Dear brothers and sisters,

How are you? At the beginning of this month, Rebecca and I joined a group of graduating Bible school students on a trip. After we got back, I came down with a cold. It didn't affect me too badly, but I was tired all the time and had to rest. Thank God, now my health is gradually recovering already. Actually, whenever I think about my health, I am thankful, because I have had good health ever since I got here.

Trip to Mondulkiri Province of Cambodia

Since I came to Cambodia , it has felt like an exceptionally hot country. They only have a dry season and a rainy season here, not any cold season. But when we got to Mondulkiri Province , it was refreshingly cool in the mornings and evenings. It was very comfortable! I call it Cambodia 's vacation land away from the heat. Apart from the cool weather which gave me the feeling of really being on vacation, I certainly can't skip my enjoyment of the beautiful mountain scenery and waterfalls. Another special difference over other trips was being able to meet together and play games with this group of youthful Bible school graduates. It made me feel just like I was back in seminary having a good time with my classmates again.

The land in Mondulkiri Province is suitable for growing many kinds of fruit trees. On this trip I was able to eat more avocados than I had ever had the opportunity to eat before in my whole life! This was sort of like another kind of harvest. I have sometimes seen avocados for sale in Phnom Penh supermarkets, but they are frightfully expensive, over HK$10 each. But, we were able to buy them there in Mondulkiri for only HK $1.60 a kilo.

Sickness and Death

Last week Rebecca and I went to an AIDS ward to visit two patients, one the son of a staff worker at House of Joy, and the other the husband of one of the women at our Phnom Penh church. Not long afterward we received word that both of these men had died during the week. Their rapid departure from this life made me feel that it was a bit sudden. AIDS is spreading rapidly here, bringing with it an increase in the numbers of orphans and widows. For these families which are already living in poverty, it is like a heavy night rain falling on a leaky house. Seeing how these personal and societal problems combine to produce evil results, one's heart can only heave a sigh!

May the Heavenly Father Let Me See

After having taught the course on counseling some time back, I have been trying to visit the students' homes (all of them are church leaders), hoping to listen and get a better understanding of their needs. Since they live in different villages, I can only get to two or three homes each time. Although Rebecca drives the truck, every time we finish our visits I feel exhausted. Having been trained in counseling, I usually try to see people's needs from an emotional and spiritual point of view. But, when I walk into the local villages and go into their houses, I end up feeling like my understanding of them is really shallow. Some of them live by farming and are worried about poor harvests. Many also support themselves by harvesting vegetables for others. If they take time off from work in order to attend the worship service on Sunday, their employer might as well find someone else to do the work. So, it is hard to keep body and soul together. When they must work so hard for their food and drink, what can I teach them, someone from overseas who never has to be concerned about food? I think that instead they have first taught me: If you have clothing and food, be satisfied!

Coming Election

Please pray for peace in Cambodia . Tomorrow (Sunday, July 27) is the general election. Although there were less violent incidents during the campaigning than in the past, the local people are still afraid of disturbances in Phnom Penh after the election. The Phnom Penh church changed their worship service to Saturday afternoon (today). I have already made plans that after the service I will go and stay at Rebecca's house and be with her over these days of possible crisis. We have stocked enough food to last for some time. The missionary from Singapore who lives downstairs from Rebecca's apartment has arranged to get together with several neighboring missionaries. Usually everyone is busy, so the day of the general election has become a good opportunity to get us all together!

God is in Control

There will be a women's meeting August 2 in Kaoh Ksachtunlea East. This will be my first time to attend and to prepare materials for the seminar. August 11 through 15 will be week-long children's Bible schools, held in four separate locations. Teams of young people from the churches are responsible for teaching. During that time I will stay in a village and assist. We know that whether or not our prearranged plans can be carried out depends on whether or not things have returned to normal after the election. Even so, the most important thing is that our all powerful Father God knows all and is in control.

Miu-ling
July 26, 2003
Phnom Penh , Cambodia