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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

2010 Triumphal Ends

College Students Christmas Outreach Stunning Crowd

Our team was not prepared to accommodate the total number of students that came for the Christmas outreach. Since October 2010, we had been hosting college students’ fellowship in our house and the highest attendance we ever had was 34. For the Christmas outreach, we expected and prepared to host only 60 students, but 94 showed up. Most of them are unchurched and are university students from 11 universities around Phnom Penh. While most of them are students, a few are young professionals. As students began arriving with their motorbikes, our parking became too crowded that we had to borrow three of our neighbors’ houses front yard for parking. Greg had to hire two security guards to give out ticket and watch the motorbikes during the programs. The ground floor of the house we are renting was packed and others were standing by the door, as over hundred students including some pastors and missionaries are present. Greg preached the gospel from John 3: 16. The message was short but the full gospel has been proclaimed without compromise. Four people responded at the end to receive Jesus Christ. We served spaghetti, fried chicken, fruits and drinks. The students enjoyed the games and fellowship and are looking forward to another big party on Valentine’s Day.

Church Christmas Celebration Draws Hundreds of People

It’s typical scenario during Christmas celebration in Cambodia to draw hundreds of people from the community. Christmas program serves as a platform to get the message to the unchurched, a great opportunity to witness to a bigger crowd. Greg had attended five Christmas programs in five different churches and five different provinces.

Although, Greg was only a guest in the three churches he attended, he had the privilege of preaching the gospel in two of the other churches. One was in Kampong Cham where a crowd of about 110 gathered in pastor Keith’s yard. About 90 adults came from four house churches where pastor Kieth’s supervise. While most of the people are believers it is good to know that house churches in Kampong Cham area are very much alive.

The second church Greg had the privilege of preaching the Gospel was in a remote rural village in Kampong Chnnang. More than four hundred unchurched gathered to join the Christmas celebration. The program is simple but the on Jesus’ birth draws people towards the front in a standing position. In fact, the crowd was on their feet when Greg preached the meaning of Christmas. The crowed came not primarily to hear the Good News though but because the pastor has the ability to combined Christian activity with the Cambodian culture-loud music, a meal, receiving donation and being prayed for, dancing, and selling varieties of goods. The strategy is effective as the church make a connection to the community for a bigger impact.

FOUR MILITARY OFFICERS JOIN OUR FAMILY CHRISTMAS DINNER

Greg has been teaching English grammar to five military officers in 2010. While Greg was opened in telling them that he is a Christian, he refrains from the confrontational approach to evangelism. The relationship has been built and it is time to get them for dinner and provide an opportunity to share the Christmas story. Three lieutenants and a colonel came along with a wife and a girl friend of some, 6 unchurhed persons in all. Three more lieutenants and a colonel missed the dinner due to an emergency military mission at the Thai border. We sang Christmas carol, read the Christmas story and Greg shared a short Christmas message. The dinner was a good way of building relationship for more opportunity to get the gospel message to them.

Fish Pond in WBI Welcomes a Hopeful new Year!

Towards the end of 2010, a 15X35-meter fishpond has been dug in the WBI compound as income generating project for the school. Due to a water problem, it had taken a several weeks for the water to settle down before fish will be allowed live in the pond. January 12 is the date set to put 15,000 catfish in the pond and it would take 2 months and a half before the fish will be sold in the market. Pastor Vandy who manages this project has high hopes that this will be a successful project this 2011. Some landscaping is done in WBI compound as well. Bernie and Nan built a fence in the property dividing the school and the agricultural area. They also built dirty kitchen and going to paint the front wall of the school this January. More than 30 mango trees and other trees have already been planted in the property. Papaya trees have also been planted and other vegetables are now on its way.

WBI resumes classes on January 11, 2011 with six students

Looking Ahead with a Hopeful Outlook

We have all the reason to be hopeful as we look towards this New Year and beyond. The challenges are huge as the 2011 unfolds more ministry challenges. The message of this new Year brings unwavering hope, because Jesus the author and finisher of our faith remains the focus of our ministry. Your partnership with us has been our strength in the past and will be our source of encouragement in the future.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. “ Hebrews 13:15-16

Thank you!

Rev. and Mrs. Greg Fernandez and Family