Some recent pics (next update coming soon)

Our next postscripts update is coming soon...but in the interim - here are some recent pics - We hope you enjoy! Lots of love - Mark & Jo

Church Sustainability Forum pics....

Just a simple exercise really (not quite so as it seemed!). This was a "hands-on" exercise we ran in the July forum - when discussing the topics of vision and planning. Very funny exercise indeed - but sure got the point across!


A pic taken during our hands-on "vision" exercise - everyone was involved and enjoyed the learning process


Jo & Mark with Ps. Zephaniah Obi (from Nigeria)...during a break in the July forum.

Other Recent Pics...

Our slightly battered VW Golf after the car accident (..the product of an over-ambitious landcruiser with bull bar running into our car side on). It wasn't a very enjoyable night for us - as it hit on the passenger side where Mark was sitting..fortunately there was no broken bones - we both had some bruising and cuts though. It started raining soon after the accident happened (here we were in the middle of the road with no raincoats and no-one to interpret khmer-english on our behalf amongst a group of 15-20 cambodian onlookers) and then to make matters worse the cambodian driver discreetly left the scene soon after the local police arrived (and after paying off the local policemen as we found out later!). Long story short is: we managed to track the driver down and the repairs were covered under insurance through the drivers employer (which just happened to be a local NGO - whose logo was plastered all over the Landcruiser bonnet ....not a smart move to do a runner when your company logo is on show for all to see!)


Saying a teary goodbye to John and Pauline O'Connell at the airport (this was part of the social justice project team coming from CCCW)


Again..another teary goodby - this time to Lisa & Phil Craig and Jane Marquis at the airport (also part of the June social justice team from CCCW)

Jo with Erica Dekker - part of the moto tour around Phnom Penh (part of the June social justice team visit)


The June social justice team - walking along the railway slum areas - interacting with the local children.



A visit to a NLF silk weaving project out in the province (June team visit)


A local cambodian friends' wedding in Phnom Penh

Postscripts from Phnom Penh (June 07)

Hi there!..well it's quickly headed into June now and we are right in the middle of the hot/wet season. It is difficult to know exactly when the seasons really start and finish here. We've still had incredibly hot weather (which we're told has been some of the hottest for quite a number of years) and some sporadic wet season rains. As we speak it is pelting down in a typical wet season monsoon shower. Lately we've actually been praying for this sort of rain as the hot weather can just get really unbearable after a while...I think we've both seen enough of the sun already as Mark's arms in particular are getting browner and browner each week (..can't be good - we're sure!).

Anyway - we're both going well...keeping very busy and on the whole really satisfied with progress and where we're at in our work here. There are occasional moments where we are hanging out to go home - but fortunately these are getting fewer and far between than we we first arrived. Lately - our focus has been on the church sustainability forums and assessing options for setting up an NGO here and looking at potential social justice projects. An update on the forums will be posted shortly - so stay tuned for this!

Regarding the NGO - it is quite a process for setting up and registering with the various Government departments - each wanting their own little "fee" for their approval services. Interesting process so we've been told...we will fill you on how it pans out as we take the journey with all this!

Since our last update in April, here's a few things that have happened:
We nearly forgot Easter as it's not celebrated here, it being primarily a Buddhist nation - not even chocolate easter eggs or hot cross buns! However, we did end up going to one of the international churches on Easter Sunday to help us reflect on what Easter is all about. The weekend after Easter was then nearly a week off for most Khmers to celebrate the Khmer New Year public holiday, where most people head back to their homes in the province (most people come to the city to seek work but are originally from the provinces). All the markets and many places are closed over this period of time, so it was relatively quiet here in the city, which I (Jo) immensely enjoyed (particularly being able to sleep without being woken by constant noise)!

We also attended the ANZAC Day memorial dawn service at the Australian Ambassador's house (see pics below). After much deliberation, we decided to hire Yaan, an older Khmer woman to help us clean our place once a week. Whilst it is a very common practice to have home help with cooking and cleaning amongst expats and the more wealthy Khmers, Mark and I did not even contemplate this until we realised that because of the dirt and the dust from the streets, etc, you nearly need to clean every day. This was becoming more and more exhausting as we were getting more busy with our work here (not to mention sweating like a pig just mopping the floor)! We continue to do our own shopping and cooking, washing, etc and just some lighter cleaning duties.

