Since we hired an older couple from Prek Thei to act as watchmen for our property in Phnom Penh, I have visited them once a week to see how they're doing. It takes more than half an hour to get there from my home by motorbike (motorcycle taxi). The land is surrounded by fields and seems far from the noisy and busy city (you might say it is quite an isolated area with few villagers around).

The man is called Charles, and he is about 60 years old. He and his wife live in the watchman's house - the only building that has been constructed since we bought the land in 2001. It has no water supply, so they need to drink the water from the pond or collect rainwater for daily use. However, we do share the neighbor's electricity supply so that they can survive in the evenings.

Charles is a leader in the Prek Thei church, so they go back to the church in the village each week (more than an hour's drive by motorbike). During the week, they do farming, take care of our mango trees (15 in number), or carry out minor repairs. Actually, it is quite a boring job. However, some unexpected things may happen, so it is not necessarily a safe job. For instance, some people have trespassed onto the property during the Sundays when the couple goes to church. Also, some hostile neighbors have complained about some trivial matters. It is not easy to call for help if some emergencies happen. I appreciate their faithfulness and contentedness, no matter what happens.

Serious in reading God's word and prayer

Real faith is easily revealed in solitude. A couple of times when I visited them (I seldom tell them the exact date or time because it depends on my availability), they were reading the Bible or studying some spiritual materials. They don't have a table, so they would lie on the floor to read and write like a child. They have a prayer time (only the two of them) that is also part of their life to draw near to God.

Self-initiative in work

Actually there is little supervision of their work, but they are self-motivated to do some farming and minor repairs around the property. They have no complaints about the hard work under the hot sun or with primitive facilities. They only need simple tools, and have even made their own tools to use, without bothering me for anything unless they can not find a way to solve the problem.

Good neighbors

Sometimes, I have seen some neighbors, especially children, visiting them. Charles' wife also visits some of the neighbors so that they have become a part of the community. We intend to carry out a church-planting ministry at the land too. Another young couple has started to do visitation and teach the children on Sunday afternoons. The medical team coming in November will have a clinic for this area too. May God use us to become good neighbors to them.

We do not need to be wealthy in order to be contented. A godly heart is the greatest wealth in life.

Prayer points:

1. The financial need for the construction of the Amenity building at the property (about US$ 130,000)
2. The young couple (Pauline and Lim) who will be the church planters and live at the property starting in October. May God grant them strength to adjust to the new environment
3. May God provide for a car purchase soon, as there is really a need for our ministries
4. The pilot project of the piglet raising scheme in the village that will be implemented in October