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Luke 10: 2 The harvest is great. . . Our family has just finished a short but intense season in Cambodia from January 6 to March 20. We are at a missionary retreat center in Thailand for a few days of much needed recharging before heading to Japan to visit our senders before returning to Cambodia in June. International Fishers Update:
With the new computer and microphone, we were able to make some major gains in video production by improving some of the existing videos and making new ones. Benjamin even helped make a video about missions in Cambodia for Calvary Chapel La Mirada’s Children’s Ministry. If you would like to view Benjamin’s video, please e-mail darryl@sgwm.com and we will send you a link. We can’t post this one on the Internet for privacy reasons. Another video, DNA: God’s Living Software has been completed in English and Japanese. A Cambodian version will come out after we return to Cambodia in June. We will keep posting our videos on vimeo and Facebook so people can view, download, and share them. We will also continue to share CDs and DVDs with those who don’t have fast enough Internet. As we develop these videos for Cambodians, we also invite people who are working with other nationalities partner with us to make videos in their target language. For example, there are some people who are ministering to Chinese who are interested in helping us make Chinese versions of our videos. We were also blessed with a new logo designs by our good friend Donna. The one above is one of our favorites. Japanese Expat Ministry:
There also has been progress in the Japanese Ministry. Kayo finished up a 10 week Alpha Course in Japanese. Now there is a stable core group that can help her to develop other ministries to Japanese, living in Cambodia, who have no other Christian ministry in their language. Euodia, group of world class Christian classical musicians from Japan are working on coming Cambodia this November after their mission trip to Nepal (please pray for their funding). Kayo is working on organizing one or more outreach concerts/events which can minister to non-Christian Japanese, Cambodians, and others in Cambodia. Trinity Institute Update:
In addition to getting TIC’s new location up and running and launching classes, Darryl and Kimhong have been working to organize and open a library/bookstore. The library has more than 1,000 books and there is a good chance that we can accept more book donations soon. We also have a book sales stand so that TIC can sell Fount of Wisdom books as well. When you visit a Christian university like Biola, you often see the library and bookstore housed in there own buildings, but I’m sure if you could go back in time about 100 years, the administration, library, and bookstore may have fit in one room. Unless the Lord returns, we pray that these seeds will continue to grow for the coming decades and centuries. As Cambodia’s church develops and becomes more self sufficient, it will begin to launch its own missionaries. Those missionaries will need inter-cultural, professional, and theological training. TIC is working on developing partnerships to train missionaries in Cambodia. We are forming a committee for this purpose with Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute, the Korean founded seminary where Darryl taught Apologetics last fall. At this point, it looks like the missionary training program will train three types of students: 1. Cambodians who want to go overseas as tentmaker/business as mission missionaries or to minister to overseas Cambodians (e. g. Cambodians working in Korea or Japan). 2. Mainland Chinese who are coming to Cambodia as missionaries to Cambodia or who are on their way to other nations. We are currently building relationships with underground church leaders 3. New or future missionaries from Europe or America who need practical missions and intercultural studies internships or training. Many Christian universities have intercultural studies academic programs but the students have limited opportunities to really experience other cultures directly beyond eating at a Chinese restaurant. If those students could come to Cambodia, they could easily form real relationships with missionaries, Christians, and others from many countries. Even though TIC is small, it is made up of more than 5 nationalities and our international church has more than 30 nationalities. But the workers are few. . . We truly are in the midst of an exciting time in our ministries! There are so many opportunities for really ground-breaking ministries that it is almost overwhelming. Whether it is International Fishers, Japanese Ministry, Trinity, or our other ministries, there simply is more that needs to be done, than we ourselves can possibly do on our own. We need more workers: volunteers to join these ministries in Cambodia, more prayer warriors around the globe, and more financial supporters in the US and Japan. We are thankful for the senders that God has already given us and we are thankful for their (your) sacrificial giving and for really providing the prayer cover that have made it possible for our ministries and family to blossom to the point that they are outgrowing our current resources (physical and financial). If our ministries are to continue to grow, we can only trust that the same God who has guided us will also provide for the next chapter. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His field. Please join us in praying that God will raise up many more workers: short/medium/long-term missionaries in Cambodia, prayer warriors, and financial supporters who will become co-laborers with us in His field in Cambodia. The Great Commission was given to all believers, not just the missionaries. In order to effectively collect His harvest, all workers are equally important (whether they are cutting the plants, sharpening and repairing the tools, or bringing food and water to the other workers.) Those of you who read newsletters like this one, pray, and invest your time, talents, and resources into missions have a much greater impact than you can possibly comprehend until you get to heaven and meet those in Cambodia and beyond who were touched by your faithfulness. In His Hands, Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin
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Category: Updates
Cambodia Missions Update February
The very next day they began to eat unleavened bread and roasted grain harvested from the land. No manna appeared on the day they first ate from the crops of the land, and it was never seen again. So from that time on the Israelites ate from the crops of Canaan. Joshua 5:11-12 NLT
Trinity Institute Update: Preparing for the End of Manna
Dr. Kwong shared the above passage in the TIC board meeting this week. God had provided manna for more than 4o years. He continued to provide until they harvested the grain from the land of Canaan and made bread. The Body of Christ in Cambodia has been receiving a large portion of its financial resources from overseas donations for more than 20 years now. A new post-war generation is rising up and the economy is continuing to develop. By training the future business, educational, organizational, and other Christian professionals, we are preparing for “the end of manna.” After the manna (foreign donations) ends, we hope and pray that the Body in Cambodia will be strong enough not only to survive and support itself but also to thrive by completing the task of reaching Cambodia for Christ and then launching its own missionaries to the ends of the earth.
