Sharry Lanier with school children across from the Tumnob Thom orphanage
The SNACK Program staff having fun on the ocean
We pray you have had a Merry Christmas and a very blessed New Year!
On Wednesday, Avy, the sweet cook at the BEST Center was born again as our new sister in Christ. We rejoice with all the hosts of heaven that the Kingdom of God welcomed home another precious soul here in Cambodia. You can read more at the link to the BEST Center.
While the newsletter is loaded with pictures, here are a few more pertaining to September’s news and activities:
Cambodia has severe flooding in nearly every province
There is flooding in the capital, Phnom Penh too
There were so many people gathered for the holiday at SNACK Program staff member, Sreytouch’s parents’ home the children needed a separate table
Cambodia Bible Institute students love to teach in the countryside
CBI students also enjoy preaching the Word to the countryside congregations
A couple of the SNACK Program children from Komnob Village
CBI student, Kolab is preaching the Word to the ladies during women’s chapel at CBI
20 Harding University students assisted Sharon and the staff in weighing and measuring SNACK Program children to determine their nutritional statusThanks for stopping by to take a peek at our latest news. May God use us to encourage you all to greater love and good works for which He has created us all….and as always, to God be the glory!
Keep praying!
Below is an article written by my brother, Peter Nelson, a member at our home congregation, the Keller Church of Christ. Thanks brother for your words of encouragement to me and to others.
Once a year, my home congregation has a “Mission Sunday” in which, as a congregation, we offer additional monies, outside of our normal offering, to help fund evangelism and missions around the world. As a new Christian, I struggled with giving money to the church. Not necessarily because I did not want to give, but because my pre-Christian budget did not include sacrificial giving and setting aside money to give to the church, so it was difficult to adjust that budget and give back consistently. The first year I was a Christian and attended Mission Sunday, it caught me unprepared. There were people that had been saving all year long to put their Mission Sunday offering on to the plate as it was passed around. I had not been saving, and I wasn’t sure what to do. I’m sure there were people present that day that donated hundreds, thousands, or maybe even tens of thousands of dollars to further God’s kingdom. I was a single income supporter of a wife and 4 children (at the time) and I didn’t have thousands of dollars in the bank, let alone thousands or even hundreds to give away. I felt like I didn’t have much to give, so why bother?
Have you ever felt like don’t have enough to give to make a difference? Have you ever felt like what you had is not even enough to do anything with? Maybe you say to yourself: “I’ll be in better financial shape next year.” “When these few deals work out”, or “when this stock finally takes off”, or “when my car gets paid off, then I can really make a contribution that will make a difference, so I’ll hold off this year and I’ll just put in more next year when I’ve had a chance to save more and when I can give more.” I mentioned those particular things because that is exactly what was going through my head.
As I have grown in my faith and understanding as a Christian, as I have looked to God for answers and wisdom, and as I have reflected upon my own life, I have learned why it is important to give, and why it is important to give now rather than later.
Matthew 14:14-21, Matthew 15:32-39, Mark 6:34-44, Mark 8:1-10, Luke 9:12-17, and John 6:1-13 are all very similar accounts of a situation where there were very large crowds to feed and very little food on hand. In each situation, Jesus’ disciples ask to send the people away because there are too many, or they question how such an impossible problem could be solved without more resources than they had with them. In John’s account, Jesus even asked “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” Jesus knew. He knew how to feed thousands. He knows how to feed millions. He has the power. I feel like this is not just an account of a miracle that Jesus performed, it is an example of how we should give and let God provide the increase. We see in these accounts that there was a need, and Jesus clearly recognized the need. He asked what they had on hand, and asked that they bring what they had to Him. Notice that He did not go along with sending the people off to fend for themselves. He didn’t ask the disciples to go home and gather their resources to bring back to feed them later. He wasn’t deterred from their hopeless statements of how much it would cost to feed so many. Jesus took the bread they had (and 2 fish in some accounts) and said a blessing over the food. I’m not exactly sure who had the bread and fish (in John it was a little boy), but could you imagine how different the story would be if no one brought to Jesus what they could, even if it was such a small amount in regards to the thousands to be fed? Maybe there was some in the crowds that had some food, but decided it was not enough and were thinking “I don’t have much to give, so why bother? I’ll keep this for myself”. In the scriptures listed above, it is made very clear in each case that a man (or boy) first gave whatever he had, although it seemed as though it was not enough (“…Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ”There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” – John 6:8-9), so that God could provide the increase and multiply what was given to feed thousands on a small family’s worth of food. Not only did He take the 5 loaves and 2 fish and feed thousands (not including women and children), but there was a serious abundance left over (a lot more than they started with)! And the scripture states “and they all ate and were satisfied” (Mt 14:20, Lk 9:17).
