Anticipated Future Ministry [pt. 1] - Re-posted

I am re-posting this entry from October because it is worth re-visiting, even for me.

Do you know that feeling you get when you're waiting in line for your favorite roller coaster? It's nervous excitement. The wait feels like an eternity and I'm so anxious to take the plunge, but the closer I get, the more nervous I become. However, only an act of God will get me out of line.

God has given me a great passion and many big dreams for reaching and for sharing His love with the people of Cambodia. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed when I have such big visions, because I do not always feel strong, but I am drawing my strength from God and from others there. Anyways, I cannot fully explain how excited I am for this ministry... but please stick with me as I try to organize my thoughts and feelings into words.

Dream #1) -- Cambodian Youth for Christ

I have a passion to reach young people, through working with the local Wesleyan churches to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who exemplify godliness in their lifestyles, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ, and commitment to social involvement. I want to create a safe place where youth and students can come after school, spend their freetime, and be introduced to Christ. I feel my heart drawn towards the youth who are shackled by the chains of Buddhism. I want to open the Bible with them, to sing praises with them, and to learn and grow with them. I want to speak truth into their lives, to show them God's love, and to introduce a new way of living, a way from very differnt from their families and their traditional culture. Youth are at an age where they can be so easily influence, and also rather strong influencers. Ideally, the center will offer English classes, and eventually computer access and music lessons.

Here are pictures from a recent university students fellowship at the home of missionaries Greg and Resie Fernandez:

Love love love, Jewel

Kratie

Please keep the ministry in the Kratie Province in your prayers. The ministry flourished during the time that Pastor Vandy, Pastor Titus, and Tess were there, and struggled shortly following their transfers to Phnom Penh; in fact, the church and school were both closed [due to a reason other than their transfers] for some time. Pastor Piseth is currently ministering there, and I am sure that God is doing great things in and through Piseth.

God's work in Kratie drew me to return to Cambodia a second time, and it was there in Kratie that my passion became firmly rooted in youth ministry. Because of it's relations with the School of Hope, which shares a property with the church, the congregation has mainly youth and students; however, you will notice two older women in the back right - some parents also attend:

Faithful church members


The Way to Life Wesleyan Church and The School of Hope(A World Hope International school offering courses in English and computer)


Tess, on the far right, was my host for almost three weeks in Kratie. She came to Cambodia as a Filipina missionary and was teaching English at the WHI school when she met Vandy, who was pastoring The Way to Life. Two years later, Vandy and Tess were married. They are like family to me.Pagna was my first friend in Kratie. He and his girlfriend, Nary, are two of my closest friends. They are both currently studying in the university of Kampong Cham to become teachers - Pagna for English, and Nary for elementary.

Pastor Vandy, Ura, Pastor Titus, and Rado(The Tico is a popular Korean car in Cambodia that can be purchased for $2000 to $3000 - less than some motorbikes.)


Dona and Chanta at Kampi - a natural resort along the Mekong River


Church members sharing a meal in the church


Ratana presiding in worship
(Ratana is a name derived from "Ratna" which means precious stone; Jewel also means precious stone, so Ratana and I have a special bond!)

Love love love, Jewel

Anticipated Future Ministry [pt. 1]

Do you know that feeling you get when you're waiting in line for your favorite roller coaster? It's nervous excitement. The wait feels like an eternity and I'm so anxious to take the plunge, but the closer I get, the more nervous I become. However, only an act of God will get me out of line.

God has given me a great passion and many big dreams for reaching and for sharing His love with the people of Cambodia. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed when I have such big visions, because I do not always feel strong, but I am drawing my strength from God and from others there. Anyways, I cannot fully explain how excited I am for this ministry... but please stick with me as I try to organize my thoughts and feelings into words.

Dream #1) -- Cambodian Youth for Christ

I have a passion to reach young people, through working with the local Wesleyan churches to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who exemplify godliness in their lifestyles, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ, and commitment to social involvement. I want to create a safe place where youth and students can come after school, spend their freetime, and be introduced to Christ. I feel my heart drawn towards the youth who are shackled by the chains of Buddhism. I want to open the Bible with them, to sing praises with them, and to learn and grow with them. I want to speak truth into their lives, to show them God's love, and to introduce a new way of living, a way from very differnt from their families and their traditional culture. Youth are at an age where they can be so easily influence, and also rather strong influencers. Ideally, the center will offer English classes, and eventually computer access and music lessons.

Here are pictures from a recent university students fellowship at the home of missionaries Greg and Resie Fernandez:

Love love love, Jewel