Since moving into TIC’s new location, Darryl and Kimhong have been working on getting things set-up. Now, the solar panels, electrical upgrades, and sign are installed. Painting should be done next week. They have also been working on organizing the library and preparing marketing materials. Kira, TIC’s English Program Coordinator is preparing to launch two new English classes in March. Lord willing we can launch more classes in May. One class will be held at TIC and the other class will be held at Logos International School as part of TIC’s teacher training partnership with Asian Hope. Benjamin Goh from Singapore will also return to TIC to teach a few workshops on Social Enterprise and Leadership. There are other exciting opportunities in the planning stages.
Video Production Update
After more than 10 years of talking about making Christian videos, now Darryl is finally able to do it! Each morning, Darryl bicycles to TIC and then in the afternoons he is able to produce Christian videos. During our time in the USA, we were blessed to receive a new Mac Mini from Darryl’s parents and Kayo gave him a microphone for his birthday. Since returning to Cambodia he has just completed a new video entitled DNA: God’s Living Software in English. Cambodian, Japanese (Kayo’s translation and narration), and Spanish versions are also in the works. This video talks about the complexity of the cell and DNA as evidence for God’s existence and love for us (Psalm 139). Darryl is also working on improving the two videos he made last year with the new computer and adding English and Japanese audio to them.
Family Update:
Kayo continues her weekly Japanese Life Group/Alpha Course along with the worship team and Khmer language study. Benjamin continues to do well at Hope School. We are all preparing to visit our sending churches in Japan from April 3 to June 10. We will stop off in Thailand for a couple weeks of family vacation at a retreat center for missionaries.
Thank you for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support that makes it possible for us to partner with you in expanding the Kingdom in Cambodia.
In His Hands,
Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin
Cambodia Update January 2014
If the Lord had not been on our side. . . Psalm 124:1 NIV
Back in Cambodia
God blessed us with a good time of encouragement and reconnecting with family and friends in the USA from November 15 to January 6. He also allowed us to be out of Cambodia during the worst of the political and labor protests and related violence. Since returning to Cambodia on January 7, the streets have become peaceful again and there is some hope that the political parties will negotiate a solution to the present problems but violence could erupt again (http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/hun-sen’s-defiant-stance). On a related note, the prospective buyer for our rented townhouse seems to have backed out so, we will remain here until someone actually buys this place. It has been on the market for more than a year now.
As Psalm 124:1 says, “If the Lord had not been on our side. . .” our lives and ministries in Cambodia would be impossible. There are so many environmental, financial, health, physical, political, and spiritual challenges on every side that we could not have survived much less thrived without God’s blessings and protection, many times through His people and sometimes directly.
Trinity Institute’s new Location and New Chapter
TIC has moved from Gateway Cafe to the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia’s building. The EFC building is more centrally located, has more space, and it will be easier to register
with the government. God is making it possible for more people to share their time and talents to develop TIC. The English program should launch this spring and lord willing the Associate and Bachelor degree programs in Education program will launch later in the year. More opportunities to launch Leadership and Entrepreneurship programs and possibly to offer classes in Chinese and Intercultural Studies (missions). More partnerships with Christian organizations and universities are also in the works.
Now that there are qualified Deans in the Schools of Education, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership, the English Program has a curriculum developer/teacher, and there is also an Academic Director, Darryl, as Vice President, can focus on developing the support services for TIC (Administration, Maintenance, Marketing, and the Library/Bookstore). It is encouraging to see new growth in the areas where Darryl and others have been working to prepare the ground.
