New Hope Missions

The Final Two Days!

2012-01-29T16:51:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning we said goodbye to Robert and Joel as theyheaded to Thailand for a couple of days before returning to the states. It wasa blessing being able to learn from Robert and I’m glad they were able to joinus in Cambodia.

After dropping them off we took the 2 hour trip to Kampot, aprovince on the southern part of the country. After stopping by Samoll’s hometo meet his family, we hopped back in the van to visit his fruit farm. On theway to the farm, we took an 1-1/2 hour detour to visit a village chief. Somolland CGC are planning an evangelism event on Feb. 2^nd and neededapproval from the chief in order to proceed. Somoll is partnering with Samaritan’spurse to supply 1,000 shoeboxes for handicapped children in the village. Theactual village they will be ministering in was set aside by the government as alocation where only handicapped and their families could live. Please pray thatGod works through the evangelism event to lead more Cambodians to Christ.

After getting the OK from the chief we took the trip back toSomoll’s papaya farm. Upon arrival we were invited into the farmer’s hut for alunch/dinner of wild bore and roasted duck. I determined that sitting in a huthalfway around the world eating wild bore is an experience that everyone shouldhave! Somoll’s fruit farm was only in its second year of existence, but itshowed great promise. His vision for the farm is to use the profits to helpsupport his ministry. His ultimate dream is to make enough money to build aresource center in Kampot so that leaders and pastors will have a place tomeet, learn, and disciple each other.

The roads out to the fruit farm were ridiculous, it was asif somehow set off millions of land mines on the road. Potholes as far as theeye could see. In fact, we even had to get out of the car multiple times inorder to lighten the weight of the vehicle so it wouldn’t bottom-out. However,the driver pulled off a miracle and somehow got us back to our hotel at night.Paul decided to nickname him “Billy” for Billy the Kid , but I thought BillyGoat was more in line. After 8 hours in the van, 6 of which my back still hurtsfrom, we were ready to get some shut-eye, sleeping for our last night inCambodia.

On Sunday, we split up into three separate teams, enablingus to preach at three different churches. Greg went with Paul, Tony hopped onthe back of a motorcycle and went out to a village, and Phil and I went to oneof Somoll’s churches. The service was encouraging, but our discussion withSomoll and the church leaders after the service was the interesting part. Mostof the leaders were under the age of 30 and their primary ministry roles wereat other churches that they had planted throughout the province. This ‘motherchurch’ had planted 9 churches alone, and those churches had planted 5 more!The leaders would go to these services after the morning service at the ‘motherchurch’. Amazing how fast the gospel isspreading and how dedicated the Christians are to seeing follow Cambodians cometo salvation! The rest of the day was uneventful as we prepared for our Sundaynight flight. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. We should bearriving Monday around 12:30PM.

Signing Off: Matt

Welcome to the Jungle

Somoll's papaya farm

Church Leaders in Kampot

Days 8 and 9

2012-01-27T06:09:00.000-08:00

Training wrapped up on Thursday, with Phil, Greg, Robert,Joel, and Tony all taking turns teaching. At the end of the day, all of thenational leaders invited us up to the front and presented us with a gift! Theygave us a Khmer bible each hand-signed by all of the national leaders. It wasan unexpected gift and I will cherish it for the rest of my life. Those menmean so much to me, and they’re love for the gospel is an inspiration to me.

On Friday we woke up early to head to a wedding forBonseoum, one of the national leaders. In Cambodia, weddings can last as longas 3 days, and while this one only lasted a single day, they sure got an early start.At 7AM we paraded into the wedding hall with gifts and the bride and groom wentthrough a betrothal ceremony. We were then served breakfast and awaited theactual wedding ceremony. At Cambodianweddings it is traditional to have a comedian entertain the bride and groomduring the ceremony, so for over a half hour the crowd was in a riot. Wehowever, did not understand anything that was going on and could only smile andwonder. The wedding lasted the whole day, but we only stuck around for themorning ceremony.

The rest of the day we spent visiting the Killing Fields andthe Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. I had visited both places last year, but thesights still had the same sobering effect on me. To see such disregard forhuman life and pure evil leaves one speechless, and it is truly impossible toput into words what one experiences seeing the locations where the Khmer Rougekilled many of their 2 million victims. It simply has to be experienced.

