An Ending and a Beginning
Warm Christmas greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May His salvation and grace guide our days to bring glory to His name. This is also a good opportunity to express my gratitude to you for your support and kindness throughout the years.
The author of Ecclesiastes states, ‘There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.' All things and people come and go, and there is no new ‘surprise' under the sun, though Moses reminds us, ‘Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.'
I thank God for letting me have the privilege of serving in Cambodia for the past 6 years, When I review my ‘being' and my ‘doing' during this period, I cannot stop praising God's mercy and grace.
The first term of my service
I arrived on the field in December 2003, and the first priority was to learn Khmer and get used to the new environment. Thank God that He had prepared an international team and the local brothers and sisters for my smooth adjustment. Owing to my language insufficiency, my service was mainly related to administration and ad hoc projects management. God is gracious that I needn't handle a lot of complicated human relationship problems. The local members would also not expect me to participate too much. During that time, I enjoyed the learning of a new language (though not easy) and new cultures (both Cambodian's and other missionaries'). Doing administration or management work is comparatively easy because I just devised or followed the policies or came to mutual agreement without many relational issues. On the other hand, I grasped the opportunity to preach in Khmer in the church as my language progressed. There were lots of frustrations and excitement because it is vital to use appropriate wording, which means I needed to deepen my understanding of their culture.
The issue that made the biggest impression on me during my service was the collapse of the newly constructed covered court. It allowed me to be aware of my weaknesses and limitations, but more important was the fulfillment of God's will and timing. I learned more about the working culture with Cambodians and fervent prayer in ministry. Thank God that there was no damage or injury which occurred, only monetary loss. However, I experienced God's comfort and the encouragement of the brothers and sisters in the Lord. "A time to tear down and a time to build' not only applies to buildings but also to our character.
The second term of my service
As my language ability increased, I felt more capable of working efficiently in the mission office. I could communicate with the local staff, check Khmer documents, and bargain with outside parties. On the other hand, I was involved more in people's ministry. Now I took care of the university boys' dormitory. Not only did I manage the operation of the dorm with the help of brother Mark, the dorm supervisor, I also needed to care for their personal needs and problems. Moreover, the longer I stayed, the more I built up networks involving human relationships, in fields such as development projects, church ministry, the missionary team, and outside organizations. God granted me the precious opportunity to know and serve ‘people' in different contexts rather than as managerial ‘tools.' When I look back, God enriched my service so that I could make others' lives ‘easier' because of my character. "A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace" not only occurred in my work but also in interpersonal relationships.
It is almost the end of my home assignment in Hong Kong, and I will resume duty in Cambodia in late February. May God continue to guide me towards another horizon to fulfill His Will.
Prayer points
- Pray for our Pastor Samuel Sar who is seriously ill. May God's peace be with him and his family, especially during his last journey on earth
- Pray for my spiritual, mental and physical health during my stay in Hong Kong
- Pray for my trip to the States in Jan. to visit my sister and church members
- Thank the Lord that Pastor and Mrs. Kwan came back to Hong Kong safely.
- Pray that the Christmas celebrations of the local churches can be outreach opportunities to their neighborhoods
- Pray for the construction work of the school project - especially the weather, workmanship of the contractor, and supervision. We hope that we can admit students in 2010
I know that everything God does will endure forever;
nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it.
God does it so that men will revere him. (Ecclesiastes 3:14)
Davis Lam
Cambodia Mail Address: P.O Box 602, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
|
Davis Lam
