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I am trying something new. While I was thinking about writing a "year-in-review," I realized that I had already written a summary of my year...via twitter. And because twitter was written as the year happened instead of after it was over, I like the freshness of it. So I have taken selected twitter updates and repurposed them as a summary of what 2012 was like for our family and ministry.
Those of you who use twitter and follow me may not want to spend time on this post, as it is all information you have probably already seen. On the other hand, for those who do not read our twitter updates, you may be interested in this "diary-style" perspective of our ministry.
I am aware that there are many who do not use twitter, so let me give a couple of words of clarification. First, the reason every post is so short is because twitter limits the characters in a post to just 140. Second, when you come across symbols like @ and #, just ignore them. They are used by twitter users to connect with other twitter users.
God gave us a wonderful year, and we hope our friends and family will enjoy hearing about some of the things they might have missed.
2nd
Spent
New Year's Day in services at Grace Baptist Church of Flower Mound, TX. We sure
have been blessed with some great supporting churches!
4th
Good
to see some old friends this week. He taught me in high school & she was my
piano teacher. Thankful for their investment in my life.
Six
really cool kids at the Alamo:
5th
Wonderful
service last night @ Trinity Baptist, Arlington, TX. I got the sense that they
truly do pray for our ministry. That's encouraging!
Attended
a fellowship mtg this morning. Heard great preaching & was blessed to hear
them conduct their church-planting business w/ passion.
9th
Wonderful
day at Southwest Baptist in Oklahoma City yesterday. Pastor Gaddis and the
entire church were incredibly gracious hosts.
A
large, packed-out auditorium belting out "And Can It Be" & "How Great Thou Art" = proof that you don't have to use CCM to build
a church.
Sold
130 books to 3 different pastors in the past 3 days, and got an email today
from a new church taking us on for support. Amen!
10th
We're
in Grants, New Mexico. It's 22 degrees, snow everywhere, and this missionary
family from Cambodia is FREEZING!
14th
Glad
to be back in California! Enjoyed breakfast and prayer with the men in our home
church this morning. So blessed to have good friends.
16th
Enjoyed
being in a brand-new church yesterday ( @lbcoakdale ). The hope for America is more Bible believing, Christ-proclaiming churches!
22nd
Wonderful
day all day @ Gethsemane Baptist, Long Beach! Thankful 4 opportunities 2 teach
& preach today & 2 speak Khmer w/ several people.
24th
At
Coast Hills Baptist, Santa Maria 4 miss. conf. Enjoyed seeing many old friends
last night, encouraged 2 see they are still "keeping on."
28th
Enjoyed
taking my 4 older kids on a school trip to tour the state capitol in Sacramento
yesterday.
29th
Taught
SS & preached at my home church this morning. Met several new families!
Looking forward to hearing @mikefarrell1975
preach tonight.
Praying
4 @TimBenefield & Golden
Valley Baptist Church today 4 their charter-signing service. Looking forward 2
hearing a report of the day.
31st
Thoroughly
enjoyed teaching in our Bible Institute tonight. Encouraged to see people give
an extra night per week to study the Word of God!
Got
sad news today that a little girl in our village ministry drowned over the
weekend. Please pray for her family and for @Chad_A_Phillips.
Please
pray for the family of GIBF missionaries to Mexico, John and Wanda Casias, both
murdered today in a home invasion there in Mexico.
February
1st
Great
Bible study 2night @ Sequoia. After 35 years of pastoring, my dad still has
absolute confidence in the Word of God. I appreciate that.
2nd
Recently
heard someone disparaging missionaries in Mexico as "wanting an easy
field, wanting to stay close to mama." How utterly uninformed!
How
I thank God for every missionary to Mexico - true soldiers of Christ, hazarding
their very lives for the sake of the Gospel!
6th
Presented
our ministry to Golden Valley Baptist in Patterson yesterday morning. @TimBenefield and his wife are doing a
great job there!
Thankful
for the opportunity to report & preach at Regency Baptist in Orangevale
last night. Pastor Nichols always encourages & inspires me.
12th
Preached
all day 4 Pastor Mike Ray @ Hopewell Baptist in Napa. So good 2 see all our old
friends. It was an awesome day from start 2 finish!
15th
Hopewell's
choir all day Sunday, now 3 straight nights of Sequoia's choir. I could get
used to this! Looking forward to the next two nights!
Tremendous
message by Charles Sanders tonight. Nothing like listening to a man who's been
preaching 50+ yrs and still has a tear in his eye.
20th
My
friend, Pastor John Gillespie of Flower Mound, TX went 2 Heaven on Saturday. He
was just 51. Please pray 4 his hurting family & church.
Sad
& hurting today for the Cretzman family in the sudden homegoing of little
Azlynn. Praying God will strengthen them in this deep valley.
Drove
for 6 hours today. Couldn't hold back the tears every time I looked at my
children in the mirror. They are truly a gift from God!
