Mar 27, 2013 ... “Soo-a s'day” which means “good morning” in Khmer, the national language of ...
training school, Cambodia Bible Institute (CBI) in the.
March 27, 2013 Dear Friends, “Soo-a s’day” which means “good morning” in Khmer, the national language of Cambodia. Cambodia is exploding. She is the third most land mined country in the world. Since the 1970’s, many unexploded landmines have taken over 60,000 Cambodian lives (most in the countryside). Not only is Cambodia exploding from landmines, but also from new construction and economic growth. Within a one block radius of our hotel there were four major building projects.
Tropeang Konsaeng Church of Christ CBI grad. Sokhorn planted this church & continues to minister to them
The spread of the gospel is exploding as well. There have been six more congregations established by CBI graduates since we were in Cambodia last year. All of these are located in highly receptive villages. Of the 14.8 million people in Cambodia, half the population is under 22 years of age which makes it very receptive to the gospel. Life is improving for many Cambodians. Their life expectancy rate has gone up substantially. In 1999, the life expectancy rate was 46 for males and 49 for females. Today it is 60 for males and 65 for females. Their literacy rate has greatly improved as well. In 2004 the literacy rate was 73%. Among those who are 1524 years old, it averages 88% today. That’s quite
an improvement in just nine years. The predominant religion is Buddhism with 95% of the population adhering to this idolatrous religion. Only 1.3% claim any form of Christianity. So, there is a lot of work to do. It is exciting to see good cooperation between our brethren in Cambodia. Sunset’s ministry training school, Cambodia Bible Institute (CBI) in the capitol city of Phnom Penh currently has 15 students. Bob taught II Corinthians every afternoon for three weeks. CBI students travel every Sunday, usually 2-3 per motorbike to preach in the villages. Most of these villages now have congregations or have congregations
Loren & Penny Hollingsworth with daughters, Julie & Rhonda
being formed from the good work of our students and graduates. Sandy helped with a children’s English/Bible school operated by Sunset graduate, Doris Morrison. A house church also meets in Doris’ home. One of the Cambodian Bible Institute graduates is preaching and teaching for this congregation. Not far from Sunset’s school is the Best Center operated by Julie Broyles. Free English/Bible classes are offered there using World English Institute materials. Julie’s parents are Loren and Penny Hollingsworth who have worked Sandy with Doris Morrison as missionaries in the adjoining country of Thailand for several decades. They were in Cambodia the same time we were there. Loren taught Galatians in the mornings. The Best Center has a good sized congregation meeting in its facility on Sundays, with a meal and singing on Thursday evenings. Rich Dolan ably assisted by his wife, Rhonda, directs Sunset’s Cambodian school. Rhonda is also a daughter of the Hollingsworths. After CBI students graduate a scholarship is provided to graduates to invest in vocational training. Some choose to raise pigs or chickens. Some train to become motorcycle mechanics. Some choose to continue their education at a university. By encouraging them to invest in a vocation, they are able to be self-supported, not relying on funding from the U.S. or other outside sources. Rich & Rhonda Dolan
Sunset graduates, Dennis and Sharon Welch, are working in Phnom Penh. Dennis teaches in Sunset’s school, assisting Rich Dolan. Sharon directs a children’s nutritional feeding program in the villages. They are currently feeding over 600 children per day. Several congregations have been established through contacts made from this good ministry. Some graduates are staff to the The Welches and Jacksons in Battambang
feeding program. They also teach Bible stories and Bible songs to the children and some of the parents. It is really exciting to see the interaction and cooperation among Christians working here in Cambodia.
Loren and Bob with CBI students
We would like to tell you about all of our bright, young students in Sunset’s Cambodian Bible Institute (CBI), but space will not allow. So, let us tell you about one - Noeun. Noeun is married and has two young children. He served for a time in the Cambodian army near the Thailand border. Later he became a Buddhist monk. He was taught the gospel and decided to train for ministry so he came to our school in Phnom Penh. He is very intelligent, asks lots of good questions, and does excellent work. When our brethren first met him, he was attending a denominational church. After he was taught the gospel, he began teaching the truth to that group of people. They gave him free rein to teach whatever he chose. He plans to return to work with this group when he graduates from CBI in March. He will be preaching in Battambang, a city in northern Cambodia. Most of our students come from villages. They are full of energy, and a delight to teach and to interact with. Some speak English and some only speak their native language of Khmer. Tol Veasna, one of our graduates, translated for Bob and for Loren. He is a fine, dedicated servant of the Lord, and a joy to have as a co-worker. He will soon be teaching in the school, also. Most of the CBI students and graduates are new Christians. Few come from Christian homes. Please pray for these Translator, Tol Veasna, with wife, young men and women who are eager to share God’s Linna, and son, Timotea Word. Also, pray for all of God’s work in and near Phnom Penh. There is some very good mission work in Cambodia. For those who prayed for us and those who helped fund this trip, thank you so much! Your partnership is very important to us. We couldn’t have done it without you. Please know that we appreciate you, and love you very much. In Him,
Bob & Sandy Jackson
