Growth in Wisdom
Since I left Cambodia for Hong Kong, I have been a little worried about brother Philemon, our newly recruited development project coordinator, because he is still green in the field, especially in our agricultural projects. I have also been afraid that he would feel bored in handling the handicraft projects because he needs to shop for materials, contact the vendors (most of whom are women), and calculate the costs. Before I left, I decided to let him work full time instead of continuing on a part time basis as before. Therefore, I've wondered if he could manage his work schedule properly in my absence. The reason why I made such a change was to maintain a better morale in the office. Both brother Khlee and brother Meas have a good relationship with Philemon, and he would be available to help with the mission work when there are emergency needs or visiting teams. However, I also took a risk in adding a burden to our development funding by increasing the amount needed for his salary because the sales of our Reaksmei products are not stable and regular. God has been good to let me know that this was the right decision. Philemon is really fulfilling his duties properly and his performance is much better than before I left. This issue reveals that my concern and worries may actually be due to my unconscious thoughts in the following areas.
Inner pride and a sense of importance
When I was working with Philemon, I always took the leading role in helping him become familiar with the development projects. Hence, unconsciously, I may have had pride in thinking that he was not yet able to fulfill the duties, or even worse, I might have thought that what I was doing was much better than what he could do. Consequently, he could not survive without me. This may be exaggerating a bit, but those kind of feelings really exist. May God have mercy on my egotism.
Pessimistic thinking about the future
Our development ministry is still a small scale business as compared with other NGOs in Cambodia or overseas. Moreover, our resources are very limited both in human networking and financial back-up. A few years ago, we tried to find some location for local sales of our products. We were not successful in establishing the business locally due to the high cost of purchasing a shop and the on-going business expenses. The only safe and possible way to maintain the business depends on the overseas visiting teams buying our products, plus orders from Hong Kong and US conferences. These are the realities now, but I may be too pessimistic to face the challenges or I may treat these realities as excuses NOT to make some breakthroughs. Hence, when Brother Philemon suggests some innovative ideas, I may unconsciously put up question marks instead of further exploring the feasibility of the proposals. May God have mercy on my cowardliness.
A bossy attitude
There is always a tendency for the missionary to become the ‘boss' on the mission field because we usually have the final say in the decision making process. Sometimes, the local people are so submissive that we get used to being in the ‘boss' position. Nevertheless, in my mentality of serving, we want to develop the leadership via team building and collective decisions by committee instead of one individual's preference. A servant-leader is the model that Jesus established for His followers. We are no greater than our fellow brothers and sisters but all are accountable to each other in God's family. May God have mercy on my shallow and arrogant attitude.
We may have different positions and roles in the work, and we can succeed only by one mind and heart with mutual trust. The older I get, the more I experience the need to be open minded and to keep growing. As the Bible says, "your strength will equal your days." Moreover, a Chinese proverb states, "shrewdness increases with the age of man as the power of the spirit be."
Prayer points
- Thank the Lord that the medical team had a fruitful ministry in Cambodia (Oct 31 to Nov 9). God protected them in their travels and service to the benefit of the church and the community
- Pray for the political and economic situation in Cambodia, especially as the Prime Minister has invited the former prime minister of Thailand to become his personal advisor and also the advisor of Cambodian economic affairs. This issue has brought tension to the relationship between Thailand and Cambodia
- Pray for Pastor and Mrs Kwan Chi Keung of the HK Evangelical Church as they will go back to HK in late November after their 4 months of service in our mission office and school project. May God continue to guide them regarding their future direction in missions
- Thank the Lord that my medical report shows that my health is generally satisfactory - cholesterol and blood sugar levels are normal.
- Continue to pray for our missionaries, local pastors and leaders that they can work and serve each other in unity and humility
Proverbs 16:23
Davis Lam
Cambodia Mail Address: P.O Box 602, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
 
 
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Davis Lam