Heaven
is sounding sweeter all the time.
21st
Sunday
a.m. we were at Landmark Baptist, Santa Rosa. Pastor Opferman & his people
have a big heart & sacrificial spirit for the Lord's work.
Sunday
p.m. at New Hope Baptist, Santa Rosa. Had a great service! Enjoyed fellowship
w/ Pastor Maricle B4 church & a church family after.
Enjoying
the book "50 People Every Christian Should Know" by Warren
Wiersbe...and I still have some of the most intriguing people ahead!
26th
Spent
the day at Immanuel Baptist, Delano, CA. Always a privilege to report back to
faithful supporters. Glad to see God working in Delano!
If
there had been Nike's in the 1st century, I think their slogan would have been
"Perform the doing of it!" (II Cor. 8:11)
March
1st
Helping
my three girls with their Science Fair projects tonight. We are hoping to solve
some of life's most puzzling & perplexing problems:)
If
my calculations are right, I'll never have all six of my kids doing a Science
Fair project in the same year, for which I am thankful.
3rd
Had
a great time soulwinning today with a man in our home church. People are
basically the same everywhere...empty, hurting, and searching.
4th
Enjoyed
being at Sequoia Baptist today. Great teaching & preaching. I appreciate a
pastor who preaches the Word of God without apology!
"The
Word of God has been accurate to the degree that it can only be divine."
-Robert Benefield
5th
Spent
the day w/ some men from church removing light fixtures worth thousands from a
building set 4 demolition. Americans sure waste a lot!
6th
Great
to see my sister, brother-in-law, nephews and niece from Estonia tonight.
Haven't seen them in 5 and 1/2 years.
@Ron_Winkler @Rachel_Winkler @mikefarrell1975 @mikeandbeckyf It's official...Winklers are
tall. Benefields are medium. Farrells are short.
8th
Had
the opportunity to share the Gospel with a Muslim woman from Iran today. She
did not get saved, but she listened & that's a good start!
10th
So
excited to hear how God is working in Patterson at GVBC! 1 saved last Sunday, 1
saved on Wednesday, 2 saved on Friday. Praise the Lord!
In
honor of the Indian chief who cut the end off his blanket & sewed it 2 the
other end 2 make a longer blanket, I've just changed my clock.
12th
Great
day at Lighthouse Baptist, Moreno Valley! @PastorJPreston
& his people have an obvious desire to know about & pray for our
ministry.
A
teen told me last night that the teenagers on our video encouraged him 2 take a
stand 4 Christ at his public high school. Praise the Lord!
21st
Enjoyed
being at Bethel Baptist w/ Pastor Davidson in Santa Ana this past Sunday. Such
gracious people! It's always encouraging to go there.
22nd
My
6 yr old son is learning about even & odd numbers. Today he said in
exasperation: "I just don't see what's so odd about those numbers!"
26th
Preached
@ New Testament Baptist in Hanford yesterday am & pm. Great spirit in services
& we enjoyed the fellowship w/ Pastor King's family.
30th
Enjoyed
spending the last 4 days at a school competition w/ 3 of my girls. They did
awesome, as did my nephews & nieces. Proud of them all!
April
3rd
Saw
part of @Ron_Winkler's video report
about Estonia today. It's awesome! I hope some new churches will get behind
this exciting ministry.
6th
Claiming
to be a Christian while denying the Resurrection is like removing the bottom
floor of a skyscraper & expecting it to stay standing.
If
Christ be not risen, we are of all men most miserable. But Christ IS risen, so
we should be of all men most joyful!
9th
Thoroughly
enjoyed Resurrection Sunday at Mountain View Baptist in Modesto w/ Pastor John
Simmons. What a great spirit and friendly folks!
Yesterday
was the first time I've ever preached in a 6:00 am service. Impressed by the
crowd & the sharp, smiling youth choir that sang!
11th
My
daughter is heading out for her first youth conference. Hoping she loves it
& praying God will use it in her life. Thanks @wcbc_today
Started
a missions conf. tonight at Tabernacle Baptist in Concord. Nobody wanted to
leave afterwards. I think church should be like that!
After
church a 74 yr-old man said: "I've prayed for missionaries my whole life,
but tonight I told God that I want to pray more." Amen!
Ate
at Five Guys for the first time tonight. I give them an A for flavor and an F
for price.
12th
Another
great service tonight at Tabernacle Baptist. It's such an encouragement to see
people tenderhearted about the lost around the world.
13th
Got
home today after 4 days on the road without my family and Seth (2) said,
"I've been looking for you, daddy!"
Had
a chance today 2 witness briefly 2 a young man from Afghanistan and invite him
2 church. Perhaps God brought him here 2 learn of Christ!
Talked
w/ @Chad_A_Phillips for over 2
hours today re: our ministry in Cambodia. Thankful 4 his love 4 our people
& his service 2 the Lord!
