CAMBODIAMISSION.DAVESCENERYPHOTOS.COM

PICTURES OF ORPHANAGE AND DUMP SITE KIDS

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:18:00 GMT

HERE ARE SOME GREAT IMAGES OF THE PHNOM PENH ORPHANAGE AND DUMP SITE KIDS

CLARA AND THE LA TEAM

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

COMMUNITY HEALTH AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT (CHAD)

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:30:00 GMT

COMMUNITY HEALTH AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT (CHAD)

Our vision is for Methodist Mission in Cambodia Churches to be engaging communities to experience wholeness of life- physically, socially and spiritually- as they wetness to the transforming power of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

PDF NEWSLETTER
CHAD Advent 08 Newsletter

COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:05:00 GMT

During our visit we were escorted by Joseph Chan over to the "new" REGIONAL COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER (RCLC) for youth located in Siam Reap City. Quite a bit of development has been accomplished, additional land is now donated to the Church, and the potential for spiritual and facility growth are enormous.

Click links below to download PDF showing:
RCLC Overall Plot Plan
RCLC Property Detail
Proposed Addition to Existing Building

Joseph reviewing his vision for the Learning Center

Very nice property now belonging to UMC

The Church / Worship facility (Jack and the local Pastor)

School where English is currently being taught

There is an existing large meeting room, with a Church Worship facility, large covered pavilion, and school room where English is being taught.

Large covered Pavilion

Click link below for PDF (large file) map of Sian Reap City
Map of Siam Reap City

Our team committed to pray for development of the "Center". We have more detail on the plans for this new facility and will be making them available via this log as time allows. The dream of Joseph is to construct a center here for youth recreation and Bible study (see PDF files). This project will be a construction opportunity for future teams to serve.

WANT TO HELP?........HERE IS HOW!

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:46:00 GMT

Great ways to help with Cambodia Missions:

1. Pastors support $200 per month ($2,400 per year)

2. Scholarship: Cambodian Methodist Bible School $100 per month ($1,000 per yr)

3. Faith Engine Ministry (Mechanics training) $250 per scholarship FEM - This facility trains skills to repair motorcycle and car engines. Each class has 15 students for 10 weeks. Students have classroom study, hands-on shop experience, daily worship plus eat and sleep at the mission facility for the entire term. Once they graduate with a certificate, they are qualified to work or start their own business for engine repair. The value of our donation dollars is amazingly effective. For $300 one student receives a scholarship for the 10 week term...including room and board. This gives more than help...it builds skills that improve the lives of those trained as well as the Cambodian citizens they serve by repairing their vehicles. Imagine how many in that country will see the light of Christ shining in the face of their mechanic. Advance number 14923-A attn: Emmanuel Barte.
4. Orphans support through congregations $10 per month per child, $120 per year per child Advance #000230 Attn: Esther Gitobu.

5. Livelihood projects ( Cambodian Methodist Women)

$250 cows

$100 pigs

$250 chicken flock for group

$350 mushrooms

$350 weaving group - for Weaving and Sewing, the fund is split between CHAD (Advance #14916-A) and Women's Livelihood Ministries (Advance #000230 Attn: Esther Gitobu)

6. Health care for sick $100 fund for district

7. Covenant support for missionary -- $2,500 per congregation, or $5 per member avg worship attendance.
8. Water filters, Rice Vegetable garden, Cow, Mushroom project, Irrigation project. These projects are part of CHAD (Community Health and Agricultural Development) program. Use Advance #14916-A Attn: Irene Mparutsa.

**Designate Cambodia General Advance # 000230A for the above priority needs and the name of the project unless marked otherwise.

You may give your check to your local congregation marked accordingly and it will be passed on or……..

Make checks payable to GBGM (General Board of Global Ministries), include aadvance # on memo field of check and mail to: Financial Services, c/o Edwin Francisco, Associate Treasurer, Board of Global Ministries / UMC, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115 USA

Or

Give the check to your local United Methodist Church with the advance number and project name. They can then send it in with their monthly remittance.

Nicholas Kithinji (Gitobu) 13077Z (Support Number)

Esther Gitobu 13959Z (Support Number)

OTHER OPPORTUNITY:

We will be publishing a "CAMBODIA CALENDAR" with pictures of CAMBODIA. We would like to see local Churches become involved (hopefully through their Youth Ministries) in using the calendar to tell the CAMBODIA story & to use as a fundraiser for this great cause.

Email me at: dhowell5@aol.com if you have questions or if you would like to discuss ways to get plugged into this great movement of God in Cambodia! ......or see Jack's web site for more information (see link to "THE WELL")

YOUTH CAMP PICTURE COLLAGE - Page 3

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:48:00 GMT

The prayer that sparks revival begins long before the countryside seems to awaken from its slumber in sin. It starts when men fall on their knees and cry out to God. That’s where true intimacy with God takes place and we begin the journey of being transformed into the image of Christ. And as men are transformed, the course of a nation can be changed. Wellington Boone

YOUTH CAMP PICTURE COLLAGE - Page 2

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:18:00 GMT

THE KILLING FIELDS

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:22:00 GMT

Wednesday December 10th

Our last day in Cambodia turned out to be one of the saddest in memory, as we toured Camp Choeung ER, one of estimated 388 CAMBODIAN KILLING FIELDS.

The Cambodian genocide of 1975-1979, in which approximately 2-3 million people lost their lives (20 - 30% of the country's population), was one of the worst human tragedies of the last century (it seems we heard many different estimates of these numbers as no one really knows for sure).

On April 17th, 1975 the Khmer Rouge, a communist guerrilla group led by Pol Pot, took power in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. They forced all city dwellers into the countryside and to labor camps. During their rule, it is estimated that Cambodians died by starvation, torture or execution.

The Khmer Rouge turned Cambodia to year zero. They banned all institutions, including stores, banks, hospitals, schools, religion, and the family. Everyone was forced to work 12 - 14 hours a day, every day. Children were separated from their parents to work in mobile groups or as soldiers. People were fed one watery bowl of soup with a few grains of rice thrown in. Babies, children, adults and the elderly were killed everywhere. The Khmer Rouge killed people if they didn’t like them, if didn’t work hard enough, if they were educated, if they came from different ethnic groups, or if they showed sympathy when their family members were taken away to be killed. All were killed without reason. Everyone had to pledge total allegiance to Angka, the Khmer Rouge government. It was a campaign based on instilling constant fear and keeping their victims off balance.

After the Vietnamese invaded and liberated the Cambodian people from the Khmer Rouge, 600,000 Cambodians fled to Thai border camps. Ten million land mines were left in the ground, one for every person in Cambodia. The United Nations installed the largest peacekeeping mission in the world in Cambodia in 1991 to ensure free and fair elections after the withdrawal of the Vietnamese troops. Cambodia was turned upside down during the Khmer Rouge years and the country has the daunting task of healing physically, mentally and economically.

The killing field sits empty now except for tourists and onlookers. The site is cratered with shallow pits and mounds, silent under the trees (although it seemed at times you could hear the moaning of the dead). We have to ask ourselves……how could this have happened in our lifetime?

It was really difficult to listen to the accounts by our tour guide
His parents had escaped to the country side.

Commemorative Monument containing some of the remains, lest we not forget.

A number of years ago there was a movie released, "The Killing Fields" it is available for rental. The EBR Library also has it available for checking out (I have a copy is someone wants to borrow it). It is a fairly accurate account of the events of the late 70's.

Other resource links:

http://www.yale.edu/cgp/

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/15/news/cambo.php

http://www.killingfieldsmuseum.com/

ANKOR WAT

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:58:00 GMT

Seim Reap and Angkor Wat - Tourist Day - Tuesday, Dec. 9th
We boarded a plane at daylight to take a 40 minute flight over to Seim Reap. Located here is Angkor Wat, an ancient Buddhist temple that is considered one of the man-made wonders of the world (eighth we were told). It was huge, ornate, and exceedingly impressive. The Cambodian heritage holds this site in such high regard that Angkor Wat temple is the symbol at he center of their national flag.

Angkor Wat temple towers, the team plus Joseph Chan whose home town is Seim Reap

Angkor is considered to be the largest religious structure standing on earth today.

We also visited two smaller temples. Ankor Thom is famous for the impressive carvings of faces into the temple.

We also visited Bayon Temple. This is the temple famous for the trees that are interwoven into temple. Portions of the "Laura Croft-Tomb Raider" movie were filmed here.

We were also honored to visit the Methodist Center for Youth in Siem Reap. It is rustic, but some development has been accomplished, additional land is now donated to the Church, and the potential for spiritual and facility growth are enormous. Our team committed to pray for development of the "Center". We have more detail on the plans for this new facility and will be making them available via this log as time allows. The dream of Joseph is to construct a center here for youth recreation and Bible study. This project will be a construction opportunity for future teams from Louisiana to serve.

Joseph gets excited as he shares with us his dreams for the camp.

Existing classroom, used for English studies and for Bible teaching.

Sanctuary room at the Center, The local pastor and family shows us around.

We also visited a Silk Farm. The facility is a training location for the Cambodians, They are able to participate in the profit sharing of the company. We were all impressed with the process and the detail involved in the making of silk that is still woven by hand. We came away with a new appreciation for silk.

Unwinding silk strands from the cocoons in boiling water. The dead worms
would taste better in crab boil...but Mike, Ken and Diane tried it anyway.

Painstaking precision...weaving by hand...symetry and warmth of the human
touch make these silk items very special.

DEVOTION AND FAITH ENGINE MINISTRY

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:57:00 GMT

Methodist Mission Office - Faith Engine Ministry - December 8th
On Monday we started the day at the UMM Office doing devotion, getting to know the staff and fellowship. We continued to be in awe what God is doing in Cambodia. They have a awesome staff and it was great to get to know them all a little better. It did not take long to feel right at home. Since this was Jack's 4th trip he was looking around wondering where his new office would be on his next trip? Jack had brought the Methodist mission a gift......a very special gift. His first guitar......the guitar he had first learned to play on, many years ago. Jack said he was giving Cambodia his "best friend".
See www.midweekmanna.com for his comments about the guitar gift.

Presentation of Jack's old friend, his very first guitar

Country Director Dr. Rosalio, Dist. Supt. Joseph Chan and his wife Maryland
give big "THANK YOU" to Mike for B. R. First Methodist Church's substantial
support of the Youth Camp.

A short drive brought us to the FEM - Faith Engine Ministry. This facility trains skills to repair motorcycle and car engines. Each class has 15 students for 10 weeks. Students have classroom study, hands-on shop experience, daily worship plus eat and sleep at the mission facility for the entire term. Once they graduate with a certificate, they are qualified to work or start their own business for engine repair. The value of our donation dollars is amazingly effective. For $300 one student receives a scholoarship for the 10 week term...including room and board. This gives more than help...it builds skills that improve the lives of those trained as well as the Cambodian citizens they serve by repairing their vehicles. Imagine how many in that country will see the light of Christ shining in the face of their mechanic.

Emmanual (FEM Director) giving us a tour of the facility

After lunch is was a afternoon at the market. A Market like no other, this is where Cambodians can purchase all goods in one place. We were able to compleate our souvenir and Christmas gift needs.

Curt "negotiating" price.

Afternoon nap at the market where sleeping on the job appears to be okay...in fact
maybe better than what we do in our U.S. shops and markets.

Enough of this shopping.....please! (notice the gender of those too pooped to shop any more)

Jack took us to dinner at a nice restaurant that evening.

After this many days, of rice many are seeking comfort food --- burgers & fries.

PHNOM PENH - WORSHIP, GENOCIDE MUSEUM, DUMP SITE

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:32:00 GMT

Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008

The highlight today will be attending the Christmas program at the ministry to children of families living in the city dump, called LADS – "Light at the Dump Site". But first, the team traveled across town to attend morning worship and communion at Toul Tork Methodist Church & School.

As we showed up at the door we saw bunches of shoes so we too slipped ours off to enter the sanctuary.

Jack was asked to deliver the message and preached about Mary and Elizabeth and the advent season. Communion in this setting, with the mix of cultures and languages, was an overwhelming feeling of oneness in Christ, brothers and sisters in this family of God that spans the globe.

Picture opportunity for the team with Nichlos, Esther, and their three daughters,
Jeanette, Nicole, & Michelle.

After lunch we made a stop to a former high school campus (S-21) in the city which was used by Pol Pot as the largest center of detention and torture in the country in the late 70’s.

The Genocide Museum here reminds us once again, with shocking images and heartbreaking stories, how evil is still in our world. Some estimates are that over 2 million Cambodians were executed over the 3-1/2 year Khmer Rouge regime. Our emotions were beyond description, as we stood in this place and contemplated the horror that had taken place here.

Shackles

In the late 70’s we in the US were living a very confortable life………all agreed we could recall some fighting on the other side of the world......... but had no idea of the atrocities taken place here.

Finally off to the dump site…stench, flies, smoke…as you would expect. 0ver 250 children, their parents, and a whole lot of Christmas smiles were what we did not expect. LADS ministry has been providing schooling and food to children who work in the dump for the past eight years. The program was had many elements such as the traditional Christmas story acted out, traditional cultural dancing, modern dance, singing of holiday songs, and all the usual Christmas program.

Many happy faces

Merry Christmas to all!

Curt and Jack presenting vitamins and sports balls for Children. Also presented them with 200 pair of sandals provided by FUMC Bossier City.

There was literally a crush of small children toward the stage as they enjoyed seeing their schoolmates and neighbors up there in costume singing and dancing. Jack told the kids a story.

After the program we ventured out in the dump to get a feel of what it would be like living there. We spoke with several people, and took a few pictures. The feelings that we all had were heavy………beyond description.

The Children returning to the dump after the program

Sifting through garbage

Smoke fills the air

The LADS ministry provides schooling and food for children who literally sift through garbage at the dump as the garbage trucks are unloaded every day. Their families live in shacks formed from tin, cardboard, and wood scraps right inside the dump.

Esther indicated that there are thousands of dump inhabitants. Recyclers down the alley pay them a tiny bit for their collected cans and bottles. The mission offers school ½ day, both morning and afternoon, so that the children can all still have ½ day to help their family collect trash to recycle. A $10/mo. donation will support one child. There are presently 275 enrolled. These children were all clean, friendly, and intelligent. Education and skills are their ticket out of poverty. LADS is doing God’s work in a most hell-like atmosphere, yet the light of Christ shines through loving teachers and ministry helpers. We saw joy in faces of little ones you would expect to be forlorn. Only God, working through His angels in this ministry, can create this miracle.

While out in the dump we saw what appeared as someone in trouble. As it turns out, a man also visiting the dump had cut his foot (had sandals on) and Mandy came to the rescue with her first-aid kit. He was from a Methodist Church in Malaysia with a mission team.

Mandy and Esther tending injury

ORPHANAGE AT PHNOM PENH

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:57:00 GMT

Christmas Celebration at the Orphanage

The orphanage has been moved out from the inner city. They have acquired some land and are building a facility. They have about 100 plus kids living with them at this time.

Upon arrival to the orphanage, the team did a presentation for three separate age groups in the small and hot classrooms. We quickly divided into three teams to rotate—coloring, singing, and story.

Teaching the kids "This Little Light of Mine"

New Crayons

Jack told the story of Why the Bells Rang which emphasized the care of those in need and giving from the heart. The children and poor enjoyed the favor of the story on the poor boy’s gift.

Jack was happy to see the little boy (deaf mute) that we might on the first mission to the orphanage. He immediately smiled and was glad to see us again. This little boy came alive during our first VBS when we taught him some sign language.

Jack was also able to find "Little Ray" one of the children we have watched grow up. Many of the children were the same kids we have seen year after year with many new faces added.

The Christmas celebration is a time for the whole community to come together. We were able to meet a couple of the kids who had moved on in life successfully but come back for the Christmas program. One of the kids of the facility is now singing on Cambodian television while another young girl is in school studying.

The program was filled with the traditional dances of Cambodia. The costumes are ornate and the dances are done by the children. The children sang Christmas songs accompanied by small keyboards that they played. The keyboard is made functional by blowing air through a mouthpiece.

The Christmas story was acted out by the kids as well. The Wise Men was portrayed as very old men with canes. The kids were wonderful in their roles.

Mary and the Angels

The older kids of the facility are competing in a community competition of video reenactment. They chose to learn the steps of a video that we would probably not choose today. However, the boys did do a wonderful reproduction of Beat It and Thriller. They had the costume and dances down really well. They are ranked 9^th in the competition in Cambodia.

Not to be outdone by the older kids, the younger kids then took the stage and danced. They too were wonderful.

Diane, Ken, and Dave did the bamboo pole dance on behalf of our group! It is a traditional dance that involved missing the poles that come together. They did quite well!

Kurt Bailey delivered half of the vitamins and recreation balls to the orphanage. The gifts were greatly appreciated by the facility.

Saturday although we missed the youth, we enjoyed American food with no rice. The Lucky Burger and Steve’s Steak house were welcomed. A few of us were able to get some shopping done and to get a massage.

Tomorrow we worship and then attend the Christmas program at the dumpsite. Keep us in your prayers!

Other Pic's from our day

Clara and Pat Noun (Director)

Esther and some of the girls

The Kids enjoying the show

Santa arrives! .....snowing in Phnom Penh

CAMBODIA YOUTH LEADERS CAMP - Day 3 & 4

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:31:00 GMT

Youth Camp Day Three (Friday – December 5, 2008)

Don’t these kids ever get tired? They pop out for 6:00 AM for exercise again then shovel in the rice and something for breakfast. All fueled up then for a morning session of jumping & dancing praise music (and very loud for us older youth). Rev. Philip Lim, a district superintendent in the Cambodia Methodist Church, gave the morning message. His lesson was about the necessity for all life to maintain a source of light. Finding, keeping, and sharing the source of true light has been the common thread throughout the week. These young disciples will be burning out darkness in the world.

Following lunch, Curt and Mike presented the bible lesson on Samson to a general session. Two youth stood during their talk and shared testimony about their own lives.

Jack and Diane lead one of the morning group breakout sessions discussing with the youth how to defend their faith.

Now that the "stranger" label is wearing off the old folks from Louisiana the young people are warming up to us. Remember that these participants are ages 15 to 25. It seems the first day we arrived none spoke any English. Now, a good number stop us and want to practice their English. One told us that the way he learned English was to compare, word-for-word, his Khmer language with the Good News Bible he had. Thus God’s Word revealed the English language to him. What a testimony of this young man’s deep desire to learn, developing a new language skill and a deepening his faith all in the same process.

Another small group gave individual testimony, one-by-one, recalling the experience during their walk to the cross experience at he campfire the night before. Each gave a detailed description of how the Holy Spirit was revealed. …"I saw my parents last night while I was blindfolded" spoken by a girl brought up in an orphanage… "I became a Christian last night" said a boy…"Last night was joy for me. God will pick me up when I fall down" said by a girl…"I prayed at the cross for my whole family. None are Christian. I want them to see the light in me" spoken by a boy.

The late afternoon was spent back at the beach with the youth playing in the surf and sand. They have really opened up to us now and many wanting to talk to us…….they are sharing from their hearts and giving their testimonies. We have all been touched by these Cambodian Youth!

God gifted us with a great sunset that evening!

Friday Night Communion Service

The Youth Camp ended with a communion service that was very traditional. The Old Rugged Cross was the first song. Though many of the youth did not know this song, they knew the spirit of the song. We must have sung it twice!

The message of the evening was given by the same preacher (female) who had preached the previous night. We later learned that she was not scheduled to preach this evening but was filling in for a clergy who was ill. The focus of the sermon (long!!) was to preparation for receiving God’s grace and the sacrament of communion. There is still much dialogue going on between the five traditions of Cambodia about the sacraments of Communion and Baptism. The hope is that the youth will not be confused as the dialogue continues.

Jack was given the privilege to pray over the bread and water. Diane and Jack were one of eight persons that served communion. It is quite moving to see the Cambodian Youth come forward to take communion. Whether the elders of the church realize it or not, they see it as a great honor to feast at the Lord’s Table.

The closing song of the service was My Redeemer Lives—the song we know and have sung! However, the Spirit and the movement of the Cambodian Youth singing the song is unbelievable.

THEN, worship for the youth began! They were allowed to sing the songs they had been singing all week long, to dance, and to pray! Their service and song went well into the night (have you ever fallen asleep to Cambodian Youth singing the praises of Jesus Christ?)

Saturday

In the early morning, the Cambodian Youth filled the parking lot with their belongings and loaded on the bus that would carry them home. The buses and one van were filled to the hilt!

As they drove away, our team stood on each side of the road.

Many of you have made possible for us to serve Cambodia...........
Look close at the next two pictures as the bus pulled out.......your gift from the youth and our team!

The drive back to Phnom Penh was rather adventurous! Dave’s white knuckles (he was sitting in the front seat of the van) proved it. The entire road is used at one time or another. Passing is allowed almost any where and everywhere. It is a honk and given in method of driving.

Here are a few Pic's along the road back to Phnom Penh.

See ya in Phnom Penh!

YOUTH CAMP PICTURE COLLAGE - Page 1

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 07:45:00 GMT

CAMBODIA YOUTH LEADERS CAMP - Day 1 & 2

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:57:00 GMT

The first evening at Sihanoukville (Tuesday) we quickly disbursed to our rooms and then met back together for dinner (rice and soup and "other things we could not identify"…….then a team meeting. Donations from our home churches had funded the purchase of bibles in the local dialect for each of the youth attending. Our churches had also sent along personal notes and cards from home and we put one in each bible. The personal notes were provided by many at home that committed to pray for the recipient of the bible. Some youth attending actually had to borrow a bible to bring with them for the camp.

The next day (Wednesday) first day of camp) started bright and early (6:00 AM) with the sounds of the youth starting their day with enthusiastic exercise and singing, out in the parking lot.

Then after breakfast the camp kicked off with an awesome praise and worship, each of us were indeed touched by the dept of worship the youth engage in. The Spirit of God was present and moved many to tears….and yes, this is just the start of the camp! We all knew that we were in for an awesome experience.

Praise and Worship

Handing out new Bibles to the youth

Through out the morning the youth participated in several workshops. Topics include music & worship, youth evangelism, leadership in the community, sexual relationships, alcohol & drugs, and wisdom from the bible.

Workshop

After lunch the story of Joseph was presented by Ken Musick and David Howell. Mid-afternoon four buses head out for the beach. Games, sun, fun and fellowship abounded. Many attending from the inland provinces of Cambodia had never seen the sea. The wonder seen in their eyes as they tread the sand and played in the salty water was heartwarming.

Games at the beach

Having a great time at the beach

An afternoon of sun and swimming drained all the energy from our team... that is until the band struck up and the youth began to dance and shout and sing praises. The excitement of enthusiastic young people full of the Holy Spirit invigorates us all. Dr. Jack O’Dell lead the worship Wednesday night, telling his story; the story of how God began His work in Jack’s life.

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 - Youth Camp at Sihanoukville

Once again, our morning wakeup call is the young people dancing morning exercises out in the parking lot at 6:00 AM. Jack was a section leader gracefully leading those smooth motions in time with the high-paced music. Mandy and Ken were actually caught in the back of the pack trying their best.

Morning worship lead by Jack as he focused upon the scripture lesson on the fruits of the spirit.

Jack and John (interperter) preaching Fruits of the Spirit

Youth and their new shirts (grouped by home province)

Workshop sessions follow later in the morning. Following lunch, Mandy and Diane present the bible lesson on Ruth to a general session. Two youth stood during their talk and shared testimony about their own lives, like Ruth’s, are dependent upon being drawn into the family of God. Late afternoon, each of the groups had an opportunity to present a skit or song about some biblical truth their group had been discussing the last two days. Sidesplitting laughter filled the room as the truth of these stories was presented in such refreshing and creative ways. All groups were winners.

CAMPFIRE

The name printed in the agenda said "Campfire Night". Most of our team commented that we may "skip out" on the campfire…..thinking it would be like a campfire during a July evening in LA. How the Lord surprised us all! Of course there was singing……then a message by the Cambodian Pastors describing how Jesus is the light of the world. The message was a strong visualization of Christians in Cambodia, the source of light in a land of darkness. Then the reference to 1 Kings 38 where the Lord sent the fire. At the end of the message a fireball descended into the woodpile from the top of a nearby tree, illuminatinging the faces of these young Christians in the warm glow of Christ’s love.

Then as led by camp leaders, each youth was blindfolded for their own "faith walk" ……walking to the cross. The cross of Jesus stood up a steep rocky hilltop about 100 yards from the campfire. The youth were sent out into the darkness blindfolded on their way to Jesus. Teardrops of thanksgiving for the saving power of Jesus shown in the cross flowed like fountains of joy. The LA team served as anonymous "guides" standing in the gap along the rocky path. We were to help direct the footsteps of those that got lost or were struggling.

Each youth was met at the foot of the cross individually by a local pastor who removed the blindfold to reveal the light of Jesus in the cross, and to lay on hands and pray a blessing upon them.

After this deep spiritual experience, the youth again gathered around the fire for a long night of happy dancing and singing….celebrating the Good News of our Lord.

ON TO CAMBODIA

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:24:00 GMT

PHNOM PENH (Monday / Tuesday)
We arrived in Phnom Penh almost midnight Monday and was greeted by a large number of the Cambodian Methodist Church leaders. After a quick greeting and picture we boarded a bus to the hotel for some crash time. Yes, we had our first real bed after leaving home 51+ hours ago.

The City of Phnom Penh is very large, bustling with life. Yet the picture of life here is such sharp contrast to the Louisiana environment we all are accustomed to. As the light of morning allowed, our jet-lagged selves rolled out to the streets to see a bustling metro, swarming with motor bikes on the streets like bees at the hive. Traffic signals were merely decoration as we very carefully wandered the streets a couple of hours.

Esther Gitobu picked us up at the hotel mid-morning Tuesday for orientation and a visit to the Methodist Church’s offices here in Phnom Penh. We saw the youth camp leadership team hard at work in the headquarters conference room preparing last minute details of the Youth Camp starting the next day.

Youth Planning Team

Rev. Dr. Romeo Del Rosallio provided an overview of Cambodia along with usual customs, phrases and cultural sensitivities. He discussed at length the Global Ministries (GBGM) initiatives in Cambodia. It is just one of four international Methodist Mission Agencies working in Cambodia. The four agencies joined efforts late 2003 to form the "Methodist Church in Cambodia". In January 2004, the first meeting of the "Methodist in Cambodia" was held in Phnom Penh. The network team has about 20 UMC Churches in the USA partnered with congregations in Cambodia. Support is provided for the pastor and the ministry of the Cambodian congregations. They very much need additional USA partners as the UMC is getting a great foothold and the needs are great! The Lord is doing good things in and through the Church in Cambodia. The growth in the Church here is not only in numbers, but also more importantly, there is a steady growth in maturity and faith in the Cambodian leadership of the emerging Methodist Church in Cambodia. The primary purpose of the Youth Camp this week, the first one ever held in Cambodia, is to develop young church leaders to grow the church throughout the country.

Our Team Orentation

Cambodia Methodost Church Offices

We left Phnom Penh in our little bus mid afternoon and traveled a 3-1/2 hour journey to the city of Sihanoukville, a small coastal city and beach resort (by Cambodia standards) in South West Cambodia. Eight of the youth from Phnom Penh shared the little bus with us, sitting in jump seats & on the floorboard. No way were they going to miss this camp experience. The journey took us along typical Cambodia countryside with rice field plains and jungle like mountains. At the outskirts of the city, many relatively new garment factories were scattered along the way. It was striking to see these large factory buildings which employ many people, yet there is no need for a large parking lot. Motor bikes, buses, wagons and walking seem to be the way one commutes to work and back.

Youth Traveled over with us to Camp

As the setting sun darkened to an orange glow in the west, we could see free cattle grazing roadside. Small huts in community clusters dotted the roadway every few miles. Home styles are very open-air so we could see inside easily from the bus. As the blanket of darkness fell on our path, no deeper dark have we ever seen. No street lights. Little traffic. Most of the rural homes had only a candle or two providing light inside and a "campfire" outside (for cooking). Those homes that did have electricity usually had only a single bulb burning. In a very few of the homes, we saw the blue flicker of TV as the light source.

Cambodia Methodist Youth leadership Camp, Sihanoukville, Wed Dec 2-6, 2008

Sounds of music were heard upon our arrival at the Garden Hill Hotel atop a tall hill north of town. The youth band was leading the singing. Strong sounds of praise and worship poured out of the hotel meeting hall with 200+ voices singing songs of. What a great way to sense the open hearts of these young people.

There are 240 participants in this Youth Weekend. Over 200 are the youth, ranging in age from fifteen to upper 20’s. Several pastors of the Methodist churches around Cambodia are also here as are staff members from the Mission Office. Esther Gitobu, with here smiling face, is all over the camp greeting and loving the young people.

First (ever) Cambodia Methodost Youth Camp in session

Monday morning (we think)
We arrived in Seoul Korea this morning. We flew on a new (and I mean NEW) B777 airplane. All seven of us made it! We have received word that Dirk will probably not be joining us due to the unrest in Thailand. We will spend most of today in the Seoul Airport and then fly into Cambodia later tonight. Everyone is doing great! Keep us in your prayers.

Here we are as we arrived Seoul, all seven of us along with flat Sally (note her in Ken's hand)

Christ is Lord, praise His name forever!
We are off on our trip tomorrow, leaving from New Orleans Sat Nov 29^th, on to Chicago, then on to Seoul Korea, then on to Phnom Penh Cambodia..... arriving Monday Dec 1 at 10:55 PM. Phnom Penh is 13 hours ahead of central standard time.
Pray for us as we pray for you. Pray that Jesus Christ will be glorified through our efforts in Cambodia. Pray for a safe journey for our team. Pray for our families back home. Pray for youth attending the training event, and all the missions and people of Cambodia.
God Bless

Esther Gitobu.... Missionary Assigned to Cambodia

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:53:00 GMT

Esther Karimi Gitobu is a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church assigned to Cambodia.

"I mostly will deal with writing grants and fundraising for projects," Esther explains. "My vision of Cambodia is to see hope in the midst of pain and despair...hope is when in the midst of uncertainty one keeps making the effort. I just want to be there as an agent of hope."

Previously, Esther and her husband, Nicholas Gitobu Kithinji, also a GBGM missionary, served in the Southern Congo Annual Conference in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Even though they are living and working in a different culture, Esther and Nicholas say "The uncertainties and anxieties associated with moving to another country have been laid to rest by our discovery that God is already where we are going."

In the DRC, Esther was involved with peace and reconciliation efforts, experience that will serve her well in Cambodia, a country still recovering from the brutal Khmer Rouge regime. "The longer I am involved in peacemaking work, the more I am aware of the Spirit’s presence and of the many ways that God is at work in and through people’s conflicts," Esther observes. "Even in times when sin and evil are clearly present, I find the Spirit breaking in amazing ways."

Esther says she has often experienced God moving through her ministry

A native of Meru, Kenya, Esther is a member of Chimwemwe United Methodist Church in Kitwe, Zambia. She holds a diploma in business administration from Kenya Polytechnic Institute, and was chief cashier at the Central Bank of Kenya in Nairobi before entering the mission field in 1999.
Esther and Nicholas have three daughters: Jeannette, Nicole and Michelle.

Esther Karimi Gitobu is available for Covenant Relationship support in Louisiana Annual Conference , Oregon/Idaho Annual Conference , Texas Annual Conference , West Ohio Annual Conference , Western North Carolina Annual Conference .

Kingdom of Cambodia Background

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:08:00 GMT

Land - Covering over 69,000 sq miles, Cambodia is just smaller than Oklahoma. Mountains lie to the north and southwest. The center is basically flat, with a large lake, the Sonle Sap, roughly in the middle. More than 75 percent of the land was once covered with forests and woodlands. However, rampant logging has reduced that figure to less than 40 percent. Cambodia's climate is tropical, and annual temperatures average between 80 degrees F and 100 degrees F. The dry season is from December to April; the rainy season is from May to November.

MISSION PLAN

dhowell5@aol.com (CAMBODIA MISSION 08) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:14:00 GMT

Louisiana's Volunteers in Mission (VIM) and the LA Cambodia initiative's strong relationship with the Methodist Mission in the Kingdom of Cambodia continues the first two weeks of December '08 with a team lead by Jack O'Dell. Along with Jack the team consists of Mandy O'Dell, Diane Reich, Ken Musick, Mike Patterson, Dirk Smith, Curt Bailey and David Howell

For the past several years LA Volunteers in Mission (LAVIM) teams have worked with Spean Chivit congregation near Phonom Penh to purchase a new church location and the construction of a sanctuary. The church was finished in 2007 and dedicated by LAVIM teams in February of 2008. Esther Karimi Gitobu is a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church assigned to Cambodia and will be helping to coordinate the mission (see additional info on Esther and her family).

The average age of a Cambodian Methodist is between fifteen and twenty-five years of age (Youth) and English is the official second language of the country. Our team will be assisting with a Youth Camp the first week of December that will consist of about 160 young people gathering together to pray and fellowship. The theme is "Cambodia Methodist Youth Rise and Shine" their motto is "To know Christ and make Him known". The goal of the Youth Camp is to create a Christian community where young people throughout Cambodia come together to build relationships and structures that will enable them to work in collaboration on issues of common concern.

Through this Camp, individuals will be able to share their skills and also learn from others in ways that can be taken back and shared with local Congregations and communities. As youth participate, there will be opportunities for personal growth and the formation of new leadership in congregations and to communities that will allow for a stronger witness to the Gospel. We feel that this Camp will potentially bring about further leadership among youth/young adults.

Tentative Schedule in Cambodia Dec 1^st- 10^th, 2008

Dec 1^st ^(Mon) ETA 10.55pm Asiana Air 739V

Dec 2^{nd (Tue)} 9.00am Orientation

10.30am Visit Genocide Museum

12.00 Lunch at Hagar Restaurant

2.30 Depart for Sihanoukville 9about 3 hrs drive)

Dec 3rd-5thSee separate Schedule for Youth Camp

Dec 6th^{th (Sat)}2.00 pm Christmas program at Orphanage

Dec 7th^(sun)8.00 Worship Service at Toul Kork Methodist Church (one of the team members to preach)

2.00pm Christmas program at the Dumpsite

Dec 8th^(Mon)Am R&R/Markets optional

2.00 pm Visit Killing fields

Dec ^{Th (Tue)}6.30am Depart for S/Reap

Angkor Wat

Silk farm

7.45pm depart for Phnom Penh

Dec 10th^(Wed)8.00 Morning Devotions at UMC HQ’s (one of the Team Member to share short devotions.)

Evaluations

Faith Engine Ministry

Shopping

6:30 Dinner

8.45 Depart for airport

ETD 11:55pm Asiana Air 740 V

Contacts: Rev. Dr. Romeo Del Rosalio 012 830474, Esther Gitobu 012 688523