Matthew 1:24-25 “Then Joseph, being aroused from
sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and
did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called
His name JESUS.”
Merry
Christmas! It’s the most beautiful time of the year! Here in Cambodia they
celebrate Christmas many times throughout the month of December at different
villages. We have attended six parties and we’ve been invited to a few more.
It’s been an interesting experience to say the least. At these parties, the
hosting village usually does the play of Baby Jesus, some traditional Khmer
dancing, and sometimes a fashion show. It’s definitely not the normal Christmas
experience I’m used to, but I’m blessed to have been and still be a part of it
this year.
Khrang
Thnong, my home village, was the one I was looking forward to the most. It was
on Saturday December 20th and we got to be a part of the hosting! It
was quite the time! Kim Thean, one of the English teachers I’ve written about
before, and a couple of the high school girls that come to English class came
to the Christmas event! And all of them are Buddhist. My heart was filled with
joy when I saw them. When it came time to Worship, they told me they were
leaving and that they would be back in 30 minutes. Saddened, I asked them why
and they just scattered away. I got really discouraged, because I felt like we
had taken a step forward with them and now two steps back, so I just prayed. I
asked God to take away the discouragement, and knowing He had a plan, I asked
Him to bring them back and to just continue using us. Well the last song they
sang was “Praya-yay-su” (“Jesus”). It is a very moving song, just making the
name of Jesus known. All of the girls returned just in time for this song…God
IMMEDIATELY flipped the discouragement. I was filled with His joy and peace and
encouragement.
Later
on in the event, those of the church did a mime to the song “Break Every
Chain”. In Cambodia, there isn’t really a focus of chains of worldly things like
drinking, or self-image, but it’s more of a spiritual battle and a lot of
darkness. The mime was showing how Jesus breaks those chains and overcomes the
darkness. It was a very powerful mime. Kim Thean and all the girls saw the mime
and I heard Kim Thean say “wow” while it was going…! The name of Jesus was loud
and clear that night! God is working and I have faith those girls will come to
know Him personally!
Prayer
is what got me through and that’s what the Lord has been working and growing me
in! I NEED to continue to turn to prayer right when things like that occur.
Praise Him in every situation!
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