These verses have been on my mind lately. “So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor (1 Corinthians 3:7-8).” I don’t know if I am a planter, a waterer, or maybe I am the guy who makes and repairs the planting and watering equipment. In any case, it seems that God often calls us to work together with others. By combining the work of two or more people who may be weak on their own, God can bring about an amazing synergy and harvest. I am no Bible trivia expert but I can’t think of too many obedient and successful Bible characters who were strong and wise enough to be “Lone Rangers.” Samson was a lone-wolf but his wisdom did not match his strength and so he had a lot of problems. I recently watched a documentary about England’s King Henry V’s defeat of the French army despite 10 to 1 odds. Henry V’s army was made up of “commoners” while the French had a lot of knights and experienced soldiers. The key to the victory was that Henry V equipped his troops with creative weapons, encouraged them to work together, fought along side of them as an equal, and valued the contribution that each “common soldier” could make. Of course even the Lone Ranger had Tonto.
International Fishers Update
I am blessed that God is assembling a network of Christians who are willing to share their talents and resources to make the work of International Fishers possible. Here are the September highlights:
>. New videos Flight: God’s Technology vs. Human Technology were released in Khmer (click to view) and English (click to view) . I am blessed that God allowed me to use music by my good friend, Rev. Bob Boxer and photos by Rev. Kevin Soileau. My former student in 2009, Chamroeun translated the script, Rev. Em Sok edited the script, and Kone Kmeng’s staff helped with the on screen titles in Khmer. Other Christian artisans either have or are assisting with the videos as well.
>. Produced Commissioned, a special Great Commission challenge video, for CC La Mirada’s “GO” mission event on September 27. The full version which includes a special greeting from Kayo and Benjamin will be available until October 15 (click to view) a shortened version will be available long-term (click to view).
>. Shared the International Fishers Resource DVD (videos, radio program, and power points etc.) with Samaritan’s Purse Cambodia.
>. Shared the IF Resource DVD and Video DVDs (capable of playing on DVD players) with a senior missionary who is conducting a three-month residential discipleship program for 12 Cambodians in their teens and twenties. Finding the right software to make discs that can reliably play on ordinary players is critical to distributing these videos to people without computers or high-speed internet. Even in places without electricity many homes have televisions and DVD/VCD players which are powered by car batteries.
>. Shared MP4 Video CDs and flyers with 50+ local heads of international mission agencies operating in Cambodia. This boosted awareness and was well received. The most promising response came from the Pastor of the largest Cambodian church (1,000+ members in the main church plus 60+ church-plants nationwide) who told me that he wanted to help IF videos “go viral”. Many of the members are young, well-educated, and tech-wavy so they tend to be early adopters of new technology and techniques. Other churches often follow their example.
>. Shared International Fisher’s ministry at
Hope International School’s student volunteer fair. It was good to be able to show the young people how they can use the Internet and smartphones for more than “selfies.”
>. Continue to share videos with Cambodians living in the USA.
More exciting developments are in process. Hopefully they will be ready to report in October’s Update.
Kayo’s Ministries
Kayo’s Japanese life group is regaining momentum after our time in Japan and move to the new house. This month, four Japanese (two not Christian…yet), a Korean pastor’s wife who is fluent in Japanese, and the Cambodian wife of a Japanese man attended. Please pray for more Japanese missionaries to get involved and help to host and expand these fellowships. This is the only Christian fellowship in Cambodia in the Japanese language.
Kayo also joined International Christian Assembly’s worship team twice and visited Precious Women Ministry. Lord willing she will be able to resume her mentoring ministry there in the future.
Cambodia’s rainy season is in full force now so flooding is in full force so Kayo often has to drive through deep flood waters to go to her ministry events. I work at home and take Benjamin to school on the back of my bicycle so most of my car trips can be rescheduled if there is flooding. Kayo on the other hand, “must go through.” Benjamin and I wish we could make our 1991 Camry do what Ramone in the CARS movie can do.
Benjamin is learning to ride a bicycle now and is also learning to pray about his friendships with other kids at school.
In His Hands,
Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin