January prayer 2011

Dear Friends,


Can you believe it that it’s nearly the end of January 2011 already! Where had the time gone? We hope that you and your family had a blessed Christmas holiday together.

The month of December was packed with Christmas activities! The biggest event this past year was on the evening of December 24th that was held at the new church building where over 600 people attended! It was a wonderful celebration as church families from Poipet and Malay-- all joyfully came together for a joined Christmas celebration! The evening was filled excitements as various planned activities/ programs were performed beautifully, one after another, on a large outdoor- opened stage underneath the starry night! It was very meaningful to sing many Christmas songs at night! And to top it all, Rev. David Manfred, our Field Director, with his strong voice, spoke a very powerful message of the true meaning of Christmas that, as a result, at the altar call, more than 30 people came forward to Twia Kloun- giving their lives to Jesus! Although it was a challenge trying to keep track of these new believers, but those who are from the Poipet areas, about 20 of them are still coming to worship with us every Sunday!

Though the invitations were many, we’d only attended 11 Christmas activities (from Dec. 1 to Dec. 31) throughout the Northwest region, and of these, Soeuth spoke in 9 services! In some distant villages, an over- night stay was often required. Though not always but sometimes, both, Justin and Jonathan, considered this part of the trip as an adventure as they both like outdoor activities in addition to riding in the back of a pick-up truck, and would get to sleep under mosquito nets or in hammocks. It is also our family tradition that to every new place we visit, we often take along some young people (anywhere from 2-10 or more) with us, in hope that, they would have some opportunities for ministry observation, learning new experiences, and meeting new friends as the result. And of course, these easy-going and highly energetic young people are often a great source of encouragement and fun traveling companions for our sons.

Justin’s time at home (Dec. 17-Jan.16) was never long enough. But we did make the best of our time together. As soon as these “roller coaster” of Christmas activities had somewhat calmed down, we took a week vacation, left Poipet, traveling across Cambodia, sightseeing and visiting places where we used to live since 1995. It was a good time to reflect, as a family, of what God’s faithfulness to us, and of what He has been doing and will be doing in our lives. Even after long road trips, we all came back home to Poipet feeling recharged and refreshed! Amazing!

January brought us some bitter-sweet feelings as we, once again, said good-bye to Justin, sending him back to Dalat International School for his second semester of his 9th grade year. Justin is now settling into his dorm life and is happily reunited with his dorm family as we are back to our weekly routine in this small but busy town of Poipet. And Jonathan is also back into his home school routine (3rd. grade), and even though after all these times, he still says, “I don’t like school!”

This New Year brought us some exciting events in the church ministries. As new believers kept on coming to church every week, altogether there will be 6 new classes started this month! And though not yet official, there are 2 new groups that are already in, and 2 or 3 other groups are ready and waiting to officially join the C&MA/KEC family circle! This is a very exciting time for the church ministry. And yet, as always that when God is at work, the enemy is also busy stirring up troubles among God’s family. Please PRAY with us for our key church leaders for clear directions, wisdom, and discernment as they continue to work with the growing churches in Poipet.

And just this past Sunday January 23, the believers from Poipet and Malay areas came together for a joined service as the Poipet church had officially moved into the new building! Altogether more than 200 people attended the service, and of these were representative from 10 different villages/ house churches- all came for a full day of joyous celebration and fellowship with a potluck meal afterward. The big crowds drew many attentions to the local community children that more than 100 EXTRA kids also came!

Please also pray for:

-Feb. 7-10, CEC National Conference in Phnom Penh,

-March 8, Northwest region youth rally.

-April 6-9, Annual national youth conference;

-Struggled house churches that are in distant places such Boeng Beng, O Sampore, O Lahong, and Malay areas.

Please share with us your praises and prayer requests. We would love to hear what God is doing in your life! And always, we thank you for your partnership, faithful prayers, and support for our family and ministries in Poipet. Your generous and faithful gift to the GCF is huge blessing as it enables us to continue serving God in this part of the world.



