Christmas is coming

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, may the joy of Christmas through the hope that Christ brings to earth be with you, and may His love carry us through the New Year to come.

As it is for churches all over the world, December is the one of the busiest times for the churches in Cambodia.  Even though Cambodia is a Buddhist country, we thank God that we have the freedom to share the Good News with our neighborhood.  So far, I have attended Christmas programs at three different churches.  The brothers and sisters are very excited to have this wonderful occasion to thank God for the BIG GIFT to the all human race.

Although the resources (money and manpower) are so limited, the members of the churches work very hard to prepare the programs.   Honestly speaking, I appreciate their creative ideas and fervent hearts to serve the Lord.

University Students' Christmas Celebration

The students invited more than 30 classmates to attend their program, and many of the visitors were not Christians.  Some shared that they wanted to know more about Christmas than they had known before.  One of our students witnessed how God has changed his life.  He confessed some bad deeds he had done before he became a Christian.  In Khmer culture, it is not easy to tell others in public about our weaknesses and sins.  Moreover, the students spent lots of time beforehand to practice the story of Christmas.  This time, they used a CD of traditional Khmer Christmas songs to describe the story in a more local way.  All the participants were so amazing.  Daniel also shared a message to encourage them to know God.  Other than this, food and drinks are inevitable. They prepared hamburgers and Cokes instead of a big feast.  I thank God for the students that they worked together hand in hand to serve the Lord and their neighbors.

Pastors' Christmas Celebration

Our pastors and their family members also gathered together to celebrate Christmas.  The program was simple but warm.  Many pastors praised the Lord for His grace throughout the year.  Pastor Grace Margin led them in reading God's Word to remember afresh the hope and joy that Jesus has prepared for us.  Some pastors and their families presented some Christmas songs too.  All the pastors brought food and we shared together happily.  I enjoy very much the Khmer food, even though they add a lot of MSG to make it tasty.  It is also a wonderful time that we can meet, not because of business, but as a fellowship of brotherhood in the Lord.  I thank God that we can work with the local pastors to exalt God's name in Cambodia.

Takhmau Church's Christmas Celebration

There were over 60 people who attended this celebration, and many of them were children.  The young people prepared lots of activities, and everyone enjoyed them very much: a gospel magic show (about sin and salvation), a drama of the Christmas story, a short sermon, a lucky draw, and a funny children's skit showing how different countries celebrate Christmas.  The food again was simple but delicious (curry noodles and juice).  Actually, there were only a few young people who helped put on the whole program, but they all served with faithful and joyful hearts.  I thank God that our happiness does not depend on how much we get, but what we can offer to others.

Prayer points

1. The follow up of the Christmas programs so that we can continue to share the gospel with our neighbors

2. Another fish pond development project at Treuyslaa will begin soon; may God grant us wisdom to work with the local development committee - especially for brother Minea who is the only full time staff to take care of everything

3. The GSI group from overseas, consisting of 35 people, will be coming to see how God may be guiding them into missions in future. May God's love touch their hearts to serve Him

4. Pray for our missionaries' families: Miu Ling's father is hospitalized and Christina's younger daughter is sick

Colossians 1:5

Davis Lam

Cambodia Mail Address: P.O Box 602, Phnom Penh, Cambodia