THE BEAUTY OF NATURE
Seeing the beauty of nature in Cambodia during a recent trip to the mountains allowed us to reflect deeper that there must be an intelligent designer of the universe--the unseen Creator, God Himself. During the Khmer New Year, our Filipino friends, Amy Maling and her family invited us to spend the Holiday in their home in Mondulkiri province over 500 KM away from Phnom Penh. Amy is an environmentalist who works for World Wildlife Fund (WWF) preserving the forest and wildlife in the National Park of Cambodia. We took the invitation as an opportunity to get out of the busy life in the City and from work to see the beauty of nature in a remote province. The trip was not friendly as our van broke down but had wonderful experiences being able to visit several water falls and nature sights. The precious time together as a family and with friends is worth the trip though it costs our van's engine an overhaul.
See more photos at http://www.aleeyahandesherscorner.blogspot.com/
A TRIP WORTH CHERISHING
From March 28-April 18, 7 WBI students, 2 WBI staff, and Ptr. Kimsan from the national church were in the Philippines for the General Conference and the National Youth Congress of the Wesleyan Church of the Philippines. When the students returned, they feed us with experience upon experience that made them not wanting to come back to Cambodia. The experiences of our students are priceless. They were amazed and blessed how our Filipino bretheren had accepted, loved and accommodated them is such a hospitable manner. They learned, they grew, and they were different. WORDS OF THANKS TO DONORS AND FRIENDS
To Brookings Wesleyan Church, Mitchell Wesleyan Church and other individual donors from the Dakota Churches who made the trip of our students and one WBI staff possible, thank you. Thanks to KCC for sponsoring pastor Kimsan's trip, and the unnamed donor for Rotha as well. Special thanks to the Lumahans family for their hospitality. You did not only give up your rooms for the Cambodian team but also poured out your resources for the team's food and in country expenses. Many thanks to the Rafaels and the Pascuas for your your time and money for the Cambodian team. You surely gave them great experiences that changed their lives. Thanks to all the churches who accommodated them and to all the people who befriended them. Read more testimonies at http://www.wbi-cambodia.blogspot.com/
A HISTORIC CONFERENCE
The 12th pioneer district conference of the Wesleyan church of Cambodia on 
April 23-25, held at the new WBI campus is considered historic event. The conference decided on to allow a bi-vocational minister in the Wesleyan church of Cambodia. The conference went fine except for some tough discussion on the "no election for DS' and the resolution on bi-vocational minister. We are forever grateful to all the prayer warriors around the world, who were praying for the conference. The enemy tried to disrupt the meeting but we had come out victorious. In this picture you are seeing Pastor Kimsan listening to the questions posed by the pastors after giving his report. Behind him is Dr. Romy, ptrs. Titus, Arun, and Meng Hong. Thanks to the presence of our Asia mission director who wisely and calmly chaired the conference. See the photo of the new elected District Board of Administration (DBA), more pictures and news at http://www.nationalchurchministries.blogspot.com/
WHEN EAST AND WEST MEET
We were privileged to represent Jeff Rasmussen's parents during an initial ceremony in preparation for his engagement with our very own Nekru Channy. In the Cambodian culture, there are 3 stages/steps toward marriage. At the first stage, the boy's parents meet the girls parents and set a date for the engagement ceremony. The second stage is the engagement itself where both parents also talk about the wedding date and the bride's price. Then the third, is the wedding itself. In this picture you are seeing Greg and Resie, and Jeff expressing his desire to marry Channy. I guess, people do it differently but here is what happened when we (Greg and Resie) represented Jeff. After we expressed the marital intention, the girl's father asked Jeff if he really and genuinely loves the girl. Then the girl is asked if she accepts it. When the discussion was over, we enjoyed a meal prepared by the girl's parents and the fruits we brought. Others do it differently, but we went ahead and discussed bride's price or dowry privately. Engagement or wedding follows. More pictures at http://www.wbi-cambodia.blogspot.com/
GUESTS FROM KCC
On April 27-May 3, Steve, Chet and Virginia Quin from Kentwood Community Church visited Cambodia for an exploratory mission. The team brought along with them one brand new computer and one used laptop for our staff and students. Here you are seeing Chet Quin setting up the old computers in the computer lab for the students to use.
The guests also brought KCC's donation to pastor Sideth for his house that was burned down few weeks ago.
To Steve, Chet and Virginia, thank you so much for coming. We were strengthened, refreshed and encouraged to keep on going with our ministries here.