14th
Perfect
weather today for driving through No. Cal. & Oregon. It's been fun
travelling with @Ron_Winkler and family,
but I sure miss my own:(
15th
Great
services today at two great churches: Willamette Valley Baptist of Salem, OR,
in the a.m. and Faith Baptist of Tacoma, WA, in the p.m.
16th
I
love this faith-filled sentence from an email I just received from one of our
Cambodian church members:"Whatever in future, he know all."
17th
Flew
into Fresno today. I met two Cambodians at the airport, and I just happened to
have a few Cambodian tracts in my bag! Thank you, Lord.
Read
a good little book today on the plane - "Things I Wish I'd Known Before We
Got Married" by Gary Chapman. Very practical material.
18th
My
wife, the philosopher: "I don't read book introductions. It just makes the
book longer." Well, I guess I can't argue with that:)
Heard
tonight that a new convert my dad is currently discipling drove to Sacramento
last week and led his ailing grandfather to Christ!
22nd
"I
am convinced that many Christians come to a point in their lives where
absolutely NOTHING is done by faith." -Pastor Robert Benefield
29th
Thoroughly
enjoyed the day at Barstow Baptist. Glad we got to see not only Pastor Lundy
& family, but also former Pastor Hampton & his wife.
Haven't
been to Barstow Baptist in 7 years. Met both veteran Christians & new
Christians, all of whom are excited about the Lord & missions!
May
3rd
Great
mtg last night at Central Valley Baptist in Manteca w/ Pastor Tharpe. They were
very responsive to our video report & the preaching.
Bro.
Mel Hall has been reaching kids for years with Gospel magic. This morning he
gave me a bunch of new stuff to use. What a blessing!
4th
Enjoyed
some time today w/ Candace & some of her friends celebrating her 13th
birthday. I'm officially the father of a teen. Yikes!
8th
Good
services this past Sunday a.m. at Calvary Baptist in Oroville. Pastor Taylor
& his people have been faithful supporters for many years.
Privileged
2 B w/Pastor Ruhl @ Pleasant Valley Baptist in Chico this past Sun. pm.
Thankful 2 call them partners, proud 2 call them friends!
Thinking
about Bro. Hudson (missionary to the Ukraine) & his 3 kids. Tomorrow is
Mrs. Hudson's Homegoing Service. Please pray for them.
14th
Wonderful
time at Hopewell in Napa yesterday. Such a precious church to us! Privileged to
fill Pastor Ray's pulpit while he is overseas.
My
wife, looking at a goofy Mr Potato Head creation by Gabby: "It looks like
daddy." Gabby: "No it doesn't. Daddy doesn't have a green hat."
18th
Heard
5 outstanding messages at Master's Men today. Great fellowship too. Looking
forward to tomorrow!
19th
Very
challenged by the preaching today at Master's Men. My favorite message today:
"Ten Times Better" by Lou Rossi. Powerful!
When
I was a kid, we prayed often 4 R next-door neighbor 2 B saved. I saw him today
@ Master's Men. He got saved 2 yrs ago! Unbelievable!
21st
Good
day yesterday in Merced/Atwater. Met Pastor Miller for 1st time & reconnected w/ Pastor Doss. Two sharp men doing good work 4 the Lord!
24th
Great
night last night in Reno...in church:) Encouraged by the kindness of Pastor
& Mrs Ralstin and the people of Lighthouse Baptist.
26th
Privileged
2 present our ministry thurs. night 2 a brand new church, Victory Baptist in
Fresno. God is using Pastor Owens & VBC greatly!
I
read this extremely well-put little nugget of wisdom yesterday: "Let's not
be so openminded that our brains fall out!"
27th
With
Pastor Graves @ Liberty Baptist in Norwalk this a.m. So happy 2 see the
facility that God has provided 4 them since we were last there!
28th
Stopped
@ McKee Rd Baptist last night on way 2 Visalia. Pastor Fies put gas in my tank
& bought corndogs, sodas 4 my kids. What a guy!
30th
Had
brkfast ystrday w/ my parents & 3 siblings. Probably 15+ yrs since just us
6 went out together. So thankful 4 a family that serves God!
31st
Just
finishing up a really fun day visiting the Reagan Presidential Library with my
daughter, Candace (13). What an awesome place!
Saw
Pres. Reagan's mother's Bible today. Next to II Chr. 7:14, she had
written:"A most wonderful verse for the healing of the nations."
June
3rd
Proud
of my 4 oldest children and 9 nieces & nephews who sang with a bunch of
other children in the youth choir this morning. Beautiful job!
7th
Dropped
in for services at Victory Baptist in Burbank tonight. Enjoyed meeting
@PastorBadger & family. What an exciting ministry!
