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^“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;  but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NASB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darryl’s mom’s funeral was held on October 1.  We couldn’t attend because we could not have found an airline ticket and flown to Missouri in time.  Since she was a committed Christian, Darryl thinks of her funeral as a graduation ceremony.  He misses her greatly but is proud of her accomplishments in life as a pastor’s wife, nurse, strong missionary sender, and mother of 7 (Darryl is the youngest).  Just as none of us would want to return to high school or college after graduation, Darryl is comforted in knowing that his mom is much happier in heaven than she would be if she had to continue living on earth.  Darryl’s sister-in-law requested that he make a video about his memories of her.  You can watch it here.

“When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7 NASB

“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense (apologia) to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” 1 Peter 3:15 NASB

Darryl’s International Fishers Christians Apologetics media ministry continues to grow.  Darryl has made so many evangelistic/apologetics videos in the Cambodian language that he has pretty much exhausted most of the topics covered in the book he co-authored with a Medical Doctor a few years ago entitled  Christianity: Reasons for Faith.  The only way to find new challenges against the truth of Christianity, for new topics, was to join a few apologetics and Christians debate Atheists Facebook groups.  Mostly Darryl just observes the debates for video ideas.  However, a few times Darryl has felt led to post or comment.  On at least three or four different occasions in the last month, belligerent atheists have come at him with a lot of prejudices and hostility but little evidence or logic.  In all cases, Darryl applied 1 Peter 3:15 in his responses (sanctify Christ+defense+gentleness and reverence (respect). After a few rounds, the conversation invariably led Darryl to post something along the lines of, “salvation is a free gift. It must be freely given and freely received.  I have no intention of forcing anything onto you. etc.”  In all these exchanges, the atheists’ anger was so blunted that they thanked Darryl for his kindness and told him that he was a rare example of the Christians that they usually encounter.  Usually, after that, the atheists would stop the conversation before they could be given the Gospel, but their minds had been opened a little bit, their hearts had been softened a little bit, and a few seeds had been planted.

In the past month, Darryl has been able to write a few video scripts on the following topics:  1. How to Know the Truth 2. Prophecies the Jesus Christ Fulfilled 3. Did the Tower of Babel Really Exist? 4. The inspiration of the Bible.  Darryl has found four Cambodian Christians who can volunteer to translate his scripts or translate them for only $5 per page (university students).  In addition, Darryl still has his partnership with his Khmer narrator and has made additional connections to other Cambodian Christians who can help with videography, acting, and post-production.  In other words, Darryl finally has the opportunity to make professional quality videos! However, in order to fully take advantage of these opportunities, Darryl will need more financial resources because some of these Cambodians can afford to volunteer and others will need a small stipend (poor college students etc.) and there is also a need for funding for props, locations, and equipment rentals/purchase.

Last week, Darryl attended a three-day video training course at our International Church.  Christian media experts (one was a Ph.D. professor who has made videos for Disney and the United Nations) came and trained around 70 Cambodians and Missionaries in video production and social media.

Darryl’s team produced a two-minute video to minister to women who have had abortions before they received Christ but still feel guilty.  The script idea came fro m a Kenyan Christian lady.  She had never used video editing software before. Darryl showed her the basics and she did 95% of the editing.  You can watch it here. 

Darryl was invited to give his testimony about growing up in a Christian home and nearly leaving the faith in college (88% of Christian home kids do).  He also shared about his books, radio program, teaching, videos, website, and social media.  Several missionaries and Cambodian Christians are interested in partnering with him in the future.  Please pray that God will open and close the doors for these partnerships.

Kayo continues to be more and more involved with Precious Women ministry which evangelizes and re-trains women who work in bars and nightclubs who are at risk of sexual exploitation.  She also is planning a large outreach/fundraising concert for Food for Hungry Japan and Kone Kmeng Children’s ministry (evangelizes and educates children who are at risk for child-labor and child-prostitution) in June 2019.  A Christian, world-class flute player, will come from Japan for the concert.

Benjamin is doing well in school and is making friends.  He enjoys frisbee club and is learning some unusual throws.  2 1/2 years ago, we had to sell his bicycle before he was ready to take off the training wheels.  We finally got him a new bicycle last week.  Within a day, he was riding on his own like a boss!

