Dear friends,

We are greatly happy and inspired when we know that a lot of our friends in Christ are praying for us!
We are so thankful to God for His provision of our daughter's needs for the past few months of her hospital internship in Manila, although she didn't enjoy the busy streets in Manila and it was always raining while she was there. We thank the Lord that she arrived home safely in Butuan City.

In Hebrews 12:2 we read, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and the perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

God has been talking to us recently through His word. There are times that we can get so discouraged if we only focus on the problems and people's attitudes. However, during our quiet time every morning, every word that we have read has a lot to say to us about comparing ourselves to the Lord, instead of looking always at the attitudes of others around us. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus" is really a command. 

Doing cross cultural ministry, we have a lot of things to learn all by ourselves. Among the team, each one knows how to protect the others. We're all still learning that if an individual has different motives and self interest, problems can arise. God has been teaching us so much in doing the ministry. First, PATIENCE. Patience is really hard to show if you don't know about God and the Bible.

Second, Understand the culture and system of the country where you are working. We really need to understand the Cambodian system here, especially in education. We go to Takhmau everyday to teach English. The work in Takhmau has only been opened one year and six months. During the first part of the first year, Grace had 5 students - all youth. Three of them got baptized and have been active in the church ministry. After 6 months, Grace's class had grown to 12 students. They finished the Headstart book and had Bible study with verses to memorize every Friday. By June this year, Grace had 24 students, and started another book, "Side by Side." Some of these students are coming to church faithfully. 

Every time we have exams, they always keep on helping each other, since they say it is good to share with one another, and that's what they do in the government schools also. There was one time Grace talked to one of the students about copying from others, but that student got mad and the following day she didn't show up. Some of the students said that in school the teacher asked them to use their notes while doing the exam, especially if the students gave money to bribe the teacher so they could pass the exam. The teachers didn't mind if the students used their notes! The students said it is okay because the teacher allows us to copy and that's the way it is. You cannot really change the system, but God can change the hearts of the students! Some of them are now honest and faithful. 

Grace is also teaching guitar, and she has 12 students to teach everyday. We need extra guitars to teach them more easily. They are paying 200 Riel per class, but even after a month there is not enough money to buy another guitar. If we had extra 3 guitars it would be easier for her to teach everyday. This coming Sunday 3 of the guitar students will play the song, "This is the day." So, they are excitedly practicing the piece. Everyday we practice English and Khmer Christian songs. They really enjoy singing. They also look forward to the Bible study every Friday.

Kampot Ministry

The people in Kampot are hungry for the word of God. Joel and Barnabas have given their time to teach the men in Kampot. Now they are really interested in listening to what is new from the word of God.

We thank Jarrod, a visitor from Australia, for buying a hymnal for every family. Now you can see each of them eagerly learning a hymn. They come early and ask us to sing with them. We are so happy because the women who are in the literacy class can now read the Bible and sing hymns. Last Saturday, we had a group singing contest from the hymn book. We were so happy to see each one who has been encouraged to learn. 

There is one lady who is blind, but she comes and listens to the new song each week. By the following week she has memorized the song and enjoys singing it with the group. She has a good voice. She has been blind from birth. 

This month, Barnabas and Joel are taking turns to preach during worship services. We are now teaching them about stewardship. Next month, hopefully we start collecting an offering during the service. We were able to elect leaders in each group, and every leader is responsible for his group members - to visit and encourage them. There are 4 groups. We also elected a women's leader and assistant. The women are looking forward to the Women's Camp next year, and they are already saving for the camp!

We are so happy about the head of the village. He was baptized and keeps on attending the worship services even though sometimes he was drunk. One time the leader of his group talked to him about the need to stop drinking wine and using cigarettes. He was quite mad at the leader, who is a relative of his. The village head returned his Bible and said that he would never come to fellowship with us again. However, two weeks later he came and got his Bible back, and has been faithfully attending discipleship training. He is only absent if he has a village meeting to attend. So, we praise the Lord for answering our prayers. God is really good. 

Each group has been raising half of the amount to dig a deep well, and we are so happy that three of the groups have been able to meet their goal. So, we brought the well diggers from Prek Thei last Saturday with their equipment. However, we are sad to share with you that the men were frustrated in their task. After 10 meters of digging, the metal pipe broke due to hitting a rocky layer. Now we know why the well at the house of the village head cost $350! We didn't believe him at first, but brought the group from Prek Thei who usually do wells for only $120 per well. 

The fields in Kampot are really dry at this time. The members asked us to please pray for rain because they have not yet been able to plant rice. Also, they only drink water from the pond, which is very dirty. So please pray for Kampot.

Other prayer requests to pray for:

• the Children's Camp August 4-6
• rain in Kampot 
• that we can get the deep wells dug in Kampot 
• the Women's Fellowship every quarter.
• our daughter Maeve who is graduating next year, so has lots of requirements to complete
• Strength, wisdom and protection for the missionaries
• zeal in evangelism for our leaders 
• August 9 to Sept. 2 we have the chance to go to the Philippines to attend the APFMMA 10th anniversary celebrations there. We are thankful for God's provision for our air tickets.
• the Takhmau youth and those who are really faithful in coming to worship
• Joel's parents: Leonardo and Heraclia, who are sick and weak in the Philippines
• unity among the missionaries.
• the guitar lessons every day in Takhmau- that they'll become a tool for evangelism.

Warmest Blessings,
Joel and Grace