United That Others Might Know Him

" I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." John 17:20-21

This month Christian leaders gathered from all the different provinces across Cambodia for a National Congress. It was a time for us as national leaders to reflect, discuss, pray and to look forward to the next decade. We thanked God for what He has done, and committed ourselves to completing the Great Commission. 

We celebrated that Cambodia now has at least one church in every province and every district in the country. With only 2% of Cambodians professing to know Christ, we have a long way to go. Our commitment in this next decade is to see at least one group of believers meeting in every commune (county) in the country and ultimately every village. Continue to pray with us as we equip believers to share the Gospel and make disciples. 

Cambodia Meets Texas

 

It was a great privilege to host 3 families from Cambodia who we've worked with over the last 11 years.  They had the opportunity to learn about life in Texas. We went to a rodeo, rode horses, ate barbeque, attended church, learned line dancing and saw oil wells.  Most important we spent time with some amazing people. 

Over and over again our Cambodian friends were surprised at how friendly people are in Texas. For me, it was an opportunity for my Cambodian friends and colleagues to meet my Texas family and experience my home and culture. We have shared life and culture over the last 11 years and this was a great opportunity to deepen our understanding of one another. 

We were also able to participate in a retreat in the mountains of New Mexico with Prepare International. This was a time of refreshing for us all. A time to slow down and spend time with God. Please pray for our Cambodia friends as they return home to resume ministry. Please also pray for the Hester family as we process the time we had to rest and reflect in the US this summer.

A Committed Church Planter

Neakru Phally's home being disassembled in 
Oddar Meanchey Province

Recently I received this picture through Messenger. I wondered why anyone would send me a picture of a house being taken apart.

Then I saw that the house belonged to Neakru Phally. Neakru (Teacher) Phally has been part of our two year School of Church Planting.  

During lockdowns and all of the challenges of the COVID pandemic Phally continued to safely do COVID health outreach and provide COVID food relief in a new village where the Gospel had not been shared.  Her heart was to assist those in need and share about the amazing God she serves. She simply wanted the people of the new village to know Jesus.  She found innovative ways to continue to do that in the midst of great challenges.

Neakru Phally and her family

Over the course of two years people came to know Jesus and commit their lives to him.  A small group of believers formed and a new house church was planted. As the small church developed Phally felt the call to move to the new village to lead the church and reach out further to the other people in the village.

As I think of Phally I am reminded of Jesus' words in Mark 1:38   - Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”

Following the call of God, Neakru Phally decided to move to the new village.  She did not have the resources to buy a new home, so she has disassembled her current home and is rebuilding it in the new village.  

This reminds me of Jesus' words  "Take up the cross and follow me".  

I am challenged and inspired by the commitment and obedience of Phally and her family.  

As I look forward to the next year I am asking God to develop in me this kind of heart to serve Him.

Your gift makes the work of the Hester family in Cambodia possible, and we work hard to maximize each dollar entrusted to us. We are grateful for the generous support of many individuals and organizations that share our commitment to informed, responsible and effective service in Cambodia. To partner with us Click Here. 

This Is A Church

Samnang, one of my teammates, was sharing some photos with me recently. He showed me a photo (right). I asked what the photo was about.  Why was he showing me this photo? 

"This is a church" he responded.

When I heard those words something inside me clicked.  

Because the photo was something that is so drastically different from the concept of "church" that I am used to, I had to stop for a moment and process.  At first I was wondering whether this could actually be considered a church, but then I began to consider my own concept of "church".

I asked Samnang to share more about the photo with me.  He said that because of COVID, the church was not allowed to meet in their building.  At that time there was no known community spread of COVID in the nation, but the church leaders were still being careful.  The church family had decided to go to the river, fish, have lunch and worship together.  After fishing and having lunch someone led songs of worship and someone shared from the Word of God. To them this was a natural way for them to continue to live out community. 

Samnang then went on to share that the church planter who planted this church had also planted five other churches in the midst of COVID, using homes, meeting families in rice fields during the rice harvest and just reaching out to people in their normal daily environment.  

As I asked Samnang more questions he shared that the church planter's greatest desire is that people can know Jesus and be discipled.  What that looks like, or how it happens isn't as important as people coming to know Christ.  

I've lived in Cambodia for 10 years, so I am very familiar with how house churches begin and have seen similar things happen over the years.  However, this photo and the conversation really challenged me as I've watched churches around the world struggle during COVID.  And let's be honest, many were struggling before COVID.  What does that mean afterwards?

Are we focusing on reaching people with the message of Christ's redemption and finding ways to disciple them as they grow in their faith in God? Or, do we get sidetracked with trying to make that happen in our current facilities or programs. What can we learn from these church families about adjusting to continue God's mission in the changing circumstances of our world.  How can we enjoy real, genuine relationship?