Please pray for our finances both in the short term and in the long term.  Many of our most generous and faithful financial sponsors are either close to the end of their lives or are retiring.  As a result, their financial donations will either end or decrease soon.  We need to replace between $400-600 monthly ASAP just to break even in the short-term (more is needed over the long-term). Please pray that God will raise up new/younger senders and churches as well as give wisdom about alternative funding streams.

In Christ’s Love,

Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel 1:8

We spent from June 20 to August 8 traveling around Japan reconnecting with our friends, family, and senders there after being away for four years.  We spoke at around 20 church services and meetings and were able to reconnect with many but not all of our friends there as well.

We shared updates about what God is doing in Cambodia as well as encouraging and equipping the Japanese and international Christians there with apologetics based messages on topics such as the “Evidence for the Resurrection,” “Evidence for the Exodus,” and “Evidence from Prophecy.”  Japan’s national and church demographics are both getting older so it was also important to help them to be aware of some of the different perspectives and needs between first generation Christians and Christians who come from Christian families.  We also talked about the importance of equipping young people with apologetics evidence so that their faith will not be shaken by challenges that they encounter in school, media, and social groups.  In Daniel 1:8, we see that Daniel and his friends must have had their faith based on a firm foundation so that they could continue to stand for their faith even though they were in a foreign land.  Sadly, we see in modern times many young people who grow up in church leave their faith when they go away for college or careers.

This pattern is not something that happens only in the USA but we met Japanese Christian young people who also struggled in the same way.  As Cambodia develops both as a nation and in the church, this pattern is beginning to happen here as well.  This is why Darryl has been developing (in many cases the only) apologetics materials in the Cambodian language to equip church leaders and parents so that when their young people have doubts about their faith that they will be able to point them to reasonable answers.  Unlike older generations that would primarily seek answers to their faith-challenges from their families or the church, many young Cambodians are seeking answers on the Internet and other media.  We are encouraged to continue developing apologetics materials for distribution via the Internet and social media.  Darryl’s Cambodian ministry partner recently reported that one of the videos that they produced together in the Cambodian language had received more than 18,000 views.  Darryl also shared 26 scripts with another Cambodian ministry to produce into short video dramas for Internet distribution. This ministry, made up of Cambodian young people, has produced high-quality videos in the Cambodian language that have received more than 22,000 views.  The International Fishers website is regularly visited by around a thousand people each month and many of Light Times Magazine’s 3,000 copies are read by twenty people each, especially in the rural areas and in businesses.

As we return to our regular work/life pattern in Cambodia, Kayo will continue to serve with Precious Women Ministry to help them evangelize and transform the lives of young Cambodian women who are working in high-risk jobs in bars and night-clubs and give them a new life in Christ and the opportunities they need to pursue more sustainable careers and take care of their families.

Benjamin will continue into the 4th grade at Hope International School.

As we continue to reach out to Cambodia’s next generation, we are reminded that many of our Senders in the US and Japan are from an older generation.  Some of our largest financial sponsors are getting to an age where they won’t be able to continue their financial support for mission work for much longer.  Please pray that God will raise up a new generation of senders who will be willing and able to regularly invest in mission work to help Cambodia’s Body of Christ to not just grow and make an impact for one generation but for the future as well.

Thanks for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support.  We are always encouraged to hear from people at home so don’t be shy about e-mailing us.

In Christ’s Hands,

Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin.

 

“The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.” Philippians 1:6

We thank God for his faithfulness to us during this term.  We look forward to our time in Japan to encourage and reconnect with our senders there.  It has been four years since we were there.  We will be in Japan from June 20 to August 12 when we will return to Cambodia to continue our ministries there.  During the summer in Japan, Darryl will be able to continue writing apologetics scripts and producing short evangelistic videos in Cambodian language and sharing them via social media.  So, even though we won’t be physically present in Cambodia, the ministry will continue.

Because we got our work permits just in time, Darryl was able to renew his Cambodian visa for another year.  The Cambodian government is tightening regulations on foreigners from visas to driver’s licenses but we thank God for preparing a path for us through these changes.

Darryl finished his apologetics class at the Cambodian Presbyterian Theological Institute on May 24th.  His students prepared and acted out dialogues on various apologetics topics which Darryl video recorded.  Darryl’s external microphone broke some time ago so the sound of these videos is not very good.  Please pray for wisdom and provision for Darryl to replace it for future class presentations.  Still, the most important thing is that these 20 students are well equipped to defend their faith in their own churches and communities.