Japanese Life Group
Kayo along with another Japanese missionary and a Japanese-speaking Korean missionary have launched the first Japanese Alpha Course in Cambodia. This is a 10 week video-based evangelism and discipleship program that combines apologetics, relationships, and gives participants a safe place to build relationships and experience God’s presence in their lives. Please pray that God will use this and future rounds of this course and other life-group ministries to give Japanese living in Cambodia opportunities to know Christ and share that truth with others.
Cambodia Update December 2013
They will call him Immanuel,which means ‘God is with us.’
Matthew 1:23
It is wonderful to be able to be in the USA for in this Christmas season as we celebrate the most amazing event in history since Creation. God the Son, took on human flesh and was born in Bethlehem. Since that time, God was always with us as Jesus walked this earth. Now, we all can have God with each one us, all of the time, through the Holy Spirit. As ambassadors for Christ, we have an opportunity to represent the King of Kings and Lord of lords to a lost world around us. Jesus is the reason why Christmas is Merry!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! GOD IS WITH US!!!
We have been in the US since November 15. We spent from November 20 to December 11 in Missouri. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to see everyone we wanted to visit because of a busy schedule and a snowstorm. We are in California until we return to Cambodia on January 6. We hope to be able to spend time with as many friends as possible. We are moving from house to house so the best way to contact us is by e-mailing darryl@sgwm.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
Please click on the kink to view and print our latest newsletter. Feel free to post this on your church’s bulletin board or share it with your friends. Dec. 2013 Christimas Card Newsletter .
In Christ’s Love,
Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin
Quick Update: October in Cambodia
As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship. (Acts 8:26-27 NLT)
Coming to America: November 15 to January 6
We are really looking forward to our time in the USA, especially being able to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with our family and friends. We are also thankful that our accommodations and transportation have been fully provided and arranged between November 15 and December 11. We can make the rest of the arrangements (Dec. 11-January 6 in California) after our arrival. We can be reached via e-mail at darryl@sgwm.com or between November 21 and December 10, our phone number at Darryl’s parents will be 573 545-3026.
Testimony: Eight Hours on A Bus with a Jewish Man
Last week, Pastor Narom, one of Darryl’s Christian Apologetics students at Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute told Darryl about his most recent bus trip to his hometown. After finishing his Christian Apologetics mid-term, he boarded a bus and got into a conversation with a man who turned out to be a secular Jew. The man was surprised when the Cambodian pastor told him, “I worship the God of Abraham.” This sparked an eight-hour debate aboard the bus. The man raised challenges like, “humans and animals are the same value,” but Pastor Narom could answer this with the evidence that he had learned in class. Pastor Narom said, “I could answer some of his questions. . .After seven hours the man started listening to me. . .Now, we are friends (e-mail/Facebook etc.) ”
The same God who arranged for Philip to share the Truth with the man from Ethiopia in Acts 8, continues to arrange for secular Jews who might never be willing to talk about their religious views with a American or European to have an opportunity to hear the Gospel from a pastor in Cambodia on a bus. We never know when God will bring opportunities like this across our paths. We never know who God will choose to use as His messengers. This is why it is essential that we are “Always prepared to give the reason for the Hope that we have, with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). We must also equip others so that they will be prepared to share their Hope in situations and opportunities when we cannot.
In Christ’s Hands,
Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin
Record Family Cambodia Update
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7 NIV
USA Home Assignment: November 15 to January 6
It is hard to believe that it has been more than 2 years since we were in the USA. This is a rare opportunity for us to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with our family and friends in the USA. We have purchased our plane tickets and set our travel dates so now we can start making plans.
- November 15: Arrive in California
- November 20: Fly to Missouri
- December 11: Fly back to California
- January 6: Fly back to Cambodia
Things to Pray and Think about:
- Please pray for God’s favor with the U.S. Immigration upon our arrival in the USA on November 15. Because Kayo has been outside of the USA, her Green Card is at risk. The US Embassy in Cambodia could not issue us any special visa to protect her Green Card so it is basically up to the discretion and favor of the immigration officer at LAX.
- Please pray for opportunities to strengthen relationships with our family and friends, to fellowship, and encourage each other. Also pray for meaningful opportunities to share what God is doing in Cambodia and encourage others to see how God wants them to be involved in His Great Commission.
- Please pray for strength and health during our time in the USA. We have not experienced winter weather since Benjamin’s birth.
- Please pray for our travel arrangements, especially in California:
- Accommodations: Homestays or Housesitting etc.
- Transportation: Airport Pickups, Borrowing Vehicles etc.
- Clothing: We will need to borrow winter coats.
