Our 1st 8 days in Cambodia

Hello from Cambodia. I hope this e-mail finds you all doing well. We are doing great here! God has been so good to us already, and we have a lot to praise Him for – safe travels, health, protected luggage, blessed reunions with family and friends, opportunities for ministry, etc. I even want to acknowledge that every time I have desperately needed a toilet, God has provided! Titus had an angry stomach for two days, but we have both been well! Titus and I have committed today to prepare for the retreat this weekend and I want to take a little time to update you on our trip and share with you what has happened already.

On our 1st and 2nd full days in Cambodia, we visited Titus’ immediate family. During my last trip in 2010, I met his mom and two brothers. Last Wednesday, I met the remaining three brothers, two nephews, and sister-in-law. Everyone was very shy, but still very friendly. We brought remote-controlled cars for the nephews and that provided much entertainment, as well as simply “catching up” on life and all that has happened in the last year of our life theirs. Before lunch, I went to the market with Ma and Chamnang. With no system of refrigeration, it is a daily chore to go to the market for the day’s groceries. Although my Khmer is still limited, I was able to point to some foods and say, “We eat a lot of this in America” as well as a few other phrases. I could tell this really made them happy. Back at the house, I watched the nephews play and listened to Titus interact with his brothers, trying to memorize their faces, voices, and smiles. It really was a great time. Praise the Lord, Titus’ family accepted the invitation to attend the retreat the beach. Though there will not be a message of salvation preached (the purpose of the retreat is spiritual renewal for the pastors and their wives,) we pray that their hearts will still be touched by the messages and fellowship, and that they will acknowledge the truth and recognize a need for God in their lives. Thank you for joining us in prayer!

On our first Sunday in Cambodia, we traveled two hours to Takao province to join our dear friend Pastor Poleak and his family and their church. On Saturday, we enjoyed fellowship under shade trees in his background – chickens and dogs zig-zagging between our feet and underneath our backs in the hammocks.  On Sunday we had two services and visited church members in the afternoon, praying over them and evangelizing their families. I shared the story of Joseph with the children in Sunday School, emphasizing that God has good plans for their lives; during the evening service, Titus preached and I shared a testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

On Tuesday, we shared our testimonies at New Generation Church, a house church in Phnom Penh.  In this house, ~20 girls (university and early adults) live, paying the Church only $5-10/month for rent. Half were Christians before moving into the house; all are now Christians. We hope to return to NGC for Bible studies 2 more times before our trip is over.

In two days, I read “First They Killed My Father,” a memoir written by a Cambodian woman who survived the Khmer Rouge when she was 5-years-old.  If you do not know what the Khmer Rouge is, please research it.  It was a powerful, gripping, and tragic story. I now look at the Cambodian people – especially the young and the old – with new eyes.

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48

• Please continue to pray for our health and safety, especially as we travel.
• Please pray for safety for the pastors as they travel to Phnom Penh, where they will ride together to the retreat 3.5 hours away.
• Please pray that the pastors and their wives will be both uplifted and renewed during the retreat January 12-14.
• Pray that God will speak through Titus and I and that He will bless the messages He has led us to prepare.
• Pray that the heart’s of Titus’ family will be touched in a powerful and undeniably-God way.
• Pray that Titus and I will have strength everyday, so as to take advantage of every moment with every person during our remaining days here.

With a passion to see God glorified in Cambodia,

Titus & Jewel Romdenh

Romdenhs in America: December Update and Specific Prayer Requests for Upcoming Trip

Help me choose our new prayer card(s)!

Please help me choose our new prayer card (or cards, if I decide that I can't choose just 1). I do have my 1 or 2 favorites, but I'd like some opinions!

#1:

#2:

#3

#4

The TOEFL

Please pray for Titus as he is preparing to take the TOEFL test tomorrow. The TOEFL test is a requirement for him, as a speaker of English as a second language, to begin taking classes at Indiana Wesleyan University. It will evaluate his listening, reading, speaking and writing skills in English. The test will begin at 9:00am and the estimated length is 4 long hours. We’re really coveting your prayers for the test – as this is very important for Titus and he is pretty nervous. Please pray for: clarity, confidence, and concentration. We will receive his results two weeks after the test.  The waiting game never ends!

Serving Him,

Jewel & Titus

We have been waiting for this day

I am almost without words; without words, but not without emotion.

JOY. Anticipation. Excitement. LOVE. Fear. Submission. Anticipation. Fear. Anticipation. Fear. Anticipation.


So much emotion.

Any idea what this is?

