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Harmony between Focus and Distractions Continued
The Pride of Independence
Brother Minea, who once worked for us in the development projects, has now been working at a Christian organization related to agricultural and microfinance development projects. Our denomination in Cambodia also joined this organization in order to help our church members in training and technical skill. Last week, Minea led our pastors to visit a villager who had worked with his organization. This trip excites and motivates our pastors to have a vision of independence in the future. I am also encouraged because I can see these projects diminishing the poverty in the villages and building the dignity of the local people.
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| Farmer of the field |
The sharing with our pastors |
It is not a magic stick but a long term commitment
The venue that we visited is in Takeo province, about a 2-1/2 hour drive from Phnom Penh. The family that we visited has been working with Minea’s organization for 6 years. They do not have a huge piece of land for farming, but today the farmer can provide for his family's needs and also helps his church by supporting its ministry. Last but not least, he has received an award from the government for his achievements and has become a model for other farmers in Cambodia. He explained to us how he underwent the ups and downs, especially as he was alone without the support of neighbors and friends. His family works very hard to practice what he learned in cooperation with the organization. We always admire the others’ success but we seldom take time to understand the painful process that the others have undergone.
May God grant us the perseverance of a farmer waiting for the harvest.
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| Decompose pool for biogas project |
Pigs |
The confidence and pride of self help
When the farmer shared with us, I noticed his face was filled with joy and confidence. No matter what questions we asked, he could answer them in a concrete way. When I asked him how he could find markets for selling his harvest (both poultry and crops), he told me that people come to buy from him, he didn't need to do any marketing tricks. Word of mouth is always the promotion which is cheap and effective. After we had finished the tour, some pastors bought chickens (hens and roosters) to take back home to raise. Self confidence also builds up the faith of others and it is a means to convey the ‘good news’ too.
May God grant us the morale of helping ourselves.
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| Goose |
Lunch (ingredients from the farm) |
The pitfall of copying
After the trip, one of our pastors wants to start a bio-gas project in his village. An organization is also willing to help both in technical and financial support. However, I am a little worried because we may not really be ready to make a change in the present situation. I told my coworker, Brother Philemon, to discuss with them if this is the best time to start when there are still some present projects that are underway. We desire to get what we see, but sometimes we also need more time to pray and ask for God’s guidance.
May God grant us the heart to listen and follow.
Development is a time consuming and tough process: it not only takes people’s energy, but it also tests the level of our faith in God and in ourselves.
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| Pastor bought some chickens |
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Prayer points
- Pray for the pastors who went along on the trip to have wisdom in planning for future development projects
- Thank God that we have received several overseas teams and had good fellowship too
- Pray for the family of Pastor Derek Lam of the Alliance Mission who had passed away due to a traffic accident. May God have mercy on his family (he has two children)
- Pray for a brother in the Lord who has lung cancer and now is in the hospital. May God heal and sustain his trust in Him
- Thank the Lord that my sister in the States has received the 5th chemotherapy treatment (hopefully 6 treatments will be all that's needed)
- Pray for our continuing school permit application and the process of staff recruitment
II Tim 2:6
In Christ,
Davis Lam
September 2010
Cambodia Mail Address: P.O Box 602, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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Davis Lam
