostituted – this became apparent by the way they behaved. It brought tears to my eyes as one little boy around 8 years old was thrusting against my leg and biting and kissing my arm. Despite this it was such a privilege to show these children love and to also tell them about Jesus and to pray for them.
One night we were sat at a bench in the city centre and watched a middle-aged white man pay money to another man for a little girl in a beautiful party dress; she was only about 7 years old. We witnessed this kind of behaviour several times; a few of our team tried to follow the direction of the men and the little girl to report them to local investigators but sadly we lost them.
One night we were sat at a bench in the city centre and watched a middle-aged white man pay money to another man for a little girl in a beautiful party dress; she was only about 7 years old. We witnessed this kind of behaviour several times; a few of our team tried to follow the direction of the men and the little girl to report them to local investigators but sadly we lost them.
Another evening we went into the bars and brothels in the riverside area and just followed what God told us to do. We ended up just getting to know some of the girls who work there and loving on them. They were so lovely and seemed desperate for authentic friendship and love. One lady who I met said she hated working in the bar and servicing clients but she had no other option. She had a child with her husband and he left her, she then had no money so was forced to get a job here and works all night till 7-8am and then goes home gets washed and goes to work in the market selling vegetables all through the day. She has no spare time or sleep and rarely gets to see her little boy. She had such sadness in her eyes. One lady we spoke to had tried to kill herself several times but she said miraculously she didn’t die! God clearly has huge plans for this precious woman.
On one occasion we were walking around the red-light area and we saw a mother and her 2 young infants lying on the pavement. She looked very tired and hopeless. Her babies were asleep and a 2 year old girl had no clothes on. You could tell by looking at her that it was obvious this little baby had been sexually abused in the past. We quickly went to buy something to cover this baby up and then went to go speak to the mother. It was difficult as she spoke no English but just hugged her and prayed for her and her 2 babies. A few days later we were walking past in the evening and they were there again; this time we had our Cambodian friend Dong with us. The woman told us the children hadn’t eaten and they were all feeling ill and she was just so desperate and poor. We bought her some food and we prayed for her and I told her she was so precious and so loved by God and she started sobbing. It was so so sad as I felt that was probably the first time anyone had ever said that to her. Initially I had been angry with this woman to allow her children to be so vulnerable, but then I realised she didn’t really have any options but to live on the streets and was desperate! Our friend is going to get them some help by getting them in touch with an NGO we know about and hopefully things will be different when I see them next.
Despite all Cambodia’s economic and social problems when you consider what the country has been through it is actually doing really well! Pol Pot and the Khmer rouge devastated this nation. Nearly 1/3 of the population were tortured and killed. The people arrested were anyone who had a profession; teachers, doctors, artists, writers etc. Also people who wore glasses, people who didn’t grow enough rice and other various ludicrous reasons. Even some babies and children were seen as a threat and were also tortured and killed. During this time people couldn’t trust anyone and people lived in such poverty, fear and shock at what was happening.
Our Phnom Penh tour guide told us how they had killed two of his sisters when he was 12 years old (he is only about 50 now), and most people have lost a significant someone to them and it still has an emotional impact on their lives. Our guide said he never feels peace or has a decent night’s sleep because he is still in shock from it all. Steve offered to pray for him and we all got to lay on hands and pray for him in Jesus’ name, he said he felt so much more peaceful! I’m convinced he has slept better since! Only Jesus is the fix for such trauma in people’s lives and only He can bring peace to troubled hearts!
Our Phnom Penh tour guide told us how they had killed two of his sisters when he was 12 years old (he is only about 50 now), and most people have lost a significant someone to them and it still has an emotional impact on their lives. Our guide said he never feels peace or has a decent night’s sleep because he is still in shock from it all. Steve offered to pray for him and we all got to lay on hands and pray for him in Jesus’ name, he said he felt so much more peaceful! I’m convinced he has slept better since! Only Jesus is the fix for such trauma in people’s lives and only He can bring peace to troubled hearts!
Only Jesus is the answer, I have been so inspired to see how His body (the church) is raising up to make a difference in this country. It’s inspiring to see the church around the world rising up and doing something about the broken and the hurting and they are making a big difference. Phnom Penh alone has hundreds of amazing Christian NGO’s!
We got to go to and see so many more than we have time to write about and we were so inspired by all of them. Whether they make beautiful cup cakes to sell to the public or offer services such as manicures and pedicures or hair cuts they have each come up with a way to change people's lives by giving them employment and get them out of the sex industry. Individually some of these NGO's may seem small but as a whole they are so crucial and together they make a huge impact.
We got to go to and see so many more than we have time to write about and we were so inspired by all of them. Whether they make beautiful cup cakes to sell to the public or offer services such as manicures and pedicures or hair cuts they have each come up with a way to change people's lives by giving them employment and get them out of the sex industry. Individually some of these NGO's may seem small but as a whole they are so crucial and together they make a huge impact.
As we spent our last few days by the beach just off Sihanoukville we really got chance to process all God has showed us. It was sad to say goodbye to our Iris family as many of them have now returned home (some will return permanently to Cambodia in a few months). There is much more I could talk about from our time in Cambodia! But one thing I know is that it was such a powerful time and I know we will be back there soon.
Being in this country has captured our hearts and had a life long impact on us. We are still unsure as to whether we will be in Thailand or Cambodia working with Iris (it could be both) but we are open to being wherever God wants to place us. We are now returning to Thailand and have been instructed to spend a short season seeking God and His heart for this region. Wherever He will send us or whatever we will be doing we are so grateful to have the opportunity to be here and share in the exciting things He is doing at this time. Whatever that involves we are just so full of joy that we get to walk in the plans He has for us!
Please pray for this country, even though we have seen so many devastating things while here we have also discovered that there is so much hope and actually so much to be thankful for! The people are so wonderful and such loved and precious treasures of God.
Please pray for the ~ 90 000 children working in prostitution in Cambodia! Only God can transform a whole nation and turn mourning into dancing! (Psalm 30:11).
Being in this country has captured our hearts and had a life long impact on us. We are still unsure as to whether we will be in Thailand or Cambodia working with Iris (it could be both) but we are open to being wherever God wants to place us. We are now returning to Thailand and have been instructed to spend a short season seeking God and His heart for this region. Wherever He will send us or whatever we will be doing we are so grateful to have the opportunity to be here and share in the exciting things He is doing at this time. Whatever that involves we are just so full of joy that we get to walk in the plans He has for us!
Please pray for this country, even though we have seen so many devastating things while here we have also discovered that there is so much hope and actually so much to be thankful for! The people are so wonderful and such loved and precious treasures of God.
Please pray for the ~ 90 000 children working in prostitution in Cambodia! Only God can transform a whole nation and turn mourning into dancing! (Psalm 30:11).
