Late July, I was scheduled to conduct a 3-day course about "Church Administration" for the local pastors and church planters. I was a bit nervous because it was the first time to share my limited experience with them. Two days before the course, I even got headache (may be due to unconscious stress). I sent my prayer request to my church in Hong Kong immediately and also prayed to God that I could experience His presence in midst of difficulties. By the grace of the Lord, I felt much better and decided to drive my colleague's car to the village. Unfortunately, I could not start the engine and it dragged me almost half an hour to get it fixed (there's a garage beside my apartment). Finally, I managed to arrive the village on time and safe. I could see there's really a spiritual battle when we want to serve the Lord. Nevertheless, God is an almighty God and He is good.

There were 16 attendants and their age ranged from 30+ to 50+. They came from different villages far or near the venue of the course. The course lasted for two weeks (ten-day lessons) and a guest speaker who came from Thailand taught 7 days about the Bible and I taught the last 3 days about administration. The facilities are very simple with tables, chair and a white board only. Since the electricity supply is not reliable, we didn't dare to use any electrical devices to help in case of power failure. No need to say, mosquitoes, flies, dogs and cats were our honorable guests throughout the course.

The process of teaching is also a process of learning. I shared with them tools and ways to handle church's "OPERATION" such as the Board of Administration, membership, finance, integrity, communication and accountability. I spoke with a fearful heart because I don't know what I talked was feasible in their context. On the other hand, I learnt more about the culture of learning that is quite challenging to me. Most of the time, it's not a matter of right and wrong in a cultural perspective but it would make us aware the way we convey the message. Can you imagine in the midst of the course, some may suddenly go out and then come back without any notice (they may go back home nearby to get stuff, drink waterˇK); some on one hand had been listening but on the other hand, one may do something else such as cutting the finger and toe nails (with big noise); some may discuss with the other along with me and some may need to take his dog out of the house....... However, these did not mean that they were reluctant to learn or treat it with a light heart, instead they raised out many critical questions. The one who cut finger and toe nails got the highest score in the examination too. Finally, an old attendant (more than 50 years old) impressed me very much. What he used to write was a pencil that was about two inches long with blunt head. However, he was very diligent to learn and answer questions. Even in the breaks, he still revised his notes quietly. It reminds me that we should treasure every opportunity to learn because it is not taken for granted. May God bless our training to the local members be a tool to help their ministries.

 Prayer points:

1. The start of the piglets scheme to help those poor ch urch members in the villages
2. There would be some overseas visitors and volunteers wi ll come respectively in August (in a total of more th an 50 people). May God protect them in travelling, se rving and health.
3. More and more meetings with the local leaders about development and may God grant me the heavenly wisdom to cooperate with each other in one heart and mind.
4. Completion of the assignment on time (due in September 1)
5. The health and safety of the watchman at the land in Phnom Penh (He is weak in health)

 'but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.'. (Isaiah 40:31)  

In Christ,
Davis Lam
Aug 11, 2004