I'm not writing this to present a definition of "church", to have a theological discussion, or to criticize anyone's current model of a church.  I believe God uses many different styles and models to accomplish His heart's desire of restoring people's relationship to Him through the cross of Christ.

What the photo has done is to challenge me to focus on helping people create communities that fulfill God's mission, where fellowship, communion, new birth and growth in Christ happens.  How or where it happens isn't as important as God's desire that "it" happens!  I've decided I want to be like this church planter when I grow up! 

Your gift makes the work of the Hester family in Cambodia possible, and we work hard to maximize each dollar entrusted to us.  We are grateful for the generous support of many individuals and organizations that share our commitment to informed, responsible and effective service in Cambodia. To partner with us Click Here

 

I am upset and prayerful.  This post is not about the people or building in the photo, but about the person behind the camera. 

Not too long ago my family had a unique opportunity to be on the Capitol steps in the early night when noone else was there. We were standing on the same spot where the first rioters broke through this week. As we were standing there talking, admiring the Capitol and all it's meaning, a Capitol policeman from the First Responder Unit came over and engaged our family in great conversation. He thanked us for coming. Talked about the Capitol and his long career guarding the Capitol prayerfully. He shared about his faith. Since there obviously weren't any tours at the time, he pointed out significant aspects of the Capitol. He took us to the spot where inaugurations take place ad described what it tis like to be there.  He didn't need to do any of these things, but he did. He took time and showed care. He envisioned our kids for something greater than ourselves.

I'm imagining this incredible man of kindness, integrity and service on the day of the riot and what he must have gone through.  Today, he's mourning the loss of one of his very own unit, who died as a result of the riot.  His boss has been forced to resign. The symbolic building where he so reverently serves has been desecrated.

I wish I could say "Shut up" loud enough that people on BOTH sides of the ideological spectrums would listen, but that's not possible. They are already bickering again and desecrating anew the very house they swore to serve. Good people like this policeman got hurt, and will continue to if the nonsense continues.

What I can do is say to the Capitol policeman who offered to take our photo, is that I'm sorry this happened to you. I can treat others the way he treated my family on that special night. I can pray. Would you join me in prayer for him and those who serve with him?

"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land" 2 Chronicles 7:14

Why I'm writing about a big event a year after it happened! Love Phnom Penh Festival -

I'm writing about Love Phnom Penh Festival because there is more to the story than just the event that happened on December 7 & 8, 2019.  Events come and go, but many ask if they have a lasting effect.  

I'm usually skeptical about big events for the sake of having an event myself. 

However, writing a year later about Love Phnom Penh Festival I want to highlight what happens when events like this are done well, with the right purpose and a well developed approach.  

Most people would focus their celebration around the 1,708 people who made decisions for Christ over those two nights, or over the 23,700 people in attendance.  After spending a year being part of the team that helped coordinate the event that is definitely worth celebrating!!!  Praise God and to Him be all the Glory!

But, that's not why I'm celebrating a year later and not why I'm writing about it.  You see what I want to celebrate and what I want us (who are often tempted to make shortcuts when planning events) to remember is what was done for this event to not only make it a success on those nights, but to have a long-term, lasting effect in the city and nation.  Also, to challenge skeptics to look a little deeper before you cast doubt on getting involved in an event like LPPF.  Now, more than ever, as we are developing new models for reaching people in an online world with the changes brought on by the pandemic, we need to think through not only the online or in-person event, but what we'll do to have lasting impact?  Here's some behind-the-scenes thing you didn't hear about that might help you think through what you do.

What most people will never hear about: 

•  95.95% of those who made decisions for Christ received follow-up through the relationships, people and teams who were developed over the course of a full year before the Festival.  That's right, for months following the Festival someone took the time to make sure as many as humanly possible were followed up.  We actually kept records and held sacred the decisions people made and the trust they put in Christ and His Church. Churches who were deeply involved in the Festival not only learned the importance of following up, but saw the "how to" of planning well to follow-up.

• 
  2,750 believers were equipped and trained in the year leading up to the Festival in evangelism and discipleship.  Meaning, people actually came to know Christ before and are still coming to know Christ now because believers were equipped.  We are still receiving reports of people using the evangelism tools they learned through LPPF to win people to Christ. New people and churches are continuing to be trained in evangelism and discipleship by those trained in the lead up to the Festival.

Believers and churches who fully participated are vastly more connected to the broader Body of Christ and working together on evangelism, discipleship and church planting projects.  At least this is the personal experience of my team and I.  We are working collaboratively with different networks and denominations we developed relationships with during the Festival and we are all seeing the Blessings of God we find when believers develop the unity Jesus talks about in John 17:22-23.  When you work together through all the challenges and differences during an event that takes so much planning and effort you forge understandings and friendships that are lasting.  