Darryl continues to write and edit articles for Light Times Magazine.  For the next issue, he wrote an article on “Scientific Facts in the Bible.”  Please pray for Soksan, the founder, and his family as they pray about their future and the future of the magazine.

When we return to Cambodia from Japan, Darryl will probably get more involved with the Chinese ministry at the international church.  According to a Chinese pastor and many news reports, the pressure against Chinese Christians is increasing.  Some of them may be forced to leave China and emigrate to other nations around the world, including Cambodia.  As this happens, there will be more opportunities and need to minister to Chinese expats in Cambodia.

Kayo has been more involved in helping with the administration of Precious Women Ministry.  They are making a positive impact in changing the lives and evangelizing women who by their economic circumstances are trapped in jobs in bars, karaoke bars, and nightclubs that often put them at risk for being exploited and trapped into prostitution etc.

Thank you for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support during this term.  We believe that God will use our time in Japan for his glory.

In Christ’s Hands,

Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9 NIV

The above verse is encouraging there will be so many people in heaven that we cannot count them.  Sometimes we minister to people and share the Gospel with them and we do not know whether someday the seeds that were planted in their lives or not. We may never know how our lives have impacted others until heaven.  When we find out in heaven, it will make heaven sweeter.

Darryl went to the countryside for an overnight ministry trip with his Cambodian/Filipino ministry partners.  He spoke at a house church under a house in the countryside.  He spoke about the Biblical view of respecting the elderly and parents.  The church held a foot washing service for their senior citizens.    We helped with a children’s program at a local Christian school.The trip was during the Cambodian New Year. Cambodians believe that there is a new angel that comes to the country each year.  Darryl taught the children about angels and demons and that they should not worship angels or be afraid of demons because Jesus Christ, the Creator is greater.

Darryl also continues to teach Christian Apologetics at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute.  His students are preparing to video record their Apologetics skits the end of this month.  These videos will be uploaded to social media. Some of his students are sharing Darryl’s videos on social media to encourage their Christian friends and evangelize their non-Christian friends.  some of these videos have received more than 6,500 views.  The International Fishers website consistently receives around one thousand visitors per month.

Kayo is working more with Precious Women Ministry because their other foreign staff member have returned to their own country.  Her ministry to Japanese people in Cambodia continues to grow and more Japanese are expected to come in the fall.  She also is ministering through the international church’s worship team.

Please pray for our coming trip to Japan this summer.  It has been more than four years since we were able to go there and connect with and encourage our senders there.

In Christ’s Hands,

Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin

 

 

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; He suspends the earth over nothing. Job 26:7 NIV

Darryl is developing a new video entitled “Scientific Facts in the Bible,” in the Cambodian language.  The video focuses on just a few of many scientific facts in the Bible that scientists did not discover for thousands of years.  For example, the book of Job was written at a time when many cultures wrongly believed that the earth was sitting on the back of a large animal or some god but the Bible correctly teaches that the earth is suspended on nothing. His videos on the topics of “Why does God Allow Suffering?” and “God and the Value of Human Life,” will be released soon.

Darryl also continues to teach Christian Apologetics at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute.  He has around 20 students from all over Cambodia. One of his students, a local government official in his sixties has planted four churches.  In May, his students will make Apologetics videos which Darryl will post on social media.

An exciting new ministry opportunity has opened up for Darryl in rural Cambodia.  Recently, Darryl has partnered with a veteran Filipino-Cambodian missionary couple to help a church and children’s ministry program.  In March, Darryl spoke at the church and taught the Bible and English at the children’s ministry.  He is scheduled to return to the province with this couple the middle of April.  Please pray for the development of this ministry especially for the development of sports and anti-drug programs.

Darryl continues to write articles for Light Times Magazine.  In March they distributed 3,000 copies across Cambodia. In rural areas, each copy may be read by more than 20 people.  They also distributed copies to the largest Cambodian Christian school.  Teachers there used Darryl’s article, “Did Jesus Really Rise From the Dead?” to teach their students about Easter.

Kayo continues to serve with Precious Women, a local ministry that reaches out to Cambodian women working in bars.  Her ministry to Japanese living in Cambodia is going well.  She has also been leading worship at the local international church.

Our work permits are still in process. Our Christian mechanic and his wife went out of their way to help us with the process.  Please pray for financial provision to cover this extra expense.

Please pray for our upcoming trip to Japan to reconnect with our Japanese senders.  It has been four years since we were in Japan. Please pray for favor and good fellowship with the churches across Japan.