Serving together,

Soeuth, Syna, Justin and Jonathan Lao

November Updates

 

Dear Friends,

Thanks so much for praying for the flood situation in Poipet.  After three full days of heavy rains, and while most parts of the Poipet town were covered with flood, we left Poipet to vist Justin for a week, knowing full well that the damage would be very severe once we'd come back.  When we got back from Malaysia, a week later, the roads in Poipet were still muddy and filled with puddles.  And as predicted, all vegetations and thousands of hectares of rice fields (in the northwest regions) were destroyed!  Normally, the rice farmers started to prepare fields for transplanting at the beginning of the rainy season (June to August); once the fields are prepared and the rice is transplanted, the farmers would wait, with much anticipation, hoping and praying for the good crops at the harvest time (November and December).  But this year, however, the recent flood had brought nothing but devastating and despair. 

In some areas, in respond to the needs, rice donations from local Red Cross have been (supposedly equally) distributed to the villagers affected by the flood.  But because of a corrupted system, already, some village leaders and local town officials are fearful for their lives.  (This requires some explanations).  Often, in respond emergency needs, local NGOs (non-government organizations) or local Red Cross would send out donations (mostly rice) to the affected victims.  There should be a set amount of rations to be given out, equally, to each needy family, according with the numbers of family members.  Yet, in reality, this method only appears in paper/ record.  Local community leaders are supposed to sent list of family names and request for certain amount of donation.  Once this request is agreed, donors would send out truck loads of rice bags to designated areas.  But, as we've seen and heard of repeatedly, however, that once the trucks left the towns or villages, those same bags of rice are immediately sold in local markets.  To get the much needed rice, the poor will still have to buy it, at a cheaper price (than regular price for rice), from the market!  This unjust practice took place so often enough, especially at remote villages, that the angry villagers are driven to take laws into their own hands!  And if the donation is actually given out at all, it often took place at the local Buddhist temples or at the villager leaders' houses where Christians are often neglected or not included at all. 

This past Sunday, we had a privilege to visit the Ang Salaa house church where the church families came together for a joyous celebration with a potluck meal following the church service.  During the service there were many opportunities for people to offer their prayer requests and praises.  One lady was very thankful to God, that last week flood, during the time of need when she and her family had no money left to buys food for the next meal, God allowed her son to find a few extra fat frogs so she could prepare a tasty meal for her hungry family! 

Immediately following the service, while the ladies we busy getting the meal ready, we were invited to lead a couple, Ang and Chin, to Thmai Kloun - (give their lives to Jesus).  This couple had heard about Jesus through beleivers in Ang Salaa (like Pholly and Moul- owners of the house where the church meets) and had been wanted to come to Christ for a long time, but were hesitant due to fear.  Finally, on Sunday (Oct. 31-- Halloween’s Day) they'd decided to give their lives completely to Jesus allowing Him to be their Lord and Savior!  With their permission, we cut off two spirit strings from around their waists, helped the couple removed fetishes, shrines, and other worship articles from high places, and had those worshipped articles were burned to the ground-- in front of their friends and neighbors!  It was a joyous moment for the couple, as the wife, Naat, had stated in her own words that, "I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders!"  Please pray for this couple as they would soon face persecutions (because of the decision), no doubts, from their unbelieving relatives and neighbors.

Back at the house church, everyone was busy spreading plastic tarps and mats on the ground and putting food on dishes.  A number of families had brought many different kinds of desserts and dishes of simple yet very delicious home cooked food including curry stuffing grilled frogs!   It is a great and humble experience for us to dine with local villagers, a great reminder for us to appreciate and be thankful for the many blessings that God has generously given us, daily.  The true is, we were sad by the devastating results of the recent flood.  Without warning, the flood came and did much damage, but our home was spared!  And yet, hundreds of families out there did not share the same blessing as we.  This is a very hard and testing time for all of us, and we may not have all the answers, but we can only trust in the ONE who knows the plans He has for us...  As you are celebrating Thanksgiving at the end of this month, please take a moment to count many blessing He has done in you life.  What are you thankful for this year?