Jesus showed in 6 different writings in the new testament (When God says something 6 times, I think its important to pay attention) that if you give what you have when there is need, He will take your small, goodwill giving and provide the increase necessary to do God’s will. But, in order to provide the increase, there must first be something to increase, and that is our part. Do you think you are better with your money than God is with his? Is the $50 you put into God’s hands today going to do more good than waiting to give $250 next year? Absolutely! God provides 30, 60, 100 fold increases, and more. What kind of return on investment can you get by next year? How much saving will be enough to help those who could be beyond help by next year? I may not have the power to provide the seemingly impossible increase required, but I have the power to give what I can now so that God can provide the increase necessary to do what needs to be done, and then some. This goes beyond just money. Give what you can, in any form, no matter how small it seems, when you see there is need or an opportunity (FYI – when you see a need, it is an opportunity to show God’s power), and let God fan that tiny spark into a raging, consuming fire of God’s glory. You have the power to give. Do it as often as you can. Do not leave God with nothing to increase. 100 fold or even 10,000 fold of zero is still zero, yet 100 fold of 1 is 100. That’s a big difference, and it starts with you, or me, or a giving little boy.
Well said Peter, thanks!
By way of a couple of new tabs above, we have added new content to this blog by adding a couple of new pages, one page of some videos and the other about how you can join us in serving the Lord as we serve the people of Cambodia.
Please keep praying…
The Central church of Christ (Stockton, CA) Cambodia Mission Display
Our grandchildren, Ethan & Autumn at a waterpark with their “Nanna”
Dear friends, Sandy & Cindy Detherage with Sharon
The Keller church of Christ (Keller, TX) Missions Bulletin Board
Dennis’ brother, Doug and 4 of his beautiful children
Sharon & granddaughter, Autumn. They grow up so fast!
Here’s what’s news:
Here’s what’s news:
Sharing the love of Jesus with you
Some of the older children are learning to assist in preparing the SNACK
Farewell! Troy & Tabitha Snowbarger say goodbye to 5 years of ministry in Cambodia
Village preacher, Thy and his daughter stand in front of the rice coop storage facility under construction
Some of Theary’s family members in Angkor Chey village. Grandfather is about 87
Sharon, Theary and Theary’s sisters in Kep, Cambodia
Here’s what’s news:
Synopsis
The SNACK Program fulfills its mission to make disciples and plant a church in a village were none previously existed. Yes, Jesus is very busy in Cambodia!
Veasna with the new church that meets in Tropeang Putrea Village, Cambodia
Background
Over a year ago, the Central Church of Christ in Stockton, California wanted to get involved in feeding mal-nourished, poor children in Cambodia, augmenting other economic development benevolence works they had already initiated in Cambodia. Funding was secured and research was completed. We identified three villages totaling about 200 children that could benefit strongly from this ministry, the Partners In Progress’ (PIP) Nutritional Feeding Program (NFP). Through a separate private donation to PIP, a truck was purchased, bringing the fleet of trucks to three. Two additional workers were hired, giving the NFP a staff of six. The additional truck and staff began bringing nutritional snacks to these 200 children in December 2009. As of April 1, 2011, this program changed hands and is now fully overseen by GRACE for Cambodia, a ministry of the Central Church of Christ and the NFP name changed to the SNACK Program (Supplemental Nutrition Aiding Cambodian Kids).
Nick and Carol Smith (Central Church of Christ) with the new SNACK Program truck used to feed an additional 200 poor, mal-nourished Cambodian children
Goals
This program exists to glorify the Living, All-Powerful, Creator God, our Father; the Lord Jesus Christ, His Son, and; the Holy Spirit, through His church’s living sacrifice to Him in example and activities, showing God’s abundant grace and love by:
Theary teaching children of the new church at Tropeang Putrea Village
Details
About four months ago, we were informed by the staff that in one of the new villages, Tropeang Putrea, there were some older teens wanting to know more about the God who sent His gracious blessing to the children of their village. Our co-worker and Cambodia Bible Institute (CBI) graduate, Veasna began traveling to this village nearly every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday to study with these young disciples. Their faith began to grow and grow.