We also went to a 'Timothy's All Project" pastor's retreat down in Sihanoukville (~4+hrs in a bus) that we were invited along to. This project is centred on a mentoring program for senior leadership of the main khmer church denominations here. It provided an interesting time to observe the pastors interact with each other as well joining in with some of the practical teaching. It was also really enjoying spending some time getting to know the pastor's families - as the retreat included pastors plus their wives and children. It definitely became memorable on the long bus trip back when a microphone was passed around the bus allowing Khmer hymns to be belted out by the pastors and their wives! Khmers love karaoke and singing their hearts out - bless their souls!

May and the start of June was personally a time of celebrations for us both. We celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary (with a surprise trip to Bangkok for a couple of days organised by Mark), Mark's birthday in late May and then my (Jo's) birthday in early June. (Not to mention Mother's Day back home and it was my mum's birthday as well.) Such wonderful occassions here take an extra special effort to plan as again Cambodians do not celebrate anniversaries or birthdays (if they do - it is usually for the more "western" khmers and even then - mainly for the young children) - partly because they can't afford it and some of them don't have details of their actual birth dates.

Some good news is we just bought a car recently - a little VW Golf, about 15 years old and who knows how many owners!. It is definitely not original like most vehicles around Phnom Penh - but at was cheap and should be reliable (so we're told!). So, we are happy about this and it was a real answer to prayer considering we're heading into the wet season right now and have already been caught out on the motorbike a number of times - which can be pretty dangerous to say the least! (it is a case of "every man for himself" usually - let alone during the madness of peak hour traffic in pelting rain). So, having the ability to get around town in a car will be a safe and better option for our transport needs. It was funny though, when a couple of weeks ago we used the car to go to a cambodian wedding reception we were invited to and it rained very heavily causing some significant flooding in most of the inner city areas and in particular in the area near the reception venue. We were amazed that our little VW actually made it through the deluge - considering the water depth was at least 1 1/2 foot in sections...amazingly the car didn't miss a beat, and didn't float away (..we have heard stories of this happening in PP not so long ago actually!). We were praying intently though...as the prospect of push starting in the rain and with the roads so flooded - was not something we were looking forward to! (at least for Jo - as she was in her nice dress on the way to the wedding reception!!).

Aside from this - we do have another team coming next week which will be great! We are really looking forward to seeing some of our church friends again. This trip is focused on assessing some potential social justice projects that our church can commit to undertake - so it will be great to see how this unfolds and hopefully we can start getting a little more clarity around this particular area of what we're doing in Cambodia. In spite of a large number of NGO and local/international government efforts in place currently (over 800+) - there is still significant needs here in terms of improving the quality of life for the many poor and marginalised in cambodian society.

Well...that's about it from us! Below are some interesting photos of our recent journey. Enjoy!

Pic of us both on the road with the motorbike (Jo is now confident in riding - though still getting used to traffic)

Typical daily traffic scene - can they honestly expect to fit anymore in that van!!

Outdoor activities at the beach in Sihanoukville - as part of "Timothy's All Project" cambodian pastors retreat

Mark posing with the elephant and Ps. Toun Kakada

Group photo at the end of the pastors retreat in Sihanoukville (we're the ones on the left of frame!)


Pic taken while out on one of our morning runs around the Olympic Stadium (...don't be fooled - we are not that fit and unfortunately going for a run is less frequent than we'd like!)- shows a local youths basketball team drill

At the ANZAC Day ceremony in Phnom Penh...it was really great to be involved and good to see it was so well supported by the local Aussies

...Ahh...a touch of Australiana! a friendly game of 2-up on ANZAC day


Our man Heng, going for the big bite on a local fried spider (famous in the township of Skoun, about 1 hr from PP)

...and yes...he is for real.!!

..nice touch...just the leg dangling out of the mouth: Perfect!!

A happy little camper! ...

Our joint response to the spider eating incident....(we won't be in a hurry to try that one!!)

Our landlady doing her daily cooking - using a traditional khmer clay oven (this is used by most cambodians - even in the city!)

Relaxing with some friends on the beach at Sihanoukville (on the King's Birthday holiday weekend)

Jo surprised Mark with a huge birthday cake during the May Forum. Very nice!!

