Casting Bread Upon the Water

Dear Co-Laborers,

“Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.”

(Ecclesiastes 11:1)

One of the greatest tests of faith in ministry and missions is the lack of immediate feedback or visible fruit. Scripture reminds us that God does not promise instant results, but He does promise faithfulness—often after many days. Many heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11 never saw the fulfillment of God’s promises in their lifetime. Even Jesus healed ten lepers, yet only one returned to give glory to God (Luke 17:17–18).

That is why reports of fruit are especially encouraging—they remind us that God is at work, even when we do not see all the details.

As missionaries serving in Cambodia, Kayo and I minister in a variety of ways. Kayo ministers primarily among Cambodian and international women, grounding them in Scripture and helping them grow in spiritual maturity and confidence in Christ. I focus on training leaders, teaching Scripture, and helping provide solid biblical resources. None of these ministries lend themselves to rapid, visible, quantifiable, or even easily reportable results. We are careful about sharing photos to avoid distractions during ministry and to avoid exploiting or compromising the dignity, security, or privacy of those we serve.

We are also involved in an international church made up of more than 35 nationalities, worshiping alongside Cambodians. Some have never heard the gospel in their home countries; others have fled hardship or persecution. God is using this diverse Body to shape believers who can impact their loved ones through technology in the present, and most will one day return home carrying the gospel and greater maturity in Christ with them.

Scripture gives us this same pattern. In Mark 5, Jesus delivered a demon-possessed man and then sent him home to proclaim what the Lord had done—preparing an entire region to receive Christ. In Acts 8, the Ethiopian official believed, was baptized, and returned home rejoicing, carrying the gospel back to his own people (some of the Ethiopian Christians in Cambodia trace their faith back to this official).

That pattern is still happening today.

At the end of November, we held a men’s retreat connected to the international church. One man who attended was not yet a believer at the time. I prayed for him, asking God to reveal Himself and guide his life. In December, he returned to his hometown in the Philippines with no intention of doing evangelism—especially not in a prison.

Yet he sensed a clear prompting to share hope with prisoners, reminding them that forgiveness and new life are available through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. After reaching out to the jail warden, his request was unexpectedly approved. Later he shared:

“The Holy Spirit was guiding me, and I spoke fluently about our Lord Jesus. The program went smoothly, with no distractions. I felt this was the will of our Lord Jesus.”

He concluded with these words:

“I have been born again as a Christian.”

What makes this testimony especially meaningful is that I do not know all the details of how, when, or through whom God brought this man fully to saving faith—a beautiful picture of 1 Corinthians 3:6: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.”

He is now being discipled in a men’s Bible study led by a Filipino brother who serves as the men’s ministry coordinator I appointed several months ago. He is also preparing for baptism alongside two young Cambodian men who have recently come to faith. I am helping to strengthen their faith and get them rooted in the Body, as they are the first believers in their families. This behind-the-scenes work of discipleship reflects the kind of lasting fruit we pray for.

I am also meeting regularly with a man from India from a Hindu/atheist/Catholic background, helping him work through emotional, intellectual, and spiritual stumbling blocks as he seeks to place his faith fully in Christ alone.

Kayo continues faithfully ministering among women—casting the Bread of Life upon the waters day after day in the lives of many women, trusting God alone with the outcome, including testimonies of victory that cannot be shared publicly.

Thank you for standing with us through prayer, encouragement, and faithful partnership. Your involvement allows this kind of relational, cross-cultural gospel work to continue.

Prayer Requests

Please pray specifically for:

• New believers to be firmly rooted in scripture, protected from confusion, and established in Christ• Ongoing discipleship, especially among the men’s Bible study and those preparing for baptism• The man from India, for clarity, humility, and wholehearted faith in Christ alone• Wisdom and endurance for Kayo and me as we continue to teach, disciple, and shepherd across cultures• Our family, especially as Benjamin prepares to step into adulthood—pray for wisdom, direction, and provision

We are deeply grateful for your prayers and faithful support. God is giving the increase—sometimes quietly, sometimes after many days—but always faithfully.

With gratitude in Christ,

Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin Record