The day finished up with a trip to the Russian Market toshop for souvenirs. The market is unique,in that one can buy anything from clothing to instruments, to crafts andjewelry; all jammed into small vender stalls the way only Asia can. Tomorrow wesay goodbye to Joel and Robert then head off to Kampot to see how God is workingin the southern half of the country.

Check in on Sunday for my last blog before we leave,

Matt

Cambodian National Leaders

The picture speaks for itself

Skulls excavated from mass graves

Training in Phnom Penh (Days 6 and 7)

2012-01-25T05:47:00.000-08:00

Back in Phnom Penh, two days of leadership training havebeen completed. One of the main goals ofCGC is to work with the provincial Christian leaders of Cambodia to providetraining and materials that they can bring back to their local pastors andchurches. The goal is to create a one-mindedness among the Christian leaders,and the training helps build unity among the leadership. The Cambodians discussthe vision for the country and methods and strategies to help expand thegospel. CGC’s goal is to partner with the leadership, assisting where needed,but ultimately letting them take control and responsibility for themselves.

Both days, the Cambodians opened up with exuberant worship.Phil than gave a devotional from Galatians and Robert taught the rest of theday on the subject of having a kingdom perspective. On Wednesday afternoon theleaders split into groups and applied Robert’s teaching to Cambodia. It wasinteresting to see people from different denominations and different parts ofthe country all coming together to study. Definitely the definition of unity!

Tuesday night we went out to dinner with Paul, and were ableto witness a miracle. At dinner, Phil learned how to use chopsticks for thevery first time! If a South-Alabama boy can learn how to eat with chopsticksthan anyone can. He was so excited that he bought the chopsticks from therestaurant as a souvenir. I’m looking forward to our last day of training and thena wedding on Friday.

God bless,

Matt

New Believer at village in Kampong Thom!

Phil displaying his chopstick skills

Paul and Phil teaching

Days 4 and 5

2012-01-23T05:25:00.000-08:00

On Sunday we got to experience two different Cambodia churchservices. After breakfast we split intothree different teams, each visiting a different church. Paul, Robert, and Joelwere one team, Phil and Tony made up the second, and Somoll, Greg, and I madeup the third. We went to a church pastored by Sai’ngya. The worship was great,as the Cambodians worshipped God with singing and dancing! I think my ears arestill ringing from the music. Greg gave a sermon from 1 John chapter 5 encouragingthe people to overcome the world. I was even invited up to share my testimony.After the service we had 8-10 people come up to us and ask for prayer. Thepeople’s faith in prayer was amazing, and I wish Americans had the same child-likefaith in prayer that the Cambodians do.

In the afternoon we travelled to a village approximately 10miles from Kompong Thom and were served a meal of fish, mushrooms, rice, andfresh coconut. Later, we joined the congregation for worship. The service wasinteresting, as the people took turns leading songs in the front of the church.They even invited us up to sing a song and in my opinion we sang a spot-onrendition of Amazing Grace. Robert shared a message from Revelation, remindingthe church and pastors in the crowd not to abandon their first love as Christhad warned the church in Ephesus. Thatnight we went back to Kompong Thom and were able to find a rare American foodrestaurant and were treated to pizza, calzones, and ice cream.

On Monday we traveled to Spew to visit Paul’s family. On the way there we drove by an idol factory and decided to stop and take pictures. Crazy to think that around the world billions of people still worship these man-made sculptures. Wewere able to tour the small town and visit with the family. As the onlyChristians in town they have to travel over 20 km to reach the nearest churchand are definitely in need of a community of believers. Back home we take forgranted all of the churches that we have the option of going to and all theChristians that we are surrounded by. The family has three daughters and it isimpossible for them to find a Christian husband anywhere, because there simply aren’tChristians any. Please pray that Godwill work in this village and that somehow a church will be planted there.

Upon travelling back to Phnom Penh we took a quick road stopin Skun to grab a bit to eat. Skun is famous for their fried tarantula,crickets, and beetles. They also have live tarantulas to play with!Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to convince Phil to hold or eat one. Maybe nexttime!

Training starts tomorrow morning so please pray for Phil andRobert as they are speaking and for the leaders in Cambodia. Next update tocome in a couple of days.

