AUGUST 2009 UPDATES

Pchum Ben, from September 5 to 19, is one of Cambodia's religious holidays, during of which food is offered to Buddhist monks in the hope that such a deed will benefit the spirits of dead relatives. There are two reasons in this; one is because it is raining every day (since it is raining season) that make it difficult for Buddhist monks to go out collecting food. So, within these days, people will go to Buddhist temples and offer food to them. Another reason, people wrongly believe that during these days, spirits of ancestors are released from hell to earth and allowed to eat food only with these days. So, beside food for monks, people prepare food for spirits of their ancestors. It is also believed that if ancestors found that their children do not prepare food for them during these days, they will curse them. So, piles of food are seen in every temple.

Only Christians see the difference. The gospel of Jesus not only releases people from the power of sin but also from the power of spirits of ancestors. It not only protects Christians from power of curse but also blesses their lives with the blessings from God. There is no other power that can release Cambodian people from this evil and blindness. Only the power of the gospel can do it.

I remember that my mother became a Christian only after this season started, some twenty years ago. The power of gospel envisioned her to see the difference; the danger of the power of ancestor spirit and the peace and safety of the gospel. She 180 degree turned and chose the gospel. And, surely, by the grace of God, she has got what the power of gospel promises it until now.

I pray that the power of the gospel will release Cambodian people from the power of ancestor spirits and bring millions of them to its peace and safety. Thanks International Christian Mission that supports a number of evangelists and me. We are part of the gospel sharing to many Cambodians in hope that they might come back to the power of the gospel, like my mother did.

Thanks to ICM that equips and supports evangelists, church leaders and many children under it.

I have regular meetings with our church leaders. And, once a month I meet with them to pray and fast. We pray for each other, as well as study God’s Word together. We know that we need God to provides us His strength and wisdom to do His work that is why we insist for his help as we meet together.

Please remember us in your prayers.

From
Runnath Narin

Director of
Good Shepherd Mission

Dear Grandfather and Grandmother,

Thank you for praying for Kimsan and me. Now I would like to tell to you that I PASSED with my final Examination in Sept 29-30, 2009. I am very happy with this result, because I can continue my Nursing School in second year, my result showed on Sept 07, 2009 at 9:30 pm. Please pray for our school fee of the second year. My Nursing School will start in this Sept 28, 2009.

I would like to say THANKS for your support us last year. Everything that you support for me of my first year were very GOOD and fluently. I love Nursing School so much, because I can help children here and harvest people for God.

Now, I have nearly one month to work here in ICM. God helps me all times when I need him to help me, my result depends on God. But now God reply to me. THANKS so much for your praying for me all time. I want to serve God of all my life.

I pray for my grandfather’s health and the team works every morning, even at school, I see God in you and your family. Let me thanks for you and all of them from here to you. I wish to see you soon in Cambodia this year.

May God bless you and your family.

Grandfather, I really like my subjects that I studying right now very much.

Love in Christ,
Rothana

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