Wet season is here!! ..this pic was taken out front of a wedding reception venue..our little VW Golf got us to the venue reasonably on time and most importantly without floating down the road!

Pic of Jo beside a line of guests at a traditional khmer wedding ceremony. Guests are asked to carry the packs of fruit or other food items in a procession to the ceremony entrance. They are then taken and placed on the floor where the bridal party sit. The bride and groom then give the fruit and other items to the parents and relatives as a way to honor them throughout the wedding ceremony. (The fruit carrying ceremony usually starts at 6am in the morning mind you!!...Tis a long day for everyone really!)

Pic of us at the wedding reception (..and yes...Jo is holding a friends baby in her arms!!)

Jo's (surprise) birthday celebrations - with a few friends at the nice French restaurant (Comme a la Maison)

Church Sustainability Forums - General Info & Update (April 07)

Vision for the Church Sustainability Forums

The church sustainability forums aim to assist Cambodian pastors build self-sustaining, growing churches that impact their communities for the kingdom of God.

We do believe that the Cambodian church has the ability to break out of the donor-support cycle and become self sustaining financially. And we also believe that the Cambodian church can reach and be a part of the emerging middle-class.

To achieve this goal, we believe the immediate need is in building capacity, strengthening the relationships between pastors and their key church business people, and in facilitating learning and spiritual growth through mentoring relationships.

Building towards the vision:
With the goal of sustainability in mind, we have established a pilot program including weekly mentoring sessions and a schedule of monthly training forums that seek to:
• Assist pastors and their church businessperson build strong relationships
• Build the capacity of both pastor and businessperson through practical training
• Provide relational support through a local expatriate business and pastoral mentoring program.

Through the mentoring relationships and the monthly forums we will be helping both the senior pastor and their church businessperson build sustainable organisations by applying kingdom principles to their respective organisations.

Update on the Forums:
We commenced the pilot forum program in March 07. This pilot program is planned to extend for a 12 month period initially - being limited to a maximum of 4 churches (of which we are working with senior pastor/s and their key church businesspeople).

Currently, the pilot program includes a total of 12 participants (4 pastors, 8 business people) from the following churches in Phnom Penh:

- New Life Fellowship (Ps. Jesse McCaul and Ps. Leang Samdy)
- Russey Keo Baptist (Ps. Toun Kakda)
- Victory Life Centre (Ps. Jimmy Lu)
- Home Centre Church (Home based outreach to university students - led by a leadership team currently)

We are also very blessed to have four locally based expats who are capable and well experienced in their respective areas of expertise, and have committed to fulfill either a pastoral or kingdom business mentoring role within this pilot forum program.

Some pics from the April forum in which we covered the subject of mindsets and attitudes to financial stewardship...






Following review and evaluation - we intend to extend the year 1 forum schedule to include a new group of participants.

Participants who undertake year 1 of the forums will be considered for a year 2 forum program focusing on spirit inspired business planning. In entirety - over the year 1 & 2 schedule of forums, we aim to cover teaching on the elements of building a spiritual enterprise, business planning and inputting a biblical and Holy Spirit guided formation of a business plan (relevant to the cambodian church business person); and elements of church growth and leadership, vision, and sustainability for growth-oriented churches (relevant to the cambodian pastor).

Training in the monthly forums is provided by a combination of local and overseas speakers that have held and do hold very high positions in large Corporations and growing churches, and some are experienced Christian entrepreneurs who have founded and built their businesses on what they have been led by God to do.

If you would like to be involved in this exciting program - please contact Mark directly on mark.dennert@cccw.org.au

An insight into the cultural and spiritual landscape in Cambodia

These are some of the spiritual and cultural "layers" that we've observed and have been told about in our time here in the country. No rocket science here (!)...but we do hope this helps in understanding the khmer people and what influences them as people - spiritually and culturally:
Animism
- The earliest recorded religions in Cambodia where based on this belief system
- Animists believe that spirits reside in all things
- It is considered that good and evil spirits exist and are active in all of community life
- Animist belief still exists today in much of Cambodian culture and society

Hinduism
- Believed to be introduced by Indian traders around the time of Christ
- Cambodia’s creation myth describes how the country originated from a union between the princess of a serpent king and an Indian Brahman named Kaundinya. As dowry, the king presented the couple with a new territory called Kambuja-the source of both the names Cambodia and Kampuchea.
- Cambodia’s first formalized religion
- Early Angkorian King’s worshipped Hindu gods like Siva and Vishnu
- Temples of Hindu influence proliferated from the 9th century onwards, the most prominent today, Angkor Wat was first dedicated to the hindu god Vishnu.