During a CBI Evangelism campaign, we suggested that Tropeang Putrea be added to one of the places the students and staff would visit and seek persons of peace, interested in knowing about the Creator God of Mighty Power and His Son, Jesus, the Savior of their souls. The students found several. It was at this time that two of the disciples decided to give their lives to Christ and requested to be baptized to have their sins cleansed away and to receive God’s priceless gift of His indwelling Spirit. As two new babies were born, so also, a new church in Tropeang Putrea was born.
CBI graduate, Try baptizing the 1st new Christian in Tropeang Putrea Village, Cambodia
On the following Sunday, five of us from the city joined with them for their first worship assembly together. What a special blessing it was to share in communion of Christ and fellowship of the Spirit as we worship God, the Father together. To the delight of all of us and all the host of heaven, two more of the teens decided to be baptized bringing the total to three guys and one gal in the new church. PRAISE GOD, ALL-MERCIFUL!
The new church of Christ praying together in Tropeang Putrea Village, Cambodia
Veasna baptized 2 more on Sunday
Follow-up
We have already made arrangements for the students of CBI to go there each Sunday to help them worship together and further study God’s Word. Veasna will continue to go there often too. We hope that you will join us in prayer for protection from Satan for these young babies in Christ and also pray for their faith to grow daily so that others are also drawn to the Cross of Christ.
9 of us piled into our 5 passanger Rav4 to go down the country lane to the pond/baptistry
Conclusion
Because of the loving hand of God, the SNACK Program is a success. In addition to feeding the precious, vulnerable bodies of little children, this program has accomplished its goal of making disciples and churches. This is not the work of man, but of the saving power of the Good News about Jesus Christ. Together, we are feeding body, mind, soul and spirit of Cambodians to the praise of the marvelous grace of God. Never stop praising and praying to God.
Special Thanks
We first and foremost thank God, the Father who told Moses, “I am the Lord. The Lord is a God who shows mercy, who is kind, who doesn’t become angry quickly, who has great love and faithfulness and is kind to thousands of people. The Lord forgives people for evil, for sin, and for turning against him, but he does not forget to punish guilty people.”
And Jesus, God’s Son who, “was like God in everything. But he did not think that being equal with God was something to be used for his own benefit. But he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born as a man and became like a servant. And when he was living as a man, he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross.”
And the Holy Spirit of God who “will prove to the people of the world the truth about sin, about being right with God, and about judgment. The Spirit makes us children of God. With that Spirit we cry out, ‘Father.’ And the Spirit himself joins with our spirits to say we are God’s children. If we are God’s children, we will receive blessings from God together with Christ. But we must suffer as Christ suffered so that we will have glory as Christ has glory. Also, the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain. God can see what is in people’s hearts. And he knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit speaks to God for his people in the way God wants. We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. They are the people he called, because that was his plan.”
But we also want to thank Partners In Progress, Bill & Marie-Claire McDonough, Troy & Tabitha Snowbarger, The SNACK staff, Central Church of Christ, Keller Church of Christ, the Cambodia Bible Institute, Veasna, Try, the villagers of Tropeang Putrea and all the faithful who have poured prayer and financial support over this work. These words of Nehemiah to God I apply to you. Remember to be kind to me (them), my God, for all the good I (they) have done for these people.
“Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who lives forever and ever. Blessed be your wonderful name. It is more wonderful than all blessing and praise. You are the only Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, with all the stars. You made the earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them; you give life to everything. The heavenly army worships you.” There is no other!
The New Year Holiday is actually April 13-15. However, everyone takes the week off and the city really empties out. Guesses are that 2 million people from Phnom Penh travel to their home villages during this time.
Classes :
February 7th to March 11th – Loren Hollingsworth taught Romans & Dale Lundy taught the Wisdom Literature (in Tawn’s place).
March 14-18 – Dale Lundy taught an all day, one week class on Leadership.
Mid March to April – see the Evangelism Classes and Campaign below.
April 25-May 25 – Bobby Deason will teach ACTS (in Tawn’s place) & Dennis Welch will teach O.T. History 1. Bobby’s filling in for us will allow Ronda and I to make it to our son’s college graduation and to my parents’50th Wedding Celebration.
Thanks to all these men for teaching and sharing their lives.
Evangelism Classes and Campaign Weeks: From March 21 to April 1st, Tim Brumfield has been here teaching on Evangelism. We are in the middle of two weeks of Evangelistic efforts (with the New Year in between). Here is what the first week looked like. Please keep in mind that the law forbids us to go door to door and forbids us to pass out literature, both of these under the threat of prosecution. Many of our students were scared about trying to talk with people. They were afraid we might be put into jail. But, we found that it would work and was okay.
