How has your week been so far? For those of you who weren't at celebration on Sunday, you missed out so much! It was awesome! The place is really magnificent! But the sad part about it is that it's so big that it is impossible to spot people. Unlike DSP where you turn and you can see so many familiar faces. DC is like.. "WHOA.. I didn't know so many people exist in DUMC" kinda thing. Haha. Anyway, whoever that was absent on Saturday, just thought I'd let you know that our CG will be meeting in room 202 from now on. It is (obviously) on the 2nd floor of block A, where our auditorium is. If you get lost this coming Saturday, just give me a call ok? : )
Anyway, enough said about last weekend. As mentioned in the title, this post is about my Cambodia mission trip! For those who didn't know, I was in Cambodia from the 6th-13th of August. It was a BLAST! Really saw God working through each and everyone of us. Here's a picture of the team:
(from left: Jonathan, Mike, ME, Troy, Jared, Sara, Jamie Lee, Carol, Maureen, Jacky)
If you guys have been in XYZ long enough, you would realize that 50% of my team members are leaders in XYZ. The other 5 were randomly picked people. Actually, not random. I believe it was God who brought us all together. Sure, at the start it was a little weird because we have no idea each other existed. But as time passed, we really bonded and it was a real blessing being the same team as them. Each of them have their own gifts and talents that were needed in the team. Let me give you the gist of what happened throughout the 9 days that we were there.
On the first day, upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, we were greeted by our missionary, Yin Meng, who immediately 'shipped' us to a village called Kampot.
(Yin Meng in blue)
(Loading up the van for our 2 hour drive to Kampot)
At the end of the camp, 3 people gave their lives to Jesus!!! We are glad that we had the opportunity to, at least, sow a seed in the lives of the those who are yet to make a decision for Christ.
The next day, we were transported to another village called Baray. Baray has a more established church and a large youth group. There were 110 HUNGRY and PASSIONATE campers already waiting to hear the Word of God by the time we arrived. Aunty Esther was
the 'person-in-charge' of the ministry in Baray. We were immediately put to work as soon as we arrived. The next few days were hectic. We had to sit in for every session so that gave us no siesta time. Even when we had time, Aunty Esther would arrange for us to go somewhere. Which was fun actually. We went on a horse cart and a cow cart. Interesting rides... Should only be experienced ONCE in your lifetime though. (If you look close enough, you would be able to see two of our beloved leaders 'syok sendiri-ing' on the last cow cart. Haha)
Anyway, the last day of the camp was a youth rally. In order to prove how passionate the Cambodian youths are, let me tell you the statistics of the turn out. There were 110 campers and 573 NEWCOMERS!!! And these aren't just newcomers, they are NON-CHRISTIANS! It was
really an overwhelming sight to see trucks after trucks loaded with people arriving at the church. Some people even sat on the top of the truck to get there! It was an evangelistic event so we did a dance and drama. Troy was our anointed speaker for the rally. (For those who have not heard him preach, you really should. He's a preacher in the making!) After the word, Troy gave an altar call and GUESS WHAT? More than half of the newcomers made a decision for Christ!!! Heaven was having a massive celebration for all the souls that were added unto the Kingdom! And we were so grateful to God for giving us the opportunity to be part of it : )
The next day was a Sunday. Individually, we went to different churches to preach. It was a nerve-wrecking and faith-stretching experience for me. As I stepped into my first church, I saw 30 children and (only) 10 adults staring at me. I was telling like, "God... How am I going to preach a 3-point sermon to the kids?!" On the spot, I started praying in tongues, while they were still worshiping, and asked God for a word for them. It was truly a moment of total reliance on God, which also eventually became my topic. Hehe. I trust that it was God's word in season for them. Later that afternoon, Sara and I traveled with our interpreter on a motorbike to our 2nd church. This time, I got to preached my prepared sermon so it was good. (Not going to elaborate further as I think this post is getting lengthy.)
The last 2 days of my trip there was excellent! That's because it's our REST and RELAX time already. And that means sight-seeing (a little) and SHOPPING for me! Aunty Esther took us around Phnom Penh. We went on a river cruise, we went to the Russian market and also to the central market. Loads of CHEAP things to buy but we had very limited time. In spite of that, we managed to buy lots (at least Sara and I did). Hehe.
(Jon eating a spider)
(Sunset view from our hotel)
(Jamie modeling for the Khmer Life shop in Russian market)
On the first day, upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, we were greeted by our missionary, Yin Meng, who immediately 'shipped' us to a village called Kampot.