10th
Glad
to be at Bible Baptist Church in Delano this a.m. for the Grand Opening of
their new facilities. Pastor Serrano is doing a great job!
I
was suspicious that the kid in front of me in church wasn't paying attention.
Then he started doing the macarena and I knew for sure.
Tremendous
service tonight @ Calvary Baptist in Temecula. Wonderful people! Also enjoyed
great fellowship afterwards w/ Pastor & Mrs. Rench.
11th
Excited
2 B at #rootedconf in Lancaster w/ my wife. Our
1st one in 12 years. Looking forward to tonight's service!
12th
Great
opening service at #rootedconf! Also enjoyed
reconnecting with friends before and after the service.
13th
Wow,
what a day at #rootedconf! Outstanding
preaching, teaching, music, and fellowship all day long.
14th
Loved
Leadership Conference! If I lived in the U.S. I would make it a priority to go
often if not annually. #rootedconf
16th
Please
pray 4 @Chad_A_Phillips as he
deals today w/ a family in our church whose dad died a few hours ago. PTL he
was saved!
I
don't like being so far away when friends and church members are hurting:( Glad
I can still pray!
22nd
This
past Sunday we enjoyed participating in Missions Emphasis Day at Lancaster
Baptist Church. LBC always challenges & encourages me!
Just
got home from teen camp. Thankful 4 the opportunity 2 preach 8 times 2 some
great teens. Praise God for 2 saved & many other decisions!
24th
My
dad preached on the rapture this morning with both passion & compassion. If
I wasn't saved already, I would have gotten saved today.
"We
can't solve our sin problem. Only Jesus can solve our sin problem, but boy can
He solve it!" -Robert Benefield
26th
Tried
garlic ice cream today in Gilroy. I guess culinary adventures are not only for
the foreign mission field:-)
29th
Re:
Supreme Court - We can get over our disappointment w/ those who sit on the
bench if we will keep our eyes on Him Who sits on the throne.
July
17th
We're
back in Cambodia! There's no place like home!
Most
people's 1st errand after moving is probably to pick up a few groceries. In
Cambodia, the first errand is to go get a can of Raid!
20th
Not
long ago Ming Heung (mom of 3 church members) was antagonistic 2 the Gospel.
Last night she was in church. Please pray 4 her salvation.
21st
Got
to witness to 2 people today. Both have promised 2 B in church tomorrow where
we'll assign workers 2 continue teaching them the Gospel.
What
a joy to reunite with the children in our village ministry! Great crowd today. @Chad_A_Phillips has done a terrific job in
my absence!
22nd
We've
been praying for Ming Heung for a long time. I was informed today that she got
saved Friday! Her 3 young adult children are thrilled!
Enjoyed
church so much today! Very little stirs my soul like hearing a church full of
Cambodian believers belting out "There Is A Fountain."
24th
Saw
a package of garbage bags at the store today that said: "degradable
garbage bags." Apparently you can call them mean names.
25th
Enjoyed
spending a few hours this morning w/ @thompsrus giving him a thorough report on our ministry and the grand tour of our
"Jerusalem."
Picked
up a Vietnamese Bible today for Ming Heung who got saved last week. Looking
forward to giving it to her tomorrow night at church.
26th
In
past 10 days, 3,000+ Cambodians have travelled 2 a village where a 40 ft log,
recently pulled from pond, is believed 2 have magic powers.
A
man named Mr. Dork was quoted in today's paper. Sometimes spelling foreign
names with English letters leads to very unfortunate results.
28th
Had
good visits this a.m. a great service in the village this afternoon.
Looking forward to having @thompsrus
preach for us tomorrow.
29th
Had
a good crowd, a great spirit, and 4 baptisms this morning. Also enjoyed our
quarterly potluck & song/testimony service. I love church!
@thompsrus preached on "worry"
from Mt. 6. Many testimonies this afternoon were about how God spoke 2 hearts
through this morning's message.
If
it were possible, I think our church would be happy to start singing on page 1
& not stop until we had sung through the entire hymnbook!
@thompsrus and @chanthachhim treated my family to a very
nice dinner tonight. Thank you both very much! We really enjoyed the
fellowship.
August
2nd
They
never taught me in Bible college what to do when your son gets the offering bag
stuck on his head 15 minutes before the service begins.
3rd
Visited
a family this morning with 5 kids: Neek, Nich, No, Noch, and Nut. More great
Cambodian names here: http://www.themissionarymemo.blogspot.com/2010/06/lang-hang-sang-mang-and-chang.html …
Got
2 witness at length to a former Khmer Rouge soldier today. He is open 2 the
Gospel & agreed 2 read the material I left him. Pray 4 Nee!
5th
I
led Karona to Christ 9 yrs ago. Karona led Sopia to Christ 3 yrs ago. Sopia led
Srey Moch & Chiavay to Christ today! II Tim. 2:2 at work!