Feudalism
- Feudal based communities existed in early Cambodian society
- People belonged to a village, may have been able to grow their own rice – but were also obliged to serve their overlords in public works and war
- Society was heavily defined by lines of status and social hierarchy determined by birthright – with the ruling class dominating the “ruled”.

Buddhism
- Buddhism arrived in Cambodia with Indian traders. Cambodia adopted the Theravada variant of Buddhism in the 13th century.
- After King Jayavarman VII switched from Hinduism to Buddhism, Buddhist religious icons were added to many of the temples that had already been built along Hindu architectural lines.
- Buddhists believe that living beings are reincarnated after death to return to Earth in some form or another to live many future lives. In this view, advantage enjoyed in the next life must be earned in this life. Feudalism in Cambodia’s early history reinforced this fatalistic outlook, where social status was established by birthright and could not be changed much during a person’s life.
- Ninety-six percent of the population today is considered Buddhist

Colonialism
- After the fall of Angkor, Cambodia was subject to threats on many fronts: Thais to the west, Chams to the east, Thai and Vietnamese from the 17th century until the French in 1860. Overlaying this was the European influence, firstly from the Spanish traders pushing up from the Philippines.
- In the early 17th century, the Cambodians lost important territory to both the Vietnamese and the Thais – this remains to present day.
- In 1863 France took over Cambodia following assuming control of Vietnam (the French saw Indo-China as a pathway into southern China)
- The Cambodian ruling elite and the merchant class (mainly Chinese merchants) lived a comfortable and profitable existence under the French – while the rural population remained exploited (the first rule of French colonization was to run the colonies at profit). French rule in Cambodia ceased in 1953 with the declaration of Cambodian independence.

Communism
- In the 1950’s, amidst rising conflict in the region relating to communist inspired independence movements – Sihanouk opted for a policy of neutrality.
- Over this period, Cambodia became involved in the communist war lead by USA and their allies. In the midst of Thailand and South Vietnam’s support of America’s war on communism, Prince Sihanouk, in his role as Prime Minister, forged an alliance with Vietnam and begun adopting increasingly socialist policies.
- The US conducted many bombing raids on Cambodian territory due to their suspicions of North Vietnamese positions in Cambodia. Massive bombing efforts led by the US targeting Cambodian lands delivered psychological terror to most of the rural population. This bombing divided the country – rural areas under bombardment became increasingly hostile to the Americans and sympathetic to the communists. Cambodian cities by contrast remained under the control of the US’s anti-communist ally, the Phnom Penh government (led by General Lon Nol), leading to civil war between the countryside (backed by North Vietnamese army) and the cities (backed by the States)
- The war between the Khmer-Rouge/North Vietnamese alliance and Lon Nol’s forces raged for five years. The war concluded in April 1975, two months ahead of the fall of Saigon, with victory to the Khmer Rouge communists.

Revolutionism (Pol-Pot Regime)
- Phnom Penh fell to the Khmer Rouge in 1975; liberated citizens were however unaware of the cultural division between the city and country that had been bred into the KR soldiers. Within a day of taking over the city, the Khmer Rouge deceptively led a campaign of massive social reconstruction (city dwellers were viewed as enemies of the revolution who needed to be ‘re-educated’). Many believed that they were helping the Khmer Rouge rebuild the country as they were escorted out of the city, totally unaware that in fact they would be heading to their deaths.
- The revolution led by Pol Pot aspired to return the country to “Year Zero”, turning society upside down: where peasants became overseers and the urban middle class became peasants. Rural people ruled the urban leaders. Young ruled over the old. Students ruled their teachers. The ignorant ruled the knowledgeable.
- It is claimed that Pol Pot’s first measure on assuming power had been to attack the basic unit of Cambodian society: the family unit. Parents lost their children in this process (considered to now be part of the family of “Angkar”- the name given to the ideology and political force of the revolution), leaving a generation of orphans.
- This revolution failed in devastating form resulting in the extermination of much of the educated and middle class in Cambodian society. A widely quoted Khmer Rouge saying towards the prospects of the peasant class was: “Keeping you is not profitable to us. Discarding you is no loss”.
- Many of the countries cultural and religious sites of significance, and many historical artifacts were all systematically sought to be eliminated during this period. This only resulted in more devastation, poverty and depletion of human and natural resources within the country.
- It is estimated that over 1 million Cambodians (estimates range between 20-30% of the population) died at the hands of the Khmer Rouge between 1975-79.
- On 7 January 1979, the North Vietnamese army entered Phnom Penh and took control of power.

Post-Revolutionism (Continued fighting, Starvation and Uncertainty)
- Several years of warring continued after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, due to the liberation of the Cambodian people from the KR coming via the communist Vietnamese army.
- In the almost ten years of fighting that followed (between US led forces, including remnants of the KR forces backed by the US against the Vietnamese) - much destruction to infrastructure and agricultural lands resulted. This led to the prospect of massive starvation, further political and social instability and many Cambodians seeking refugee status across the border in Thailand.
- In 1989, the Vietnamese army withdrew from Cambodia. After the Vietnamese left, the Khmer Rouge saw another chance to come back, but failed.
- In 1991, the Peace Accords were signed ushering in the presence of United Nations personnel to oversee establishment of a transitionary government and rebuilding of much needed infrastructure (known as UNTAC).

Bits and Pieces about Cambodian Culture - Part 2 (some interesting Do's & Don'ts - sourced from another website):

How to Greet

- Offer a traditional greeting with hands in front of face, palms together, in prayer-like fashion.

- Men can shake hands with men.

- Men should not shake hands with Khmer women unless they offer their hand.

- Men should not hug, kiss, or touch the body of women…

- Men should not look women directly in the eye. (They may become confused, feel uncomfortable, nervous, shy, and not respected.)

- Men should not give "strong" visual attention to other men.

How to Sleep

- You must wake up before sunrise or else you are lazy.

- Sleeping places in the home are determined according to status. Cambodian families often live in one or two rooms, and everyone sleeps on the same bed, a large slatted wooden platform of about eight- or ten-feet square. The parents sleep at the "head" end and the youngest children sleep at the "foot" end.


How to Walk

- Tell people where you are going and when you are coming back. This is important to show respect to others and to keep them from being embarrassed if someone asks and they don't know where you are.

- If someone of higher status is passing you, bend lower (from the waist) than that person. ◊Don't make sounds with your skirt when you walk.

- Don't wear shoes or hats when you enter a house or temple.

- Close doors softly when you go through them.

- When you meet someone on the street, ask where they are going.


How to Stand

- Stand with your arms crossed at the waist. (Arms at the side means you are signaling that you are strong. Hands on the hips or arms behind your back or across the chest means you are rich, powerful, threatening, or disrespectful of other people.)


How to Sit

- Sit with your legs straight down. Crossing your legs can be a sign of disrespect. Never put your feet on a table or show the soles of your feet to others as this is very rude.

- Men can sit on the floor in the lotus position while eating.

Women must sit on the floor with their legs to the side.


How to Speak

- You must speak softly and gently.

- Children have no right to speak unless spoken to.

- A guest is polite and doesn't talk unless spoken to.

- Let others talk more than you.

- There should be limited talking at meals.

- If you speak with anger or emotion or express feelings, you will not be respected. You are behaving like an immature and uneducated child.

- Patience is a virtue. (Parents make a comparison between a gasoline fire which ignites quickly and burns to nothing, and a charcoal fire which is difficult to start but cannot easily be extinguished and becomes more intense.)

- Do not make aggressive movements or gestures–such as making a fist, pounding the table, or throwing something–while speaking.

- Giving criticism or discussing an individual's problems must not be done in public. That person will lose face, want revenge, and will be unable to accept your idea.

How to Eat

- Men can eat a lot but must not eat fast.

- Women can eat only a small amount.

- Take food only when asked or directed to.

- Use the communal spoon. Not using it indicates you are insincere or not part of the group.

- People of high rank do not expect to have to get their own food (especially at a buffet). They are often seated in a private or special place and served by others to show status and respect.

- All guests must be served water or another drink even if they come for only a short visit. Give a drink rather than ask what they want which is impolite. If asked, they are obligated to choose the least expensive drink.

- If guests come during a meal, they must be invited to eat.

How to Dress

- The goal in dressing is to blend in with others, not to stand out.

- Formality is very important for respect in the office and at important occasions.

- Women should avoid skirts above the knees and sleeveless or low-cut blouses.

- Shorts are not appropriate in public or when a guest.

- Men's hair should be short.

How to Work

- Maintaining proper relationships in the office takes priority over the work.

- Proper behavior is more important than work performance.

- You will get honor if you show respect and politeness to those of higher status or power.

- Your performance will be evaluated based on allegiance to those in power.

- You will be rewarded with money or power or job security if you give respect and allegiance to your superiors.

- It is better to agree than to disagree, especially if the other person has a higher status. It is the responsibility of those in power to make decisions.

Postscripts from Phnom Penh (Mar 06)

From Jo…
Wow, we’ve now been in Cambodia for 6 months – in some ways it seems like ages and in other ways it seems like we’ve just arrived (however, more often the former feeling)! Early February was primarily spent organizing the final details for the conference. The Pastors’ Conference from 20th – 23rd was absolutely fantastic – the Holy Spirit was experienced in a mighty way by all who attended including the team from Oz! Neil and Erin preached amazing messages but moreso led by the Spirit to allow us to soak more and more in His presence. Both Mark and I felt our thirsts got quenched but did not truly realize how thirsty and dry we had got spiritually since being here. Whilst the Cambodian pastors, youth pastors and leaders were impacted, it was even more exciting for me to see how Tim, Gracie, Dean, Greg, and Nel allowed the Spirit to lead them in imparting into the lives of the Cambodians. Anyway, I can’t say enough about the conference…

Soon after the conference finished, Mark and I had our first cell group meeting at our place for expats attending New Life Fellowship (the local church we are attending) – surprise, surprise, we met another couple from Oz who happen to go to CCC Oxford Falls!!! We are looking forward to building the group and being able to minister to each other.

We have just arrived back from our mid-year break in Thailand, spending about 6 nights in Phuket and then 3 nights in Bangkok, which was just heavenly!!! With this amazingly hot weather here, it was so nice to be able to go to a beach (the closest beach to PP is about 4 hrs away and it can cost approx US$10 to visit a pool)! We hired a motorbike for a day and did a bit of sightseeing and went into a massive shopping centre – I was nearly in shock after not seeing one for some time. We found a supermarket that sold more than one variety of apple, and so we went silly buying some gala apples, peaches and plums – I know this may sound funny but it’s amazing what you miss!!! It was also nice to have ‘proper’ coffee, have a range of places to eat and shop and being able to hold Mark’s hand while walking down the street and not breathe in dust (all these things a bit of a rarity in Cambodia). However, coming from a very poor country, doing some shopping in Thailand nearly blew me away as the prices in Thailand seemed extravagant (even though compared to Australia they were reasonable). The only point that wasn’t such a highlight was that I got sick during part of our time, although it didn’t stop me from getting as much action as possible! Oh and we thought the traffic in Cambodia was bad, our taxi driver to the airport for our flight back here at 5am was sitting at about 140km for awhile on the freeway and our seatbelts weren’t working – this certainly kept us wide awake and praying hard!!!
And then the day we arrived back to PP to our place, the electricity cut out on us twice…ahh, welcome back to reality!

From Mark...

Well, here we are as six month old expatriates..sure seems longer than that (as Jo indicated!) - but in reality we have had a pretty good run in terms of settling in. We are definitely feeling alot more settled in the house now that we have it mostly furnished and we have the motorbike to get around town in. Also - in terms of our roles here - it has definitely been a progressive thing in terms of us realising just where we fit in the big scheme of things here in PP. With so many different NGO's and church organisations based here - all doing really good work - we often felt like we were wandering a tad in our direction here - but this has definitely firmed up since and we are now more confident that we can actually add value in many areas here and in ways that others aren't addressing currently. So, that is really re-assuring for us both!

Well, since we last wrote - we held another pastors conference here in PP for cambodian church pastors and leaders (and yes...ridiculously close to the previous one!!). This conference was focused on the role of youth ministries within the local church and we had a good mix of both senior and youth pastors attending. All up - there were around 50 attendees throughout the 4 days - so that was really satisfying and just to see how God was really addressing some significant things in most - was even more special. The main themes coming through were of character issues, understanding the differences between calling & gifting in ministry, the role of youth pastor and senior pastors, raising new generation leaders, submission and unity, and the dream of God for our lives. It was all a great time in building relationships and in allowing some deep inner work by the holy spirit through some real 'God moments' throughout the week. I think we all came away with something significant in God - which is very cool really!

After the hecticness of the previous month in organising for this conference - we really did need a break for ourselves (..yes..we too get tired !!) and took our scheduled half year retreat straight afterward - with time in phuket and bangkok city. This was just what we needed!! We had some nice lazy days in the beaches in phuket and only had the hassle of avoiding all the other foreigners around town, including the many older white males with pretty young local girls hanging off their arms...all pretty disgusting really. We had a few edge of the seat experiences (and I do mean literally!) with some pretty crazy taxi drivers..both times in trying to get us to the airport in time to catch our flights...I think there is a trend emerging here somehow! Anyways...both times I went for the seat-belts - which I haven't done at all in travels in cambodia or laos...but these taxi drivers were seriously putting the pedal to the metal - and to the extreme!!

It was nice to have time in bangkok ...actually I can't believe I'm saying this about bangkok city..of all the places!!..but yes..we both had a healthy dose of retail therapy at the many shopping centres around the city. We stocked up on some things for the house, but also in buying for ourselves - which was really nice to have that luxury and not to have to bargain in hot, sweaty market atmospheres (..we'd both forgotten how nice it is to shop in air-conditioned comfort!).

In terms of our next few months, we are preparing to start a pilot program involving mentoring of a small group of church pastors and their key business-people (will start later this month)..so, we'll keep you in the loop on how all this progresses. We are expecting a really great opportunity in this to help build the vision of self-sustainability for churches here in cambodia.

Anyways..that's about it from us at the moment.

Take care until next time. Lots of love from us both!

Some pics of our journey so far...

Erin, Mark and Tim trying to navigate peak hour in phnom penh traffic to check out some of the local food stalls...I think it was worth the risk factor for them (at least to see the deep fried spiders!)

The cccw team (minus Neil and Greg) on a moto tour of the inner city areas...

A walk around Boeng Kak lake railway line area to get a feel for how the other half live (this is one of many of the inner city slum areas). The cambodians have such a great ability to make something out of so little - truly amazing.

A class in action at the newly opened New Life Fellowships International School (where Narelle works). Team in the background with Narelle.

Visiting the rubbish tip where many desperate cambodians try to make a living off the discard of inner city life dumped by the local rubbish trucks. A truly horrific sight to see in person...so much need here in this location alone. Really stirs you to look at opportunities to meet the practical needs of these people.

The cccw girls spending some time with the girls in New Life Fellowship's girls dorm (Next Step Houses)

Neil in action during one of the conference sessions (w/ Ps. Jesse McCaul interpreting with equal passion!)

Worship during one of the morning sessions of the conference

Erin sharing from her heart in one of the sessions (w/ Ps. Bora, NLF's youth pastor interpreting for her)

During one of the conference session breaks - the girls getting into the good ol' chain massage!

Erin, Grace and Jo in a tuk-tuk. This night: Nel, Grace and Erin all dressed up in the typical local cambodian girls day outfit (kinda like day-pyjama's really!) as we head out for a meal along the riverside (very funny ..and yes...they did get many comments from the local women!)

Tim and Heng posing for the camera in front of some pretty obscure hindu idol statues out front of the Goldiana Hotel

The cccw team (except for Neil) out for drinks and a meal (Note: the girls wearing the local day outfits!)

Heng's story...and our visit to his home in the province

Heng's story of living in the men's dorms (Next Step Houses):

First of all we just want to express ourselves to say thank for that we have a chance to tell you about our living place in present time and what had happened at there. Yes I hope all these things below will help you to know more about dorms and life passed experiences about a couple of guys.