As mentioned earlier, we did go and visit Justin for a week (Oct. 18-25) at Dalat School where Justin had a 4-day break from school.  We had a good time catching up with Justin, had opportunities to talk with some of his teachers, and heard good reports about him which made our hearts glad.  As there were some flu bugs were spreading around the campus before we got there, during our visit, Jonathan got really sick with high fever for a few days where he had to stay in bed during that time.  And even when we got back to Poipet, a week after, all three of us got the flu bugs as well, one after another.  While at Penang, we had the chance to join the dorm family overnight trip to Highland Genting.  It was good experience for us to get to know each dorm family, watching how dorm kids and dorm parents interacted with one another.  Our observations only increases the need to pray, even more, for each of these gifted, devoted, and committed dorm parents, who willingly answered the call to serve God in caring for and loving each of the dorm children, and our son- Justin is included.  As you think of our family in prayers, will you also say a prayer for Lilian and Harold Chan as well along with their two small sons, Elim and Reuben?  Thanks.

Please pray also for the house churches along the roads to Malay areas.  Due to bad road conditions, the regular discipleship classes that meet there weekly had been postponed, one week after another.  Though the flood water is no more, the damages to most roads are great.  Pray that the new believers there would remain firm in their faith.

As always, we appreciate your prayers and support, and you partnering with us in bringing the Gospel to this part of the world.  Your faithful giving to the GCF allows us to continue serving here in Poipet.  Please share with us what God is doing in your life.

Serving Him together,

Soeuth, Syna, Justin and Jonathan Loa

Lao prayer September 2010

Dear Friends,

You probably are wondering, “What ever happen to the Lao family?” It was a crazy summer we had, but by the grace of God, we’re still here!
Summer events:

- Some of you have already aware about Dr. Kent Copeland’s medical emergency where the whole family had to rush to the US for his immediate surgery. Now, three months later, the Copeland is back serving with us in Poipet! Amazing! If not for the massive scar on his body, we’d never believed that all these things had happened! Our God is so good!

- Justin came home on the same day that the

Copeland left for America! It was a sad and disappointed time as he was looking forward to seeing the Copeland. Despites of circumstances, however, we did have some fun times together by taking a few overnight trips to villages where we slept in hammocks (it’s the boys’ favorite thing to do, like going on camping trips, in Khmer style!), spending time at the beach, and of course playing sports and interacting with the Poipet youth. God always provides a way. Though he didn’t like it at first, but at the end of the summer, Justin showed much appreciation for the Khmer lessons he’d learned a few hours each week. And without their English speaking friends around, both boys had to speak nothing but Khmer, and they did okay. Well, more so for Justin- the social guy, than Jonathan- the quiet one. Now, Justin is back at Dalat Int. School in 9th and loving it there! He seems to have good relationship with his dorm parents and peer. Jonathan also resumed home school in 3rd grade. He is excited to have the Copeland back and is always looking forward to the after school times where he can play “pretense” and “Spy Kids” with the two younger Copeland, Kendra and Katie.

- As mentioned in our last newsletter, we did have three short term teams visiting Poipet, back to back. Between these visits, however, our missionary team had a wonderful time at our annual Field Forum (FF), in July, where a speaker and his team from Colorado Springs came to minister to each of us in a very special way. Each of us walked out of that FF feeling refreshed and revived. Both Soeuth and I thought that it was the best FF we’d ever had in a long time! Thank you, Bridgeway Alliance!

- Thanks to the help and support of a team from Christ Community Church from Rochester, MN, on July 19-21, and July 26-28, the Poipet church had their first two English camps, one after another, and over 150 students attended! It was amazing that even though we were in the midst of heavy rainy season, God held up the rains during the three-day camp- on both weeks! The theme of the camps was Creation. And as part of the afternoon activities, students from both camps were divided into small groups, where each group then, took a section of the wall and painted their own design of creation. At the end of each camp, prizes were given out to the best artistic group. The visiting guests also helped lead the worship service where some of lively worship songs were introduced to the students, and the one song in which we are still hearing over and over repeatedly is “I AM FREE!”