In Christ’s Hands,

Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your hearts be.” (Matthew 6:19:21)

Thieves attempted to break in to the Light Times Magazine office. The founder and his family used to live in the building but after they moved out, the building became more vulnerable to thieves. We thank God that the thieves were not able to break into the office where the computers and cameras were stored. Since then, the office has been in the process of moving. However, it has taken a long time to get the Internet set up so it wasn’t possible for Darryl to work there for a couple of weeks. Darryl continues to edit articles and writes one article per issue. He also wrote an article on the evidence for the resurrection for the upcoming Easter issue.

Darryl was invited to teach Christian Apologetics at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute from March 8 to May 24th. Please pray for this class that God will use it to equip the students to answer difficult questions about Christianity.

Darryl continues to develop apologetics videos with the help of his intern. The video, “Why Does God Allow Suffering?” is almost finished and ready to release. Darryl is also working on another video, “God and the Value of Human Life.” Please continue to pray for these and other videos to come.

Kayo continues to mentor Cambodian women at the organization for at-risk women. Her ministry to Japanese living in Cambodia continues to grow. She continues to be part of the worship team at the international church.  In March, she will join the worship team for a Christian conference.

Benjamin continues to do well in school. He is also part of an after-school basketball club at his international school.

Please pray for our work permit application. It is a new and expensive requirement for foreigners in Cambodia. Pray for favor and a smooth process.

In Christ’s Hands,

Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin Record

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. Psalm 25:5 NKJV

It is hard to believe that the Christmas season and January have passed so quickly!  We have been busy and blessed.  We thank God that Kayo’s and Benjamin’s Cambodian visas were renewed for another year.  Please pray that the same path for renewal will remain open for Darryl in the middle of this year.

Darryl has been busier than usual.  In addition to teaching English at the Jesus Life Center, he gave their Christmas/New Year’s service message. He spoke about the Old Testament prophecies that confirm that Jesus is the Messiah.  He took a break from English teaching in January but plans to resume teaching in February.

Darryl continues to help with Light Times magazine.  He edits English articles and submitted an article on the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ for the Easter issue.  He also continues to help with the Chinese ministry which is sponsored by the international church.

The first two weeks of January, Darryl taught an intensive Christian Apologetics class at Cambodia Bible Institute.  He had ten students.  The students prepared scripts and acted out Apologetics on various topics such as, “If God is Good Why is There So Much Suffering?” “Those Who Never Heard.” “If I Believe in Jesus Will I Betray My Culture?”  and “The Origin of Evil.”  Darryl

video-recorded the skits and made videos for Facebook, YouTube, and the International Fishers website.  He also sent the scripts to a missionary in northern Cambodia for translation and production into a tribal language.

From January 22-26, Darryl traveled to northern Thailand to teach Christian Apologetics to five pastors and evangelists from India.  This class was arranged and sponsored by the

Myanmar Reformed Presbyterian School of Theology.  The director of this school is Dr. Jun, Darryl’s old friend and the former President of a Bible school in Cambodia where Darryl used to teach.  The trip went well because it was covered with prayer.   Darryl will continue to provide Apologetics tech-support for these Indian pastors via e-mail as they use his book and teaching

materials to equip people in their own churches.

Kayo was also busier than usual as she had to take on extra activities while Darryl was away and occupied.  She continues to lead worship at the international church.  Her work with Precious Women Ministry as the Administrative Department Advisor is going well as she helps with

administrative work and mentors the staff.  The organization continues to grow and reach out to more at-risk women.  The Japanese Life Group is also going well and is growing slowly.

Benjamin is doing well in school.  He is growing up so quickly that sometimes it is

hard to believe how fast the years have passed!

Thanks in advance for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support.  May God bless you and give you an amazing new year in 2018!

In Christ’s Hands,

Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin

 

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

 

Benjamin continues to do well in school.  Here is a picture of his “ninja-bread” cookies that he made with Kayo.

Darryl continues partnering with Light Times Magazine the only Christian magazine in Cambodia.  For their last issue he helped with editing the English of this bilingual magazine and he wrote an article, “Why Does God Allow Suffering.”  Two Light Times volunteers are working to make that article into a video in the Cambodian language.  Even though it is faster for Darryl to make videos on his own, the quality improvement will be worth the wait.  Darryl is also helping with the international church’s ministry to Chinese, by helping them learn English and the Bible.  Translation has started for making a video “Why Does God Allow Suffering?” in Mandarin (Chinese). Making apologetic/evangelistic videos in Chinese has been a dream of Darryl’s for several years.  Finally it is coming true!    Darryl is also teaching English and Bible at Jesus Life Center, a Cambodian church and dormitory.  He was also able to supply evangelistic videos for a Christian business owner here in Cambodia to show to his employees.

