May 2003 |
| Lara�s language class was interrupted by a phone call. Her teacher�s cousin, Po, who is an evangelist in one of the provinces was calling. In the past he�s reported a fruitful ministry with people coming to faith in Christ. But that day he spoke of his wife�s untimely death during the birth of his first child. He is too poor to afford formula for his newborn and is solely in the Lord�s care for himself and his baby. After hearing the story, the class responded, �How can we help?� Her language teacher explained that because his cousin lives in the country, he has no phone, no mailing address, and no way to reach him. Isolated, poor, in need. This is the sad reality of Cambodia where about 1 in 200 women die in childbirth. Where people starve. Where poverty causes needless suffering. And where even basic resources for us to help them are non-existent. But there is hope! Not because we�re here, but because Christ cares more for this man than we ever can. And although we cannot see why this tragedy occurred or how Po will find help, we can be assured that He will carry him through this time. Pray for Po - that his faith will be strengthened and that the Lord will turn his sorrow into joy. (Psalm 30:11-12) We�re adapting well! Ben is now at a local Christian school five half days a week. Our househelp, Bopha, watches Jon a couple hours a day to give us some study time. We�ve learned the alphabet and enough grammar now to get around� and have people laugh very hard at us! The rainy season has started which seems to be synonymous with the mold and mildew season � hot and humid! Ben still loves trains and now has a healthy respect for Cambodian bugs. Jon is constantly laughing, walking, smiling and drooling as he works on his seventh tooth. Both kids are a real joy! We think about you all often! Hot but happy, David, Lara, Benjamin and Jonathan |
| Around and About Cambodia Someone told us that the occupation of �plumber� in Cambodia is assumed when you can�t do anything else. We found this to be true when our landlady hired a �plumber� to fix several leaks. He left after creating more troublesome ones� one leaky faucet was �fixed� by simply removing the tap altogether! |
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