Gave
out some awards to 30 church members today for quoting 2,125 verses while I was
on furlough. 16 of them quoted all 100 on the list!
Especially
proud of 5 of our young adult men. Last year they hardly tried & quoted
almost no verses. This year between them they quoted 150!
7th
I
wonder if Cambodia is the only country where people trim their trees with a
meat cleaver.
Enjoyed
lunch today w/ my wife & the Phillips & our longtime friends, the
Shulls. Thankful for godly examples and encouraging friendships!
11th
Spent
some time in the village today witnessing to a woman who is dying of cancer.
Praying for God to convict her of her need for a Savior.
12th
Good
day in church yesterday. Loved seeing a man who had fallen and been restored
beginning to experience the joy of the Lord once again.
14th
2
people from PETA sat in a chicken coop in front of KFC today. All the
Cambodians that gathered around were looking at them like "What...?"
I
think PETA's message might be a tough sell in a country that transports live
chickens hanging upside down from a motorcycle's handlebars.
15th
Driving
down the street today, I saw a new restaurant named Chuck Norris Dim Sum. I
wasn't really hungry, but I was afraid not to eat there!
18th
Driving
to the village today I passed a guy in a wheelchair being towed by a rope tied
to a motorcycle. I didn't ask how he planned 2 stop.
20th
The
Prime Minister's record-setting 5 hour speech from last week is now available
on dvd! My kids are going to LOVE family night this week:)
22nd
Spent
several hours today making some great visits w/ @Chad_A_Phillips . We currently have a good
list of prospects and it is growing daily!
Had
a huge storm today which turned roads 2 rivers, cars 2 boats, motos 2 jetskis.
It's fun but only until your "jetski" stalls "mid-river!"
24th
We've
had a major problem w/ our visas this week, and it has done nothing but grow in
the past 24 hours. Please pray for a swift resolution.
Hoping
to finish salvation studies with 3 different adults today. Please pray for Ohm,
Bay, and Srey Laek to trust Christ as Savior today!
25th
Thankful
that Bay and Srey Laek (a dad and his adult daughter) both got saved this
morning! Thanks to all who prayed for them.
26th
6
visitors in church today! All of them were either co-workers, neighbors, or
relatives of our church members. Looking forward to follow-up!
Leaving
w/ family 2 drive 2 Vietnam border. Have 2 exit Cambodia then re-enter 2 solve
visa problems. Please pray 4 a safe and smooth trip.
28th
Just
returned from Vietnam/Cambodia border. Trip took longer than planned, but
praise the Lord our visa problems are now resolved!
Went
2 the cemetery tonight w/ a family 2 sing and read Scripture at the grave of
their husband and dad who died while we were on furlough.
September
2nd
Good
day in church ystrday! 6 new adult visitors, several returning visitors from
last week, and a couple of "wanderers" showed back up!
5th
Just
had the amazing privilege of leading my oldest son, Stephen, to Christ! He went
to bed with a huge grin on his face! Thank you, Lord!
6th
Witnessed
again to a cancer-stricken woman in the village. Her health is failing quickly,
and she still doesn't grasp her need for a Savior.
Sobering:"all
our righteousnesses are as filthy rags...we all do fade as a leaf...our
iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."(Is.64:6)
Started
a salvation study today w/ 3 teenagers, including the son of one of the ladies
in our church! Please pray 4 Bee, Sopaek, and Sreyla.
9th
I've
been asking many 2 pray 4 the salvation of an elderly woman who has cancer. She
finally got saved on Saturday! Thanks 2 all who prayed!
14th
Witnessed
to an elderly Buddhist nun today. She listened with interest until I told her
that Jesus can wash away our sins. Then she got mad.
It's
indescribably sad 2 see people who think that if they're going to be saved
they'll have to do it themselves. It must break God's heart!
15th
A
man told me 2day that he saw Jesus crucified on a movie but didn't know why he
had 2 die. What a joy 2 answer his question! Pray 4 Samien.
The
woman who got saved last week was in tremendous pain from her cancer when we
visited her today. Felt so helpless. Thankful for Heaven!
Wonderful
morning in church today! New and returning visitors, solid crowd, great spirit,
and two teen boys (Sopaek and Bee) got saved!
16th
It
was a joy to present two new Christians with their first Bibles in the service
today!
One
of the boys who got saved this a.m. took home our Gospel of John study booklet
and had completed all 210 questions by the p.m. service!
17th
Just
told my boys we're getting haircuts this week. I asked my 6 yr-old if he wanted
a buzz and my 3 yr-old chimed in, "Can I have a Woody?"
19th
Was
just informed that the woman w/ cancer out in the village no longer has
cancer...she's in Heaven. So thankful she got saved 11 days ago.
20th
Got
to lead a 27 year-old man named Souv to Christ today. He visited our services
last week and was very open to the Gospel. What a joy!