• The Gospel was declared without partiality to any one person or denomination. Today, no one is claiming the credit or fame for what happened. It was something God orchestrated and His Church together facilitated.  

As I reflect back over the last 2 years these are the things I celebrate, the things I've seen and the lessons I've learned through being involved in an event, or should I say partnership, of this type. Of course there were huge challenges and I'm sure there were some negatives that people saw in the course of the event. However, given the long-lasting impacts I've seen I would have to challenge the nay-sayers and pessimists to take a deeper look. Maybe consider getting a little more involved next time!   Also, I say a big thank you to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for taking the time and effort to partner with the local church to equip churches to do these types of partnerships so well!

Now enough talking! Take a look at the fun video below put together by the Afters (amazing people who love God) to see some fun highlights of Love Phnom Penh Festival.

COVID Response - Motorcycles, Tuk Tuks, Carts and Trucks, House to House Village by Village

Church Planter posting signs and educating on COVID,
She wanted to show a smile, so lowered her mask :)

Through the COVID crisis knowing what to do has been very confusing. Should I stay home/not stay home, wear a mask/not wear a mask,  stock up on food/not stock up, and on and on!  It took some inspiring people to shake me out of my inward gaze and see that God can do great things when we look at what we can do to help others!

I was inspired early on by seeing church planters who are part of our two year school of church planting.  When we called to check on them to see how they were doing they told us about their work going village to village, house to house posting Ministry of Health posters and educating people about COVID. They were using social distancing guidelines, but knew people wouldn't receive good information to protect themselves unless someone went and told them.  I was shocked by their care and love for others and their selflessness to minister in a time of fear and confusion.  They said they would like to distribute hand soap and masks to the poor, but the need was so great. They were already giving out of their own personal resources.

Church member preparing soap for distribution

Our team at the Church Planting Center were moved. They searched the market and found bulk soap and materials to make masks and asked if we could spare $100 to help these church planters.  That was an easy decision.  We packed up the supplies and sent them to the church planters. They made up 120 bottles of hand soap and handmade 450 masks for distribution.  Other Khmer believers in Phnom Penh heard what we were doing and helped us send a second round of supplies.

About this same time I was hearing about and seeing the economic effects the virus was beginning to have on Cambodia. We only had 122 confirmed cases of the virus and there had been no signs of further spreading since the borders had been closed.  However, because of the global lockdowns, hundreds of thousands of people who lived on $100 - $190 per month had lost their jobs in the tourism, garment factory and migrant farm work.  People with no safety net or savings were without income.

Church member cutting and sewing masks in her home

Again, as we talked to our partner churches they told us how they were giving out of their own resource to provide rice and food supplements to those who lost their jobs.  I was again challenged in my own faith. What could we do to help with so many in need?

Homemade masks 

Thats when I got "a call" (FB Messenger) from a friend. The leader of Element Church in the Czech Republic called to check on Tricia and I and the boys and see how things were going in Cambodia.  Element has been a great partner with Cambodian churches and with our family. After talking a while the pastor shared that the Lord had prompted him to call to see if there was a need. I then shared the need I was seeing and the way local churches were responding.  Element wanted to join and help. The "phone" (Zoom really) rang again and a friend from Prepare International called with the same question. How are you, how is Cambodia, how can we help? Then another call (email really) from Samaritan's Purse Australia/New Zealand. How are you, how is Cambodia, how can we help? More messages kept coming through as God prompted people to contact us.

I was quickly reminded of Jesus multiplying the young boys gift of loaves and fishes to feed 5,000. I was seeing God move through the local churches here and multiplying what they were giving through other believers around the world. Thanks to the love and obedience of local believers and believers around the world we have been able to provide food assistance packs to 350 families for the month of May! We've been blessed to see the unity of the Body of Christ here in Cambodia as we've been able to work with multiple denominations working together to meet the need.

Food packets went out in tuk tuks, motorcycle carts, rice tractors and trucks. The food was all bought and distributed in the locality where the need is to make sure it helps keep markets open in those areas and to lessen the numbers of contacts to reduce the chances of the virus spreading.   

At the same time we've been helping local churches to distribute physical food we are also aware of the need for "spiritual food

Bibles going out to churches

We've still been able to provide bibles to churches and have quickly adapted to online courses and meetings.  Our team at the Cambodia Church Planting Center is assisting with producing 4 different discipleship series for use by different denominations and church networks.  We are working daily to assist pastors and church planters develop online resources and approaches in this new season.

Living In Christ - The first in a series of online discipleship lessons
in the Khmer language

Your gift makes the work of the Hester family in Cambodia possible, and we work hard to maximize each dollar entrusted to us.  We are grateful for the generous support of many individuals and organizations that share our commitment to informed, responsible and effective service in Cambodia. To partner with us Click Here.