Update: Political Situation In Cambodia
A few weeks ago, we asked for prayer for peace in Cambodia as political violence was likely. By God’s grace, the situation has remained relatively peaceful for most of the time. However, on Sunday, September 15, there were violent clashes around Police barricades in which, apparently, the police fired live ammo into crowds leaving several wounded and one dead. Benjamin’s school was closed last Monday. We thank God, that these clashes did not spark large, violent, riots. Please continue to pray that God’s peace will reign and His will will be done in Cambodia. For more information visit: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/video/one-dead-after-violent-crackdown
International Fishers: Christian Evidence Ministry Update
Facebook: Darryl has been posting some of his Apologetics resources on: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFishers
Publishing: Darryl and Doug have signed an agreement with Fount of Wisdom for world-wide distribution of Khmer-language paperback/print-on-demand, audio-book, and e-book, versions of Christianity: Reasons for Faith. This will make it possible for the 275,000 Cambodians living outside of Cambodia, to have access to resources in their own language, without having to have some friend ship or bring the books from Cambodia. The books are available at: http://ondemand.condeopress.com/condeo-global/fount-of-wisdom-publishing/apologetics.html Lord willing, we will be able to release English-language versions soon that missionaries can contextualize, translate, and publish in other languages.
Video Production: Mr. Tamura Arata, one of the members of our sending committee in Japan came and spent two weeks with us in Cambodia in August. During Arata’s visit he recorded a Japanese language track for Darryl’s short video entitled Life: Creation or Accident at FEBC’s studio. Darryl also recorded an English track for the same video.
Pastor Kita from Tokyo Chapel and seven more church members from Arata’s church,
Tokyo Grace Church, joined Arata and stayed with us from August 23-29. They put on a puppet show at a Cambodian Christian School. Because they could not speak Khmer, Kayo translated their script from Japanese to English and then with the help of her tutor, translated the same script to Khmer. FEBC’s 99.5 FM staff produced the script into a radio-quality sound track complete with
background music and sounds. When the
team performed at the school they played the CD and synced their puppets to the soundtrack. Later, at home, Darryl videoed the puppet show and produced a video version in only half an hour with “Lazarus,” his less than cooperative computer. You can see the partly finished video at this link. More videos are planned after our USA home assignment.
Praise Report! We are very thankful for God’s unexpected blessings in the form of electronic equipment that we can use for our ministries. We have been given: video cameras, a used LCD projector, a used iPod Classic, a used iPad, and as soon as Darryl can order it, a new Mac Mini to serve as Darryl’s video-editing computer. Kayo uses the iPad most of the time for her music ministry. We are thankful for these blessings that have reduced the strain on our finances.
Teaching Apologetics
: From September 3 to November 13, Darryl is teaching the first Apologetics Class at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute, a seminary founded by Korean missionaries. Darryl’s 40 student class is made up of 28 Bachelor of Theology students and 12 Master of Divinity Students. In addition to teaching, Darryl has given the students DVDs with the Anchors of Faith Radio Program, Truth Talks, videos, and Power Points.
Trinity Institute Update
In August, Mr. Arata Tamura taught TIC’s first Japanese class. In Japan Arata is a university lecturer and most of the time he teaches Chinese. During his time staying in Cambodia, he finished writing his PhD dissertation in Chinese linguistics. In addition to teaching Japanese, Arata helped build networks and connections with Chinese Christians. This may develop into a Chinese language program at TIC or even some training programs for missionaries from China on their way to other countries. 
Another new development for TIC is that we have recently signed a partnership agreement with Asian Hope, a large Christian organization in Cambodia for the development of teacher training programs. Asian Hope (http://www.asianhope.org/educate) operates several Christian Schools in Cambodia. This partnership will make it possible for their existing teacher training programs for their own teachers to become available to teachers nationwide through TIC. It also makes it possible for them to receive accreditation. Lord willing one day through this partnership TIC and Asian Hope will be able to train teachers for private and public schools nationwide.
Kayo’s Ministry Update
In addition to motherhood, music ministry, language study, and mentoring Cambodian women Kayo has been very engaged with making preparations and coordinating Arata’s visit from August 13-29 and 8 more Japanese team members from the 23rd to the 29th. Our house was full with 13 people.
The team helped host a special meal and fellowship time for Kayo’s Japanese Life Group Fellowship. Right now this is only a monthly fellowship but it may develop into a weekly Japanese-language service.
Kayo also led some the team on a night-time outreach to invite “Beer Girls” at nightclubs to a special outreach sponsored by Precious Women Ministry. The team also led a fellowship for university students at a dormitory of Kone Kmeng and, as previously mentioned, they team performed a special puppet show at a Cambodian Christian school.
Benjamin is doing a great job of being a kid. He continues to amaze us with his insights.
Looking forward to seeing many of you in November and December!