- In August, a team from New York City also came and left some sweet memories with the young people as well; while the team helped out with the youth rally, each member of the team took turns to share their heart felt stories of their Christian journeys, thus giving much encouragement to the new believers here. This team also painted some fun characters in the rooms downstairs as well. Well done, Grace Faith Church!

New Church Building:

The workers are still doing some finishing-up works at the church building. On Friday, Sept. 9/11, we had a full day of seminars at the new church building where 98 people attended! Constant heavy rains make the roads more difficult to travel, especially the roads to the new church building. The plan was to move the Poipet church service to the new building by August, but that has been postponed until the raining season is over. And it looks like we will need to fill up ground more to make the ground level.

Praises and Prayer requests:

- Having the doctor back in town gives hope to the poor who are sick and can’t afford to pay for medical treatments. Dr. Copeland is busy seeing patients on a regular basis having Soeuth working along side as his interpreter and spiritual adviser to the patients. Many patients often left the clinic office feeling with a sense of hope as the Gospel is often shared, and each patient is being cared and prayed for, even though it was hard sometimes, having to give out “bad news” to patients of special cases. Please pray that God would draw many into his Kingdom through the medical ministry.

- A number of children from the families are sick with dengue fever (cause by mosquito bites). Pray for healing and protection of these children’s lives.

- Some of the young people from church are being persecuted, by their own family, because of their faith in Christ. One young lady is being pressured by her parents to marry with unbeliever thinking this would stop her from coming to church. Another young lady was beaten, physically, by her own brother who had tried to stop her from coming to church on Sunday. Pray that these young people would stand firm in their faith despites of the difficulties.

- Pray for one of our key church leaders, Mr. Youn Sambo, who is undergoing some hard times with lots of family issues relating to health and finance, and on top of that, his brother-in-law recently had a major motorbike accident where he (the brother) is still unconscious in Phnom Penh hospital right now.

- We rejoice that a number of young people had successfully passed their high school exam in July! These graduates, however, are desperately looking for the next step, what to do with their lives. Although many dreamed of continuing their education in colleges or universities, because of poverty and other family issues, their options are limited. Pray for clear directions and for jobs opportunities for the students.

- Recently, a number of young ladies from church are inspired and being encouraged to go back to school in hope to finish a high school education beginning October 1st. Due to poverty and other family issues, many of these girls had to drop out of school at early age. But now, in their late teens and early twenties, there are opportunities available, and they are seriously considering these options. Please pray for the young ladies to have wisdom, courage, and a will to study and do it well.

- While most farmers appreciate rain waters for their rice fields or other plantations, too much rains destroy crops, as it happened to a number of our church families at O Sampore Village (and other villages). Many families from this village are crying out for help as, already, they are running of food supplies. Please pray for wisdom and much discernment as we find ways to help without hurting them as a result.

- Regional men conference is scheduled for Oct. 2nd at Battambang Province. About 100 men are expected to be there. Please pray that God would break through and lives will be touched and transformed as a result.

- The next youth rally for the Northwest region is set for Oct. 8th. We are expecting at least 80 youth from Poipet will attend the rally. Usually, we had about 250- 300 youth coming together from 4 provinces of the Northwest region. And we expecting about the same amount will show up this time as well being that it will be on a national holiday. Please pray for safe traveling for all, for a good outcome, and that God would touch lives as the messages and testimonies will be shared.
Thank you, once again, for you partnership in the Kingdom of God though your faithful prayers, love support, and generous giving to the GCF. We firmly believe that this is where God wants us to be and your generosity and faithful giving to the GCF that enable us to continue to be here. When opportunity allows, please come and visit us and see for yourself what God is doing. The field is ripe for the harvest!

Living the call together,

Soeuth, Syna, Justin and Jonathan Lao