21st
Went
to the village today to see family and friends of the woman who died Wednesday.
Got to witness some, and had a sweet time w/ believers.
23rd
Had
several more first-time adult visitors in church today, including a man I met
yesterday on soulwinning. Visitors keep church exciting!
A
teen boy who got saved last week was back in church today WITH his new Bible
and a haircut and WITHOUT his earring.
Seems
like almost every day I am hearing of yet another Baptist church starting in my
home state! Could California be the new Bible Belt?!
25th
“You
cannot get a harvest if you are afraid of disturbing the soil, nor can you save
souls if you never warn them of hell fire." -Spurgeon
26th
My
3 yr-old son's comment regarding the black eye he got while playing today:
"I like my black eye because it makes me look like a bad guy!"
Cambodia's
Prime Minister, in a speech yesterday: "I have to clarify for the stupid
man." He definitely knows how to get his point across:)
27th
Reporter:"Why
isn't there 24-hour traffic police?" High-ranking official: "It's not
necessary. Between 10 pm and 6 am, people are sleeping."
28th
Had
an encouraging time w/ fellow missionaries at last night's English service.
Bro. Ruppel preached a good message on the Goodness of God.
29th
Asked
a 12th grade young man in our church what he wants 2 do w/ his life. He said,
"Get a job and follow God." That's a pretty good answer!
I
told Seth (3) to go get a book for me to read to him before bed. He ran off
excitedly and came back with "My First 1,000 Spanish Words."
30th
Thankful
for another good Sunday! One lady got saved and a young man I led to Christ
years ago moved back to town and came back to church!
Cambodia
has some awesome restaurant names, like this one I saw today: "Fate
Blessing Buddha Vegetarian Restaurant!"
"Brother
worker, are you getting a little weary? Never mind, rouse yourself, and plough
on for the love of Jesus, and dying men." –Spurgeon
October
2nd
While
picking up my van from the shop today an employee asked, "Could I ask you
a question about Jesus?" I love it when that happens!
Challenged
by this verse today: "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said
unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek." (Psalm 27:8)
"Of
the 100's of spiritual failures I've counseled the thing they all had in common
was an absence of the Word in their daily lives."-LaHaye
5th
Had
an encouraging time of prayer this morning w/ several fellow missionaries. I
appreciate the godly friends God has given me in Cambodia.
"One
second in Heaven should take care of anything we have put up with for our
Lord." -Joseph Cannon
Rereading
one of my favorite books:"For Missionaries Only" by Joseph Cannon.
Reading this book is like getting encouraged by an old friend.
"If
you want a short, unhappy stint on the mission field, then take a wife with you
and neglect her." -Joseph Cannon
7th
Heavy
traffic around every Buddhist temple due to 2-wk Festival of the Dead. Hoping
to someday see traffic jams around Cambodia's churches.
10th
One
of our newest converts is moving away tomorrow:( Glad we have discipleship
materials to give him. He is very hungry for the Word of God!
13th
Today
begins the final 3 days of the Festival of the Dead. Happy to see the church
full today of people who have found true hope in Christ!
@Chad_A_Phillips preached an outstanding message
this morning! God met w/ us, and I believe many believers were strengthened in
their faith.
14th
Cambodia's
former king Sihanouk dies in Beijing - Yahoo! News http://news.yahoo.com/cambodias-former-king-sihanouk-dies-beijing-001718306.html …
via @YahooNews
18th
King
Sihanouk's body was returned to Cambodia yesterday. 1 million people lined the
road from airport to palace to pay respects. Sobering.
A
teen girl came to church tonight and asked for a bunch of tracts to hand out
when she visits relatives in another province tomorrow.
19th
After
2 weeks of a Buddhist festival and a relatively empty city, it sure was nice
today to go soulwinning and actually find some people!
Samien
told me 3 wks ago to come back after Pchum Bun Festival. True 2 his word, today
he invited me in and let me begin sharing the Gospel.
21st
We
had 5 adult visitors in church today, 3 of whom were men I met while
soulwinning. Praying for Samien, Ra, and Preeng to get saved.
"Lord,
You have the strength and I have the weakness - let's team up!" -Vance
Havner
All
over town tonight people are excitedly staring at the moon where it is reported
that the face of the recently deceased king can be seen.
24th
Went
soulwinning w/ @Chad_A_Phillips
today. Most of the people we intended to visit weren't home, but we made
several good NEW contacts!
25th
In
the wake of King Sihanouk's death I'm rereading the book "Cambodia: Report
From A Stricken Land" by Henry Kamm. I highly recommend it.
Read
today:"After the Pol Pot years, in which schools were abolished, only 300
Cambodians with a higher education were left in the country."
Reading
Henry Kamm's '98 assessment of Cambodia (just 2 yrs before we arrived) sheds a
lot of light on why some things are the way they are.
