The favor of the Lord was clear as we traveled through the long flight, a layover in Seoul and our beautiful welcome into Cambodia. We were greeted at the airport at 11:30pm by Pastor Sihok, his friends and Bunny Travels. Pastor Sihok’s faithfulness is such an expression of genuine love. This man, whose ministry life is overflowing, always meets us upon arrival. With a band of brothers and giant smiles they load our trunks and suitcases then deliver our weary team to our hotel. This encounter is something I anticipate with joy from the moment we depart Atlanta. His friendship is a beautiful expression of love as the Spirit of the Lord shines brightly through him. Thank you Pastor for your love towards all of our teams over the years.
Sunday morning began with a visit to the Killing Fields. Once again the team was deeply moved. Even after many visits, deep sadness and heartache for the people of Cambodia is overwhelming. Only God can redeem the atrocity of the Khmer Rouge. Please pause and pray for the people of Cambodia.
Afternoon worship at Liberty Bible Baptist Church on Sunday has become a tradition for Saving Susan Ministry teams. The worship music ministers to our souls. It is led by Sotharith, so beautiful and gives a glimpse of what heaven may sound like. The Next Steps kids of Saving Susan joined us for worship and Pov performed a beautiful saxophone rendition of “Stilovl,” accompanied by Oliver Rafael and Pov’s Parent Partners, Sarah and Williamrobert can be proud.
Sunday evening we enjoyed dinner and a celebration of the Next Step kids. Ms. Christina of Hong Kong and her Cambodian assistant, Sovan, joined us and shared a beautiful word with us on her passion, to reach the lost while asking God in BIG ways was inspiring to all of us. Next Pastor Bill Overstreet shared a devotion and challenged us all to live “Beyond Yourself”.
Myself and Sokion Ki, the Next Steps Discipleship Pastor, spoke with the kids about their plans for the future and goal setting. They each wrote plans for their futures and we prayed over these with the kids. I love spending time around the table sharing a meal and fellowship; this is where I most often sense our connection grow.
I am grateful for Dr. Castro and Mom Joy for inviting us into the lives of these kids 9 years ago, and together we give God all the glory for sustaining these relationships on opposite sides of the earth. God calls us into community, and only He could have orchestrated all of this.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
To God be the Glory