(Yin Meng in blue)
(Loading up the van for our 2 hour drive to Kampot)
The main focus of our mission trip was to reach out to the youths. At Kampot, we (sort of) conducted a youth camp for the very first time. We had a crowd of over 60 youths who came from different villages. Practically everything was new to them as that was the first time they even heard of a youth camp. For some of us, it was the first time we taught/preached. So, it was like a time for both parties to 'test the waters'. Throughout the 2 days, every one of us had a chance to teach/preach. But the highlight of this camp (in my opinion) was the telematch we did in the afternoons. Although we played the simplest games with them, we could see that they were really enjoying themselves. The joy on their faces were indescribable : )
At the end of the camp, 3 people gave their lives to Jesus!!! We are glad that we had the opportunity to, at least, sow a seed in the lives of the those who are yet to make a decision for Christ.
The next day, we were transported to another village called Baray. Baray has a more established church and a large youth group. There were 110 HUNGRY and PASSIONATE campers already waiting to hear the Word of God by the time we arrived. Aunty Esther was
the 'person-in-charge' of the ministry in Baray. We were immediately put to work as soon as we arrived. The next few days were hectic. We had to sit in for every session so that gave us no siesta time. Even when we had time, Aunty Esther would arrange for us to go somewhere. Which was fun actually. We went on a horse cart and a cow cart. Interesting rides... Should only be experienced ONCE in your lifetime though. (If you look close enough, you would be able to see two of our beloved leaders 'syok sendiri-ing' on the last cow cart. Haha)Anyway, the last day of the camp was a youth rally. In order to prove how passionate the Cambodian youths are, let me tell you the statistics of the turn out. There were 110 campers and 573 NEWCOMERS!!! And these aren't just newcomers, they are NON-CHRISTIANS! It was
really an overwhelming sight to see trucks after trucks loaded with people arriving at the church. Some people even sat on the top of the truck to get there! It was an evangelistic event so we did a dance and drama. Troy was our anointed speaker for the rally. (For those who have not heard him preach, you really should. He's a preacher in the making!) After the word, Troy gave an altar call and GUESS WHAT? More than half of the newcomers made a decision for Christ!!! Heaven was having a massive celebration for all the souls that were added unto the Kingdom! And we were so grateful to God for giving us the opportunity to be part of it : )The next day was a Sunday. Individually, we went to different churches to preach. It was a nerve-wrecking and faith-stretching experience for me. As I stepped into my first church, I saw 30 children and (only) 10 adults staring at me. I was telling like, "God... How am I going to preach a 3-point sermon to the kids?!" On the spot, I started praying in tongues, while they were still worshiping, and asked God for a word for them. It was truly a moment of total reliance on God, which also eventually became my topic. Hehe. I trust that it was God's word in season for them. Later that afternoon, Sara and I traveled with our interpreter on a motorbike to our 2nd church. This time, I got to preached my prepared sermon so it was good. (Not going to elaborate further as I think this post is getting lengthy.)
The last 2 days of my trip there was excellent! That's because it's our REST and RELAX time already. And that means sight-seeing (a little) and SHOPPING for me! Aunty Esther took us around Phnom Penh. We went on a river cruise, we went to the Russian market and also to the central market. Loads of CHEAP things to buy but we had very limited time. In spite of that, we managed to buy lots (at least Sara and I did). Hehe.
(Jon eating a spider)
(Sunset view from our hotel) 
(Jamie modeling for the Khmer Life shop in Russian market)After that, it was home sweet home for us. During the flight, Troy was going on and on about whether there would be people holding 'Welcome Home' signs waiting for us at the airport. Well, God knew the desires of his heart and granted him what he wanted. As we walked out of LCCT, Christine, Jared, Lydia and Rachael were outside holding up signs that says stuff like "You smell of Cambodia". It was indeed a pleasant surprise.
(Last picture as a team)All in all, the mission trip was a blast! It was also a glimpse of what God can do through us if we allow Him to work. I urge you guys to go for at least ONE mission trip in your life. It will truly change you. One thing that will stick with me forever is the passion I see in the Cambodians. Despite their deprivation of even the basic things in their life, they still have a genuine faith in God and they TRULY hunger for Him. If they are able to rejoice in all circumstances, what more ME? Me who is blessed with so many things in life.. Something to really think about for me and I hope, for you guys too.
Anyway, I have gone on long enough. Hopefully you were not bored by it. Instead, I hope you were blessed, as I was too. This trip was an eye-opening experience for me. And I'm anticipating more opportunities to go out and serve in the mission field again! Alright. Bedtime for me. See you guys on Saturday! Be prepared to learn more during DBS! : )
Jamie
xxx
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