In Christ’s Hands,
Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin
Pray for God’s Peace in Cambodia
We have much to be thankful for in Cambodia. God has opened many doors for ministry and partnership. Lord willing, we will be able to share about these blessings and opportunities in my next post. For now, we are requesting prayer for Cambodia.
Please Pray for God’s Peace and His Will in Cambodia:
On July 28, Cambodia held its national election. There is serious disagreement between the political parties over the results. There is a chance of protests and violence. For a short video summary you can visit http://www.phnompenhpost.com/video/back-table-little-progress .
- Please pray that Cambodians of all levels will reject the spirit of violence and destruction and that instead they will seek peace, reconciliation, and the good of their nation.
- Please pray for protection and wisdom for the Cambodian Christians, especially, that they will engage in this situation in a way that honors Christ. Pray that they will pray for their leaders as well.
- Please pray for the missionaries and the Cambodian Christians that we would stand firm in this truth. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7).
- Please pray that many will come to know the Prince of Peace, personally as a result of these trials.
Even though the situation in Cambodia is a bit unpredictable, our family is safe, healthy, and happy. We are having a good time with our friend Arata from Japan and are preparing 8 more people of his team to arrive this weekend. This is a time to pray and trust God and not to give into the temptation of fear and worry.
Lord willing, we will be able to update you all about all of God’s blessings and breakthroughs early in September.
In Christ’s Hands,
Darryl, with Kayo and Benjamin
Update from the Record Family in Cambodia
Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (Ephesians 4:12-13 NLT).
Kayo’s Ministry Update
It is hard to believe that only one year ago, Kayo was recovering from a severely lacerated finger and wondering when (or if) she would be able to play musical instruments again. Not only has God made it possible for her to play the flute with the International Church Worship team once or twice a month, but her passion for music ministry has expanded in many new directions that we couldn’t have imagined one year ago.
Ministry to Japanese Living in Cambodia: Kayo started hosting a monthly Japanese fellowship for Japanese missionaries and workers living in Cambodia. There are no Japanese language church services in Cambodia so unless the Japanese speak English or Khmer fluently, they have no way to worship and fellowship in their own language. Kayo has been leading the worship for these meetings with her keyboard and using her Bible Exposition background to lead the discussions. Recently a Cambodian family called Kayo in to help them prepare for the likely marriage between a Japanese man and their female relative. As more Japanese come to Cambodia the need and opportunities for Japanese ministries will increase.
Ministry to Cambodian Women: When Benjamin started going to preschool, Kayo had more time to study the Cambodian language with Vanna, a committed Cambodian Christian college student. With Vanna’s help, Kayo has been learning to sing and play Cambodian-language worship songs. With her rapidly improving language skills she has started leading Bible studies and worship in Khmer for Cambodian women at Precious Women Ministry. Precious Women Ministry provides job training and counseling to women to help them to come to know Christ and prepare to pursue better careers.
Darryl’s Ministry Update
Teaching Christian Apologetics: Darryl has been invited to teach the first Christian Apologetics classes to MDiv. students at the Cambodian Presbyterian Theological Institute, founded by Korean missionaries. Darryl will teach a 3-hour weekly course starting on September 2. Even though there are many Korean professors with doctorates in theology, since they have not been specifically trained in Christian Apologetics, they have asked Darryl to teach. Darryl is looking for opportunities to train missionaries and Cambodian pastors in Apologetics so that they can take over the teaching duties in the future.
Christian Apologetics Resource CDs and DVDs “When you don’t know what to say, push ‘PLAY'”:
Darryl has been dreaming, planning, and talking (like a stuck record : ) ) about offering free, Christian Apologetics resources on CDs and DVDs since 2003. Finally, the doors have opened for him to started distributing these resource disc. The CD version, “Christian Apologetics Resources in English and Khmer” contains 26, 7-10 minute, “Truth Talks”. These are the 7-10 minute radio dialogues which originally aired in 2012
- “Udom” and “Nimol” recording the Truth Talk dialogue
as part of the Anchors of Faith radio program on FEBC’s 99.5 FM. The CD also includes the English and Khmer scripts for the Truth talks, Darryl’s 2 MP4 videos (Life: Creation or Accident and Jesus: History or Fictions), and the video scripts. The DVD version “Christian Apologetics Resources for Pastors and Missionaries” includes all of the CD contents plus the 26 half-hour Anchors of Faith radio programs, high resolution video files for use with LCD projectors, and 14 of Darryl’s Christian Apologetics PowerPoint presentations. With this DVD and Darryl’s books, a pastor or missionary should have enough material to teach a basic Christian apologetics course on their own.