It's one small section of the visa interview schedule at the US Embassy in Phnom Penh.  The 7:00:00 hour on September 20th, 2011 is an hour of much JOY. Anticipation. Excitement. LOVE. Fear. Submission. Anticipation. Fear. Anticipation. Fear. Anticipation. ETC.

On September 20th at 7am (that's September 19th at 7pm, for all you Indiana and EST people,) my fiancé, Romdenh Chamnol (aka Titus) will stand before an authority at the US Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and be interviewed in regards to gaining legal status to enter the United States and marry the love of his life.

Who would DARE say no to that, right??

Trusting in His promises:

Love love love, Jewel

Cambodian Pastors

I am reposting this note to request prayer for the Cambodian pastors.  The Church is strong, and where the Church is strong, Satan fights. Please keep the Cambodian pastors in your prayers. There are presently 35 pastors -- both male and female -- in the Wesleyan Church of Cambodia.  In the last few weeks, much has happened in the Church, and the pastors need much prayer and encouragement.

Pastors cannot win the battle alone; they need committed intercessors to lift them up in fervent, specific prayer. I believe that the power of God will be released when we begin to faithfully pray for our pastors. Pastors are human—they face the same challenges that their people do, with some additional ones! They grow tired in ministry, are tempted to sin, and may find it difficult to balance their many roles and responsibilities.

Here are just a few ways to pray for the pastors in Cambodia:

• An intimate knowledge of God
• Faithfulness to spend time reading God's Word daily, and for insight into Scripture and an understanding of how it applies to Cambodians today
• That he would preach with clarity, power and boldness, and that his preaching would be anointed and empowered by the Holy Spirit
• Protection from the work of Satan and victory over temptation
• To keep a soft heart in the face of abrasive and abusive people; Buddhist families often deny relatives (even children and siblings) when they become Christians, especially pastors.
• A successful ministry - however God defines it in his life - and that people would be won to the Lord through his life, ministry, and preaching
• Boldness to speak the truth, and grace to speak it will humility
• That he would persevere through whatever trial he is facing
• That his children will grow up with a positive impression of church ministry
• That he would remain pure and that his love for his wife would increase daily
• Physical and mental strength, and opportunities to relax
• To live according to God's direction and worthy of his calling as a shepherd of God's people

Pastor Titus and Pastor Greg


Pastor Paroath and Pastor Poleak


Pastor Sopheak and Pastor Sithat


Pastor Kieth, and Pastora Socheata and Pastor Rotha


Pastor Sothkan and Rev. Kimsan, and Pastor Banyen

and many others.

Requesting Prayers for the Visa

Please, please, please keep praying for the visa application process.  Although everything has been approved state-side, we seem to be at a standstill waiting for Titus to receive his paperwork through the mail from the US Embassy in Cambodia.  We cannot proceed until he receives a packet of further instructions, which was expected some time ago.  God has proven Himself faithful with every step of this long process and I have been very optimistic - believing that Titus would not only be approved, but that he would arrive in America much sooner than later; - however, at times, it is easy to become discouraged. It's possible that only God knows where our missing documents are.

Please pray that God will:
* Help the postal service to find our paperwork and direct it to Titus in His perfect timing
* Provide good results from Titus' medical examination
* Allow an early date for Titus to schedule his interview
* And be overwhelmingly present during Titus' interview.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I believe God will continue to be faithful and I commit to testify when He is.

Praying and Believing, 
Jewel (and Romdenh Chamnol)

Speaking Engagement

Satan knows that God has been doing awesome things in the hearts of the people of Cambodia, and he has been fighting against it; however, GOD IS STILL VICTORIOUS, and He continues to send encouragement and reveal His goodness.

This Sunday morning I have my first official speaking engagement as a future long-term missionary in Cambodia, and I am feeling pretty nervous. I have never been to the church, nor the town. I know only the pastor, his wife, and their three children. Saturday evening I am also preparing a Cambodian meal for the congregation, and I am feeling equally nervous about that.

Please join me in praying that God will communicate through me His love for the people of Cambodia, and engage the church community to feel a sense of urgency to reach the lost. I have a lot to say, but I pray that my words would be put aside so that God's message can be shared.
Thank you for your prayers and support!

Serving Him,
Jewel

Prayer Support

Let me know if you would like one of our prayer cards to keep in a place that you will see frequently and be reminded to pray for us during this long and grueling wait.

Use it as a marker in your Bible.

Frame in next to your computer.

Hang it on your fridge for all your company to admire see.

Tape it to your bathroom mirror.

How can you pray? Thanks for asking! LET ME TELL YOU:
*Sunday: For Titus, as he anticipates transitioning out of his current ministry position (pastoring in Kampong Spue) and training another to take his place.

