Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus! Summer is coming to Cambodia, with no more clear and cool weather.

We had the annual Mission District meeting at the beginning of March. Praise the Lord that more youth leaders were more involved this year. However, the missionaries feel the heavy burden of training the local leaders.  Research done by a Christian association shows that almost 80% of pastors in Cambodia are not really qualified to be Christian leaders. First and foremost should be  leadership training, but our mission team is very limited right now with several gone on Home Assignment, so everyone here is worn out. Pray to the Lord for the Holy Spirit's presence in our team work and in the leaders' hearts.

Education for next generation

Most of the time, we are dissatisfied with the education system in Cambodia. Teachers are not paid well, and the government puts little resources into education. Students cannot learn much in school since teachers write down some topics on the blackboard without any explanation. Students do not have homework assignments and they copy from their classmates during  examinations.  Recently, some teachers have gotten drunk and were involved in gambling, becoming negative models for the students.

Under such conditions, our Childcare centers aim to provide Christian education as well as the basic education, even though this brings difficulties to face. On one hand, we have to stand against the bad moral atmosphere.  During a recent test at House of Love, students were copying from their classmates, just as they do in school.  The students with excellent grades are willing to let others copy the answers because they feel that this shows sympathy and is being helpful. Besides, they do not know how to refuse their classmates. Even though we advise them over and over again, their old habits never change.   Also, the students are grouped together in four forms because of a shortage of tutors in our center.

What is said above is the tip of the iceberg. Pray for our Lord's guidance; may He lead us to serve in the childcare center wisely.   Pray for over two hundred and fifty children in our three centers to live in God's light and truth.

Give thanks

1. Two new missionaries have come to Cambodia: Helen from the Philippines arrived in November last year, and Christina Leung from Hong Kong arrived in January.
2. The last year's finance report for the Childcare Centers was completed with the help of Christina Leung.
3. We have a surplus from last year in the Childcare centers, so we can add to the children's meals and the staff salaries.
4. Praise the Lord for providing us with loyal staff in the Childcare Centers, as well as the local management committee
5. The course on overview of the Bible for two classes of university students, to enhance their knowledge of Bible, has finished

Prayer requests

1. That I may walk closely with God, and seek for God's guidance every day.
2. For wisdom and patience for the tutors in the three childcare centers - House of Love, House of Joy and House of Peace.
3. For God's healing hand and strength, as I have been easily tired recently
4. For my Home assignment in Hong Kong starting from the middle of May - pray for the handover of responsibilities in these two month - the administration of the Childcare Centers, the management and finance ministry in the House of Love, and the finances of Phnom Penh Church.

God be with you!
Miu Ling