Archive for the ‘Missions Stories’ Category

“We Will Never Be the Same”

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

 WE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!  Is the theme of the 2011 Battambang Discipleship Training School that we are running. This year’s school has 33 staff and students, from America, Cambodia, Hong Kong and Thailand. Two of our long-term Cambodian staff  are co-leading this school, and it has been so rewarding to see the investment into their lives coming out through them leading this school with authority, character, boldness and strong leadership skills. We have been extremely impressed with both Channouen and Sokuen leading their first school, as they are doing a phenomenal job and being a fine example of disciples of Jesus to the young students.

During the first half of the school which is called the lecture phase, the students have engaged in many hours of lecture and learning more of their relationship with Jesus and how to simply apply it in their lives by being disciples. In the midst of the the lecture phase, they all went on two-week outreaches throughout the many provinces of Cambodia, preaching the Gospel and serving alongside local churches and ministries. This group of students have been hungry and desperate for more of Jesus in their lives, which is so evident  in their lives being transformed right before all of our eyes here!

In the last few weeks, as the lecture phase was coming to an end, and they were about to leave for their 2-month outreach, the students and staff were trusting in Jesus for the funds to come in, as many of them do not have much money or resources. In about a three week period, we were able to witness God’s provision in providing over $20,000 USD to come in and cover all the costs for the teams to go on outreach to nearby closed countries, Cambodia, and Thailand. THANK YOU JESUS for your continual faithfulness and giving us all opportunities to trust and depend on you more!

Last week we commissioned out the DTS as they  headed out to their various outreach locations. It was so exciting to see the students passionate  for  Jesus and to anticipate all that God is going to do through them as they preach the Gospel! We will keep you all posted, as they will return back late July and have more stories to share about all the amazing things that God is doing in the nations!

Presenting the 2011 Battambang DTS with all the amazing students and staff!

Surrounded by Heroes…

Saturday, January 8th, 2011

…dedicated, courageous  people who pour out their lives in the midst of difficult circumstances, laying down their own rights, for the glory of God to be King in their country of Cambodia.

Channeoun(DTS co-leader), Rady(SBS co-leader), Garth, Piseth(DTS staff, currently studying in the SBS)

Dear Friends and family,

Last night, we celebrated with our community of staff and friends here the 5 year mark of YWAM/University of the Nations Battambang! It was a night filled with reminiscing simply on Jesus and what He has done through us here. Looking at past pictures of when the staff use to be only four foreigners with no Cambodians, and now looking at us with 50+staff, 65% being local Cambodians, made us just grateful for all of our joint efforts to make this all happen. But it is not the numbers that drive us, but simply loving and obeying God as He has told us to GO! Our 5 year anniversary is a time of remembering what He has done and also of thanksgiving.

As Garth and I have glanced back with gratitude, we continue to keep our eyes on the future of this place as we know that this is just the beginning, just a little piece of what God will do for the years to come here. We are just on the brink His plan with Cambodia and so expectantly waiting to see what He has in store for all of us here.

Katie(SBS student), Sinewit(DTS staff, currently SBS student), Caroline, Sopheap(SBS student), Rina(SBS student)

Thank you to all who have prayed and supported us through the years because without you, all of  this couldn’t and wouldn’t have happened. Your sacrifices and love has encouraged us to keep Jesus as the focal point of our lives in order to reach and disciple our neighbors here.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Garth and Caroline

Garth with some of our beautiful Cambodian staff girls. These girls are simply amazing to say the least- women of God, striving to see their country discipled by Jesus!

“…Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” -Hebrew 12:1-3