*Monday: That I will remain focused as I try to finish out the school year and look towards graduation in April. That Titus will be encouraged and energized in/by His ministry.

*Tuesday: That the government will be accountable to approve Titus' visa within a timely manner, allowing us to get married at my home church on October 22, 2011.

*Wednesday: That Titus and I will continue to be faithful in praying, fasting, and seeking the Lord's will.

*Thursday: Especially: For a peace that transcends all understanding, as we trust that the Lord's will WILL BE DONE.

*Friday: That God will continue to prepare us - in every aspect - for future long-term ministry as husband and wife in Cambodia.

*Saturday: That our relationship will continue to be strengthened during this time of separation.

*AND EVERY DAY: Praise the Lord for the awesome things that He has already done in our lives and relationship - opening the door for me to visit Cambodia last Dec. and Jan.; providing the finances necessary for us to apply for the visa; blessing us with an incredible support system of friends and family; giving us the same dream, passion, and vision for ministry; and strengthening us with His sustaining power.

I know you love getting mail, and I love certainly appreciate your prayers. Leave a comment or mail your address to jewel.reed at student.indwes.edu . Seriously, I will mail it the next day! Thank you for your prayers

Love love love, Jewel
[and Titus]

He is Father. He is Healer.

I am continually amazed at the awesomeness of my God - the God who is Father and Healer.

On January 26, I asked you for your urgent prayers for two-year-old Lily, the daughter of Pastor Rotha and Elizabeth, who - four days after being admitted to the hospital for breathing complications - was given a fatal diagnosis of blood cancer.

All around the world, prayers were raised for the precious life of Lily, for wisdom and discernment for her doctors, and for strength for her parents, Rotha and Elizabeth. People prayed and people fasted. God heard and six days later, Lily's blood tests reported no leukemia, no anemia, and no impurities.

Praise God! He still works miracles today! Thank you Father God for saving Lily's life and giving her a testimony of healing.

Joyfully praising Jesus,

Love love love, Jewel

Urgent Prayers for Lily

I ask for your urgent prayers for two-year-old Lily, the daughter of Pastor Rotha and Elizabeth. A week ago, Lily was admitted into the hospital due to breathing complications. After only two days, the doctors saw improvement in her condition, she could breath on her own and was stronger; however, an underlying cause had not been found.

On Sunday, the results of Lily's blood test brought bad news. The results showed that her white blood cells are attacking her red blood cells, a possible diagnosis of anemia or another autoimmune disease. This is quite possibly the underlying cause of her original symptoms, and the doctors fear that the prognosis could be fatal.

Please pray that God...
...provides wisdom to the doctors at the hospital to give the proper treatment.
...would place His hand upon Lily, performing a special miracle of healing.
...brings strength and hope to Pastor Rotha and Elizabeth to endure this difficult and heart-wrenching time of waiting.
...allows the Body of Christ in Cambodia to minister and be a blessing to Lily and her family.

Prayer for Pastors

Please keep the Cambodian pastors in your prayers. There are presently 35 pastors -- both male and female -- in the Wesleyan Church of Cambodia.

Pastors cannot win the battle alone; they need committed intercessors to lift them up in fervent, specific prayer. I believe that the power of God will be released when we begin to faithfully pray for our pastors. Pastors are human—they face the same challenges that their people do, with some additional ones! They grow tired in ministry, are tempted to sin, and may find it difficult to balance their many roles and responsibilities.

Here are just a few ways to pray for the pastors in Cambodia:

• An intimate knowledge of God
• Faithfulness to spend time reading God's Word daily, and for insight into Scripture and an understanding of how it applies to Cambodians today
• That he would preach with clarity, power and boldness, and that his preaching would be anointed and empowered by the Holy Spirit
• Protection from the work of Satan and victory over temptation
• To keep a soft heart in the face of abrasive and abusive people; Buddhist families often deny relatives (even children and siblings) when they become Christians, especially pastors.
• A successful ministry - however God defines it in his life - and that people would be won to the Lord through his life, ministry, and preaching
• Boldness to speak the truth, and grace to speak it will humility
• That he would persevere through whatever trial he is facing
• That his children will grow up with a positive impression of church ministry
• That he would remain pure and that his love for his wife would increase daily
• Physical and mental strength, and opportunities to relax
• To live according to God's direction and worthy of his calling as a shepherd of God's people

Pastor Titus and Pastor Greg


Pastor Paroath and Pastor Poleak


Pastor Sopheak and Pastor Sithat


Pastor Kieth, and Pastora Socheata and Pastor Rotha


Pastor Sothkan and Rev. Kimsan, and Pastor Banyen