Email June 2003

Dear Friends and Family,

We hope you are enjoying the nice weather. We've had sunny days here, but not the kind that make one melt. Time is flying and we are having a glorious time. Wish you were here. Well, let us share some news with you.

Takhmau

Since we started using half the English class time for Bible study, we have finished two Bible story comics. The first one was about Moses leading the Isrealites out of Egypt . The second told about the early years of Jesus' life. We just started a small booklet with famous paintings illustrating major topics of the Bible. The booklet is cheaper than the comics. The students were delighted to learn they could keep this one when we are finished. I've been recycling the materials at all three places I'm appointed to work. Vibol, my translator, and I have been doing well together. He was put on probation at the childcare center last month for a few indiscretions. We had a chance to talk about some of my "errata," as Ben Franklin would say of transgressions. I believe our chat was an encouragement to him. He seems to be doing okay. The probation period is over now. While I teach, the eldest son of the school's owner reads the literature I bring. He seems very interested. The family follows traditional Chinese Folk Religion. Please pray for Bunleu.

Kampot

On our last trip to Kampot, we brought thirty stools with us that we left at Sopea's uncle's house. We had more than twenty-five ladies show up and a few men. We need to find a Khmer speaking lady to go with us to minister to the ladies after we share the Word with them. It isn't really appropriate for us, as males, to talk with them about personal matters. The last kilometer of this drive gets muddy so I bring a shovel, or what once was a shovel, with us just in case. I also bring some cardboard to stick under the wheels if we start digging a rut with the tires. This adventure is about a six hour round trip if it doesn't pour. Please pray we miss the clouds, and we find a helper for the ladies. The puppies are not so afraid of me any more and even the pig lets me pet him.

Kampong Cham

This is the home town of Saraa , the mission secretary. We had a few men come to the meeting early in the month, and last week, Saraa's uncle, who opposes the idea of his daughter coming to our Bible study, showed up in front of Saraa's house. He waited out there for an hour. As I was packing some things in the car I talked with him in very limited Khmer, but he softened up and came to the house. He'd been bitten by a dog, and let us pray for him. Saraa was very happy because we have been praying for his daughter. She gets handled roughly at times by her dad. We also had the same neighbor come who came drunk last month. That had not changed, but this time he sat in on the study. It is good I can make myself heard. Two of our converts here are having trouble with parents who don't want them coming to our meetings. Please pray for this congregation and its assortment of needs. It is a five hour round trip in good weather, and we are entering the rainy season.

Baptisms

This Sunday all of our churches are gathering for a joint baptism. The pastor of each congregation will baptize the folks that attend their church. Our church is closest to the location so we will have our Sunday service there before everyone arrives. I will preach and later Yuko will baptize. She's been going over the Khmer passage and Khmer names she will need to recite. We will have about eighty folks total being baptized, seventeen are from our Phnom Penh group. As Yuko is Asian, she is less foreign than the rest of us. We try to present the Gospel as a message from God and not a message from the West. The baptism ceremony has been postponed twice. Once, because we had it scheduled too close to youth camp and everyone was exhausted. April is our hottest month here. The second time, it was cancelled because of crocodiles in the river. I know I have a reputation as a teller of tales, but this is really what happened.

Beasts of Burden

The little Korean van is needing resuscitation less often since we pulled its tonsils (security device). We use this in town, and the mission van for trips to the outreaches. The big van has no horn, and the little van has no windshield wipers and very little hope. The other missionaries are experiencing troubles with their vehicles, too. Please keep our beasts in prayer.

Miscellaneous

You may remember Titus or Reya, the boy whose mother is a Moslem. He came to our house to help us decorate the tree at Christmas time. He just stole our portable phone and Rebecca's, too. He hasn't been home for a couple of days. I went to visit his mom and she came to our house, also. We have a good relationship with her. Please pray for Reya's safety, and for reconciliation of this problem. Yuko and I have been in touch with Mission Headquarters in Indianapolis and they invited us home to do deputation. I will be changing my job title from VISA Volunteer to Career Missionary. I am blessed and humbled by the Lord's goodness. We are very thankful and delighted that Genesee Conference has decided to support us in the future. We will be in New York from late September through December, and then return to Cambodia . Our term will be three years. Thank you to all those who played a part in this. My devotions this last month have been in Genesis and Exodus. It is amazing to see God's plan to raise up a people that will serve Him and whom He can bless. A continuing story and one with a happy ending. We pray the Lord bless you and yours.

In Him, Chris and Yuko

Chris & Yuko Wilkins
C/O P.O. Box 602
PNOMH PENH. 
CAMBODIA

Please send gifts to: Free Methodist World Headquarters, Box 535002
Indianapolis , Indiana . Please mention it is for "The Wilkins Family." Thanks again.