Sensory Overload

Greetings from Battambang!

We safely arrived in Battambang yesterday afternoon through the driving skill of one of our hosts, Savorn Ou, Executive Director of Asia's Hope, who successfully navigated the roads from Phnom Penh.

Jim Pike described our trip as "sensory overload." It's true! How can you describe a country where you see water buffalo & ox-drawn carts while electronic signs advertise the latest in cell phone technology??

Cambodia is indeed a DEVELOPING country! Everywhere you see educational and economic development. New hotels & schools are under construction in the largest towns & cities, and as I write these words, I hear electric saws and hammers outside.

GRACE PLACE CHILDREN & WELCOME PARTY

But we came to SE Asia for the people- especially the children! We were greeted at our hotel by about 15 of our Grace Place children.

After dinner last night, we headed to Grace Place for a welcome party, which included ice cream, candy, chicken eggs ... and, with all that sugar, DANCING!

CAMBODIAN MINISTRY PARTNERS

Today we hosted a breakfast at local Battambang restaurant for about 10 Cambodian Ministry Partners and their families. along with our friends, Kevin and Jill Kane & Kent and Becky Good.

We heard the powerful testimony of a young man whose life has been radically transformed by the power of the Gospel and is being discipled as a future leader in the Cambodian church.

CONGRATULATIONS ON NEW PROPERTY!

Just as we arrived at the current Ministry Center, Kevin and Jill Kane learned that the purchase of the property has been completed. The property stretches from the Ministry Center on the left below to the pole on the right. It may not look like much in this photo, but it represents a powerful statement about the future ministry opportunities in this city. A future building will house worship services, English classes, student conferences, children's classes, dormitories for university students, and offices for the ministry. Pray for all the necessary funding to be supplied.

BACK TO GRACE PLACE

By late morning we returned to Grace Place where our children shared three worship songs complete with choreography! Nothing is more precious than watching children worship the Lord! We were overwhelmed with hugs and love as only these children can express. I distributed pictures of our family (including, of course, our new grandsons) to each child at Grace Place. We concluded the morning visit with a prayer of dedication for our staff and children.

Many of us "eat out" regularly in the U.S. That's not a privilege our Grace Place children enjoy. So tonight we host all of them for a Barbeque at a local restaurant! Savorn tells us the kids will love it!!

CONTINUE TO PRAY

Please pray for the health, safety, and effectiveness of all three of us during this brief and hectic visit to the "Land of the Smiling Eyes!"

Pastor Bob