Final Update From Cambodia - Summit Community Church

Hi everyone!

Here’s an update regarding the Ministry in Cambodia as well as some details about the children!

Nguyen,Hong and Timothy arrived in Cambodia July 3 safe and sound! The children were so happy to see them, especially Timothy (Tu). I’ve never seen Men smile so much.
The Tran’s immediately went into work mode, they started their year visa process, helping out with the children service, unpacking and fixing broken items in Kim’s home!

Hong has a well thought out ministry plan for the next 10 months, I’m excited about the direction she is headed with the children.

Tuesday’s to Friday
2:00 – 3-00 Timothy will teach the FBI students English; Hong will teach a beginner Conversational English class (Tham, Thao, Bao,Hoa, note: if you noticed that some children aren’t included it’s because they are in school in the afternoon).
3:00 – 4:00 Vietnamese class, taught by Teacher Thi, Teacher, Ha, Teacher Nhung, Teacher Pha, Teacher Nhi and Teacher Tham. Men will supervise the class. Each grouping of children are doing the same level, there are an average of 5 children per group, they are using new work books (which Kim had on her selves). The children must study for an hour, no more quickly getting done their work so they can go play. Hong will mentor the Teachers and will pay them a $1 an hour, they are in a trial period right now.

5:00-6:00 Hong teaches Nhat, English and Math. Preparing him for the FBI exam.
Bao and Nhat will take the FBI exam, even if they fail that’s ok it will give Hong an idea as to what to study with the boys. (Apparently last year Bao wrote the exam and passed so he should do well, pray he can manage his anger and swearing). Hong would like Hoang to write the exam but he is not interested, pray he would change his mind!

Saturday’s
2:00-3:00 English classes
3:00-4:00 Vietnamese Bible teaching class, focusing on reading the bible while learning the language. Nhat will replace Thi and teach his group. Hong wants to mentor Nhat to take over from Men, Men goes to Bible College in 2017 (pending on his parents approval). Note: we would like to see Men’s Bible College financially covered as well as provide a bit of an income so he can continue to help support his family – he gives his salary to his mom and she gives him $for the things he needs (gas, clothes, food etc.)they depend on his salary.

4:30 – ? The ‘Youth’ will have a meal together and have youth service (note: changed from Sunday’s to Saturday) Hong and Nguyen will take turns teaching at the youth service. There is approx. 20+ youth that attend.

Sunday’s
12:00- 1:00 Life of Jesus class (Men, Ha, Nhat, Hoang)
2:00 Children’s Church Service -Hong wants Sunday’s to be a day of worship and not so busy. Also, starting a bit earlier will give the Tran’s the opportunity to go to the International Church at 4:00. Hong, Nguyen and Men will rotate teaching the church service. You would be very proud of Men he is doing a very good job teaching!

Hong has hired Nhi three days a week to do the cleaning and cooking. Lieu will come once a week. Kim would like Hong to offer Nhi a full time position so that it ensures that she can provide for her family and not go to the lake.
Chanroen also cleans Monday and Saturday. Hong will start having her teach Khmer to the children instead of doing the cleaning.

Hong met with the Principal of FBI, regarding the children’s grades. I haven’t heard the results yet.

Hong and Nguyen haven’t visited the parents yet, soon they will go out and say hello to them and bring a gift. Hong will run a ladies bible study, her plan is to rent the coffee shop and have the study in there. The coffee shop is a much nicer environment to have a bible study in!! She will bring snacks and buy coffee for the ladies.

Hong and Nguyen will mentor Men each week. Dr. Harry mentors Men on Thursdays, he is such a wonderful man and is a good influence.

In November Hong wants to put on a Christmas production (Play, Singing, food etc.) for the families. She would like to rent the building near Nhung’s area. When the Summit team goes in November one of their main objective is to help with the Christmas production.

Update Children:
Tham’s family moved to a new location. Several of our families have moved to this location, it just north/east of Nhung’s (5 min or less bike ride to Nhung’s). It’s a good location offering more space, Some of their homes are really nice! La’s home and Giau’s have nice tile on the floor and have a bathroom, it costs them about $160 a month which is very high. Pray that they can have enough money each month for the rent.

Pray that the families whose children attend the Buddhist school will be open to transferring their child(ren) to the government school.

Hoa wants to go back to school, his mom has agreed for him to go. Hong will speak with WEC school to see if they will accept him. If he is approved he will start school in the fall. Gerry and I will sponsor him (giving money each day to cover what he would make recycling).

Thao has been attending classes and Church regularly. He is eager to learn! He even prayed over Nhi (translator) when she left.

Pray for Quyen, Ngan and Meo, they are not consistent in coming to church. Their family business is struggling, as the price of recycle has dropped. JW’s have been visiting their home, pray God gives Quyen wisdom and courage to say no to the JW’s and understand why.

Ha has been somewhat disengaged from her leadership role on Sundays, pray for heart would change and that she would have a desire to serve.

During the past 2 months we saw several children come back to Vietnamese class and Church. Many of them are sporadic in their attendance, pray they would faithfully commit to come and that they would see the benefits. (Lam (older boy) and his brother Thuong, Giang, Qua, Lam (girl, doesn’t come consistently to church), La’s brother Phuong, Dao, Luu and May come to church but not to Vietnamese class.

Kieu I saw her a couple times but not in the past 3 weeks. She is still working at the coffee shop.
Thuan will visit Siem Reap in a couple of months. Hong wants to connect with her (she spoke to her on the phone the other day). The children miss her!

Blessings,
Leah

Leah’s last Sunday! The children gave me a beautiful Swarovski necklace.