Hey Everyone,

I’m on the “clock” because I don’t want to spend too much time here, but I want to let you know how to pray for us while we are here.  I spent some of my time resizing a couple pictures, so I’ll try to be brief.  Lida, my email is not working so I will be updating from the blog.  I got your emails, thanks for the encouragement, and I’ll see you soon.

Phnom Penh to Siem Riep
We are currently safe and happy in Siem Riep.  Kidnapping, political madness were in fact rumors– Praise God.  However, it doesn’t minimize the current situation.  Just last night, it felt like the movies.  We drove down the street and their was a convoy of people supporting (imagine 30+ cars and tons of trucks filled with people) ”Cambodia’s People Party”.  In their loud mega phone, they would yell out “BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH” and them BAM – Roar.  People yelling at the top of their lungs.  The election in Cambodia hasn’t happened for over 10 years and the real cause for concern would occur if the new “Candle” party actually won.  People hate to lose power, especially when it also involves losing money.  From what MS Hai had told me, this will unlikely happen and the way of life in Cambodia will unlikely change.

Last Entry
Ok.  Lets be frank.  My Vietnamese is straight up B-R-O—K—–E—–N.  I struggle.  I was told by MS Hai’s daughter today, “You have such an American accent when you speak Vietnamese.”  Secondly, the place we visited on Sunday, and had a chance to meet up with again on Tuesday is not called “Salad Sugar” but “Salad Want” – or thats what it sounds like in Vietnamese.  Still confused? Its just the area where they grow “Water Spinach.”  Chau- hope that helps.

Here are some pictures.

Here is a picture from last Saturday in Phnom Penh.  My first exposure to anything.  We met at a new believers house and we helped the kids with music, games, a lesson, and craft.  Seriously, what a tremendous blessing.

The picture above is where we met on Sunday morning.  Most of the people pictured above have HIV or a serious illness. It however didn’t stop them from traveling miles on foot to get to church.  One of the things I remember vividly is the fact that they sang the same songs we would sing at Vietnamese Hope in Baton Rouge, tithe, and have a similar benediction (I think thats what you call the closing).  God is really at work in many ways.

I’m sorry, but those two pictures took me a while because Anh Ngia’s (Frank Loi) laptop is kinda messed up and the internet is slow.  LORD, I’m praying for 15 good minutes to update.  Here are a few things that came across my mind since the last update.

Temptation of the Gospel
I wish that I could visually show you everything — but I can’t.  The day to day life is depraved helpless, and void of genuine hope.  From their health, life opportunities, and attitude- where or who can these people turn to?  Noted above, the government works for itself.  Police work for themselves.  Their are millions who need help and it simply is not happening.  Here then is the temptation- sharing the gospel for more than it is.  Last Tuesday, I had a conversation with a woman while my teammates were working the VBS part of our trip.  I learned that she works as a fisher(woman), lives on the river, and works extremely hard for her situation.  As our conservation developed (thanks to her)- the hopelessness of her situation began to permeate throughout what she was saying.  Life is the way it is… and there isn’t much to look forward too… and “How can you know the GOD?”… and why does it even matter, if you’r sick or poor, you gotta work to survive.  Boy, did I just want to say, “If you believe in Jesus and all that will go away.”  “If you believe in Jesus, he’s gonna give you all the food you’ll need.”  “If you believe in Jesus, he’ll heal you from your pain.”

Unfortunately, the call to discipleship means to bear our cross daily.  All that stuff may not actually happen.  All those who desire to be Godly will be persecuted.  Because we are raised with Christ, we join him in his suffering and resurrection.  The gospel simply saves us from our sin.  It restores sinful man into a proper relationship with a holy and righteous God- period.  The gospel is not going to make you win a million dollars if you tithe every Sunday.  Its not going to bless your stock portfolio, career, your health, or grades because you “put in” your time on Sunday.  God may bless you- not without much suffering.

On that day, I felt the temptation to make the gospel more appealing.  But this is not love.  It would be torture.  It would be lie.  One of the encouraging things to me about the various missionaries so far is the fact that they are very clear about this.  If we love them, we tell them the truth about their sin and what Christs’ work accomplished.  That is the gospel.  AMAZING.

Team
Please pray for our team.  A few nights ago, we had a long night to solve things out.  Personalities, styles, and the devil- among things working against us.  What did I learn?  Love covers a multitude of things.  Season this with genuine forgiveness and love for God- we can accomplish more now.  Praise-praise-praise God!

Summary
Devotionals
My devotionals have been harder to do as our days have become longer and the traveling has become taxing on everyone.  I’m currently meditating through Lamentations and Luke and reading a book Tim Peng gave me – Invitation to Lead:Guidance for Emerging Asian American Leaders by Paul Tokunaga.  Our team continues to meet for morning devotionals and daily debriefing/planning.

Wednesday
On Wednesday we had a free day.  If you call 7 am to 5 pm a free day.  We had a chance to just rest up before leaving and going to Siem Riep.  Nothing new here except I had extremely large and constant bowel movements.  I defaulted to sitting around while everyone was out and about that day.  Later that night, we dropped off two of our team members- Anh Son and Anh Hoang Anh at the Vietnamese Embassy to get their Visas.  They were dropped off at 3:30 pm but we didn’t see them until 6:30.  What were they doing?  They decided to walk for 3 hours and find their own way back instead of renting a “Tut Tut” – motorcycle taxi.  They really scared us half to death.

Thursday
We spent 4-5 hours driving to Siem Riep to the tune of the Cambodia’s People Party cheering in our ear.  We are safe and have met up with MS Hoang and his family.  We will begin everything all over again.

For God’s glory!
Vinh