1st Week:
April 9-17 – Weekends and Khmer New Year
2nd Week:
Graduates News:
I want to highlight 3 of our graduates who have helped with translating and with the campaign weeks. They all have their own works too, but they are filling in and helping. We would be lost without them.
May the glory be to God who raised up men to fill the gaps.
In this issue:
Sharon preparing the SNACK Program nutritious snack
In this issue:
Special thanks to all those at the Central Church of Christ who sent Nick and Carol to bless us for a few days. Thank you Lord! Thank you church family!
We pray you find our newsletter encouraging and uplifting.
Eternal Love & Blessings in Christ,
Dennis & Sharon
Theary, Sharon, and Makara
Two weeks ago, a young Cambodian girl “Theary” was baptized into Christ. Then, this weekend we took her and two other girls to the countryside to visit a village church. During the two hour drive, Theary never stopped telling them about Jesus. She told them everything she knew (which isn’t very much yet) and what becoming a Christian has meant for her. It was exciting to listen to her enthusiasm while we were traveling. Then, on the way home, she told them more and tried to answer all their questions. By the time we arrived back in the city, they wanted to become Christians. All the angels in heaven are rejoicing with all of us because we now have two new sisters in Christ and during this time we also welcomed a new brother in Christ! May God be forever praised!
Our new sister in Christ, Makara
Our new sister in Christ, Srey Touch
Our new brother in Christ, Borei
Theary, Makara, Srey Touch, Borei, Dara and Try
We hope this story encourages you as much as it has encouraged us!
What a day of rejoicing…we have a new sister in Christ! At approximately 7:30 PM on Sunday evening, January 2nd, Theary gave her life to our Lord and Savior. Praise God!
Theary-new sister in Christ
We were blessed with meeting this precious young lady and her family in September 2009 while returning home from a visit from the province of Kampot. She was extremely helpful to us at that time and we have told many she was like an angel sent by God! We are grateful God opened the door for us to share His love with her and reach out to her. Many of you have prayed for Theary and her family as we have been building a deeper bond and sharing the Good News about Jesus. During one of her visits she and her sister watched movies about Jesus, joined us for worship and spent their free time reading a Khmer children’s Bible story book, which we sent home with them. We have enjoyed numerous visits from them since our meeting.
Theary and her sister Pov reading a Khmer children’s Bible story book..
In late September Theary moved to the city to attend a university. Sadly, she comes from a very poor family so it is quite a challenge to move to the city and be on her own. The Lord has blessed us with a room to help her and we pray God has used us as a bright light for her. Theary has such a sweet spirit and has an open heart to learn about Jesus. During the past few months we have been planting, watering and waiting for God to give the increase.
Theary and Try studying God's Word
Sunday after worship our brother Try, CBI graduate and now preacher for the University church spent some time with Theary making sure she understood the commitment she was making when choosing to follow Christ. After a few questions, she said YES, I want to be baptized!!! The baptistery was filled, people were called and we all gathered with much excitement for this life changing event. Furthermore, Theary later shared she is the first Christian from her village! What does God have in store? Please pray for this new child of God as she continues to study God’s word and as she matures to be more like Jesus.
CBI students and friends
Theary's Baptism
Sharon, Theary and Dennis
In this issue:
Dennis, Tawn and Navy in Hanoi, Vietnam - November 2010
We are grieving deeply and report with great sadness that Tawn Lork, teacher, translator and Dean of Students at the Cambodia Bible Institute died Sunday, December 26th as a result of injuries sustained in a traffic accident on Friday evening. Tawn, our dear friend and brother in Christ has gained his victory and gone on to be with our Father in Heaven.
Tawn Lork, Chheav, Sophea, Dennis and Bora - December 2010
Tawn Baptizing Pisey - September 2008
Graduation-December 2010
We have treasured memories of our time together and the impact he has made on so many lives here in Cambodia. He leaves a wonderful legacy; a devout servant for the Lord, a loving husband, father and friend, a strong leader, a mentor to the students and all of us, an effective evangelist, disciple-maker and church-planter. Tawn was loved by and a blessing to all who knew him. He is already so greatly missed. Please pray for his wife, Navy, his entire family, the church and the Bible school.
Family, Friends and Students of our Dear Brother Tawn
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