Darryl encourages Christians to copy these discs on their computers and download them on their phones and other equipment so that they can have these tools at hand when they have an opportunity to share the Gospel. Darryl often repeats this phrase, “Those who have the answers (pastors and missionaries) usually don’t have the best opportunities and those who have the best opportunities (new Christians) usually don’t have the best answers. When someone first becomes a Christian, their families and friends ask them many questions. However, when someone becomes a pastor or missionary, no one wants to ask them questions. Through media, it is possible for the pastors and missionaries to equip the new Christians with the tools that they need to help them to answer the difficult questions and challenges posed by their non-Christian loved ones. Having the tools in their hand to help them, when they don’t know what to say, can boost their confidence so that they can share their faith more frequently instead of running away from God-given opportunities. Lord willing, Darryl will be able to add more videos and recordings to this collection and to start distributing it through other means such as via the Internet.
Trinity Institute Update
Please pray for Rev. Heng Cheng, TIC’s President’s rapid recovery. He has had some serious heart-related health problems. After being hospitalized in 
Cambodia, he is now in Vietnam seeking additional treatment. His recovery is very important to TIC’s development, registration, and accreditation processes.
We are blessed that a Cambodian Christian man, Kimhong, could join TIC as a full-time logistics specialist. He has only been working one week but he has been a great help to Darryl. He can help with marketing, bookkeeping, setting up the library, communication, and purchasing.
We are preparing to launch a 2-week Japanese class from August 13-23 from 5:30-7:30 PM. Mr. Tamura, a university teacher from Japan will come and teach. Darryl is planning to take the course as well to help him communicate better with Kayo’s parents and our senders in Japan.
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and generous investment in His Kingdom.
In Christ’s Service,
Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin
Cambodia Mission Update: Record Family
Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle (Exodus 17:12-13 NLT).
Moses was a strong man but still his arms grew tired. Even then, he probably kept his arms up by pure willpower for a while. Like Moses, sooner or later, our strength will give out. It is in those times that God sends help in the form of brothers and sisters in Christ, angels, or supernatural strength to help us. In this case, Aaron and Hur didn’t just stand by and shout, “Moses, we’re praying for you!” Even though I am sure that they were praying, they literally took a more hands-on approach by finding a stone for Moses to sit on and then they held his hands up for him.
Recently, God has been demonstrating his grace to my family when our arms are tired. Sometimes it has been through supernatural strength and healing so that we can do His work despite our weakness and illnesses. It has also come in the form of some divinely-well timed gifts or acts of service from our Christian family.
Video Update: My Computer’s Name is, “Lazarus”
Last month, while writing this blog/e-mail, I gave my computer up for dead. I knew it was on its last legs. The graphics accelerator had burned out last fall. Around Christmas, the technicians told me that the motherboard could only hold 1 GB or RAM instead of 2. I really didn’t think it was strong enough to do video editing anymore. In April and May, I had no choice but to try to edit videos with it. By God’s grace, I was able to produce two videos with it.
After it crashed last month, I was ready to replace or completely rebuild and recase it. I took it to the computer store and told them to give me an estimate. Three days later they called me and said that my computer is working “very well.” They only charged me $5.00 for cleaning. So, I have decided to name this computer, “Lazarus”, because it just won’t stay dead. I also sense that God will keep “Lazarus” alive until His perfect time to replace him with another computer.
Even though I wasn’t able to produce a third video in June as I’d hoped, God is also bringing others into my path who are willing to help improve the quality of future videos. One Cambodian Pastor has offered to help edit the Khmer translations to make them more polished. Another prominent Cambodian Christian leader has offered to lend her voice talents as a narrator and has helped me find Cambodian Christians who are experts and passionate about Christian video production. I am very excited about how God is bringing others who are willing to share their time and talents to help produce high-quality evangelistic videos in the Cambodian language.
Celebrating 90 Years of Protestant Missions in Cambodia with the Korean Missionaries in Cambodia
I was beyond surprise, when I received the e-mail from a Korean-American Missionary asking me to present a paper and speak at the Cambodian Mission forum on May 29 as a substitute for Dr. Jun, the President of the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute. I had met Dr. Jun in April and I had spoken at CPTI’s chapel service but I never dreamed that I would be asked to speak at an interdenominational Korean missions conference of nearly 200 of the Korean missionaries in Cambodia.
Christian & Missionary Alliance (CMA) Missionaries from have been operating in Cambodia since 1923. David Manfred the CMA field director spoke about the 90 years of CMA’s ministry in Cambodia. I gave the response in place of Dr. Jun, whose wife was sick in Korea. Even though the Korean missionaries didn’t know this when they invited me to speak, CMA missionaries have been very influential in my own development as a missionary. Back in 2000, CMA missionaries and the CMA Cell Church were all key to mentoring, welcoming, and helping to launch my university-student ministry. My books have been made possible because of Fount of Wisdom Publishing. FOW was founded by Steve Westergren, one of the CMA missionaries that helped me back in 2000-2003.
It was a privilege to be able to share how that even though I have never even visited a CMA church in the US, the CMA missionaries in Cambodia were willing to help me get started. Is was also very encouraging to see that the Korean missionaries are entering into a new season of cooperation with other Korean missionaries across denominational lines and there are new opportunities to build partnerships between Korean and non-Korean missionaries. Kayo and I as Japanese/American missionaries are in a unique position to help encourage new friendships and to bridge the Asian and western missionaries.
Publishing Update: Publishing in the USA
There are at least 275,000 Cambodians living outside of Cambodia. Until now, they have not had access to Christian books in their own language unless their friends brought them books from Cambodia in their suitcases. In 2011, I met Dr. Brent Lindquist, at Mission to Unreached People’s World Wide Conference. Dr. Lindquist, a psychologist, was providing member-care training for MUP. He also started a print-on-demand Christian publishing company, that prints one book at a time. I introduced Dr. Lindquist to Fount of Wisdom and now, FOW books are available to Cambodians worldwide because they can be printed in the USA and reliably shipped anywhere. Here is the link to my books: http://ondemand.condeopress.com/condeo-global/fount-of-wisdom-publishing/apologetics.html
One good thing about print-on-demand is that I can make revisions to the books at any time without having to wait for 500 or 1,000 books to sell-out. My friend Amparo has helped revise my first book, Christianity: Discerning Essential Doctrines and Preserving Unity so I plan to put out a revised edition soon. We also hope that the finances generated by this new venture will help reduce the amount of funds that missionaries and others need to raise in order to publish affordable books in Cambodia and make FOW financially sustainable over the long-term.
Trinity Institute Update
Despite the many challenges and trials such as high temperatures and electrical black outs Benjamin, our visiting teacher from Singapore, was able to continue his work of teaching Cambodians and missionaries how to start Christ-honoring businesses and to host more John Maxwell Leadership workshops. Kira successfully completed her first English Vocabulary and Writing class.
In the next academic year we are looking forward to hosting our first Japanese language class in August, launching full-time language programs, launching the School of Education, and developing the School of Entrepreneurship. TIC will need to find and move to our own building to make us eligible for registration and accreditation with the Cambodian government.
With all of this upcoming growth and my family’s planned home assignments in the USA (mid November to mid-January) and to Japan (April and May, 2014), and increasing opportunities for apologetics and media ministry, it became clear that I needed to re-assess my schedule and focus for the next 12 months.
I am planning to continue my work as TIC’s Vice President up to 3 days a week while reserving at least 2 days a week for other ministries. I know that there is more work than I can do on my own, so, Lord willing, we will be able to hire a full-time Cambodian staff member in July. TIC also plans to hire other Cambodian administrative staff members as needed in the months to come. I will concentrate on developing the organizational structure and polices and launching the Department of Languages. Please pray for God to continue to raise up other qualified, and gifted Christian teachers for to help develop and launch English, Chinese, and Japanese language programs.
Family Update
Kayo’s Japanese and music ministries continue to develop. God is bringing new people to her monthly Japanese Life Group. As her Khmer language skills improve, she is beginning to learn how to lead worship in the Cambodian language. In addition to playing the flute with the International Church’s worship team, she is also preparing to use the piano/keyboard as well. She is also seeking God’s timing about learning to play the Khum, a Cambodian traditional instrument. She is also handling the logistics and planning for a TIC Japanese teacher and a team from Japan in August.
Benjamin is on summer break after finishing his first year of preschool at Hope School. He continues to impress us with how much he has learned and grown over the past year. He is beginning to learn Khmer and Japanese.
In Christ’s Hands,
Darryl, with Kayo and Benjamin
Cambodia Missions Update: Record Family
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
While attempting to write this blog, my desktop computer crashed and refuses to restart so it will need to be completely rebuild or replaced. In December, the same computer but the repairman was able to patch it together until now. I am thankful that God gave the computer an additional 5 months of service so that I could produce my first two videos on it. I wasn’t sure that it would hold together this long. I am thankful that I don’t need to produce another video until the end of June so I have some time to get it rebuilt.
International Fishers: Christian Evidence Ministry Update
God opened some unexpected doors for Darryl to be able to speak to around 130 Cambodian Bible school students on April 30. The Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute (CPTI) is sponsored by Korean Presbyterian churches. Richard and Angie Stinchcombe of CC La Mirada introduced us to Young, a Talbot/Biola student who is doing a missions internship in Cambodia. Young went with the President of CPTI, Dr. Jun to a Christian bookstore in Phnom Penh to look for Cambodian language books that can be used as textbooks. Dr. Jun picked up a copy of Christianity: Reasons for Faith. He was very happy to discover that someone had written an apologetics book in the Cambodian language. Young told him, “I know the author.” So, Darryl got invited to speak at the Bible school. CPTI is interested in integrating the book into their curriculum so we will see how God will use this connection for His glory and for the equipping of Cambodian pastors.