We have 25 men who stayed at the next step house in Toul Svay Prey I. around 23 something stayed at Women’s dorm most of them coming from provinces.
Some of them continues their study at Universities, some study English at Church, and some study in high school in the Phnom Penh City.
All most of them came from poor farmers families. The reason they come to Phnom Penh because they want to continue their studies and want to find job to do but you know it not easy like what they supposed to do. Some time they felt hopeless. They cry out for help in a quiet room, some don’t know what should they do because don’t have any high education such guys who stay with me he just only study in 3 glades and their family forced him stop to studying since he was young. I fell very sorry for him so much. I, Heng experienced about my life living in the City without any support. I worked as a worker just change for food for all most 5 years. I think it really tough standard of living with people who always promise with us and at the end he turns his words. I have loads of experienced living with people and work for them as a slave. You know at that time I sell and mineral water I get up at 4:30 am and drive car to ice factory and delivered to home customer from door to door till 12:00pm and some time 1:00pm. I have only one hour break for lunch and then drive car deliver pure water to buyer at homes I get back home around 4:00pm something even though it is a hard job but I happy to do it. I thought it my own work and never think about energy, time at all because I know for sure when I stop working for my boss his will give me as what he had promises.

I have a great privilege to get know New Life Center through my friend he encouraged me to study at that organization. The first few week I refused to what he want me to do but he comes almost every week and his encouragement words changed my mind so decided go to study there. The first day I went there it was strange to me because I saw lots of students come and the class is so big, no wall. When I study with Jesse he informed to students I have Bible Class at room 210. Some of my new friend asked me Heng do you want to study Bible
I thought for a second and reply -what was the Bible study about? They said you will know later. The first day of my study Jesse gave New Testament Bible to read at home. You know when I start read the Bible I often have problem with people around me especially son of my boss. They don’t like me when knew that I have time to study English. You know before I have time to do that I try to work hard to satisfy my boss and asked him for times from month to month I always have problems. One evening when I read The Bible and went to bed I dreamed somebody called me in my dream that Heng follow me. When He reached his hands to me I stand still and asked to my mind “who is he” he say follow me I will give you place to stay the morning coming when I woke up I was very happy because I felt his love, and embrace. A few months later my boss talks to me Heng now you have wings so you can fly where you want to… I cried out silently and asked myself why? Where should I go?

On Saturday in the evening around 7:30pm I walked to New Life Fellowship because there I knew some Christian friends. I have told them about these problems. They felt sorry for me and then handed me to see Bora and other old Christian after they knew about the things.
They let me stay with them at resource room. I am very happy when I heard the word “ok”
I started to study harder and helped to do stuff in the Church such as setting chairs, sweeping, clean chairs one in every month in the church with other Christians, and also serving as an usher.
What I can’t forget is that when I reached to the roof top of church I cried out very loud out that THANKS YOU for calling me to this place God.
Brother/sister I just would love to tell you that even if you are rejected by the world but God, he never do that instead loves us and ready helping us for all what we asked for. God is good all the time. Don’t worry you are not alone. in Christ Jesus we have everything. We have father who always care about us.

Thanks you again

Blessings,
Heng Hak

From Mark...on our visit to Heng's family at their house in the province:
Here are some pics of a recent trip we (Jo, Mark + Nel and Tim from the cccw team) made to visit Heng's family in their village last month - as a way to encourage him and his family. It was a real eye-opener just to see how the majority of cambodians live - in a one room style wooden house, in very simple conditions (ie. no running water or electricity). It should make all of us "westerners" very thankful for all the basics in life that we have available to us - and to which we mostly take for granted. Food for thought...

Some pics of our trip are below:



Heng's family (incl. nieces/nephews, cousins, etc) and the cccw team (Jo, Mark, Nel and Tim) outfront of Heng's house in the province.

We were treated on arriving with fresh coconut juice and a local sweet rice cake. They were all delicious and as can be seen we were all enjoying the food on the table below the house! This arrangement is typical of most cambodian houses in the provinces.

Jo enjoying the coconut juice with Heng alongside.

Heng with his grandma. She was facinated with our cameras and in seeing her photos shown back to her....apparently she hadn't seen a picture of herself for many years (having not owned a mirror since she was a younger lady). Simply amazing - what we can so easily take for granted, can be priceless for others who are less fortunate than ourselves.

A view down the road near Heng's house - a mix of local kids and some of Heng's extended family quickly gathered as soon as the camera came out!