26th
Translated
"Apples 2 Apples" for a game night w/ our church tonight. They loved
it!. Think I'll call my new Khmer version "Mangos 2 Mangos."
Today
I introduced 2 of our church ladies to 2 ladies I met soulwinning this wk. They
had a great visit & started a salvation study w/ them!
Thankful
4 the opportunity to witness at length to 2 men this a.m. Pray 4 Hak and Too.
They expressed real interest, asked great questions.
28th
Bittersweet
day in church today. Great crowd, visitors, 1 saved, but had to say goodbye to
the Phillips as this was their last day with us.
"Temporal
things can't solve spiritual problems." -Chad Phillips
Last
week I went down a wrong road while making visits. 4 people I met on that
"wrong" road were in church this morning! God is in control!
31st
Privileged
to participate tonight in the ordination of one of the young men out of Rodney
Ruppel's ministry. What an encouraging service!
November
1st
Great
to have a church member back tonight after working past 2 yrs as a maid in
Malaysia. She soaked up every second of tonight's service!
Watching
4 children for some missionary friends while they go to Thailand for medical
tests. We're now a family of 12 for the next few days!
2nd
My
wife recently learned to make homemade Fabreeze and 409 cleaner, and now she is
making brown sugar from white sugar. Pretty resourceful!
4th
Great
day today in church! AM: 2 new Bibles presented, 3 returning visitors.
Afternoon: 2 saved, 4 teen visitors, PM: 4 adult visitors.
In
the Spring I don't really mind that we don't do time change in Cambodia, but in
the Fall it makes me a little jealous.
6th
Disappointment?
Yes. Despair? No! God still holds the highest office of all. "Why art thou
cast down? Hope thou in God." (Psalm 42:5)
8th
Was
asked ystrday to help someone learn a phrase in English. Expecting something
important, the desired phrase was "You stepped on my foot"
Good
crowd for Bible study last night. Taught on the 2 & 1/2 tribes who replaced
God's will with their own. Lots of good application there.
You
will always encounter forbidden land before you arrive at the Promised Land.
Don't settle for less than God's best.
If
this week's election will drive Christians to their knees like never before,
then it will be a net gain for America.
9th
12
years ago today our family arrived in Cambodia. So thankful for the privilege
of being an ambassador for the Lord Jesus Christ!
Always
encourages me 2 hear that a pastor just shared 1 of R letters w/ his church and
I bet I'm not the only missionary who feels that way.
10th
Only
in Cambodia can you see a guy driving his moto down the road while
simultaneously cooking waffles over the open fire in his sidecar.
13th
My
3 yr. old is turning into a cynic! He's been walking around lately singing a
song he made up: "Who Doesn't Care About The Muffin Man..."
16th
Pray
for 14 yr-old Bun Teem. He's been attending church 4 awhile, but today while
visiting in his home he expressed interest in the Gospel.
17th
The
ASEAN summit starts tomorrow in Cambodia. Heads of state are arriving from all
over Asia. Kind of exciting...despite the road closures!
President
Obama is arriving here on Monday. This will be the first time ever that a
sitting U.S. President has visited Cambodia.
18th
Thankful
4 several teen boys who indicated their desire today 2 know how 2 B saved.
Praying 4 open doors 2 share the Gospel w/ them this wk.
Never
use the words or actions of lost people to justify ungodly behavior in your own
life. God expects more from His own children.(Eph 4:1)
19th
Air
Force One touched down in Cambodia a couple of hours ago. Praying for Pres.
Obama to have wisdom in his talks with other world leaders.
Seems
kind of strange to think that Pres. Obama is staying just a few blocks from our
house. We should have invited him over for dinner:)
I
agree w/ Pres. Obama's admonition 2 Cambodia's Prime Minister re: human rights.
I'm a little surprised he went there, but I'm glad he did.
20th
Discovered
a new definition 4 the word "futile": trying to get a 3 yr-old boy to
take a nap while a helicopter repeatedly circles your house
Proud
of my 3 older girls (Candace, Deborah, and Emma) for working hard this
afternoon doing some deep cleaning @ the church. They owned it!
True...Obama
& Clinton looked sleepy @ ASEAN summit, but honestly, I felt bad for them.
Jet lag + extreme humidity + long speeches = brutal!
"If
you think Independence Day is America's defining holiday, think again.
Thanksgiving deserves that title hands down." -Tony Snow
21st
What
a thrill to see 100 people (3 churches) crammed into our church last night
singing heartily to the Lord & testifying of God's goodness!
22nd
Had
a nice Thanksgiving Day with 3 other missionary families. 27 people in our
little house! So thankful for God's unending goodness to us!
23rd
Murphy's
Soulwinning Law: A man who is uninterested will live in the same house for 100
years. A man who IS interested is moving next week.
26th
Over
100 precious souls perished in a fire in a garment factory in Bangladesh
yesterday. I wonder how many of them were ready to die.
27th
My
4 yr-old daughter, Gabby, while eating breakfast this morning:
"Mmmm...these eggs taste like eggs!"
28th
Reading
"Today's Gospel - Authentic or Synthetic" by Walter Chantry. The part
I've read so far has been excellent.
"Do
you declare in your witnessing that God is holy? Every part of your message
rests upon the character of God." -Chantry
"If
you rush into four easy steps to heaven with a man who has a defective view of
God, you will deceive him and yourself." -Chantry
"In
the twentieth century the church has tried to see how little it could say and
still get converts." –Chantry
Finished
"Today's Gospel" this morning. Disagreed with some things in the 2nd
half of the book, but nevertheless, a thought-provoking read.
29th
Started
a salvation study with 14 yr-old Bopata today. He has no parents. Lives with
his aunt. Praying he will soon have a Heavenly Father.
Sokia
visited our church Sunday and loved it so much she was back again tonight and
brought her two teen brothers, Tonglang and Seehua!
30th
Last
month I gave my barber an evangelistic booklet-The Fun Train. When I went to
get a haircut today, that was all he wanted to talk about!
December
1st
Heartbreaking
visit this evening. 6 teen & young adult siblings wanting 2 come 2 church
& hear about Christ, but dad said a very adamant NO!
2nd
Overheard
a guy tonight whispering to his friend about my kids: "Wow! They speak
great English!" Not sure what he was expecting:)
4th
Had
a great time last night with missionary friends watching our kids perform
"A Christian Christmas Carol." They did awesome!
7th
Transparency
International released their annual report on corruption yesterday, and
Cambodia ranked 157th out of 176 countries.
In
today's paper: a new report on "land grabbing" around the world
highlights two countries as prime examples...Mozambique and Cambodia.
9th
A
visitor from 2 wks ago came back today w/ 5 friends! One of our ladies began a
salvation study w/ all 6 of them during the preaching time.
Two
week in a row, tragic deaths in the NFL. I wonder if those who cried out
against guns last week will cry out against alcohol this week.
13th
Good
day! Continued a salvation study with Bopata, started one with Bunteem and his
mom, Paek, and got a promise from Makara to start one!
While
I was teaching @ a house today, a rat was feasting boldly & sumptuously on
bread left at an altar a few feet away. A bit distracting:)
16th
Had
90 kids in services ystrday & today. Many of them were visitors and heard
the story of Christ's birth for the first time in their lives.
18th
Finished
"In The President's Secret Service" by Kessler. Learned a lot about
the character of our 10 most recent presidents. Some surprises.
19th
Read
ystrday that the cremation ceremony for Cambodia's late king will cost $5
million. Today that was changed to $1.2 mil. Either way, wow!
Got
to start a salvation study today with 2 brothers named Piarine (12) and Piarong
(16) who have been coming to our church.
We
have a sandwich shop here called Fatboys. Problem is...they answer their phone
with broken English: "Hello, fat boy, may I help you?"
20th
Ystrday
a man in R chrch w/ an unexpected day off came by 2 wash van, fix broken light.
1 of the all-time best ways 2 encourage your pastor!
23rd
Thankful
for a full house at church this morning and great participation by our people
in our annual Christmas offering for others.
Thoroughly
enjoyed our annual Christmas concert tonight! Great crowd, beautiful music, and
spirit-filled preaching by Bro. Rodney Ruppel.
Just
finished "Stories Behind The Best-Loved Songs Of Christmas" by Ace
Collins. Very interesting! Here's a summary: http://themissionarymemo.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-stories-behind-songs.html …
25th
"And
the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." Hard to believe, but I'm
sure glad it's true! Merry Christmas!
My
3 yr-old son opened a plush Buzz Lightyear today, then he opened a cool
light-up sword w/ sound effects and immediately executed Buzz.
Had
@knvbc playing the entire day today in our
home. Every song was perfect!
26th
Legos,
coloring, Monopoly, Mad Gab, Apple to Apples, Miracle on 34th St, junk food.
Wow...sometimes relaxing tires me out more than working!
27th
Piers
Morgan says the Bible is "inherently flawed." The Bible says Piers
Morgan is inherently flawed. I think I'll stick with the Bible.
28th
I'm
thankful for General Schwarzkopf's life of service to our nation. We need more
men like him! I pray that he knew the Lord.
“Leadership
is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without
one, be without strategy.” Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf
30th
Thankful
to end the year w/ a great day! Nearly 70 in attendance this morning, 2 saved,
10 baptized, and many visitors!
One
of our church members brought 8 of her fellow university students to church
today. None of them had ever heard the Gospel.
"Resolution
One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still
will." -Jonathan Edwards
31st
"New
Year's Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not
encourage them to take up more of my time." -James Agate
"An
optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up
to make sure the old year leaves." -Bill Vaughan
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