Darryl was also able to share his two videos Creation: God or Chance and Jesus: History or Fiction with the students at CPTI. On April 22, the video Creation: God or Chance was played for 630 people at the You’ve Got Talent outreach at the International Christian Assembly. One good thing about video ministry is that the videos can still be used even when Darryl is not there. During both Easter Outreach at Gateway Cafe and the You’ve Got Talent Outreach, Darryl, Kayo and Benjamin were too sick and exhausted to attend but we are thankful that the videos could still be there to bear witness to God’s Truth, even when we couldn’t be there in person.
The same is true for books, our friend Dave, a New Tribes missionary visited a church out Takeo province. The pastor was teaching Christianity: Reasons for Faith to his church members. Darryl and Doug have never met this pastor personally. We are blessed and encouraged that our book is proving to be a useful tool in places we could never go and to ministering to people whom we have never met.
Trinity Institute Update: Count it All Joy…
Between February 26 and March 16, TIC had classes every day. We are thankful that God made it possible for the students to learn more about Christian entrepreneurship with minimal disturbance. An English class has continued on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 12 noon and 1:45. Another intense round of classes and workshops will run from May 21 to June 10.
During the time when there was only one class running, TIC has had many problems. We thank God that none of these trials happened during the time when classes were happening every day, or it would have been a real disaster. First, the part time janitor quit, so Darryl had to take up his mop again and resume his cleaning duties along with maintenance and marketing for the upcoming classes. Then, Gateway’s electric wires short-circuited, which resulted in three weeks without electricity for TIC, until it could be rewired. We are thankful that Kira Evanson the English teacher was so flexible and gracious to be able to keep her class going despite so many disruptions.
Before Darryl could clean up the mess from month without a janitor and the rewiring work, an unexpected downpour leaked though the tile roof and caused a large section of the sheet-rock ceiling to fall down. Thankfully, Gateway Cafe’s staff came up and volunteered to carry away the debris and helped to clean up enough that classes could be held for 1 day. Just as Darryl was resigning myself to not having the ceiling repaired, the landlord sent a crew of workers who tore out and replaced the entire ceiling of the lobby area. While the ceiling looks good now, the workers wandered off with Darryl’s favorite dustpan.
Meanwhile, the electricity in the area of Gateway Cafe/TIC goes off for several hours each day. Gateway’s generator broke down for a few days, so we decided to get solar panels to be a back-up to the generator. We were blessed to get some solar panels and batteries at a good price. We are still experimenting to find the best way to use the solar powered fans and lights. We may need to some more equipment in the near future. 
Despite all of these challenges, we have been able to hold more Entrepreneurship classes and leadership workshops. Even though the attendance has been low due to the heat and the schedule, we continue to provide useful training to missionaries and Cambodian Christian professionals. We are close to signing an agreement with another organization to adopt their well established teacher training program into TIC’s School of Education. In order to obtain official registration with the local government and eventual accreditation with Cambodia’s ministry of Education, TIC will have to move from Gateway Cafe to our own building within the next few months. Other partnerships and opportunities are also in the works. Please join us in praying for these things.
Family Update: Preach the Gospel to Every Creature (Including Stuffed Animals)
Since March, our family has been struggling with temperatures near 100F, frequent illnesses, exhaustion, electrical blackouts including a 20-hour overnight blackout, unexpected car repairs, and some other more entertaining adventures. Once the door to Darryl’s office where he keeps his clean clothes accidentally got locked and Darryl couldn’t find the key. Kayo tried to stack up tables and chairs to climb through the window but it was too high and Darryl didn’t want to risk her falling and hurting herself. So, he had no choice but to kick the door open SWAT-team style. It was very therapeutic.
Despite all of this, there have been some precious moments. On Mother’s Day Benjamin was very sick with bacterial bronchitis, so Darryl stayed home with him. Kayo was on the worship team that week so she had to go to church. Darryl told Benjamin about how when he was a child, his brothers and sisters would play church. Benjamin got out his stuffed animals, lined them up, and taught them many of the Bible stories in his picture Bible. He did a great job and he was very focused. Darryl asked him if he wanted to take a break for snack time. Benjamin said, “not until I’m finished teaching about Joseph.” We are blessed that God gives us these special moments in the midst of trying times.
In Christ’s Hands,
Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin