October prayer letter 2009

Dear Friends and Family,

We’ve asked you to pray for the baptismal service and the youth rally, here’s how God answered it. Despite of being right in the middle of a rainy season, there were two beautiful cool, clear days with lots of sunshine! It was Bun Pjum Ben, the time when Khmer people of the entire Cambodia celebrated and honored the death, BUT God’s chosen people celebrated His glory!
As expected, very early morning of Friday, Sept. 18, more than 120 church people showed up in front of our house! All was very anxious for the special event. At the appointed time, everyone came and cramped into the living room where a short service was held. A number of those to be baptized courageously took turns standing in front of the group sharing about their Christian journeys and testimonies of their decisions to follow Christ. It was a very heartfelt and meaningful moment for all. We’d invited Pastor Nhan, president of the Regional Church Committee of the Khmer Evangelical Church (KEC), from Siem Reap Province, to join this joyous occasion. He preached a very powerful and encouraging message to this group of new believers. After the service the excited group hurriedly walked to a nearby pond singing and praising Jesus as they passed by the local Karaoke and brothel places. A number of curious onlookers followed a long to watch. A good time for swimming was immediately followed for the many strongly interested. Back at the house, to celebrate the special occasion, many helping hands had been busy preparing and serving the entire group with yummy rice noodle and green curry followed by delicious banana and cocoanut pudding for dessert! Some people left the party by the early afternoon, but many young people were still hanging around until late evening. Although many had been studied and prepared for this event, only 39 showed up and were soon baptized. We are anticipating another baptismal service soon as many of those who had missed wish for a second chance. (See attached).

What was so amazing about all of this is that, 11 years ago, in 1998, when we’d began our second missionary term in Siem Reap Province, Pastor Nhan, (see attached) a former Khmer Rogue soldier, then, was a just new believer along with his wife, Chanreth, and their 9 small children. Through the amazing grace of God, the entire family received and believed Jesus as their Lord. The parents and some older children were soon enrolled in the process of thoroughly training in the Word, baptized, mentored, and eventually, one by one, they all became significant key leaders in their local church groups. His wife, Chanreth is among the three top leaders for women ministry of the KEC; Phearum, their eldest son, is married with two children, is a national counter part for Evangelism Explosion (EE) for the KEC in Cambodia; Haen, their second child and oldest daughter, also married, is one of the key leaders responsible for all the children ministry of the KEC; and four other younger children are currently involving in either music, children and/or youth ministries in their local church community. This family’s love for Jesus is contagious to their neighbors and friends. It made our heart soared to see the faithfulness of our great God for choosing and effectively using this family (and others alike) to advance His kingdom for Cambodia.

Very early on Saturday morning of the next day, we packed 82 people from Poipet into three pickup trucks and headed toward the Thmar Koul Youth Center, a 2 ½ hour drive, to join the most anticipated event for the youth in the northwest region. Another truck with 20 plus youth from Malay areas was later meeting up with us half way through the trip. Again, it was another beautiful day. Over all there were over 250 young people came to an all day youth event filled with games, fellowship, fun activities, laughter and sharing. Everyone is still talking about the fun time they had and the messaged they heard!

Requests:
Please continue to pray for the new believers as many of them are facing daily persecutions and temptations from their family, friends, and peer at works or schools. A number of church youth had asked for ongoing prayer requests as public school will resume on October 1st. The Christian students are often the most common targets for mockery by their by peer and even by some of their own teachers! Almost all of the church youth here are the only believers within their family or community. With the growing populations, numerous casinos, karaoke, cheap brothels, gangsters, crimes and violence, just to name a few, POIPET is still THE MOST challenged place to live for all, but more so, especially, for the new believers.

The plan to begin the construction building is still set for some time in October or when ever the rains stop. We’ve been meeting up with contractors, negotiating prices, getting permissions, making other preparations needed for the work ahead. Pray for wisdom and discernment.

Daily heavy rains make it extremely difficult for us to keep up with classes in far away villages. A few times already we had to call off and cancelled classes or being risked getting stuck in the middle of nowhere as we had recently and numerously experienced. Pray for clear path to travel, and pray for the believers to continue fellowshipping together and studying the Word even when classes are being postponed.

In Him,

Soeuth, Syna, Justin and Jonathan Lao