God Bless,

Matt

P.S. They celebrated Chinese New Year today so I have officially spent a Holiday in Cambodia

Worship in Kompong Thom

Idol Factory on the way to Speu

My new pet

Day 2 and 3

2012-01-21T06:09:00.000-08:00

On Friday morning we met with Dear Seoum and stopped by theRaffa house, where girls who are rescued from sex trafficking arerehabilitated. The ministry houses 80 some girls and teaches them vocationalskills while they recover while instilling a solid gospel foundation in theirlives over the 2 years that they are in the program. Dear Seoum is an amazingman and has a heart, not only to save these girls, but to see the gospelspread. Around 80% of the girls become Christians and some have even becomechurch planters in neighboring communities.

After spending the morning in Battambang, we traveled toSiem Reap and visited Angkor Wat. The place is considered by some to be one ofthe Seven Wonders of the World and was indescribable. The Khmer ancestors originally build themassive fortress and surrounding buildings/temples out of stone in the 12^thcentury. It was amazing seeing theintricacy and detail that went in to the stone structures that were built solong ago. Phil was amazed at themagnitude of the place, and wondered where all of the stones came from, who putthem there, and how they were able to erect them so high. After Angkor Wat wewent to dinner and were entertained with traditional Khmer dance.

On Saturday morning we left Siem Reap and traveled east toKompong Thom. Upon arrival, we met withpastor Sokun and heard his amazing testimony about how God saved him while hewas a teacher and was now using his teaching skills to offer free after-schoolEnglish tutoring in the church where he is able to teach the children not onlyEnglish, but also bible stories. His ministry is growing and his goal is tospread the gospel to all seven villages around Kompong Thom. So far, he has reached over half. Sokun also took us on a tour of the villageswhere damaged wells had been repaired, thanks to financial support from WoodierBaptist. At the different locations, wededicated the wells, prayed with the people, and even shared the gospel messagevia a short sermon in two locations. Various Cambodians said they wanted tofollow Christ, and I’m sure many more seeds were planted! It is so encouragingseeing pastors like Sokun who have such a heart for the people and are humblyfollowing God’s calling for their lives. His vision and faithfulness isinspiring and definitely made me feel like I could be doing so much more for thekingdom.

God Bless and I’ll update everyone in a couple of days.

In front of Raffa House with Dear Seoum

Angkor temple with roots growing around building

View from the top of Angkor Wat

Day One

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank everyone who was committed to praying for our safety on the trip over to Cambodia. We arrived last night around 11PM, 4 tired guys ready for some rest and excited to see how God is working throughout the country. (Keep in mind that Wisconsin is 13 hours behind Cambodian time) We were greeted by Paul, the head Cambodian leader/missionary, and Som-nol, both of whom will be joining us for the length of the trip.

This morning we woke up to meet our 2 brothers, Robert and Joel, from Woodier Baptist Church in California who are joining us from the trip. Woodier helps support Paul and also supports the widows and orphans programs throughout the country. Unfortunately their luggage had been lost and we started the day at the marker shopping for replacement clothes. After picking up all the necessities, we left Phnom Penh and traveled to Kampong Chnang. There, we met with regional leaders Chandrith and Vouty for lunch and fellowship. Some New Hopers will remember Chandrith from his visit to Milwaukee a few years ago.

After a quick bite to eat, we traveled northwest to visit the well that New Hope had donated last year. It was fun to see the finished product as that well was close to being completed when Tony and I left last year. The well was still pumping out clean water and we were able to talk with the Christian woman who donated the land for the well.

The day of travel continued as we continued northwest to Pursat where we visited 3 local church leaders and chatted for a few minutes. After another few hours on the road we finally arrived in Battambang in time to check into the hotel and grab a bite to eat. Dinner was interesting as usual, as we feasted on chicken duck soup, and were surprised by a whole turtle! I wasn't brave enough to eat one of the turtle eggs, but I did have the liver and some of the meat. With a day of travel out of the way, I am looking forward to stopping at the Raffa House (home for abused girls) tomorrow and see how God is using the ministry to take seemingly hopeless women and changing their lives through the gospel of Jesus Christ! God bless and thanks for the prayers.

P.S. Check out Phil's blog at www.wakinguptograce.org for videos and more info.

Lunch in Kampong Chnang with Vouty and Chandrith

The well that New Hope donated in action

Som-nol enjoying some turtle head

Ready...Set....

2012-01-11T15:19:00.000-08:00

Tony Pladies, Phil Bowen, Greg Allis, and I are preparing to leave on Tuesday morning January 17th and will be in Cambodia until January 30th. Stay tuned for more updates