by Rod and Dianna Samuelson, VISA Volunteers to Cambodia

The opportunity to present the gospel of Jesus Christ is everywhere, and workers are needed now to develop His church.

Truly the scripture Matt. 9:37-38 is applicable, "the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Paula Guazon, Missionary is the Supervisor of Free Methodist Missions for the Country of Cambodia. A missionary couple from the Philippines named Joel and Grace Margin are working with her and are taking care of the work in the provinces. Their primary function here is to oversee the 3 churches and 6 house churches in the provinces. They assist Paula in helping to meet some of the needs of the "House of Love". Joel and Grace will leave on furlough in mid March and will return in 3 months, approximately mid June. This leaves Paula as the sole supervisor of the entire Cambodian F.M. ministry.

Paula wears a variety of hats

 In addition to being the supervisor of Cambodia F. M. Missions:

1. She oversees the International Childcare ministry. An example of this ministry is "The House of Love" a facility for children who are underprivileged. They receive an education, 3 meals a day, and a lot of tender loving care. (Paula is in the beginning process of seeking sponsorship of these children from F.M. church members from around the world. It costs $18/month to sponsor a child and meet his/her needs. )

2. She pastor's the church at the mission headquarters in Phnom Penh. She teaches, preaches, and leads worship. She oversees two village churches that have their own building.

3. She has a university student ministry in the headquarters building that requires her teaching English and trying to provide direction for these Cambodian students that have little or no home life.

4. Coordinates work projects and work teams from several countries. She also purchases construction supplies, tools, food for workers, etc. Sleeping rooms and meals in the villages are arranged for by Paula when work teams come.

5. She basically runs a guest house within the mission headquarters that houses F.M. related personnel that come to Cambodia i.e. VISA Ministry Personnel, work teams, medical teams, mission headquarters visitors from Hong Kong, and Christian visitors from the village churches, etc

6. Paula acts as a chauffeur for all Free Methodist personnel that come to and through Phnom Penh (she has no one else to run errands). This includes chauffeuring village church people back and forth to Phnom Penh. Occasionally there are medical emergencies that require assistance, and Paula helps by driving them to the hospital.

7. She maintains records for the complete Free Methodist work in Cambodia. This includes the preparation of many reports for Hong Kong, keeping accounting records in the office, organization of individual children records for prayer-partnerships, etc, etc. Just this week she completed negotiations for approximately 5 acres of property for the new mission headquarters, a facility for a children's ministry and a facility that would house and feed Christian University students.

8. Paula wants to set up sponsorship of Cambodian children through our F.M. Childcare Ministry Program. This is a very time consuming process, and she has only just begun.

The above described duties are not inclusive by any means.

Paula's workload is complicated by road and weather conditions. They are extreme in both cases. The weather is HOT and DUSTY. Often times the dust is so bad, masks are required. Driving above 25 mph is nearly impossible. Roads in the country are dirt, rutted with 6-8" deep potholes that are huge, with one way bridges in poor repair. Country roads are shared with motor bikes, oxen, cars, trucks, bicycles, carts, and walkers. Phnom Pehn is just as bad if not worse in the respect of more people. They are on motor bikes, in cars, rickshaws, and on bicycles that overrun the city streets. There are few paved streets even in the city, and those that are paved have huge holes everywhere. There are hardly any traffic laws that are obeyed, so driving is definitely hazardous to your health!

MISSION NEEDS:

1. Vehicle : Paula's current vehicle is an old 2 passenger Nissan extended cab pick-up with 2 tiny jump seats that barely accommodate 2 small children let alone adults. The truck is in desperate need of immediate repairs to the transmission and brakes. The vehicle is a two-wheel drive, and in the rainy season is often stuck because of the badly mud mired roads. Paula is always at risk of being stranded alone by a vehicle that does not run. Because she transports so many personnel and supplies over impossible roads she needs a heavy duty, 4-wheel drive, van type vehicle that would carry more passengers and supplies. A new larger vehicle (or a good used one) would save the mission money by 1.) eliminating the sinking of repair dollars into a "dead horse"; 2.) eliminate making multiple trips to get people to the same destination; 3.) eliminate hiring commercial vehicles to help transport workers and supplies. A new vehicle would also remove the worry and pressure from Paula of arriving at her destination and returning safely. A good used four wheel drive vehicle would cost about $15-$20,000.

2. Personnel : There is a need for additional construction and medical work teams (short term). A person or persons are needed to shoulder some of errand type duties i.e. to assist in the guest house, do shopping, transport personnel, etc (full time).

3. Construction Engineer : The villages (1/2 to 3 hours away) have no sewer facilities. The village people rely on the river for their water. The same river washes the clothes, bathes the people and cattle, and receives sewage. Typhoid is not uncommon. A person to design a simple septic system and oversee its installation is badly needed for the Free Methodist churches, and the Children Homes.

4. Well Drillers : Fresh water wells needed to provide safe clear drinking water for all Free Methodist facilities throughout Cambodia.

5. Financial Resources : As with all missions, there are never enough dollars to cover needs. Cambodia is no exception.

6. Prayer : PRAY HARD AND OFTEN. This is a 90% Buddhist country. The enemy is hard at work. (1) Pray for Paula Guazon's health (she only has use of 30% of her kidneys), also for Joel and Grace Margin that they will be refreshed by their time off. (2) Pray for the children in the House of Love. (3) Pray for the completion of the House of Joy. (4) Pray for the development and ministry of the new property. (5) Pray for new converts ("SaRan" as of February 4, 2002) (6) Pray for people to be called to serve the Lord in Cambodia (7) Pray that people will help meet the financial need of a new vehicle to keep Paula safe and meet the ministry needs here.