Cambodian Coast

We have made it to our first outreach location located in Southern Cambodia. The town is called Sihanoukville. It is full of European tourists and motor bikes. We are working at an orphanage started by an AOG Church and also working at a school. While we are here, we are painting the entire inside perimeter fence and also helping out the school connected to the orphanage. We are helping the students learn English and we are also getting to know some of the 82 orphans living there. 80 of the orphans also attend the school which is a K-12 school. So far it has been interesting getting to know the people and the culture. The food has been equally interesting. We have been eating a lot of rice, noodles, and vegetables. Our team is very lucky to be staying in a guest house across the street from the school and orphanage called Sunday Guest house. The people here are very kind natured and like to learn English. Most people who learn English can get better jobs which is why it is so important for the children in school. It's really a blessing to be able to jump into this ministry that is already set up and build relationships quickly. I'm looking forward to the effect this place will have on the students of our team.

I'm leavin' on a jet plane

So this will be my last blog written from Australia for awhile.  I am literally hours away from driving to the airport to fly to Bangkok and then on to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  So far we have only our first few days planned out.  We are spending Christmas in Phnom Penh and then making our way to our outreach destination which at the moment is unknown.  What is known is that we will more than likely be working with orphanage children and also working with churches while in Cambodia.  I must admit I am a little nervous as my American mindset is to try and have every step planned out for the next month.  However, we must be flexible going into a country in which relationships take priority over plans.  Our Cambodian contact has been working on setting us up with a place to serve in ministry and will likely have more information for us when we arrive.  Your prayers are most appreciated at this time as we are traveling and getting used to be around each other more.  Also, for trust that things we be more clear when we get there.  I am also nervous about leading 10 westerners into a country where it might be easy to complain and forget why we are there.  Thank you for your prayers.  I really wish everyone a Merry Christmas and I hope everyone is reminded of how truly blessed we are.  May we pass on the blessing to those who need it most.  

Christmas Lights and Baptisms

This past week I was asked by a few of my one on ones (see my first and second blog) to baptize them because they had never formally been baptized.  I felt very unqualified and yet honored to do it.  It was a little awkward since we had to go to a river to do it, but I was reminded that rivers are generally where most of the first Christians were baptized.  I was also reminded that baptism has so much symbolism in it.  To be baptized isn't just to have sins "washed away".  It's a symbol of being raised out of death and into life.  It was an honoring experience and I hope to do it again.  Also, this week the DTS has started working with a church called "Maroochy Baptist", which is where we have our lectures.  They put on a festival called "Christmas Lights".  The go all out during this time with an animal farm, Bethlehem walk, Christmas production, a food court, and other various events.  The students and staff are asked to help out in many different areas.  I am helping with parking as hundreds of people show up each night.  By the end of the festival which runs from Dec 11th to the 24th, they will have had thousands of people come through.  It's a great way to reach out to the community and talk about the real meaning of Christmas.  Some of the students are helping with the coffee shop, costumes, Bethlehem walk, parking, and serving food.  I hope everyone reading this blog has a very Merry Christmas and I look forward to hearing from you.

Covenants with Neville

"Covenants" is a topic that we were privileged to have Neville Strachan, pastor of Eastgate church in Byron Bay, teach this week.  Neville has partnered with our base and generally comes to speak on every DTS here.  I could try and explain a few things that he taught but it might take pages and pages. "Covenants" are not just promises from God as we would find out during this week.  They are an agreement between two parties and are everywhere within the Bible and throughout history.  A modern day example of covenant is marriage.  These things are almost always included in a "covenant".  Exchanging of coats (My stuff is now your stuff), Exchange of weapons (you pick a fight with me, you picked a fight with her too), exchange names (woman changes her last name), promise and oath (martial vows), blood cutting and seal (consummation of marriage), splitting of an animal (wedding cake?), blessings and curses (not normally said at weddings), memorial (wedding certificate and rings), covenant meal (wedding reception), and covenant attorney (wedding party).  All of these parts make up a covenant and can be seen in the modern day wedding.  Covenants have been known throughout history by every culture.  What Neville points out is that all of God's covenants with men are initiated by Him and that all of His covenants are leading up to Jesus Christ.  He is the focal point of all history, not only for the Hebrew people, but for the world.  It really was amazing to watch it all unfold as Neville explained the build up from the Old Testament.  It brings a whole new perception to God's plan.