 Kayo continues to lead worship for the international church.  Christmas is a busy time for her.   She also continues to work with Precious Women Ministry, an organization that reaches out to at-risk women.  Her Japanese ministry is also going well.

Prayer Requests:

1. Please pray for health and strength.
2. Please pray for Darryl as he prepares to teach two intensive Apologetics classes in January in Cambodia and Thailand.
3. Please pray for Kayo as she balances her various ministries.
4. Please pray for Benjamin that he will continue to grow strong in the Lord.

Merry Christmas,

Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin

 

 

Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:1 ESV

Sometimes in life and ministry we don’t see the fruit immediately.  Especially in media ministry Darryl often feels that his calling is to take the gospel to people that he will never meet, in languages he will never speak, in places he will never go.  Normally it is fine to trust God that someday in heaven he will get to meet the people who have read his books, listened to his radio programs, and watched his videos.  But, sometimes it is nice to receive some feedback.

A few days ago, Darryl attended a meeting at Far East Broadcasting (FEBC).  He wasn’t sure of why he was there meeting a group of Christians and missionaries from the Jirei tribe in rural Cambodia.  At the end of the meeting he was told that they have translated the Anchors of Faith radio program, that Darryl developed a few years ago, (26 half-hour episodes) into the Jirei language and that they are playing the program on a radio station in rural Cambodia and in tribal churches!   When they found out that Darryl has also produced videos, they were interested in translating them into Jirei as well.  Thanks again to all of you who supported this project years ago!  It is still bearing fruit after many days.

Things are going well for us.  We are glad that the rainy season is ending and along with it knee-deep flooded streets that cause us to pray for our car when the waves from other cars wash over the hood.

Benjamin continues to do well in school.  His class is studying the human body.  Benjamin not only knew most of the body parts but knew about cells and DNA from watching apologetics/intelligent design videos.  For homework, his teacher asked him to draw a diagram of the cell for his classmates and he did it.

Kayo continues to volunteer at Precious Women Ministry, to minister to Japanese living in Cambodia, and is part of the worship team at the international church.  She is also reaching out to our apartment building’s cleaning-lady.

Darryl has started partnering with Light Times Magazine, the only Christian magazine in Cambodia.  Some of his video scripts will be published as articles in the magazine and they can help him produce better quality videos in the Cambodian language.   A new video, “If God is Good, Why is There Evil and Suffering in the World?” in Cambodian language is in process.  Another missionary from rural Cambodia e-mailed and requested videos to show her students during the upcoming holidays. He also is helping out with the Chinese ministry at the international church.  They are also interested in producing apologetics and evangelistic videos in Chinese and want Darryl’s help.

Thank you for your partnership in our lives and ministries.  May God reward you for your faithfulness!

Prayer Requests:

1. Please pray for continued health, wisdom, and strength for all of us as our ministries expand.
2. We thank God for providing a temporary solution to our visa problem.  Please pray for wisdom and for a long term solution.
3. Please pray for our long-term vision and needs.

In Christ’s Hands,

Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin

 

 

 

 

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8

God has blessed us as we take refuge in Him.  August and September have flown by as Benjamin returned to the 3rd grade at Hope International School. He is doing well and is even continuing his judo in an after school club.

Kayo has been busy with worship team at church and at a women’s conference.  She restarted the Japanese Life Group ministry in August.  She also serves at Precious Women Ministry as a volunteer to help with administration once or twice a week and working from home.

Darryl released the videos, “What About Those Who Never Heard about Jesus Christ?” and “Did Jesus Really Rise From the Dead?” to more than 12,000 people in Cambodia.  The website continues to equip around a thousand visitors each month.

Darryl and Kayo also resumed Cambodian language study.

Prayer Requests:

1. The Cambodian government is tightening regulations on foreigners including driver’s licenses and visas.  Please pray for wisdom as we must navigate these new challenges.
2. Please continue to pray for our health and strength.
3. Please continue to pray for our various ministries.

In Christ’s Hands,

Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin